The Ramayan by Valmiki

But Trisiras, a chieftain dread, Marked Khara as he onward sped. And met his car and cried, to stay The giant from the purposed fray: "Mine be the charge: let me attack, And turn thee from the contest back. Let me go forth, and thou shalt see The strong-armed Rama slain by me. True are the words I speak, my lord: I swear it as I touch my sword: That I this Rama's blood will spill, Whom every giant's hand should kill. This Rama will I slay, or he In battle fray shall conquer me. Restrain thy spirit: check thy car, And view the combat from afar. Thou, joying o'er the prostrate foe, To Janasthan again shalt go, Or, if I fall in battle's chance, Against my conqueror advance."

Thus Trisiras for death who yearned: And Khara from the conflict turned, "Go forth to battle," Khara cried; And toward his foe the giant hied. Borne on a car of glittering hue Which harnessed coursers fleetly drew, Like some huge hill with triple peak He onward rushed the prince to seek. Still, like a big cloud, sending out His arrowy rain with many a shout Like the deep sullen roars that come Discordant from a moistened drum. But Raghu's son, whose watchful eye Beheld the demon rushing nigh, From the great bow he raised and bent A shower of shafts to meet him sent. Wild grew the fight and wilder yet As fiend and man in combat met, As when in some dark wood's retreat An elephant and a lion meet.