128 CRADLE TALES OF HINDUISM
himself to a vast size, and concentrating all the energy of his mind, leapt at one bound across the sea, and landed in Lanka, the island-kingdom of Ravana. Having done so, the powerful monkey paused. High on a mountain-top before him, gleaming in inconceivable loveliness of level terraces and soaring spires, he saw the famous city of Lanka; and he took counsel with himself as to the means by which he might enter her. Finally he determined to wait for sunset, and when that hour came, he reduced himself to the size of a cat, and so entered the city.
It was, in truth, like some dwelling-place of the gods. Its many-storied buildings and fretted screens were studded with crystal. Great archways and splendid gates lent it their grandeur in all directions. Its streets and roadways were broad and well-cared for. Magnificent were its towers of victory. Beautiful were its lantern-pillars. Its houses were like palaces, and its tombs like dainty marble canopies. Wonderful, verily, was this Lanka, famous throughout the world, ruled over by the might of Ravana, and vigilantly guarded by night-rangers of terrible strength. Oppressed by the thought of this glory, the spirit of Hanuman became sunk in gloom; when suddenly, as if on purpose to comfort him, the full moon arose in all her splendour with the stars. And the great monkey
