2. That Buddhism in those days as now (1) set aside caste, (2) laid stress on moral conduct, (3) made its priests take the vows of poverty, celibacy, and monastic life; that they were mendicants; must not touch women.

3. That the King or Rajah of the Province appointed the heads of the Buddhist monasteries, so that Buddhism was a part of the established religion of India.]

ACT VIII.

Enter the SRAMANka, or Bauddha mendicant, with a wet garment in his hand.

SRAMANKA (sings).

Be virtue, friends, your only store,
And restless appetite restrain,
Beat meditation's drum, and sore

Your watch against each sense maintain;
The thief that still in ambush lies,

To make devotion's wealth his prize.

Cast the five senses all away

That triumph o'er the virtuous will,
The pride of self-importance slay,
And ignorance remorseless kill;
So shall you safe the body guard,
And Heaven shall be your last reward.

Why shave the head and mow the chin
Whilst bristling follies choke the breast?
Apply the knife to parts within

And heed not how deformed the rest.
The heart of pride and passion weed,

And then the man is pure indeed.

My cloth is heavy with the yet moist dye. I will enter this garden belonging to the Rájá's brother-in-law, and wash it in the pool, and then I shall proceed more lightly. (Does so.)

(Behind.) What ho! you rascally Sramanka, what are you doing there?

Sram. Alas, alas! here he is, Samsthánaka himself. He has been affronted by one mendicant, and whenever he meets another he sends him off with his nose slit like an ox. Where shall I fly to? The lord Buddha be my refuge!

Vit. In that case I suspect he will not have long followed the profession.

Sams. How so?

Vit. Observe his head shines as if it had only been lately shaven; and his garment has been so little worn that there are no scars on his shoulder. The ochry dye has not yet fully stained the cloth, and the open web yet fresh and flaccid hangs loosely over his

arms.

Sram. I do not deny it, worthy sir; it is true I have but lately adopted the profession of a beggar.

Sams. And why so; why did you not become a beggar as soon as you were born, you scoundrel? (Beats him.)

Sram. Glory to Buddha!

Sams. He shall neither go, nor stay, nor move, nor breathe. Let him fall down and be put to death.

Sram. Glory to Buddha! Mercy, mercy!

Enter the SRAMANKA as mendicant, as before.

I have washed my mantle, and will hang it on these boughs to dry. No, here are a number of monkeys. I'll spread it on the ground. No, there is too much dust. Ha! yonder the wind has blown together a pile of dry leaves, that will answer exactly; I'll spread it

upon them. (Spreads his wrapper over Vasantaséná and sits down.) Glory to Buddha! (Repeats the moral stanzas as above.) But enough of this. I covet not the other world until in this I may make some return for the lady Vasantaséná's charity. On the day that she liberated me from the gamester's clutches she made me her slave forever. Holloa! something sighed amidst yon leaves! or perhaps it was only their crackling, scorched by the sun, and moistened by my damp garment. Bless me, they spread out like the wings of a bird. (One of Vasantaséná's hands appears.) A woman's hand,

as I live, with rich ornaments, and another; surely I have seen that hand before. It is, it is it is the hand that once was stretched forth to save me. What should this mean! (Throws off the wrapper and leaves, and sees Vasantaséná.) It is the lady Vasantaséná, the devoted worshiper of Buddha. (Vasantaséná expresses by signs the want of water.) She wants water: the pool is far away, what's to be done? Ha! my wet garment. (Applies it to her face and mouth and fans her.)

Vas. (reviving.) Thanks, thanks, my friend. Who art thou? Sram. Do you not recollect me, lady? You once redeemed me with ten suvernas.

Vas. I remember you; aught else I have forgotten. I have suffered since.

Sram. How, lady?

Vas. As my fate deserved.

Sram. Rise, lady, rise; drag yourself to this tree: here, hold by this creeper. (Bends it down to her, she lays hold of it and rises.) In a neighboring convent dwells a holy sister; rest awhile with her, lady, and recover your spirits. Gently, lady, gently. (They proceed.) Stand aside, good friends, stand aside, make way for a young female and a poor beggar! It is my duty to restrain the hands and mouth, and keep the passions in subjection. What should such a man care for kingdoms? His is the world to come.

Enter the SRAMANKA and VASANTASÉNA.

Sram. Bless me, what shall I do? Thus leading Vasantaséná, am I acting conformably to the laws of my order? Lady, whither shall I conduct you?

Vas. To the house of Chárudatta, my good friend.

Sram. Quick, lady! Worthy servant of Buddha, hasten to save Chárudatta! Room, good friends, make way!

Chár. And who is this?

Vas.

To him I owe my life;

His seasonable aid preserved me.

Chár. Who art thou, friend?

Sram. Your Honor does not recollect me. I was employed as your personal servant. Afterwards becoming connected with gamblers, and unfortunate, I should have been reduced to slavery, had not this lady

;

redeemed me. I have since then adopted the life of a mendicant ; and coming in my wanderings to the Rájá's garden, was fortunately enabled to assist my former benefactress.

Ser. Lady Vasantaséná, with your worth

The King is well acquainted, and requests

To hold you as his kinswoman.

Vas. Sir, I am grateful. (Servillaka throws a veil over her.)
Ser. What shall we do for this good mendicant?
Chár. Speak, Sramanaka, your wishes.

Sram. To follow still the path I have selected,
For all I see is full of care and change.

Chár. Since such is his resolve, let him be made
Chief of the monasteries of the Buddhas.

Ser. It shall be so.

INDEX

OF SUBJECTS TREATED IN THIS WORK.