And then, as Sítá looked, began

His speech in accents of a man:

“O pardon, and for pity's sake

Spare, Ráma, spare my life to take!

Where'er I turn, where'er I flee,

No shelter from this shaft I see.”

The chieftain heard the crow entreat

Helpless and prostrate at his feet,

And while soft pity moved his breast,

With wisest speech the bird addressed: