The Recognition of Śakuntalā 6.27

6.27

eṣa tvām abhinavakaṇṭhaśoṇitārthī
śārdūlaḥ paśum iva hanmi ceṣṭamānam /
ārtānāṃ bhayam apanetum āttadhanvā
duṣyantas tava śaraṇaṃ bhavatv idānīm //
rājā (saroṣam) kathaṃ mām evoddiśati / tiṣṭha kuṇapāśana / tvam idānīṃ na bhaviṣyasi / (śārṅgam āropya) vetravati sopānamārgam ādeśaya / (sarve satvaram upasarpanti)
rājā (samantād vilokya) śūnyaṃ khalv idam / (nepathye)
avihā / avihā /aham atrabhavantaṃ paśyāmi / tvaṃ māṃ na paśyasi / biḍālagṛhīto mūṣaka iva nirāśo 'smi jīvite saṃvṛttaḥ /

Writhe, while I drink the red blood flowing clear
And kill you, as a tiger kills a deer;
Let King Dushyanta grasp his bow; but how
Can all his kingly valour save you now?

King (angrily). He scorns me, too! In one moment, miserable demon, you shall die. (Stringing his bow.) Where is the stairway, Parvatayana?

Chamberlain. Here, your Majesty. (All make haste.)

King (looking about). There is no one here.

The Clown's voice. Save me, save me! I see you, if you can't see me. I am a mouse in the claws of the cat. I am done for.