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

s8
MALAYAN LITERATURE
He took her on his knees and gave her rice.
She could not walk because such pain she felt.
She thought upon the Queen and wept afresh.
They dried her tears, and placed within her mouth
What food she liked. The merchant tenderly
Said, " Bidasari, dear, what has thou wrought
"
To cause the Queen against thee thus to act ?
Young Bidasari, with a flood of tears, replied :
*'
No wrong at all I wrought the cruel Queen.
All suddenly her insults she began.
And beatings.'' They were stupefied to hear
"
Such tales. Light of my eyes," the father said,
" We do not doubt thine innocence. Her deeds
Were those of madness. For her haughty birth
I care no whit. Wisdom and virtue bind
True hearts alone. As friends we ne'er must name
Those false dyangs. Not plants medicinal.
But poison foul, are they. These days are bad.
Injustice reigns. Believe me, friends,
A sign the last great day shall soon appear.
Those false dyangs are but a race of slaves,
Insensible to all that's good. The hour
The princess knov/eth Bidasari lives,
We all shall die, the princess is so wroth.
Illustrious Queen they call her— ^but her words
Are hard and cruel. May the curse of God
O'erwhelm her and annihilate! From thee,
O God, she shall receive the punishment
Deserved. She who pursueth thus a soul
it is
Shall know remorse and pain. So God hath willed.
So God hath willed. Who doth another harm
Shall suffer in his turn. It shall be done
To him as he hath done to others. So,
My child, my crown, have no more fear at all.
Intrust thyself to God. The cruel Queen
Shall yet be treated as she treated thee."
The merchant thus lamented till the night
Was half departed, shedding sapphire tears.
The innocent young girl, like marble there.