Who in his folly casts away

The world's protection, hope, and stay.”

Thus in their woe, like kine bereaved

Of their young calves,[287] the ladies grieved,

And ever as they wept and wailed

With keen reproach the king assailed.

Their lamentation, mixed with tears,

Smote with new grief the monarch's ears,

Who, burnt with woe too great to bear,

Fell on his couch and fainted there.