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

THE PRINCESS DJOUHER-MANIKAM
THIS is the history of the Princess Djouher-Manikam,
whose renown is celebrated in all lands, windward and
leeward.
There was in the city of Bagdad a king named Haroun-er-
Raschid, sovereign of a vast empire. He was a prince who
feared God the almighty, and worthy of all praise, for he was
a king descended from the prophet. After having lived for
some time in his kingdom, he desired to start on a pilgrimage.
So he addressed his ministers and his military chiefs and spoke
to them as follows:
" O you all, my subjects, my officers, what is your opinion?
I would fain make a pilgrimage to the house of God."
"
The cadi, prostrating himself, answered : Sire, King of
the world, the will of your subHme Majesty is very just, but in
my opinion your departure would cause the ruin of the inhabitants
of the fields, and those of your subjects who ac-
company you
will have much to suffer."
The prince, having heard these words, said :
"
The opinion
of the cadi
advice."
is loyal, and you, my officers, tell what is your
The officers arose, then
"
spoke as follows : Sire,
they prostrated themselves and
King of the world, we, your
servants, beg you a thousand and a thousand times to cause
your forgiveness to descend upon our heads, but how will
your Majesty accomplish the pilgrimage? In whom can you
trust to protect the country and watch over the palace ? "
The prince having heard these words of his officers, none
of whom approved of the pilgrimage, kept silence and restrained
his anger, and then departed and returned to the
palace. Some days after this, by the will of the most high
God, the heart of the prince felt more keenly still the desire
to make the pilgrimage. He gave orders to gather together
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