The Buddha Part 16

_St._ [_announces_] An emba.s.sy of the most potent King of Magadha, the great Bimbisara.

_B._ [_Addressing himself to the servant_] Let them come in, [_turning to K._] Kala Udayin, bring my father greetings, and say that I shall come.

_KALA UDAYIN exit._

_A number of men, the emba.s.sy of King BIMBISARA, led by NAGADEVA, most gorgeously dressed, file in. They let themselves down on one knee, clasp their hands and rise again._

_N._ Most gracious Lord, all-wise and blessed Buddha, Our n.o.ble sov'reign bids me tender you His most respectful greetings, and he hopes That you return and visit Rajagaha, For he is very anxious to be honored By your auspicious presence in his kingdom.

_B._ My Lords, express to your most mighty King That the Tathagata can not accept This friendly invitation, for he will Start for his home, the country of the Sakyas, To see his aged father and his kin.

If war or other ills befall his people, He wants to live, if need be, die with them.

_N._ Lord Buddha, speak a word of truth to us, For I'm aware thou art omniscient.

Our royal master wants to hear from thee.

_B._ All bodily existence pa.s.seth by For it is compound and will be dissolved; But there is Law; it is the Uncreate, It is th' Etern, which is without beginning And without end. That must our refuge be.

He who relies on the Impermanent, And, being strong, attempts to crush the weak, Will soon break down. This is the law of deeds, For as we sow, such will our harvest be.

Rely on Truth, the Uncreate, th' Etern, Be guided by the rule of Righteousness.

This is my message to the King, your Lord, And may he be advised to rule his country With love of peace, with goodness, and with wisdom.

My blessing be on him and on his people.

_They kneel, clasp their hands, circ.u.mambulate the BUDDHA and file out._

_JETA returns in excitement._

_J._ The war is on! King Bimbisara's army Is building bridges to attack the Sakyas.

[CURTAIN. Trumpet signals, military music.]

_FOURTH INTERLUDE._

_Living Pictures Accompanied by Appropriate Music._

1. KING BIMBISARA ON THE ROYAL ELEPHANT.

The king is seated under a canopy, together with his minister and field marshal. On the head of the elephant, the driver; and retinue on either side.

2. THE WANDERER.

The Buddha was in the habit of wandering through the country from place to place.

The picture shows him with a staff in his right hand and a bowl in his left in an Indian landscape.

3. KING BIMBISARA IN CAMP.

Standing before the royal tent he addresses his generals.

ACT V.

FIRST SCENE.

[Reception hall of the Raja Suddhodana; Indian pompous style; columns and beyond an outlook into a tropical palm-garden. Seats scattered through the room. On the left a compartment, open toward the audience, is separated from the main room by hanging carpets.]

_Near the right side SUDDHODANA is seated with PAj.a.pATI and YASODHARA. RAHULA in the background (viz., in the garden) in the care of a nurse._

_S._ The time is troublesome, and it appears that war is imminent.

_P._ Oh do not fret; Visakha is a cunning diplomat: I hope he'll be successful, and he will Persuade King Bimbisara to keep peace.

_S._ I do hope too, but hope against conviction.

_VISAKHA and DEVALA enter._

There come the Brahman and the gallant Captain.

_V._ [Kneeling on one foot to the King] Hail Maharaja!

_D._ Hail, my gracious King.

_S._ Welcome my worthy messengers!

_They kneel to PAj.a.pATI._

_P._ Be welcome.

_S._ Tell me at once, how did your mission speed?

_V._ There is a subtle influence against you At Bimbisara's court; there is a party Bound to have war, and they will have it too, Unless we meet them by diplomacy.

Leave it to me, and I'll preserve the peace.

_S._ Had not my son turned mendicant, how useful Could he at present be! I need a general, A trusty man of youthful strength and courage To take the helm and lead the ship of state Through storm and danger, for our foes are strong.

_V._ Great Raja, I am privy to your grief, I know the hope you'd set upon Siddhattha.

What brilliant gifts the boy inherited, From you, his royal father, and how he, Forgetful of his filial duty, left you, And his fair wife and child, to turn a beggar.

_S._ All this is true, remind me not of it, 'Tis a disgrace to our most royal house, And all the Rajas in the Indian land, Will point to us and mock the Sakya tribe.

_RAHULA comes in with childlike joy and brings his mother a rose._

_R._ Here, mother, is a rose. I picked it from the bush where the nightingale sings. I thought, if father had been here, he would have brought the rose to you. He loves the flowers and so do you.

_Y._ My darling!