While my dear lord is far away.

If aught of ill my lord betide

Who led thee here, thy chief and guide,

Ah, what will be my hapless fate

Left in the wild wood desolate!”

Thus spoke the lady sad with fear,

With many a sigh and many a tear,

Still trembling like a captured doe:

And Lakshmaṇ spoke to calm her woe:

“Videhan Queen, be sure of this,—