rn,
Most faithful love to me has sworn.
My wife, this princess, dear to fame,
Is Sita the Videhan dame.
Obedient to my sire's behest
And by the queen my mother pressed,
To keep the law and merit win,
I sought this wood to harbour in.
But speak, for I of thee in turn
Thy name, and race, and sire would learn.
Thou art of giant race, I ween.
Changing at will thy form and mien.
Speak truly, and the cause declare
That bids thee to these shades repair."

Thus Rama spoke: the demon heard,
And thus replied by passion spurred:
"Of giant race, what form soe'er
My fancy wills, 'tis mine to wear.
Named Surpanakha here I stray,
And where I walk spread wild dismay.
King Ravan is my brother: fame
Has taught perchance his dreaded name,
Strong Kumbhakarna slumbering deep
In chains of never-ending sleep:
Vibhishan of the duteous mind,
In needs unlike his giant kind:
Dushan and Khara, brave and bold
Whose fame by every tongue is told:
Their might by mine is far surpassed;
But when, O best of men, I cast
These fond eyes on thy form, I see
My chosen love and lord in thee.
Endowed with wondrous might am I:
Where'er my fancy leads I fly.
The poor misshapen Sita leave,
And me, thy worthier bride receive.
Look on my beauty, and prefer
A spouse more meet than one like her:
I'll eat that ill-formed woman there:
Thy brother too her fate shall share.
But come, beloved, thou shalt roam
With me through all our woodland home;
Each varied grove with me shalt seek,
And gaze upon each mountain peak."

As thus she spoke, the monster gazed
With sparkling eyes where passion blazed:
Then he, in lore of language learned,
This answer eloquent returned:

Canto XVIII. The Mutilation.

On her ensnared in Kama's net
His eyes the royal Rama set,
And thus, her passion to beguile,
Addressed her with a gentle smile:

"I have a wife: behold her here,
My Sita ever true and dear:
And one like thee will never brook
Upon a rival spouse to look.
But there my brother Lakshman stands:
Unchained is he by nuptial bands:
A youth heroic, loved of all,
Gracious and gallant, fair and tall.
With winning looks, most nobly bred,
Unmatched till now, he longs to wed.
Meet to enjoy thy youthful charms,
O take him to thy loving arms.
Enamoured on his bosom lie,
Fair damsel of the radiant eye,
As the warm sunlight loves to rest
Upon her darling Meru's breast."

The hero spoke, the monster heard,
While passion still her bosom stirred.