And sought the forest's mighty shade.

Unrooted trees to earth they threw,

And to the sea the timber drew.

The stately palm was bowed and bent,

Aśokas from the ground were rent,

And towering Sáls and light bamboos,

And trees with flowers of varied hues,

With loveliest creepers wreathed and crowned,

Shook, reeled, and fell upon the ground.

With mighty engines piles of stone