Ramayana, Epic of Rama, Prince of India

VII. In the Nilgiri Mountains - 101
And the anguish-stricken husband seeks thy friendship and thy aid, –
Mutual sorrow blends your fortunes, be ye friends in mutual need!”
Bold Sugriva heard the counsel, and to righteous Rama hied,
And the princes of Ayodhya with his greetings gratified:
“Well I know thee, righteous Rama, soul of piety and love,
And thy duty to thy father and thy faith in Gods above,
Fortune favours poor Sugriva, Rama courts his humble aid,
In our deepest direst danger be our truest friendship made!
Equal is our fateful fortune, – I have lost a queenly wife,
Banished from Kishkindha’s empire here I lead a forest life,
Pledge of love and true alliance, Rama, take this proffered hand,
Banded by a common sorrow we shall fall or stoutly stand!”
Rama grasped the hand he offered, and the tear was in his eye,
And they swore undying friendship o’er the altar blazing high,
Hanuman with fragrant blossoms sanctified the sacred rite,
And the comrades linked by sorrow walked around the altar’s light,
[106] And their word and troth they plighted: “In our happiness and woe,
We are friends in thought and action, we will face our common foe!”
And they broke a leafy Sal tree, spread it underneath their feet,
Rama and his friend Sugriva sat upon the common seat,
And a branch of scented Chandan with its tender blossoms graced,
Hanuman as seat of honour for the faithful Lakshman placed.
“Listen, Rama,” spake Sugriva, “reft of kingdom, reft of wife,
Fleeing to these rugged mountains I endure a forest life,
For my tyrant brother Bali rules Kishkindha all alone,
Forced my wife from my embraces, drove me from my father’s throne,
Trembling in my fear and anguish I endure a life of woe,
Render me my wife and empire from my brother and my foe!”
“Not in vain they seek my succour,” so the gallant Rama said,
“Who with love and offered friendship seek my counsel and my aid,