They watch the stroke before it smite.

Take thou thine arrows and thy bow,

And with the Maithil lady go

For shelter to the mountain cave

Where thickest trees their branches wave.

I will not have thee, Lakshmaṇ, say

One word in answer, but obey.

By all thy honour for these feet

Of mine, dear brother, I entreat.

Thy warlike arm, I know could, smite