Book II: Canto XXXIII.: The People's Lament.

CANTO XXXIII.: THE PEOPLE'S LAMENT.

Thus Sitá and the princes brave
Much wealth to all the Bráhmans gave
Then to the monarch's house the three
Went forth the aged king to see.
The princes from two servants took
Those heavenly arms of glorious look,
Adorned with garland and with band
By Sitá's beautifying hand.
On each high house a mournful throng
Had gathered ere they passed along,
Who gzed in pure unselfish woe
From turret, root, and portico.
So dense the crowd that blocked the ways,
The rest, unable there to gaze,
Were fain each terrace to ascend.
And thence their eyes on Ráma bend.
Then as the gathered multitude
On foot their well-loved Ráma viewed.
No royal shade to screen his head.
Such words, disturbed in grief they said:
'O look, our hero, wont to ride
Leading a host in perfect pride--
Now Lakshman, sole of all his friends,
With Sitá on his steps attends.
Though he has known the sweets of power,
And poured his gifts in liberal shower,
From duty's path he will not swerve,