Ramayana, Epic of Rama, Prince of India

IX. The Council of War - 123
Render to the lord his consort ere with blood of Rakshas slain,
Rama soaks the land of Lanka to the margin of the main!
Listen to my friendly counsel, – though it be I stand alone, –
Faithful friend but fiery foeman is this Dasa-ratha’s son,
Listen to my voice of warning, – Rama’s shafts are true and keen,
Flaming like the with’ring sunbeams on the summer’s parchdd green,
Listen to my soft entreaty, – righteousness becomes the brave,
Cherish peace and cherish virtue and thy sons and daughters save!”
VII. Kumbha-karna’s Determination
Ravan’s brother Kumbha-karna, from his wonted slumber woke,
Mightiest he of all the Rakshas, thus in solemn accents spoke:
“Truly speaks the wise Bibhishan: ere he stole a hermit’s wife,
Ravan should have thought and pondered, courted not a causeless strife,
[133] Ere he did this deed of folly, Ravan should have counsel sought,
Tardy is the vain repentance when the work of shame is wrought!
Word of wisdom timely spoken saves from death and dangers dire,
Vain is grief for crime committed, – offerings to unholy fire,
Vain is hero’s worth or valour if by foolish counsel led,
Toil and labour fail and perish save when unto wisdom wed,
And the foeman speeds in triumph o’er a heedless monarch’s might,
As through gaps of Krauncha mountains hansas speed their southern flight!
Ravan, thou hast sought unwisely Sita in her calm retreat,
As the wild and heedless hunter feeds upon the poisoned meat,
Nathless, faithful Kumbha-karna will his loyal duty know,
He shall fight his monarch’s battle, he shall face his brother’s foe!
True to brother and to monarch, be he right or be he wrong,
Kumbha-karna fights for Lanka ’gainst her foemen fierce and strong,
Recks not if the mighty INDRA and VIVASVAT cross his path,
Or the wild and stormy MARUTS, AGNI in his fiery wrath!