The king’s attendants parted thence, And paid him heart-felt reverence: In mind, and with the tears he wept, Each still his place near Ráma kept. As swift away the horses sped, His lords to Daśaratha said: “To follow him whom thou again Wouldst see returning home is vain.”

In plain words: The king's attendants turn back after honoring Rama, but in their hearts they stay with him. The king's ministers tell Dasharatha that following someone you hope to see return is useless.