forest with me? If however they prefer their homes to me, why are they prodigal of their tears ?
27. 'But granted that attachment to their family prevents them from adopting the state of an ascetic, how is it that the like consideration did not formerly present itself to them on so many battle-fields ?
28. 'I have often experienced the heroism of their sincere friendship in adversity, and now behold that deep-rooted friendship, as it were, embodied in their tears. Yet, notwithstanding this, it will seem mere guile to me, since they do not follow my example.
29, 30. ‘As surely as it is great regard for their friend deserving regard, that makes their eyes full of tears, their heads reverentially bent, their words interrupted with sobs, while they are exerting themselves to hinder my departure, so surely ought their love to have the effect of bringing them to the praiseworthy resolution to go and wander about with me, lest they should appear like actors in a theatrical performance, to the shame of the pious!
31. 'If anybody be in distress, be he ever so wicked a person, some two or three friends will keep with him, at least; but for a man, however excellent by virtue, it will be oh! so hard, to get one single comrade, when setting out for the forest!
32. 'Those who in battles, when danger was imminent from furious elephants, used to set an example (of fearlessness) to me, even they do not follow me now, when I lead them to the forest. Verily am I, are they, the same as we were before?
33. 'I do not recollect having done them any wrong that could cause the ruin of their attachment ... So this behaviour of my friends may, perhaps, issue from the care for what they consider my happiness.
34. 'Or is it rather my lack of virtues that hinders them from being my companions in the forest ? For who may possess the power of loosening hearts that have been won by virtue ?
35. 'But why indulge in idle reflections about these persons ? Of a truth, since they are unable to
