Then the Ten-headed set to comforting his wives in every way he could: “See and consider at heart how transitory is everything in this world.”
Râvan gave them sound advice; though a dullard himself, his counsel was good and wholesome. There are many men who excel in giving advice, but the people who put it in practice are not very plentiful. When the night had passed and the day broke, the bears and monkeys again beset the four gates. Râvan summoned his captains and thus addressed them: “If anyone’s heart fail him in facing the battle, he had better withdraw now and not incur disgrace by running away in the midst of the engagement. Relying on the strength of my own arm, I have continued the struggle, and can give an answer to any enemy who may challenge me.” So saying, he made ready his chariot, swift as the wind, while every instrument of music sounded forth a strain of deadly combat. His champions marched on in their peerless might, like the march of a whirlwind of blackness. At that time occurred numberless omens of ill, but he heeded them not, in the overweening pride of the strength of his arm.
In his overweening pride he took no heed of omens, good or bad: weapons dropped from the hand; warriors fell from their cars; horses, frightened by the trumpeting of the elephants, ran out of the line; jackals, vultures and huge packs of dogs made a frightful clamour, and owls, like messengers of death, uttered their most lugubrious notes.
Râvan gave them sound advice; though a dullard himself, his counsel was good and wholesome. There are many men who excel in giving advice, but the people who put it in practice are not very plentiful. When the night had passed and the day broke, the bears and monkeys again beset the four gates. Râvan summoned his captains and thus addressed them: “If anyone’s heart fail him in facing the battle, he had better withdraw now and not incur disgrace by running away in the midst of the engagement. Relying on the strength of my own arm, I have continued the struggle, and can give an answer to any enemy who may challenge me.” So saying, he made ready his chariot, swift as the wind, while every instrument of music sounded forth a strain of deadly combat. His champions marched on in their peerless might, like the march of a whirlwind of blackness. At that time occurred numberless omens of ill, but he heeded them not, in the overweening pride of the strength of his arm.
In his overweening pride he took no heed of omens, good or bad: weapons dropped from the hand; warriors fell from their cars; horses, frightened by the trumpeting of the elephants, ran out of the line; jackals, vultures and huge packs of dogs made a frightful clamour, and owls, like messengers of death, uttered their most lugubrious notes.