.--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 noble, 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