To crush us.

_S._ Once I had a son! But he
Alas! turned mendicant and fails me now!
In him no drop of warrior blood is left,
No spark of honor gloweth in his heart
And our ancestral pride goes down in shame.

_B._ Transient, my noble father, are all things.
All kingdoms finally must pass away,
But if thou tak'st thy refuge in the truth,
Thou wilt be free from all vicissitudes.
The kingdom of the truth alone endures.

_S._ [_With indignation._] Siddhattha, spare thy monkish rant,
Far better than thy cowardly submission,
Far nobler and befitting it would be,
To draw the sword and die a hero's death.

_The embassy in solemn procession files in as before at the
Jetavana. The BUDDHA withdraws and is not noticed by the
embassy. Prime Minister NAGADEVA (N) addresses King
SUDDHODANA._

_N._ Oh Maharaja, listen to our message!

The ruler of the mighty Magadha,
King Bimbisara, sends you kindly greetings.
He wants you to entreat the Blessed One,
The holy Buddha, who now stays with you,
Who, as he learneth, is your noble son,
To come to Rajagaha on a visit.
There have been rumors of intended war,
And armies are maneuvering nearby,
But be assured, our noble King means peace.
He would not draw the sword against your state,
Nor wage a war against the Buddha's father.

_SUDDHODANA'S eye searches for the BUDDHA who has been
standing behind a column and now steps forward._

_S._ Oh noble son, oh blessed, highest Buddha,
Thou art indeed a King of Kings on earth!

_He kneels down. All members of the embassy do the same._

No crown thou wear'st, no scepter's in thy hand,
Thou needest neither lance, nor sword nor shield,
And yet thou rulest, with mere word and thought,
Thou sway'st the destinies of all the world,
I did not know thy power and thy great worth;
But now I bow me down in humble faith,
And I take refuge in the truth thou preachest.
Henceforth I will devote myself to spread
The kingdom of good will and righteousness.

[Music Buddhist Doxology]

[CURTAIN]

* * * * *

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Buddha, by Paul Carus

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