My forfeit life he chose to save.

So there I lay with wandering sense

Dazed by that arrow's violence.

Long in the sea I lay: at length

Slowly returned my sense and strength,

And rising from my watery bed

To Lanká's town again I sped.

Thus was I spared, but all my band

Fell slain by Ráma's conquering hand,—

A boy, untrained in warrior's skill,