The Buddha Part 9

_G._ I have no time. [_Exit._]

_K._ I knew she would come around,--and she is much prettier than Nanda. Nanda is a buxom country la.s.s, a pleasant girl, but Gopa is as proper as a princess. [_He continues with unction._] Bodhisatta longs for the blessed state of Nirvana, and when he has found it, he will be calm and without pa.s.sion. He will walk on earth as a G.o.d among men. No emotion will disturb the peace of his mind, and the happiness of the great Brahma will be as nothing in comparison to the infinite bliss of his Buddhahood. [_With a lighter tone_]: I adore him, but I do not envy him. I do not long for the happiness of a G.o.d. I am a man with human faults and human yearnings. I am satisfied with the happiness and the sufferings of a man. Since I am a.s.sured of Gopa's love, I care not for Nirvana. I think that this world is good enough for me.

_V._ [_Looks around like a spy._]

How peaceful lies this palace, yet I see The war clouds lour upon its roofs.

The storm will break with sudden vehemence upon These harmless unsuspecting people. Woe to them, Their doom is certain. Desperate resistance Succ.u.mbs before the overwhelming forces Of Bimbisara.--And what will become Of poor Yasodhara?--I like her well.

I might still save her from her people's ruin.

A princess, sweet and n.o.ble, and herself Descended from an ancient royal house. But I hate that little youngster Rahula.

Whate'er betide, my deep-laid schemes will speed And I shall profit by my master's doom.

[Music: Chopin's Nocturno. Opus 37, No. 2.]

[CURTAIN]

THIRD SCENE.

[Darkness covers the scene. Distant thunder and lightning. Gradually it grows light again and the scene of YASODHARA'S bedroom becomes visible. All luxury has been removed; she sleeps on a mat on the floor, RAHULA in bed.]

_R._ Mother! Mother!

_Y._ Sleep my boy, it is almost midnight.

_R._ Take me up, Mother.

_YASODHARA picks RAHULA up._

_R._ Why do you sleep on the floor, Mother?

_Y._ Because father does so. Let me lay you down on your couch, you must sleep.

_R._ Tell me more of father.

_Y._ I will to-morrow.

_R._ Tell me now. Is father a king?

_Y._ No, my son. But he is going to found a kingdom.

_R._ Will he be king of it?

_Y._ I do not know, my boy, but his kingdom will not be like other kingdoms. It will be the kingdom of truth--a spiritual kingdom, a kingdom of righteousness.

_R._ Is father rich?

_Y._ He scorns riches.

_R._ Why does he?

_Y._ He seeks other riches, the riches of religion, of the mind, of spirit.

_R._ Did he find them?

_Y._ I believe he did.

_R._ He sends you news through Kala Udayin.

_Y._ No, Rahula, I send Kala Udayin out to watch him and when Kala comes back he tells me what he saw and heard. Kala does not speak to father.

_R._ Why does Kala not speak to father?

_Y._ Grandfather forbade him. When we sent out Devadatta and Ananda, they became attached to the life of a hermit. They joined father and did not come back; but Kala will not turn monk.

_R._ But this time he will speak to father.

_Y._ How do you know?

_R._ I heard grandfather bid him to.

_Y._ What did he bid him?

_R._ He bade Kala that he should tell father to visit us.

_She can scarcely conceal her joy._

_Y._ You heard grandfather say so?

_R._ I did, mother; grandfather said that he became old, and before he died he wanted to see his son again.

_Y._ Why! did he really say so?

_R._ He did.

_Y._ Oh you darling son, then you will see him, too.

_R._ People say that he will be a Buddha.

_Y._ Yes, my son, some say he will be a Buddha and others doubt it.

_R._ Mother, what is a Buddha?

_Y._ A Buddha is a man who has found the truth.

_R._ How does a man find the truth?

_Y._ By enlightenment. He must find out the cause of evil.

_R._ Why must he find out the cause of evil?