K. Yes, he is here, and it is your son, but no longer Siddhattha, the Sakya prince, but Sakya muni, the sage of the Sakyas, the Buddha, the Blessed One. When I spoke to him and gave him your message, he inquired for you and the Queen Pajapati [Yasodhara rises] and for you, most honored Princess and for Rahula. Yes, he inquired for you and how Rahula had grown.
Y. Did he speak kindly of us?
K. He always speaks kindly, and he is always calm.
[Music a song, Buddhist Doxology, at a distance]
K. O listen to the music. Here he comes, the glorious Buddha. He must be at the gate.
Y. [rises again and withdraws.] I must be gone.
P. O stay, Yasodhara.
Y. No, I will hide me from his very sight; and if I am to him of any value, he will ask for me.
S. Stay, Yasodhara.
Y. He fled from me because I was a hindrance
In his great quest, and he may shun me still.