The son of Raghu safe with thee!”

The child of Janak heard him speak,

And the hot tear-drops down her cheek,

Increasing to a torrent, ran,

As thus once more the dame began:

“O Lakshmaṇ, if I widowed be

Godávarí's flood shall cover me,

Or I will die by cord, or leap,

Life weary, from yon rocky steep;

Or deadly poison will I drink,