Ramayana, Epic of Rama, Prince of India

VI. Sita Lost - 90
Fawn-eyed Sita fell in terror as the Raksha rose to slay,
So beneath the flaming meteor sinks Rohini’s softer ray,
[92] And like Demon of Destruction furious Surpa-nakha came,
Rama rose to stop the slaughter and protect his helpless dame.
“Brother, we have acted wrongly, for with those of savage breed,
Word in jest is courting danger, – this the penance of our deed,
Death perchance or death-like stupor hovers o’er my lovéd dame,
Let me wake to life my Sita, chase this female void of shame!”
Lakshman’s anger leaped like lightning as the female hovered near,
With his sword the wrathful warrior cleft her nose and either ear,
Surpa-nakha in her anguish raised her accents shrill and high,
And the rocks and wooded valleys answered back the dismal cry,
Khara and the doughty Dushan heard the far-resounding wail,
Saw her red disfigured visage, heard her sad and woeful tale!
III. Rama’s Departure
Vainly fought the vengeful Khara, doughty Dushan vainly bled,
Rama and the valiant Lakshman strewed the forest with the dead,
Till the humbled Surpa-nakha to her royal brother hied,
Spake her sorrows unto Ravan and Maricha true and tried.
Shape of deer unmatched in beauty now the deep Maricha wore,
Golden tints upon his haunches, sapphire on his antlers bore,
Till the woodland-wand’ ring Sita marked the creature in his pride,
Golden was his neck of beauty, silver white his flank and side!
“Come, my lord and gallant Lakshman,” thus the raptur’d Sita spake,
“Mark the deer of wondrous radiance browsing by the forest brake!”
“Much my heart misgives me, sister,” Lakshman hesitated still,
“ ’Tis some deep deceitful Raksha wearing every shape at will,
[93] Monarchs wandering in this forest, hunting in this lonely glen,
Oft waylaid by artful Rakshas are by deep devices slain,