r, and one I keep for father when he comes.

_Runs off._

_V._ Your grandson needs a father, Maha Raja!

And let me tender you my humble service.
I see Yasodhara, the noble princess,
Pine patiently away and spend in mourning
Her life's best years of youth and happiness.
She has been cruelly deserted, has
Been widowed by Siddhattha for a whim.
Give her to me in marriage, and I'll prove
A better father than that runaway,
A better father to your little grandson,
A better husband to his widowed wife.

_S._ You are at liberty to ask my daughter.

_V._ Fair Princess, cease to mourn, and grant my suit.
Thou shalt see better days than heretofore.

_Y._ I pledged my troth to Gotama Siddhattha,
And I shall never break my faith to him.

_V._ Siddhattha is no more, he has turned monk
And you are free, you are Siddhattha's widow.

_S._ My daughter, do not think that I oppose
Visakha's suit, for on the contrary
I do support it, and I wish you would
Accept him as a husband, for I need
Alliance with a brave and trusty man.

_V._ Princess Yasodhara, here is my hand,
Do not refuse me.

_Y._ Brahman, spare your words.

_V._ The time will come when you will sore regret.
O King, compel her to obey; make use
Of your good right as master of this house,
For I alone can save the Sakya state.

_P._ O worthy Brahman, do not threaten us.

_V._ Decide, O Maharaja; thou art Lord!
Thy bidding must be done. Shall women rule,
Or art thou master still in thine own home?

_S._ I am master here; but not a tyrant;
Among our people master means a leader.
The Sakya yeomen justly pride themselves
On their free institutions. I'm the first
Among them, not an autocrat nor despot;
I serve them as adviser, guide and father;
Shall I who never would infringe upon
The right of any poorest peasant woman,
Compel a princess of the royal house
To marry 'gainst her will? No sir, not I.
I wished the Princess to accept your suit,
But I shall never say, She must be yours.

_V._ King of the Sakyas, you forget yourself,
I am a Brahman and of noble birth.
I served you faithfully for many years,
But now I quit your service, for I know
That Bimbisara, King of Magadha,
The mightiest of Indian rulers,
Will welcome me as friend and counselor.

_He bows to the KING and PAJAPATI, and leaves. For a moment
they are all silent._

_S._ I fear me that means war.

_D._ Indeed it does.

If you remember, King, Visakha said
There was a subt