And listened to the lore of age,

Untaught, though lectured many a day,

The first great lesson, to obey,

'Tis marvel Rávaṇ reigns and rules

Whose counsellors are blind and fools.

Has death no terrors that ye dare

To tempt your monarch to despair,

From whose imperial mandate flow

Disgrace and honour, weal and woe?

Yea, forest trees, when flames are fanned