[During the last scene twilight has gradually set in.] THIRD SCENE. [The scene changes by open curtain. A veil comes down, and when its goes up again we see the bed chamber of Siddhattha and Yasodhara dimly lit by tapers.] _YASODHARA (Y) on the bed with babe in arms, two maids in waiting. SIDDHATTHA (B) comes in. A halo of light (not too strong) surrounds his head. The princess rises, lays the babe down and advances toward her husband._ _Y._ O good my Lord, my Prince, my Husband! _A pause. She changes her voice as if ashamed of her show of feeling. With a matter-of-fact intonation._ Rahula fell asleep again. _B._ Why art thou sad, my good Yasodhara? I see a tear that glitters in thine eye. _Y._ An unspeakable melancholy steals over my soul when I hear you speak of your religious longings. _B._ Wouldest thou not rejoice if I fulfilled My mission; if I reached the highest goal? _Y._ Oh! Siddhattha! you do not love me. _B._ My heart embraces all the world--and thee. _Y._ If you loved me truly, there would not be much room for all the world. You think of the world all day long, and have not a minute's time for your wife. _B._ I have, my dear! _Y._ My noble Husband! _B._ Speak! _Y._ Scarcely do I dare to call you by that name. You are kind and gentle, but for a husband you are too lofty, too distant in your dignity. It may be wrong in me, it may be sinful, but I wish you were less lofty and more loving. _B._ My dearest "Wife," I call thee so on purpose-- My dearest "Wife," thou dost not understand: The misery and ills of all the world Weigh heavy on my heart. I'll find no peace Until at last a remedy be found. _Y._ Why dost thou trouble about others? Think of thy son, thy sweetest Rahula, and if thou lovest me a little only, think of me. _B._ I think of thee, my loving Wife, but when I think of thee I think of all--of all The loving wives, the happy trembling mothers All over in the world. Happy they are, But trembling for their babes. Oh! bear in mind, We all are in the net of sorrow caught. This world is full of pain, disease and death; And even death brings no relief. Because The wheel of life rolls on. The ills continue In births that constantly repeat themselves. _Y._ Oh! do not speak of it my Lord, it makes me sad. Why do you think of misery, while here we are surrounded by wealth and comfort, and even the prospects of our future are most auspicious. Why borrow trouble before it comes? _B._ My dear Yasodhara, change is the law Of being. Now we prosper, but the wheel Goes round and brings the high into the dust. _Y._ You suffer from bad dreams; _B._ Listen to me. _They sit down._ In this luxurious palace and these gardens, Surrounding it, was I brought up with care. I saw naught but the fair, the beautiful, The pleasant side of life. _Y._ I know, Siddhattha-- I know it very well.