The Recognition of Śakuntalā 2.3

2.3

na namayitum adhijyam asmi śakto dhanur idam āhitasāyakaṃ mṛgeṣu /
sahavasatim upetya yaiḥ priyāyāḥ kṛta iva mugdhavilokopadeśaḥ //
vidu (rājño mukhaṃ vilokya) atrabhavān kim api hṛdaye kṛtvā mantrayate / araṇye mayā ruditam āsīt /
rā (sasmitam) kim anyat / anatikramaṇīyaṃ me suhṛdvākyam iti sthito 'smi /
vidu ciraṃ jīva / (iti gantum ichati)
rā vayasya tiṣṭha / sāvaśeṣaṃ me vacaḥ /

The bow is strung, its arrow near;
And yet I cannot bend
That bow against the fawns who share
Soft glances with their friend.

Clown (observing the king). He means more than he says. I might as well weep in the woods.

King (smiling). What more could I mean? I have been thinking that I ought to take my friend's advice.

Clown (cheerfully). Long life to you, then. (He unstiffens.)

King. Wait. Hear me out.