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

38
MALAYAN LITERATURE
The eyes were dazzled with magnificence.
And seats there were, and dainty tables rare.
As through the palace went the King, the more
Astonished he became at all he saw,
But nowhere found a trace of human soul.
Then spake the little bird :
Illustrious King,
What seek'st thou here? This mansion is the house
Of ghosts and demons who will injure thee."
The King was filled with wonder thus to hear
A bird address him. But it flew away.
"
And hid behind a couch. The bird I'll find,"
He said, and ope'd the curtains soft. He saw
Full stretched, upon a bed in dragon's shape,
A human form, in heavy-lidded sleep
That seemed like death, and covered with a cloth
Of blue, whose face betokened deepest grief.
" Is it a child celestial ? " thought the King,
" Or doth she feign to sleep ? Awake, my sweet,
And let us be good friends and lovers true."
So spake the King, but still no motion saw.
He sat upon the couch, and to himself
He said :
''
If it a phantom be, why are
The eyes so firmly shut? Perhaps
''
she's dead.**
She truly is of origin divine,
Though born a princess." Then he lifted high
delicate that hid the form
The covering
Of Bidasari sweet, and stood amazed
At all the magic beauty of her face.
Beside himself, he cried, " Awake, my love."
He lifted her and said, with kisses warm,
"
Oh, have no fear of me, dear heart. Thy voice
Oh, let me hear, my gold, my ruby pure.
My jewel virginal. Thy soul is mine.
Again he pressed her in his arms, and gave
Her many kisses, chanting love-songs low.
"
Thou dost not wake, O dearest one, but thou
Art yet alive, because I see thee breathe.
Sleep not too long, my love. Awake to me,
For thou hast conquered with thy loveliness
My heart and soul." So fell the King in love