Ramayana, Epic of Rama, Prince of India

X. The War in Ceylon - 132
Speaking thus the wrathful Ravan mounted on his thundering car,
Flame-resplendent was the chariot drawn by matchless steeds of war!
Beat of drum and voice of sankha and the Raksha’s battle cry,
Song of triumph, chanted mantra, smote the echoing vault of sky,
And the troops like cloudy masses with their eyes of lightning fire
Girt their monarch, as his legions girdle RUDRA in his ire!
Rolled the car with peal of thunder through the city’s lofty gate,
And each fierce and fiery Raksha charged with warrior’s deathless hate,
And the vigour of the onset cleft the stunned, and scattered foe,
As a strong bark cleaves the billows riding on the ocean’s brow!
Brave Sugriva king of Vanars met the foeman fierce and strong,
And a rock with mighty effort on the startled Ravan flung,
Vain the toil, disdainful Ravan dashed aside the flying rock,
Brave Sugriva pierced by arrows fainted neath the furious shock,
Next Susena chief and elder, Nala and Gavaksha bold,
Hurled them on the path of Ravan speeding in his car of gold,
Vainly heaved the rock and missile, vainly did with trees assail,
Onward sped the conquering Ravan, pierced the fainting Vanars fell,
Hanuman the son of MARUT next against the Raksha came,
Fierce and strong as stormy MARUT, warrior of unrivalled fame,
But the Raksha’s mighty onset gods nor mortals might sustain,
Hanuman in red blood welt’ring rolled upon the gory plain.
Onward rolled the car of Ravan, where the dauntless Nila stood,
Armed with rock and tree and missile, thirsting for the Raksha’s blood,
[144] Vainly fought the valiant Nila, pierced by Ravan’s pointed dart,
On the gory field of battle poured the red blood of his heart.
Onward through the scattered forces Ravan’s conquering chariot came,
Where in pride and dauntless valour Lakshman stood of warlike fame,
Calm and proud the gallant Lakshman marked the all-resistless foe,
Boldly challenged Lanka’s monarch as he held aloft his bow: