Ramayana, Epic of Rama, Prince of India

II. The Banishment - 25
Faithful to the wise and learned, truthful in his deed and word,
Rama dearly loved his people and his people loved their lord!
To the Brahmans pure and holy Rama due obeisance made,
To the poor and to the helpless deeper love and honour paid,
Spirit of his race and nation was to high-souled Rama given,
Thoughts that widen human glory, deeds that ope the gates of heaven
Not intent on idle cavil Rama spake with purpose high,
And the God of speech might envy when he spake or made reply,
In the learning of the Vedas highest meed and glory won,
In the skill of arms the father scarcely matched the gallant son!
Taught by sages and by elders in the manners of his race,
Rama grew in social virtues and each soft endearing grace,
Taught by inborn pride and wisdom patient purpose to conceal,
Deep determined was his effort, dauntless was his silent will!
Peerless in his skill and valour steed and elephant to tame,
Dauntless leader of his forces, matchless in his warlike fame,
Higher thought and nobler duty did the righteous Rama move,
By his toil and by his virtues still he sought his people’s love!
[19] Dasa-ratha marked his Rama with each kingly virtue blest,
And from life-long royal duties now he sought repose and rest:
“Shall I see my son anointed, seated on Kosala’s throne,
In the evening of my life-time ere my days on earth be done,
Shall I place my ancient empire in the youthful Rama’s care,
Seek for me a higher duty and prepare for life more fair?”
Pondering thus within his bosom counsel from his courtiers sought,
And to crown his Rama, Regent, was his purpose and his thought,
For strange signs and diverse tokens now appeared on earth and sky,
And his failing strength and vigour spoke his end approaching nigh,
And he witnessed Rama’s virtues filling all the world with love,
As the full-moon’s radiant lustre fills the earth from skies above!