A serpent with a venomed tooth!

What fault can I pretend to find

In Ráma praised by all mankind,

That I my darling should forsake?

No, take my life, my glory take:

Let either queen be from me torn,

But not my well-loved eldest-born.

Him but to see is highest bliss,

And death itself his face to miss.

The world may sunless stand, the grain