hopeless, but for Hanuman's perseverance. When they were about to relinquish the search, they met the vulture Sampati, brother of Jatayus, whom Ravana had slain as he attempted to prevent him from carrying off Sita. This bird was the first to put Rama on the right track for obtaining his wife. Sampati, hearing that Ravana had slain his brother, was most anxious to avenge his death, and willingly rendered all the assistance he could. He informs the seekers that Sita is at Lanka.

"A hunched leagues your course must be,
Beyond this margin of the sea;
Still to the south your way pursue,
And there the giant Ravan view." [**]

But here a difficulty occurred: there were a hundred leagues of water to be crossed; who could make the leap? Hanuman again comes to the front and declares--

"Swift as a shaft from Rama's bow,
To Ravan's city I will go." [*+]

According to his promise, Hanuman made the marvellous spring. After meeting with various adventures, at length he reaches the capital of Lanka, and, diminishing in size until he is no bigger than a cat, passes through the city unnoticed, and finally enters the Asoka grove where Sita was confined. He was just in time to witness an unsuccessful attempt of Ravana to induce his lovely captive to forget her husband, and become his bride. Ravana's parting words to Sita on this occasion were not very love-inspiring; he declared that unless within two months she consented to become his bride,

"My cooks shall mince thy limbs with steel,
And serve thee for my morning meal." [*++]

When she is alone, Hanuman addresses her. At first, on hearing a monkey speak, she imagines herself dreaming; but the sight of her husband's ring convinces her that the strange messenger is a friend, and she is delighted to hear all he has to tell:

"'Thou bringest me,' she cried again,
'A mingled draught of bliss and pain:
Bliss that he wears me in his heart,
Pain that he wakes and weeps apart.'" [**]