Rāmāyaṇacampū 2.52_8

2.52_8

Then Sumantra, overcome by the lingering hope that Rāma might perhaps call him back out of weariness with forest life, spent several days near Guha. Hopeless at last, he turned back and reached Ayodhyā, whose festivities had ceased. Descending from his chariot—its rattling wheels drowned out by the piteous wailing raised by the citizens in their excess of grief as they cried, "He has returned without the sons of Daśaratha!"—he bowed before Daśaratha, whose life-breaths were poised to depart.
Daśaratha, falling unconscious at the sight of him, was comforted by Kausalyā and Sumitrā. His throat choked with tears, he questioned Sumantra again and again: "How did Rāma set forth? How did the princess of Mithilā? What happened with the son of Sumitrā?"
He too reported to the king:
"Your Majesty, how can I speak? Hard-hearted am I!