What portion of thy body, say,

Shall this mine arrow rend away?

Thus far, O bird, thus far alone

On thee my pity may be shown.

Forfeit a part thy life to buy:

'Tis better so to live than die.”

Thus Ráma spoke: the bird of air

Pondered his speech with anxious care,

And wisely deemed it good to give

One of his eyes that he might live.