As royal Ráma sat at ease,

With Sítá near him, o'er his head

A canopy of green boughs spread,

He shone as shines the Lord of Night

By Chitrá's[457] side, his dear delight.

With Lakshmaṇ there he sat and told

Sweet stories of the days of old,

And as the pleasant time he spent

With heart upon each tale intent,

A giantess, by fancy led,