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SETUBANDHA
155 44. 'Or having sacrificed his life for my sake, Lakşmaņa hath achieved his task. I alone have humiliated myself, carrying the burden of my arms in vain.'
45. He then spoke to Sugriva sweet words that showed his appreciation of the latter's martial zeal,16 and were dignified even in the mortal predicament that had suddenly arrived.
46. "Wise one, thou hast achieved thy task. These apes, too, have exerted the power of their arms. Yonder Hanūmat hath also accomplished an arduous deed of conspicuous renown in the world.
47. 'I could not bring royal fortune to Vibhişana who hath incurred the enmity of his kinsmen. Because of this sorrow, my heart doth not feel even the pain caused by these arrows.
48. 'So lose not heart. Depart quickly by that very causeway, and see your kinsfolk. Hard it is to know the working of fate.'
49. Thereupon the lord of apes, 17 choked with rage, and checking his tears with an effort as he shook his face, addressed the apes, without answering Rāma.
50. 'Go, and carry Rāma along with Lakşmaņa to the city of the apes18 as he reclines on a hero's bed, made of fresh leaves, without feeling the pain caused by the arrows.
51. 'For my part I will seize Rāvana's bow with a pounce swifter than a flash of lightning, and throw it away; and as his mace is about to descend on me19 I will seize and snatch it from his hand, twisted by me, and make him helpless by breaking it to pieces.
52. 'I will break his Candrahāsa sword with my hands even as it is plunged into my shoulder; while his weapons will tumble out of his chariot, grabbed, kicked and smashed by me.
53. After his front arms are broken and rendered powerless by me, I will tear off his remaining unavailing arms;20 and split
16. See Mädhava in Extracts. 17. Sugrīva. 18. Kiskindha. 19. Lit. half brought down. 20. He had twenty of them.
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