The company still together though the hour is late, Krishna, at the request of Publius, after a breathing-spell enjoyed by all under the open sky, tells the story of the death of Buddha. A warning recited by him as having proceeded from the dying Buddha's lips against all speech on the part of his disciples with womankind, prompts Krishna to turn, with apology in his manner, in a kind of appeal to Paul, who, answering, gives the contrasted teaching of Christianity on this topic. At the conclusion of Krishna's recital, Publius makes a few characteristic observations suggested by it, and the company, having first agreed to assemble on some favorable day at dawn to hear from Mary the story of the resurrection of Jesus, disperse. KRISHNA. Slowly the solemn of late afternoon Settled into the somber of twilight: It was a pensive company that there Sat nursing each his thought as if alone. Then Julius, out of muse and memory, Spoke, without harming the suspense of awe That held all as pavilioned round with God: "Yea, I remember to have heard it said, In fact it was a story of the camp Among us soldiers in Jerusalem, That the centurion who stood by and watched The doings of that day and Jesus' death, Said, when he saw that having so cried out He yielded up the ghost, 'Surely he was The Son of God!'" "The death was wonderful," Said Publius, "not like that of any man." He spoke with reverence far from insincere, And yet a note of shallow in his tone Was dissonant to the feeling of the hour. This, Krishna with a fine discernment felt When Publius turned to him, and made demand: "And now, O Krishna, tell us thou of him, Thy master Buddha, how he met his death. But first, O friends my guests," he added then, With volatile quick turn, "let us all forth Into the open underneath the sky And shake the languor of our sitting off. The night is fine, no wind, and weather mild; A half hour's freedom out of doors to breathe The fresh air, and with motion loose our limbs And make our blood brisk, will be nigh as good As a night's sleep for health to body and mind." Host and symposiarch, Publius clapped his hands, And to the servants promptly answering said: "Lamps, and more braziers brim with glowing coals; Also refection, cakes and wine, good store." Therewith the company dispersed at will, Wandering in groups or singly as each chose.