"Again, O best of Kings, give ear:-- My saving words attentive hear, And listen to the tale of old By that illustrious Bráhman told. 'Of famed Ikshváku's line shall spring ('Twas thus he spoke) a pious king, Named Daśaratha, good and great, True to his word and fortunate. He with the Angas' mighty lord Shall ever live in sweet accord, And his a daughter fair shall be, Śántá of happy destiny. But Lomapád, the Angas' chief, Still pining in his childless grief, To Daśaratha thus shall say:-- "Give me thy daughter, friend, I pray, Thy Śántá of the tranquil mind, The noblest one of womankind." The father, swift to feel for woe, Shall on his friend his child bestow; And he shall take her and depart To his own town with joyous heart. The maiden home in triumph led, To Rishyaśring the King shall wed. And he with loving joy and pride Shall take her for his honored bride. And Daśaratha to a rite That best of Bráhmans shall invite With supplicating prayer To celebrate the sacrifice To win him sons and Paradise, That he will fain prepare. From him the lord of men at length The boon he seeks shall gain, And see four sons of boundless strength His royal line maintain, Thus did the godlike saint of old The will of fate declare, And all that should befall unfold Amid the sages there. O Prince, supreme of men, go thou, Consult thy holy guide, And win, to aid thee in thy vow, This Bráhman to thy side." Sumantra's counsel, wise and good, King Daśaratha heard, Then by Vaśishtha's side he stood And thus with him conferred:-- "Sumantra counsels thus:--do thou My priestly guide, the plan allow." Vaśishtha gave his glad consent, And forth the happy monarch went With lords and servants on the road That led to Rishyaśring's abode. Forests and rivers duly past, He reached the distant town at last-- Of Lomapád the Angas' King, And entered it with welcoming. On through the crowded streets he came, And, radiant as the kindled flame, He saw within the monarch's house The hermit's son, most glorious. There Lomapád, with joyful breast, To him all honor paid, For friendship for his royal guest His faithful bosom swayed. Thus entertained with utmost care Seven days, or eight, he tarried there, And then that best of men thus broke His purpose to the King, and spoke:--