When Rávan saw his darts repelled,
With double rage his bosom swelled.
He summoned, wroth but undismayed,
A mightier charm to lend its aid.
And, fierce as fire before the blast,
A storm of missiles thick and fast,
Spear, pike and javelin, mace and brand,
Came hurtling from the giant's hand.
But, mightier still, the arms employed
By Raghu's son their force destroyed,
And every dart fell dulled and spent
By powers the bards of heaven had lent.
With his huge mace Vibhíshan slew
The steeds that Ravan'a chariot drew.
489:1 It is not very easy to see the advantage
of having arrows headed in the way
mentioned. Fanciful names for war-engines
and weapons derived from their resemblance
to various animals are not confined
to India. The "War-wolf" was
used by Edward I. at the siege of Brechin,
the "Cat-house" and the "Sow" were
used by Edwaid III. at the siege of Dunbar.
