Ráma to face, before the fire,

Thus speaking to the royal boy

Who filled Kauśalyá's heart with joy:

“Here Sítá stands, my daughter fair,

The duties of thy life to share.

Take from her father, take thy bride;

Join hand to hand, and bliss betide!

A faithful wife, most blest is she,

And as thy shade will follow thee.”

Thus as he spoke the monarch threw