The years of life that I have seen;

And Ráma, best of all alive,

Has passed of years a score and five—

Ráma the great and gentle, through

All region famed as pure and true,

Large-eyed and mighty-armed and tall,

With tender heart that cares for all.

But Daśaratha, led astray

By woman's wile and passion's sway,

By his strong love of her impelled,