Canto 45 - Marshals in the Mire
Like the balls of fearsome fire
Forthwith set out seven Marshals.
Famous for their fighting skills
Went thy all for Hanuman’s scalp.
Drawn by horses that were swift
Chariots theirs were made of gold.
Bows theirs were all gold plated
Quivers of theirs were made of gems.
Enraged they all at the thought
Scores of Lankans lost their lives
In their own land at alien hands.
At the head of their force then
Attack they led all from the front.
Like the darts of pouring rain
Sent they arrows in their scores.
In the midst of that downpour
Stood then Hanuman like a rock.
Rose as Hanuman to high skies
Made he null and void those
Arrows thus they aimed at him.
Battled as he them from skies
Seemed he rainbow well therein.
Thundered as he from high skies
Shivered demons all there gathered.
So to make all those Marshals
Bite the dust in battle dress
Needed Hanuman just bare fist.
By the scare thus caused by him
Demons all in scores then and there
Died of stroke by awe they felt.
Those all at the fringes then
Retreated to save their skin.
Looked the battlefield in time
Like the burial ground to brim.
Formed as canals blood by then
Flowed with force to hinterland.
Seeing backs of fleeing ranks
Stood well Hanuman to take on
Fresh forays of Lankan force
Ordained by king Ravan next.