And now some days and nights had passed,
    And Kings began to gather fast,
    And precious gems in liberal store
    As gifts to Dasaratha bore. 
    Then joy thrilled through Vasishtha’s breast
    As thus the monarch he addressed:—­
    “Obedient to thy high decree
    The Kings, my lord, are come to thee. 
    And it has been my care to greet
    And honor all with reverence meet. 
    Thy servants’ task is ended quite,
    And all is ready for the rite. 
    Come forth then to the sacred ground
    Where all in order will be found.” 
    Then Rishyasring confirmed the tale:—­
    Nor did their words to move him fail. 
    The stars propitious influence lent
    When forth the world’s great ruler went. 
    Then by the sage Vasishtha led,
    The priest began to speed
    Those glorious rites wherein is shed
    The lifeblood of the steed.

CANTO XIII

THE SACRIFICE FINISHED

    The circling year had filled its course,
    And back was brought the wandering horse:—­
    Then upon Sarju’s northern strand
    Began the rite the King had planned. 
    With Rishyasring the forms to guide,
    The Brahmans to their task applied,
    At that great offering of the steed
    Their lofty-minded King decreed. 
    The priests, who all the Scripture knew,
    Performed their part in order due,
    And circled round in solemn train
    As precepts of the law ordain. 
    Pravargya rites were duly sped:—­
    For Upasads the flames were fed. 
    Then from the plant the juice was squeezed,
    And those high saints, with minds well pleased,
    Performed the mystic rites begun
    With bathing ere the rise of sun. 
    They gave the portion, Indra’s claim,
    And hymned the King whom none can blame. 
    The mid-day bathing followed next,
    Observed as bids the holy text. 
    Then the good priests with utmost care,
    In form that Scripture’s rules declare,
    For the third time pure water shed
    On high-souled Dasaratha’s head. 
    Then Rishyasring and all the rest
    To Indra and the Gods addressed
    Their sweet-toned hymn of praise and prayer,
    And called them in the rite to share. 
    With sweetest song and hymn intoned
    They gave the Gods in heaven enthroned,
    As duty bids, the gifts they claim,
    The holy oil that feeds the flame. 
    And many an offering there was paid,
    And not one slip in all was made. 
    For with most careful heed they saw
    That all was done by Veda law. 
    None, all those days, was seen oppressed
    By hunger or by toil distressed. 
    Why speak of human kind?  No beast
    Was there that lacked an ample feast. 
    For there was store for all who came,