“Yea,”
    His mandate honoring,
    And gladly promised to obey
    The order of the King. 
    They cried with voices raised aloud:—­
    “Success attend thine aim!”
    Then bade farewell, and lowly bowed,
    And hastened whence they came. 
    King Dasaratha went within,
    His well-loved wives to see—­
    And said:  “Your lustral rites begin,
    For these shall prosper me. 
    A glorious offering I prepare
    That precious fruit of sons may bear.” 
    Their lily faces brightened fast
    Those pleasant words to hear,
    As lilies, when the winter’s past,
    In lovelier hues appear.

CANTO XII

THE SACRIFICE BEGUN

    Again the spring with genial heat
    Returning made the year complete. 
    To win him sons, without delay
    His vow the King resolved to pay—­
    And to Vasishtha, saintly man,
    In modest words this speech began:—­
    “Prepare the rite with all things fit
    As is ordained in Holy Writ,
    And keep with utmost care afar
    Whate’er its sacred forms might mar. 
    Thou art, my lord, my trustiest guide,
    Kind-hearted, and my friend beside;
    So is it meet thou undertake
    This heavy task for duty’s sake.”

    Then he, of twice-born men the best,
    His glad assent at once expressed:—­
    “Fain will I do whatever may be
    Desired, O honored King, by thee.” 
    To ancient priests he spoke, who, trained
    In holy rites, deep skill had gained:—­
    “Here guards be stationed, good and sage,
    Religious men of trusted age. 
    And various workmen send and call,
    Who frame the door and build the wall—­
    With men of every art and trade,
    Who read the stars and ply the spade,
    And mimes and minstrels hither bring,
    And damsels trained to dance and sing.” 
    Then to the learned men he said,
    In many a page of Scripture read:—­
    “Be yours each rite performed to see
    According to the King’s decree. 
    And stranger Brahmans quickly call
    To this great rite that welcomes all. 
    Pavilions for the princes, decked
    With art and ornament, erect,
    And handsome booths by thousands made
    The Brahman visitors to shade—­
    Arranged in order side by side,
    With meat and drink and all supplied. 
    And ample stables we shall need
    For many an elephant and steed—­
    And chambers where the men may lie,
    And vast apartments, broad and high,
    Fit to receive the countless bands
    Of warriors come from distant lands. 
    For our own people too provide
    Sufficient tents, extended wide,
    And stores of meat and drink prepare,
    And all that can be needed there. 
    And food in plenty must be found