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Malayan literature; comprising romantic tales, epic poetry and royal ...

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76<br />

MALAYAN LITERATURE<br />

The old King, seated on his elephant,<br />

Shed all about him rays of happiness.<br />

And all the people there were greatly moved.<br />

" This is my brother well beloved," he said.<br />

And kissed his brow. ** How great hath been his love.<br />

His faithfulness has proved beyond compare."<br />

The former merchant bowed, <strong>and</strong> to the King<br />

Replied :<br />

"<br />

I am thy slave, O King, <strong>and</strong> bear<br />

Thine orders on my head. Thou dost o'erwhelm<br />

Thy servant with thy favor." Then upon<br />

The <strong>royal</strong> throne, which was all gem-bedecked,<br />

The old King sat, the young prince at his side,<br />

With all the mantris near. Then came the Queen<br />

Consort. The prince <strong>and</strong> Bidasari fair<br />

Came from their seats, their mother to receive.<br />

All entered then the palace. The young Queen,<br />

Fair Bidasari, bowed <strong>and</strong> was embraced<br />

By both her parents. With a flood of tears<br />

Her father said :<br />

" Alas, my darling child,<br />

Fruit of my heart, light of my eyes, keep not<br />

A hatred in thy soul against us now.<br />

The will of God is now made manifest.<br />

We long have separated been. At last<br />

We see each other with our very eyes.<br />

Great wrong we did thus to ab<strong>and</strong>on thee.<br />

But still let not thy heart a stranger be<br />

To us. Peace later came to our dear l<strong>and</strong>—<br />

Such was our destiny. What could we do ?<br />

We were in flight. We thought, '<br />

Some honorable man shall find her here !<br />

May God decree<br />

How can we now be glad enough 'twas thus<br />

Ordained ! What recompense can we "<br />

present ?<br />

Sweet Bidasari wept as she recalled<br />

The past. The King her husb<strong>and</strong> was much moved,<br />

And felt great pity when her tears he saw.<br />

And all were sad with sorrow mixed with joy,<br />

Because they knew she was of <strong>royal</strong> birth.<br />

Food now was served, <strong>and</strong> quickly the dyangs<br />

Brought salvers for the princes. The two kings<br />

Ate of the rice till they were surfeited.<br />

'

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