Ramayana, Epic of Rama, Prince of India

V. On the Banks of the Godavari - 84
IV. Winter in Panchavati
Came and passed the golden autumn in the forest’s gloomy shade,
And the northern blasts of winter swept along the silent glade,
When the chilly night was over, once at morn the prince of fame
For his morning’s pure ablutions to the Godavari came,
Meek-eyed Sita softly followed with the pitcher in her arms,
Gallant Lakshman spake to Rama of the Indian winter’s charms:
“Comes the bright and bracing winter to the royal Rama dear,
Like a bride the beauteous season doth in richest robes appear,
Frosty air and freshening zephyrs wake to life each mart and plain,
And the corn in dewdrop sparkling makes a sea of waving green,
But the village maid and matron shun the freezing river’s shore,
By the fire the village elder tells the stirring tale of yore!
With the winter’s ample harvest men perform each pious rite,
To the Fathers long departed, to the Gods of holy might,
With the rite of agrayana pious men their sins dispel,
And with gay and sweet observance songs of love the women tell,
And the monarchs bent on conquest mark the winter’s cloudless glow,
Lead their bannered cars and forces ’gainst the rival and the foe!
Southwards rolls the solar chariot, and the cold and widowed North
Reft of ‘bridal mark’ and joyance coldly sighs her sorrows forth,
[86] Southward rolls the solar chariot, Himalaya, ‘home of snow,’
True to name and appellation doth in whiter garments glow,
Southward rolls the solar chariot, cold and crisp the frosty air,
And the wood of flower dismantled doth in russet robes appear!
Star of Pushya rules December and the night with rime is hoar,
And beneath the starry welkin in the woods we sleep no more,
And the pale moon mist-enshrouded sheds a faint and feeble beam,
As the breath obscures the mirror, winter mist obscures her gleam,