The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse

Each shaft that Rávaṇ shot became

A serpent red with kindled flame,

And round the limbs of Ráma hung

With fiery jaws and quivering tongue.

But every serpent fled dismayed

When Raghu's valiant son displayed

The weapon of the Feathered King,998

And loosed his arrows from the string.

But Rávaṇ armed his bow anew,

And showers of shafts at Ráma flew,

While the fierce king in swift career

Smote with a dart the charioteer.

An arrow shot by Rávaṇ's hand

Laid the proud banner on the sand,

And Indra's steeds of heavenly strain

Fell by the iron tempest slain.

On Gods and spirits of the air

Fell terror, trembling, and despair.

The sea's white billows mounted high

With froth and foam to drench the sky.

The sun by lurid clouds was veiled,

The friendly lights of heaven were paled;

And, fiercely gleaming, fiery Mars

Opposed the beams of gentler stars.

Then Ráma's eyes with fury blazed

As Indra's heavenly spear he raised.

Loud rang the bells: the glistering head

Bright flashes through the region shed.

Down came the spear in swift descent:

The giant's lance was crushed and bent.

Then Rávaṇ's horses brave and fleet

Fell dead beneath his arrowy sleet.

Fierce on his foeman Ráma pressed,

And gored with shafts his mighty breast.

And spouting streams of crimson dyed

The weary giant's limbs and side.

[I omit Cantos CIV and CV in which the fight is renewed and Rávaṇ severely reprimands his charioteer for timidity and want of confidence in his master's prowess, and orders him to charge straight at Ráma on the next occasion.]