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

MAKOTA RADJA-RADJA tS)
or three days longer, I beg you, so that by my hospitality I
may show all the sincere affection that my heart feels for you."
" O my brother, truly would I re-
The Bedouin : replied
main some time longer here, had I not a most important and
deHcate mission to fulfil. It is impossible for me to stay and
enjoy myself here, while I have not yet accomplished my
errand."
The young man answered :
*' O my brother, what is this
difficult and delicate affair which prevents you from staying
here? If you will tell me, doubtless I shall find some means
of coming to your aid, and lightening the burden which weighs
so heavily upon your heart. But, now, what can I do since
you tell me "
nothing ?
Hearing these words, the Bedouin kept silence. He said
"
This affair is not easy to execute. It might be
to himself :
of use for me to have a prudent and discreet companion to
confer with him about it. Perhaps I should do well to talk
of it to this young man and ask his advice."
And nevertheless he dared not yet trust his secret, and his
perplexity was written on his countenance. He could not
utter a single word, and remained very anxious.
The young man observing the state of the Bedouin said to
"
him : O servant of God, your embarrassment is evident ;
you fear to open your heart to me. God alone, in truth, knows
the secrets of his servants. But, in your present situation, it
may be that I can be of some benefit to you."
The Bedouin, hearing these words of the young man, said
" O my loyal friend, know then that I am an Arab-
to him :
Bedouin of the country of Yemen ;
that of all the Bedouins of
Arabia there is not one so wicked nor so great a thief as I, and
that my fame as a bandit is celebrated throughout all Yemen.
The King, having resolved upon a wicked deed, ordered his
minister to find a man capable of performing it. As I had the
reputation of being the greatest bandit of the country of
Yemen, I was summoned to the presence of the King. As
soon as his Majesty saw me he loaded me with presents and
said :
*
If you do as I wish I will give you many more presents
of gold and silver and other magnificent things.* I replied,
* O my lord, king of the ' *
world, what is this affair ? You
must go and kill a man named Hatim-Thai, who lives on the