Then with due reverence I made reply;
"A man and doomed without escape am I:
But this I say, "All blessings light on thee,
If thou canst find a way of saving me."

The monkey stepping on the height above
Carried a heavy stone, his strength to prove,
And when by practice he was perfect grown,
The mighty one his purpose thus made known.

"Climb thou, good sir, upon my back and cast
Thy arms about my neck and hold me fast;
Then will I with all speed deliver thee
From the stone walls of thy captivity.'

I hearkened gladly, well remembering
The counsels of the glorious monkey-king,
And, climbing on his back, my arms I cast
Round the wise creature's neck and held him fast.

The monkey then,--so brave and strong was he--
Exhausted by the effort though he be,
From rocky fastness soon uplifteth me.

And having haled me out, the hero cried,
"I'm weary: stand as guard, Sir, by my side,
While I anon in peaceful sleep abide.

"Lion and tiger, panther eke and bear,
[71] If they should ever take me unaware,
Would kill me straight. To watch shall be thy care."

While, as I watched, he took a moment's rest,
An ugly thought was harboured in my breast.

"Monkeys and such like deer are good to eat;
What if I kill him and my hunger cheat?
The beast if slain would furnish savoury meat.

"When sated, here no longer will I stay
But well provisioned for full many a day
Out from this forest I will find a way."

Taking a stone his skull I well nigh broke,
But a lame hand put forth a feeble stroke.

The monkey quickly bounded up a tree,
And all bestained with blood regarded me
From far, with tearful eyes, reproachfully.

"God bless thee, act not thus, I pray, good sir,
For otherwise thy fate, I dare aver,
Will long all others from such deeds deter.

"Alas! for shame. What a return is this
For having saved thee from that dread abyss!

"Rescued from death thou playedst a treacherous part
And evil hast devised with evil heart.

"Vile wretch, beware lest sharpest agony
Springing from evil deed bring death to thee,
E'en as its fruit destroys the bamboo tree .

"I trust thee not, for thou wouldst work me ill:
Walk well in front that I may see thee still.

"From ravening beast escaped, thou mayst regain
The haunts of men: the path that stretches plain
Before thine eyes, follow as thou art fain."

At this the monkey dried his tears, and sped
Up to a mountain tarn, and bathed his head
From stain of blood--by me alas! 'twas shed--

There too, with burning pains through him accursed,
I dragged my tortured frame, to quench my thirst,