And he as freely satisfied their needs,

And e'en the meanest of the land deemed it

The basest act to sin against his king.

Such were the people of the ancient land

Of Panchala, who stood one day with tears

Before their king to pour their plaintive tales

Of ruin wrought upon their cattle by

The tiger of the forest, that all day

Was safe in his impenetrable lair,

But every night his dreaded figure showed