And by the rush of grief oppressed

He pondered in his mournful breast:

“Is all Ayodhyá burnt with grief,

Steed, elephant, and man, and chief?

Does her loved Ráma's exile so

Afflict her with the fires of woe?”

Thus as he mused, his steeds flew fast,

And swiftly through the gate he passed.

On drove the charioteer, and then

In hundreds, yea in thousands, men