[1176] Then King Vessantara, the khattiya (khattiya), having given his gift,
entered the leaf-hut and lamented piteously:
"Today, hungry and thirsty, to whom will the children cry
in the evening, at the hour of lying down to rest?
Who will give them food?
Today, hungry and thirsty, to whom will the children cry
in the evening, at the hour of lying down to rest,
'Mother, we are hungry — give to us!'?
How will they walk the road, going on foot, without sandals,
wearied, with swollen feet? Who will take them by the hand?
How could he feel no shame, striking before my very face
my children who had done no wrong? Shameless indeed is that brahmin!
Even one who is a menial of my slave-woman's slave, or any other servant —
who that has any shame would strike even one so utterly low?
While I am as a fish caught fast in the mouth of a trap,
he reviles and beats my dear children, out of my sight."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.