सर्ग ३२

Sugríva heard, and, trained and tried In counsel, to his lords replied: “No deed of mine, no hasty word The anger of the prince has stirred. But haply some who hate me still And watch their time to work me ill, Have slandered me to Raghu’s son, Accused of deeds I ne’er have done. Now, O my lords—for you are wise— Speak truly what your hearts advise, And, pondering each event, inquire The reason of the prince’s ire. No fear have I of Lakshmaṇ: none: No dread of Raghu’s mightier son. But wrath, that fires a friendly breast Without due cause, disturbs my rest. With labour light is friendship gained, But with severest toil maintained. And doubt is strong, and faith is weak, And friendship dies when traitors speak. Hence is my troubled bosom cold With fear of Ráma lofty-souled; For heavy on my spirit weigh His favours I can ne’er repay.”

He ceased: and Hanumán of all The Vánars in the council hall In wisdom first, and rank, expressed The thoughts that filled his prudent breast: “No marvel thou rememberest yet The service thou shouldst ne’er forget, How the brave prince of Raghu’s seed Thy days from fear and peril freed; And Báli for thy sake o’erthrew, Whom Indra’s self might scarce subdue. I doubt not Ráma’s anger burns For the scant love thy heart returns. For this he sends his brother, him Whose glory never waxes dim. Sunk in repose thy careless eye Marks not the seasons as they fly, Nor sees that autumn has begun With dark blooms opening to the sun. Clear is the sky: no cloudlet mars The splendour of the shining stars. The balmy air is soft and still, And clear and bright are lake and rill. Thou heedest not with blinded eyes The hour for warlike enterprise. Hence Lakshmaṇ hither comes to break Thy slothful trance and bid thee wake. Then, Monarch, with a patient ear The high-souled Ráma’s message hear, Which, reft of wife and realm and friends, Thus by another’s mouth he sends. Thou, Vánar King, hast done amiss: And now I see no way but this: Before his envoy humbly stand And sue for peace with suppliant hand. High duty bids a courtier seek His master’s weal, and freely speak. So by no thought of fear controlled My speech, O King, is free and bold, For Ráma, if his anger glow, Can, with the terrors of his bow This earth with all the Gods subdue, Gandharvas,(635) and the demon crew. Unwise to stir his wrathful mood Whose favour must again be wooed. And, most of all, unwise for one Grateful like thee for service done. Go with thy son and kinsmen: bend Thy humble head and greet thy friend. And, like a fond obedient spouse, Be faithful to thy plighted vows.”