Lakshman and by me,
For I myself have sworn to kill
The tyrant who delights in ill.
Armed with the boon which Brahma gave,
The Gods of heaven he loves to brave,
And through the trembling worlds he flies,
Oppressor of the just and wise.
Thou, Jambavan, and thou, O King
Of Vanars, all your bravest bring,
And with your hosts in dense array
Straight to the centre force your way.
But let no Vanar in the storm
Disguise him in a human form,
Ye chiefs who change your shapes at will,
Retain your Vanar semblance still.
Thus, when we battle with the foe,
Both men and Vanars will ye know,
In human form will seven appear;
Myself, my brother Lakshman here;
Vibhishan, and the four he led
From Lanka's city when he fled."

Thus Raghu's son the chiefs addressed:
Then, gazing on Suvela's crest,
Transported by the lovely sight,
He longed to climb the mountain height.

Canto XXXVIII. The Ascent Of Suvela.

"Come let us scale," the hero cried,
"This hill with various metals dyed.
This night upon the breezy crest
Sugriva, Lakshman, I, will rest,
With sage Vibhishan, faithful friend,
His counsel and his lore to lend.
From those tall peaks each eager eye
The foeman's city shall espy,
Who from the wood my darling stole
And brought long anguish on my soul."

Thus spake the lord of men, and bent
His footsteps to the steep ascent,
And Lakshman, true in weal and woe,
Next followed with his shafts and bow.
Vibhishan followed, next in place,
The sovereign of the Vanar race,
And hundreds of the forest kind
Thronged with impetuous feet, behind.
The chiefs in woods and mountains bred
Fast followed to Suvela's head,
And gazed on Lanka bright and fair
As some gay city in the air.
On glittering gates, on ramparts raised
By giant hands, the chieftains gazed.
They saw the mighty hosts that, skilled
In arts of war, the city filled,
And ramparts with new ramparts lined,
The swarthy hosts that stood behind.
With spirits burning for the fight
They saw the giants from the height,
And from a hundred throats rang out
Defiance and the battle shout.
Then sank the sun with dying flame,
And soft the shades of twilight came,
And the full moon's delicious light
Was shed upon the tranquil night.

Canto XXXIX. Lanka.

They slept secure: the sun arose
And called the chieftains from repose.
Before the wondering Vanars, gay
With grove and garden, Lanka lay,
Where golden buds the Champak showed,
And bright with bloom Aso