Buddha hands his bowl to the King, Pajapati rises and leads the way. At a distance a flourish of trumpets.
D. What military signals do I hear?
S. Go, Captain Devala, see what it means.
Devala exit. Suddhodana hands the bowl to one of the disciples.
B. Ye two disciples shall attend the meeting.
Above all passion has the Buddha risen,
But he will comfort her who loves him dearly.
The Princess' heart is filled with deepest grief,
And in no wise shall any one rebuke her
In whatsoever way she greeteth him.
Pajapati opens the curtain leading to the apartment where Yasodhara sits. Buddha, Pajapati and Suddhodana enter. Yasodhara sinks down before him and holds his feet, weeping. The flourish of trumpets is repeated.
S. [Grows restless, turns to Pajapati] These warlike trumpets have a foreign sound
And may forbode the enemy's attack.
He leaves the apartment where Yasodhara is and re-enters the hall, going toward the entrance in the background between the columns.
B. Yasodhara, I bring thee happy tidings,
Deliverance is found, let go thy grief.