Upon his lips there played a smile,

To Lakshmaṇ turned and thus expressed

The thoughts that moved his gallant breast:

“Well versed in Scripture's lore, and sage

And duly reverent to age,

Is he, with long experience stored,

Who counsels like this Vánar lord.

Yet here, methinks, for searching eyes

Some deeper, subtler matter lies.

To you and all the world are known