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

BIDASARI 39
"
With Bidasari. Ah, my sweet," he said,
"
In all the world of love thou'rt worthiest."
The mantris grew uneasy at his stay.
They rose and said :
" What doth the King so long ?
If harm befell him, what would be our fate ?
Oh, let us call him back at once, my lords."
So one approached the palace, and cried out:
"
Return, O prince accomplished, to us now.
Already night is near. Back thou may'st come
To-morrow ere the dawn. We are afraid
Lest spirits harm thee. Come, O King, for we
A-hungered are, and wait for thy return."
But the illustrious prince was mad with love
Of Bidasari. Pensively he cried:
"
Branch of my heart, light of mine eyes, my love,
Pure gold, thou'rt like angel. Now must I
Depart. To-morrow I will come again."
With no more words he left her, but returned.
" My heart would tell me, wert thou really dead.
Some trouble hast thou, dearest one ? " he cried.
*'
What bitter grief hath caused thee thus to sleep ? "
He found the nobles murmuring and vexed.
" O King," they said, " our hearts were filled with fear
Lest evil had befallen thee. What sight
So strange hath kept thee all these hours ? " The King
Replied with laughter, " There was naught to see."
But they remarked his brow o'ercast with thought,
And said, " O King, thy heart is sorely vexed."
"
Nay, nay," the King replied, " I fell asleep.
Naught did I hear except the mantri's voice.
It surely is the home of demons dread
And spirits. Let us go, lest they surprise
" Us here." He seemed much moved. We naught have
gained
But weariness. So let us all go home
To-night, and hither come again at dawn.
For I a promise gave the Queen to bring
A fawn and a kidjang." The mantris said :
" None have we taken yet.
But game we'll find
To-morrow, and will save a pretty fawn."