Came, in a glorious dream, the star-throned Seven,' Proud waxed the monarch, as each happy queen Where the calm image of the moon may rest, So in the bosom of each lady lay That God, divided, who is one for aye. Soon, like the luminous herb, which, ere 'tis night, Wins from the setting sun a ray of light,' Kausalya3 gained a child, a lovely star, To chase the shadow of the night afar: A babe so bright, that every torch grew dim In the queen's chamber, when it shone near him. 1 The seven great saints who are the stars of the constellation of Ursa Major. "The seven great saints who star the northern sky." Birth of the War-God. 2 The setting sun, say the Indian poets, deposits a portion of his light with certain plants which emit luminous rays in his absence, "Like gems, in darkness, issuing rays They've treasured from the sun that's set."-Lalla Rookh 3 Kausalya was chief of the three queens of Dasaratha. They named him Rama,' for the child shall bring Eternal joy to all who hail him king. Then the young mother, languid, pale, and worn, Looked, as she nursed her babe, her newly born, With one sweet lotus on her island-breast. And queen Kaikeyi bare a noble child, Named Bharat, beautiful, and meek, and mild : To be his mother's pride and ornament: Twin children, Lakshman and Satrughna, bare: 1 Rama is derived from the root Ram to sport, take pleasure. Had quailed before the giant he abhorred, Were cheered with breezes pure from dust and stain, And freed from terror hailed a gentler reign. The fire was dimmed by cloudy smoke no more, And the sun shone untroubled as before. But Ravan's Glory poured her sorrows down Graced with the holy rites, and nursed with care, More modest still the youthful princes made: Ω With virtues blent in sweet accord to grace The ancient line of Raghu's' sinless race- As when, at summer's close, dark clouds arise, Men deemed that Duty, Profit, Love, and Bliss, Raghu, the great-grandfather of Rama was one of the most celebrated of the solar dynasty and has given his name to the family. 2 At the Churning of the Ocean the moon with other buried treasures was recovered from the Ocean by whom, therefore, it is still regarded with parental affection. THE HEIR APPARENT. "Dasaratha now made preparations for the public acknowledgment of Rama as destined to be the next king in regular succession, and as permitted during his father's lifetime to share with him the honours and fatigues of royalty."-MRS. SPEIR, Life in Ancient India. But best and noblest of the noble four, The king's chief glory was his eldest child. |