Page:The Raghuvança of Kâlidâsa.djvu/58

2 RAGHUVANCA [canto

They punished, — nor were slothful in their rule. 20 Wealth they amassed to scatter; sparing words, • Ne'er Spake they falsely; fame in war they sought, Not gain, — and wedded love for noble seed. Their children studied, gravely youth pursued Its decent pleasures, and in ripe old age Ascetic lived they, — till through pious thought at length they passed to win the Bliss Supreme. Me, poor of words and foolish, has their fame That sounded through the worlds late moved to write: — May wise men hear! for in their judgment lies or fame or shame, as fire parts gold from dross.

First King was Manu, whom the Sun begot, Wise, reverend, as the Holiest Word begins the sacred Hymns. In that unspotted line Dilipa purer sprang, — 'mong Kings a Moon, as in the Milky Ocean Soma rose. Broad-chested, tall as Cal-tree, as a bull Wide-shouldered, long of arm, the Warrior-race He seemed embodied, fit for famous deeds. All-glorious, all-surpassing, he bestrode — Like Meru's self — the Earth. His vigorous mind Matched with his beauty, while his Holy Lore Was equal with them: valour and success Were twinned: and still his Kingly virtues made Him to his foes a terror, but his folk Loved him and honoured, — as the Sea yields pearls