[1241] When he heard the din of those [hosts], Vessantara grew afraid;
having climbed the mountain, in fear he gazed upon the army.
"Come, Maddī, hearken — what a din there is in the forest!
Thoroughbred steeds are neighing; the very tops of banners are in sight.
Surely, just as hunters in the wilderness, having encircled the herds of deer with nets
and driven them to fall into a pit, then straightaway,
shouting, slay the choicest of them, one after another, with sharp spears,
so we, who have done no wrong, banished into the wilderness,
are fallen into the hands of foes — behold the slayer of the weak!"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.