Buddhacarita by Ven Asvaghosa - Ancient Buddhist Texts

Buddha-carita, or Life of Buddha - 80
47. ‘As clouds, having come together, depart asunder again, such I
consider the meeting and parting of living things.
48. ‘And since this world goes away, each one of us deceiving the
other, – it is not right to think anything thine own in a time of union
which is a dream.
49. ‘Since the trees are parted from the innate colour of their leaves,
why should there not still more be the parting of two things which are
alien to each other
50. ‘Therefore, since it is so, grieve not, my good friend, but go; or if
thy love lingers, then go and afterwards return.
51. ‘Say, without reproaching us, to the people in Kapilavastu, “Let
your love for him be given up, and hear his resolve.
52. “Either he will quickly come back, having destroyed old age and
death; or else he will himself perish, having failed in his purpose and
lost hold of every support."’
53. Having heard his words, Kaṁthaka, the noblest of steeds, licked
his feet with his tongue and dropped hot tears.
54. With his hand whose fingers were united with a membrane and
which was marked with the auspicious svastika, and with its middle
part curved, the prince stroked him and addressed him like a friend: