Our welfare, and our bliss secure.”

When Ráma heard the royal priest

He rose, and looking to the east

Consigned the sandals to my hand

That they for him might guard the land.

Then from the high-souled chief's abode

I turned upon my homeward road,

Dismissed by him, and now this pair

Of sandals to Ayodhyá bear.”

To him the hermit thus replied,