Ramayana, Epic of Rama, Prince of India

IV. The Meeting of the Princes - 67
Resting in their golden scabbards lay the swords of warriors bold,
And the targets broad and ample bossed with rings of yellow gold,
Glove and gauntlet decked the cottage safe from fear of hostile men,
As from creatures of the forest is the lion’s lordly den!
Calm in silent contemplation by the altar’s sacred fire,
Holy in his pious purpose though begirt by weapons dire,
Clad in deer-skin pure and peaceful, poring on the sacred flame,
In his bark and hermit’s tresses like an anchorite of fame,
Lion-shouldered, mighty-armed, but with gentle lotus eye,
Lord of wide earth ocean-girdled, but intent on penance high,
[66] Godlike as the holy BRAHMA, on a skin of dappled deer
Rama sat with meek-eyed Sita, faithful Lakshman loitered near!
“Is this he whom joyous nations called to fair Ayodhya’s throne,
Now the friend of forest-rangers wandering in the woods alone,
Is this he who robed in purple made Ayodhya’s mansions bright,
Now in jungle bark and deer-skin clad as holy anchorite,
Is this he whose wreathed ringlets fresh and holy fragrance shed,
Now a hermit’s matted tresses cluster round his royal head,
Is this he whose royal yajnas filled the earth with righteous fame,
Now inured to hermit’s labour by the altar’s sacred flame,
Is this he whose brow and forehead royal gem and jewel graced,
Heir to proud Kosala’s empire, eldest, noblest, and the best?”
Thus lamented pious Bharat for his heart was anguish-rent,
As before the feet of Rama he in loving homage bent,
“Arya!” in his choking accents this was all that Bharat said,
“Arya!” spake the young Satrughna and he bent his holy head!
Rama to his loving bosom raised his brothers from his feet,
Ah, too deep is love for utterance when divided brothers meet,
Faithful Guha, brave Sumantra, bowed to Rama’s righteous feet,
And a joy and mingled sadness filled the hermit’s calm retreat!