For every eye amid the throng could trace

Ráma's own image in each youthful face.

Then spoke the king himself and bade them say

Who was their teacher, whose the wondrous lay.

Soon as Válmíki, mighty saint, he saw,

He bowed his head in reverential awe.

“These are thy children” cried the saint, “recall

Thine own dear Sítá, pure and true through all.”

“O holy father,” thus the king replied,

“The faithful lady by the fire was tried;