[paragraph continues] Who, born of one of Vanar race,
Inherits by his father's grace
A share of his celestial art.
Call Nala to perform his part,
And he, divinely taught and skilled,
A bridge athwart the sea shall build." [**]

Nala declares that he has the will and power to accomplish this great and necessary work; and as an encouragement to Rama to believe that he will complete it, said--

"My mother, ere she bore her son,
This boon from Visvakarma won:
'O Mandari, this child shall be
In skill and glory next to me.'
But why unbidden should I fill
Thine ear with praises of my skill?
Command the Vanar hosts to lay
Foundations for the bridge to-day." [*+]

Rama trusts Nala's skill, and orders the Vanars to bring materials for the bridge:

"Up sprang the Vanars from their rest,
The mandate of the king obeyed,
And sought the forest's mighty shade.
Uprooted trees to earth they threw,
And to the sea the timber drew.
* * * *
With mighty engines piles of stone
And seated hills were overthrown:
Imprisoned waters sprang on high,
In rain descending from the sky:
And ocean with a roar and swell
Heaved wildly when the mountains fell.
Then the great bridge of wondrous strength
Was built, a hundred leagues in length.
Rocks, huge as autumn clouds, bound fast
With cordage from the shore, were cast,

And fragments of each riven hill,
And trees whose flowers adorned them still.
Wild was the tumult, loud the din,
As ponderous rocks went thundering in.
Each set of sun, so toiled each crew,
Ten leagues and four the structure grew;
The labours of the second day
Gave twenty more of ready way,
And on the fifth, when sank the sun,
The whole stupendous work was done.
O'er the broad way the Vanars sped,
Nor swayed it with their countless tread." [**]

4. NILA.

This chief is said to have sprung from Agni, and is described as

"Bright as flame,
Who in his splendour, might, and worth,
Surpassed the sire who gave him birth." [*+]

Though thus eulogized, no very special feats of his are recorded in the Ramayana. He held a post of honour as the leader of a division of the army, and his special work appears to have been to provide sentries, and generally to guard the forces of Sugriva from the sudden attacks of the enemy. As the son of Agni he was able to see clearly, and by his watchfulness rendered good service.

5. SUSHENA.

Varuna aided Rama by the gift of this leader, who was the father of Tara, the wife of Bali, Sugriva's brother and the usurper of his throne. To him was

given the command of the army of the West. Sugriva, addressing him, said--