He spoke, and vanished: Ráma raised His eyes with reverence meet, and praised The glorious Day-God full in view: Then armed him for the fight anew. Urged onward by his charioteer The giant's foaming steeds came near, And furious was the battle's din Where each resolved to die or win.
The Rákshas host and Vánar bands Stood with their weapons in their hands, And watched in terror and dismay The fortune of the awful fray. The giant chief with rage inflamed His darts at Ráma's pennon aimed; But when they touched the chariot made By heavenly hands their force was stayed.
Then Ráma's breast with fury swelled; He strained the mighty bow he held. And straight at Rávan's banner flew An arrow as the string he drew-- A deadly arrow swift of flight, Like some huge snake ablaze with light, Whose fury none might e'er repel,-- And, split in twain, the standard fell.
At Ráma's steeds sharp arrows, hot With flames of fire, the giant shot. Unmoved the heavenly steeds sustained The furious shower the warrior rained, As though soft lotus tendrils smote Each haughty crest and glossy coat, Then volleyed swift by magic art, Tree, mountain peak and spear and dart, Trident and pike and club and mace Flew hurtling straight at Ráma's face.
But Ráma with his steeds and car Escaped the storm which fell afar Where the strange missiles, as they rushed To earth, a thousand Vánars crushed.
