"

The Rakshas ceased: Sugriva hied
To Raghu's noble son and cried:

"A stranger from the giant host,
Borne o'er the sea, has reached the coast;
A secret foe, he comes to slay,
As owls attack their heedless prey.
'Tis thine, O King, in time of need
To watch, to counsel, and to lead,
Our Vanar legions to dispose,
And guard us from our crafty foes.
Vibhishan from the giants' isle,
King Ravan's brother, comes with guile
And, feigning from his king to flee,
Seeks refuge, Raghu's son, with thee.
Arise, O Rama, and prevent
By bold attack his dark intent.
Who comes in friendly guise prepared
To slay thee by his arts ensnared."

Thus urged Sugriva famed for lore
Of moving words, and spoke no more.
Then Rama thus in turn addressed
The bold Hanuman and the rest:
"Chiefs of the Vanar legions each
Of you heard Sugriva's speech.
What think ye now in time of fear,
When peril and distress are near,
In every doubt the wise depend
For counsel on a faithful friend."

They heard his gracious words, and then
Spake reverent to the lord of men:
"O Raghu's son, thou knowest well
All things of heaven and earth and hell.
'Tis but thy friendship bids us speak
The counsel Rama need not seek.
So duteous, brave, and true art thou,
Heroic, faithful to thy vow.
Deep in the scriptures, trained and tried,
Still in thy friends wilt thou confide.
Let each of us in turn impart
The secret counsel of his heart,
And strive to win his chief's assent,
By force of wisest argument."

They ceased and Angad thus began:
"With jealous eye the stranger scan:
Not yet with trusting heart receive
Vibhishan, nor his tale believe.
These giants wandering far and wide
Their evil nature falsely hide,
And watching with malignant skill
Assail us when we fear no ill.
Well ponder every hope and fear
Until thy doubtful course be clear;
Then own his merit or detect
His guile, and welcome or reject."

Then Sarabha the bold and brave
In turn his prudent sentence gave:
"Yea, Rama, send a skilful spy
With keenest tact to test and try.
Then let the stranger, as is just,
Obtain or be refused thy trust."

Then he whose heart was rich in store
Of scripture's life-directing lore,
King Jambavan, stood forth and cried:
"Suspect, suspect a foe allied
With Ravan lord of Lanka's isle,
And Rakshas sin and Rakshas guile."

Then Mainda, wisest chief, who knew
The wrong, the right, the false, the true,
Pondered a while, then silence broke,
An