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

98
MALAYAN LITERATURE
seeing most wonderful things. He arrived at a great and
strongly fortified town, which he entered and saw a vast popu-
lation, whose number God alone knows. This people, who call
themselves the Badsam people, were composed of believers and
unbelievers.
The inhabitants of the town were astonished to see the face
of King Souran, and his garments they looked upon with as-
tonishment. They conducted him to the presence of their
King, whom they call Agtab-al-Ard (i.e., Bowels of the Earth).
This prince asked, " What man is this? "
" My lord," was the reply, " it is a stranger, who arrived a
moment ago."
" Whence does he come? "
*' We do not know."
Then the King addressed King Souran himself and said,
" Who are you, and whence do you come ? "
"
King Souran replied: I come from the world; I am the
king of men; my name is King Souran."
King AgtaS-al-Ard was very much astonished on hearing
"
these words. There is, then," he said, " another world beside
ours? "
"
The world," replied King Souran, " contains many races."
" Glory to God almighty," said the King, full of surprise.
Then he made King Souran ascend and sit with him on the
royal throne.
Agtab-al-Ard had a daughter, of great beauty, named Princess
Mah-tab-al-Bahri (" Moon of the Sea "). He gave her in
marriage to King Souran. That prince dwelt three years with
her and had three male children by her. When he thought
about these three children King Souran felt much troubled.
He said to himself: " What will become of them, here, under
the earth? Or how shall I withdraw them hence?"
He went to see Agtab-al-Ard, and said to him :
"
If my sons
grow up, will your Majesty allow me to see that they are
brought into the upper world, in order that the royal line of
Sultan Iskender Dhoul-Quameen may not be broken to the
end of time ? "
The King answered, " I shall not hinder you."
Then King Souran took leave of the King and prepared for
his return. The King and his daughter shed many tears at