Hearing these cruel and unexpected words, Sita makes a most pathetic appeal, in which she vehemently asserts her innocence; but as there are no signs of relenting in her husband, she wishes to die, or to prove her innocence by the fire-ordeal, and asks Lakshman to prepare a funeral pile:

"I will not live to bear this weight
Of shame, forlorn and desolate.
The kindled fire my woes shall end,
And be my best and surest friend." [*+]

Lakshman performs this sad office; and when all is ready, she walks round it, and, before entering the fire, addresses Agni:

"As this fond heart, by virtue swayed,
From Raghu's son has never strayed,
So universal witness, Fire,
Protect my body on the pyre.
As Raghu's son has idly laid
This charge on Sita, hear and aid." [**]

Having made this appeal to Agni to proclaim her innocence, she enters the fire. The gods, descending from heaven in their glory, address Rama, saying:

"Couldst thou, the Lord of all, couldst thou,
Creator of the worlds, allow
Thy queen, thy spouse to brave the fire,
And give her body to the pyre?
Dost thou not yet, Supremely Wise,
Thy heavenly nature recognize?" [*+]

Rama frankly confesses that he believes himself to be only a mortal; Brahma tries to enlighten him, as he assures him that he is Vishnu incarnate for the purpose of slaying Ravana, and that Sita, whom his cruel conduct had driven into the fire, was no other than Lakshmi, his celestial spouse. In confirmation of this, Agni appears in the fire, and, taking Sita by the hand, conducts her to her husband, and declares her to be pure and spotless. Rama receives her with the greatest joy, and states that he was certain of her innocence all along, but that as others might have doubted her, he had caused her to pass through this ordeal.

Dasaratha, the father of Rama, now descends from heaven, and tells him that even in that happy place he had been sad to witness the sorrows of his beloved son. Indra next appears, and, at Rama's request, brings back to life the many Vanars who had perished in his cause; and then other gods thank Rama for the relief he has

given them by the death of Ravana. When these congratulations are over, Rama, Sita, and Lakshman mount a magic car, lent him by Vibhishan, in which in a single day they travel from Lanka to his own city. On arriving near it, Hanuman is sent to inform Bharat of their return; and the joy this intelligence gives to the faithful Bharat, and to the citizens generally, is indescribable. Rama quickly assumes his position as king and the people enjoy unexampled prosperity: