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 passeth 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, circumambulate 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 PAJAPATI and
YASODHARA. RAHULA in the background (viz., in the garden) in
the care of a nurse._

_S._ The time is troublesome, and i