And now I cannot die! Thro’ the long night fixed in this sad state,
653. ’With this great palace round me, thinking of my son, solitary and athirst as any hungry spirit (Preta);
as one who, thirsty, holding water in his hand, but when he tries to drink lets all escape,
654. ’And so remains athirst till death ensues, and after death becomes a wandering ghost;
--so I, in the extremity of thirst, through loss, possessed once of a son, but now without a son,
655. ’Still live, and cannot end my days!
But come! tell me at once where is my son! let me not die athirst (for want of knowing this) and fall among the Pretas.
656. ’In former days, at least, my will was strong and firm, difficult to move as the great earth; but now I’ve lost my son, my mind is dazed, as in old time the king "ten chariots."’

80. ‘Describe to me, O beloved one, the court of that hermitage, whither thou hast carried him who is as my funeral oblation of water; these my vital airs are all ready to depart, and are eager for it, longing to drink it.’