they have started out. See how the crowd are wending
their way hither to the temple.

_GENERAL SIHA looks around and contemplates the scenery, then
turns to the CAPTAIN._

_GS._ Now pitch the tents before the sun goes down.

_In the meantime, the BUDDHA enters with two disciples. They
sit down under a tree. The Captain bows to them reverently
and leaves the stage._

_GS._ Greetings to you, holy monks.

_B._ Peace be with thee, and may thy sword ne'er reek with blood.

_GS._ I draw the sword for my king, for my country and for the
restoration of order where enemies or rebels have disturbed it.

_B._ Thou lookst courageous and thy very words
Possess a ring of simple honesty.

_GS._ I serve a mighty king who means to do the right. He prefers to
establish his rule by treaty and spares an enemy who sues for peace.

_B._ Thou speakst of Bimbisara, King of Magadha?

_GS._ Indeed I speak of the great Bimbisara, and he is born to sway
the world. My sympathy and my allegiance go with him. I am Siha, his
general.

_B._ Thy name is known throughout the Indian lands.

_GS._ When I chose my profession I prayed to the gods that they would
never let it be my lot to fight for any unjust cause.

_B._ Let this thy prayer be a sacred vow
Which thou wilt keep inviolate. Our fate,
Or say the gods, create conditions; but thou
Thyself must act. Thou art responsible,
Thou shapest thine own life, and not the gods.

_GS._ Thy words please me! What is thy doctrine, venerable monk?

_B._ I teach the middle way between extremes.
Neither mortifications of the body
Nor self-indulgence should be practised.
We must make up our minds and walk
On the eightfold noble path of righteousness.

_GS._ Who art thou, wondrous monk? Thy doctrine is so plain, and so
convincing that I grant thou speakest truth. The people ought to know
thee and accept thy creed. Who art thou?

_B._ Born of the Sakya race, they call me Sakyamuni.

_GS._ Blessed be this day on which I meet the greatest man of our age.
I heard of thee from the Nirgranthas, thine own enemies, the rival
sect of thy new order, and they say that thou deniest the soul, thou
teachest extinction, thou leadest man to non-existence, and that
Nirvana is with thee an empty naught--annihilation.--Is that true?

_B._ I teach extinction, noble general,
Of hatred, greed, and lust, but I insist
On doing what is right and just and good;
On doing resolutely what we do,
O