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

126 MALAYAN LITERATURE
the interpreters of the law, the wise men, and the muftis, as
well as the officers. When they were all assembled, the prince
went to the audience-chamber, and there before the officers
of the court he questioned one of the doctors. It was the
mufti of the city of Bagdad. He, prostrating himself, said:
" The pilgrimage of his Majesty would be an excellent work,
but is it of absolute necessity? For the voyage will be very
long, and there is no one, my lord, who would be capable of
ruling in the place of your sublime Majesty."
"
The prince answered : He in whom we first of all place
our trust is God. We shall hope then in the blessing of his
envoy. We shall leave the cadi here, and if it pleases God
the most high, we shall return promptly as soon as we have
accomplished the pilgrimage."
The King therefore caused to be equipped and provided
with all sorts of provisions, those of his subjects who were
going to accompany him, and when the favorable moment
had arrived he started with the Queen, some of the maids-of-
honor, and his son named Minbah Chahaz. He took his son,
but he left behind, guarded in the palace, his daughter called
the Princess Djouher-Manikam. In those times there was
no one in the country of Bagdad who surpassed in beauty the
Princess Djouher-Manikam. Furthermore, she had in her
heart the fear of God the most high and worthy of all praise,
and would not cease her prayers.
After travelling for some time, the prince her father arrived
at Mecca, and fulfilled his duties as a pilgrim. He recited the
appropriate prayers. But observing that there was still a
said to his officers :
great quantity of provisions, the prince
"
It is good for us to wait a year or so, for our provisions
are yet considerable."
The officers replied :
" It is well, lord of the world ! What-
ever may be your Majesty's commands, we place them above
" ''
our heads." Since it is thus," answered the prince, it is
*
fitting that we should send a letter thus conceived : Peace
and blessing upon the cadi: I place my trust in God first of
all, and in the cadi, to guard my kingdom, palace, and my
child the Princess Djouher-Manikam. Be a faithful guardian,
neglect nothing in the cares to be given to my kingdom, for
I am going to remain another year for the great pilgrimage.' "