राघौ गीध गोद करि लीन्हों। नयन-सरोज सनेह-सलिल सुचि मनहु अरघजल दीन्हों॥ १ ॥ सुनहु लखन! खगपतिहि मिले बन मैं पितु-मरन न जान्यौ। सहि न सक्यौ सो कठिन बिधाता, बड़ो पछु आजुहि भान्यौ॥ २ ॥ बहु बिधि राम कह्यो तनु राखन, परम धीर नहि डोल्यौ। रोकि प्रेम, अवलोकि बदन-बिधु, बचन मनोहर बोल्यौ॥ ३ ॥ तुलसी प्रभु झूठे जीवन लगि समय न धोखो लेहों। जाको नाम मरत मुनिदुरलभ तुमहि कहाँ पुनि पैहों?॥ ४ ॥
Rāghava took the vulture into his lap; with the pure water of love from his lotus eyes he seemed to offer water of welcome. (1) “Listen, Lakṣmaṇa! Meeting the king of birds in the forest made me forget our father’s death. Cruel fate could not endure this happiness and today has shattered this great support.” (2) Rāma urged Jaṭāyu in many ways to preserve his body, but the supremely steadfast bird did not waver. Restraining his love and gazing upon the moon of the Lord’s face, he spoke these beautiful words: (3) “Lord, I will not now be deceived for the sake of a false life. When even sages rarely attain your name at death, where could I ever find you again?” (4)