The pride of old Ikshváku's strain.

A good and valiant prince, his heir,

Shall the dear name of Ráma bear.

With his brave brother Lakshmaṇ he

An exile in the woods shall be,

Where Rávaṇ, whom no God may slay,[777]

Shall steal his darling wife away.

In vain the captive will be wooed

With proffered love and dainty food,

She will not hear, she will not taste: