Then in the presence of the chief

Death, ready death, had brought relief,

Nor had I nursed in woe and pain

This lingering life, alas in vain.

Then hadst thou shunned the fruitless strife

Nor jeopardied thy noble life,

But spared thy friends and bold allies

Their vain and weary enterprise.

Is all forgotten, all? my birth,

Named Janak's child, from fostering earth?