कपिके चलत सियको मनु गहबरि आयो। पुलक सिथिल भयो सरीर, नीर नयनन्हि छायो॥ १ ॥ कहन चल्यो सँदेस, नहि कहो, पियके जिय की जानि हृदय दुसह दुख दुरायो। देखि दसा ब्याकुल हरीस, ग्रीषमके पथिक ज्यों धरनि तरनि-तायो॥ २ ॥ मीचतें नीच लगी अमरता, छलको न बलको निरखि थल परुष प्रेम पायो। कै प्रबोध मातु-प्रीतिसों असीस दीन्हीं ह्वैहै तिहारोई मनभायो॥ ३ ॥ करुना-कोप-लाज-भय-भरो कियो गौन, मौन ही चरन कमल सीस नायो। यह सनेह-सरबस समौ, तुलसी रसना रूखी, ताही तें परत गायो॥ ४ ॥
As the monkey prepared to leave, Sītā’s heart overflowed. Her body thrilled and went limp, and tears covered her eyes. (1) She began to give a message but, knowing her beloved’s state of heart, did not speak and hid the unbearable sorrow within. Seeing her condition, the lord of monkeys writhed like a summer traveler on sun-scorched ground. (2) Immortality seemed baser to him than death. Finding no place for either stratagem or force, he judged his own love harsh. Sītā consoled him with a mother’s affection and blessed him: “Your heart’s desire shall indeed be fulfilled.” (3) Filled with compassion, anger, shame, and fear, he departed, silently bowing his head at her lotus feet. This was a moment containing love’s entire treasure; Tulsī’s tongue is dry, and only for that reason has it been able to sing of it. (4)