[164] "Whether I go or whether I do not go, I shall not thereby become immortal;
having attended upon you in your happiness, how could I forsake you in your suffering (dukkhita)?
Death together with you, or life without you —
that very death is better than that I should live without you.
It is not right (dhamma), great king, that I should forsake you who have come to such a pass;
whatever destiny (gati) is yours, that same is pleasing to me, O lord of birds (vihagādhipa)."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.