The Bhagavad-Gita: Chapter 2: Of Doctrines

Sanjaya. Him, filled with such compassion and such grief, With eyes tear-dimmed, despondent, in stern words The Driver, Madhusudan, thus addressed: Krishna. How hath this weakness taken thee? Whence springs The inglorious trouble, shameful to the brave, Barring the path of virtue? Nay, Arjun! Forbid thyself to feebleness! it mars Thy warrior-name! cast off the coward-fit! Wake! Be thyself! Arise, Scourge of thy Foes! Arjuna. How can I, in the battle, shoot with shafts On Bhishma, or on Drona- O thou Chief!- Both worshipful, both honourable men? Better to live on beggar's bread With those we love alive, Than taste their blood in rich feasts spread, And guiltily survive! Ah! were it worse- who knows?- to be Victor or vanquished here, When those confront us angrily Whose death leaves living drear? In pity lost, by doubtings tossed, My thoughts- distracted- turn To Thee, the Guide I reverence most, That I may counsel learn: I know not what would heal the grief Burned into soul and sense, If I were earth's unchallenged chief- A god- and these gone thence! Sanjaya. So spake Arjuna to the Lord of Hearts, And sighing, "I will not fight!" held silence then. To whom, with tender smile, (O Bharata!) While the Prince wept despairing 'twixt those hosts, Krishna made answer in divinest verse: Krishna. Thou grievest where no grief should be! thou speak'st