The hope, alas, by me destroyed.

Then spoke the sage, as drawing near

The sound of footsteps reached his ear:

“Dear son, the water quickly bring;

Why hast thou made this tarrying?

Thy mother thirsts, and thou hast played,

And bathing in the brook delayed.

She weeps because thou camest not;

Haste, O my son, within the cot.

If she or I have ever done