And thus in turn to Lakshmaṇ spoke:

“Come, for thy bride take me who shine

In fairest grace that suits with thine.

Thou by my side from grove to grove

Of Daṇḍak's wild in bliss shalt rove.”

Then Lakshmaṇ, skilled in soft address,

Wooed by the amorous giantess,

With art to turn her love aside,

To Śúrpaṇakhá thus replied:

“And can so high a dame agree