_V._ There is a subtle influence against you At Bimbisara's court; there is a party Bound to have war, and they will have it too, Unless we meet them by diplomacy. Leave it to me, and I'll preserve the peace. _S._ Had not my son turned mendicant, how useful Could he at present be! I need a general, A trusty man of youthful strength and courage To take the helm and lead the ship of state Through storm and danger, for our foes are strong. _V._ Great Raja, I am privy to your grief, I know the hope you'd set upon Siddhattha. What brilliant gifts the boy inherited, From you, his royal father, and how he, Forgetful of his filial duty, left you, And his fair wife and child, to turn a beggar. _S._ All this is true, remind me not of it, 'Tis a disgrace to our most royal house, And all the Rajas in the Indian land, Will point to us and mock the Sakya tribe. _RAHULA comes in with childlike joy and brings his mother a rose._ _R._ Here, mother, is a rose. I picked it from the bush where the nightingale sings. I thought, if father had been here, he would have brought the rose to you. He loves the flowers and so do you. _Y._ My darling! _S._ [_with a touch of anger_] Yasodhara, I wish you would not speak to him too much of his father. _R._ Why should mother not mention father? I love him and I should know all about him. I want to join the Buddha's brotherhood. _S._ Do you love him more than your grandfather? _R._ I love my grandfather too, I love mother, and you, dear grandmother [_turning to PAJAPATI_]. You are always so kind to me. I love you all. But father I love in a different manner. I love him as Buddha. I clasp my hands to him as to a god; and so do you mother, do you not? _Y._ [_Puts her hand on Rahula's mouth_] Hush! I thank you for the rose, my child; now run away and bring another rose to grandfather, and one for your grandmother Pajapati. _R._ Yes mother, 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.