et in your sweet innocence,
And I will not disturb your blissful rest.
I will go out in search for saving Truth
And shall not come again unless 't be found
Farewell my wife and Rahula my son.
Must I be gone? Is this, in sooth, my duty?

_He goes toward the door. There he stops._

Perchance on their account I ought to stay.
But no! my father can take care of them.
It is my tender heart that makes me weak.
This is the greatest sacrifice I bring.

SIXTH SCENE

[Change of scene, as rapid as before. The garden before the palace]

_CHANNA (Ch.) enters with a horse._

_Channa._ My Prince, here is your steed!

_MARA (M), a superhuman figure, gaudily dressed, hovering in
the air, suddenly appears and addresses SIDDHATTHA (B)._

_M._ It is a shame to leave your wife and child.

_B._ [_Addressing the vision in the air._]
Mara, thou here? thou wicked one, thou tempter!

_K._ Oh do not leave us Prince. Think of the wrong you do.
You wrong your royal father, you wrong your wife, you wrong your child.

_B._ What sayest thou? Thou sayest I do wrong?
The same rebuke is echoed in my heart;
It is so sweet, so loving, so alluring!
And shall I listen to its tender voice?
How pleasant would it be to stay at home,
And to enjoy my wife's love and my child's!
Is that my duty? Say, is that my duty?

_K._ Surely my Lord, your duties lie at home.

_SIDDHATTHA wavers as if in doubt. He stands pondering for a
moment._

_B._ Who will instruct me where my duty lies?

_M._ I will instruct thee, I will guide thee right.

_K._ How can you doubt, my Prince? And can you not
Search for the truth here in this pleasant garden?
There're spots enough where you can think and ponder,
And meditate among the fragrant flowers.

_B._ Here I shall never reach my goal.

_K._ Stay here.
A kingdom is your sure inheritance,
While Buddahood is but a doubtful prize.

_B._ And shall the world wait for another Buddha?
So many millions clamor for the truth!

_With determination._

I hear the call and naught shall hold me back.
I see my duty and I will obey.

_M._ Wilt thou not stay, my noble Prince Siddhattha?
The wheel of empire turns, and thee I shall
Make king of kings to rule the whole broad earth.
Think of the good which thou wilt do as king!
And then as king of kings thy mighty power
Will spread the good religion o'er the world.

_B._ I know thee Mara, tempter, Evil One,
Prince of this wo