Malayan Literature Part 11

The princess answered with a dreamy chant.

And when the young prince heard her gentle lay He felt a yearning pity for her fate.

"Be not afraid, my dear," he said, "for I Will triumph over all thine enemies."

Then Dang Sendari served them dainty food; And what was left, to her the princess gave.

The prince too _siri_ from the betel-box And rare sweet perfumes used. When evening came, A soft couch for the prince was spread. And then The princess sought her room, and curtains drew Of rich Egyptian stuff. The prince had asked, "When comes the spirit-king?" And she had said, "At early dawn." The young prince could not sleep, But through the long night hours sang soft _pantoums_.

When daylight came the prince arose. He heard A spirit coming to the palace. Then with fear Was seized the princess fair. "Behold," she cried, "He cometh." Then the young prince took his arms.

"Fear not," he said; "have confidence in G.o.d.

What he decrees must always come to pa.s.s.

If I'm destroyed, then follow me in death.

I only ask one thing of thee, my love.

When I am dead, I pray thee weep for me, And let thy mantle be my winding-sheet.

Now let thy glances follow as I go."

I'll tell of Ifrid now--the spirit-king.

He lurked beneath the palace. When he heard The princess talking with the prince his ire Arose like burning flame. His cry was like A thunder-burst. The very palace shook.

"Depart from here," unto the prince he roared, "And feel my mighty power." Then sweet love-songs Exchanging with the princess went he forth.

His mien was like Sang Samba's, and his face Was n.o.bly firm, as if he went to meet A roaring tiger. At his side he wore A rare carbuncled sword, and arrows bore With points in deadly poison dipped. Ifrid, The creature with two heads, like spectre came With laughter horrid. He took up a stone And hurled it at the prince, who dodged its flight.

Then full of wrath Ifrid upon him rushed.

But swift the prince let fly an arrow sharp, And pierced his heart. One groan, and then he fell, And died beside the river. Then the prince Made haste to join the princess.

When she saw The spirit Ifrid dead she much rejoiced And bowed before the prince. Great gladness shone In her fair face, because her woe had ceased, And she was happy that 'twas to the prince She owed her rescue. 'Twas as if she'd found A mountain great of jewels. Then she said: "Caliph a high divinity once was And called himself King Lila. G.o.d will bless Thee for thy deeds, O mighty prince."

The prince With kisses said: "Thou hast a charming mouth.

Thy form is supple. Prithee tell me why I should not love thee? Thou art beautiful As a statue of pure gold, and thou shalt be A princess in my palace. Well I know Thine origin is n.o.ble, and thy race Is high." They gayly chatted while some food Was served. The prince, with pleasure, at the side Of the fair princess ate. When all was done He took some _siri_ from the betel-box And perfumes used. "Thou art a jasmine sweet,"

He said, "an antidote to every ill, And thou shalt be my wife."

Next day the prince Took her behind him on his horse, and they Departed. The _dyangs_ accompanied them.

Now will I tell about the _mantris_ all.

Until the fall of evening, with the King Of Indrapura, they in waiting stayed, To welcome back the prince. And much disturbed They were that he delayed so long to come.

The King then bade them seek the prince, and see Why he remained so long apart from them.

Then _mantris_ four set out, and hunted far And wide, but found him not. They brought the news That he could not be found. The King was sad And ordered them to go and tell the King, His wife's dear father, that the prince was lost.

The old King fainted when he heard the tale.

With oil of rose they sprinkled him, and back Unto his senses came he. "O my child,"

He said, "my heart hath lost all hope. Where now Art thou? I'll go, myself, to seek."

The King Wept much, and his dear wife. And as for her-- Sweet Bidasari--she appeared to wish To kill herself, for never on the earth Did brother love his sister like the prince And Bidasari. At the fall of day Back came the King of Indrapura, sad And weeping. Then the King of Kembajat Said: "O my son, be silent. Do not weep, For thou dost but increase the pain I feel."

But Indrapura's King replied: "Alas!

He was my brother true, so brave and good!"

But while they were lamenting thus the prince Stood there before them with his consort fair.

He bowed to all. The King, his father, saw And could not speak. He thought, "It is the voice Of my dear son." Then recognition came And he was wild with joy. The prince then told How he had chased the tiger, and had lost His way within a wood: how he had killed A spirit there, Ifrid, the dread.

The King Heard all he said and much rejoiced. Then came The servants serving tasteful food to all.

The King ate with his wife and children dear.

Together they were six. All sorts of rare And dainty food were served them, and the King Took _siri_ from the betel-box, and used Sweet perfumes. The great King of Kembajat Then gave a festival which lasted quite Seven days, with music and diversions gay.

Glad joy was at its height, of pleasure born And of the dance. The kings amused themselves.

All kinds of games they had. Intji Bibi, A singer of Malacca, sang with grace.

The seven days pa.s.sed, the Princess Mendoudari Was all in finery arrayed. The wives Of the two kings took her in hand. The prince Was by the _mangkouboumi_ ta'en in charge.

The princess sweetest perfumes did exhale.

Her manners were most gracious and polite As of a well-born person. Every sort Of gem and jewel sparkled from her robes.

She wore a ring--'twas _astokouna_ called-- And yet another one, _glangkano_ named, And still another, with bright stones all carved In fas.h.i.+on of Ceylon. Her tresses curled Like to a full-blown flower, and on them shone Full many precious stones. The _tourie_ buds Became her well. Her features were as bright As those of some celestial being pure.

Fair Mendoudari thus was clad, and led To the bride's seat, and at her either hand Stood _mantris'_ daughters seven with waving fans.

Meanwhile the _mangkouboumi_ patiently Achieved the tiring of the prince. He wore A royal crown, made in the island fair Called Nousa Antara, and a rich coat Which opened at the sides, made in the West.

A chiselled necklace hung about his neck.

His tunic flamed with orange, like the robe Of great Schahid Schah Pri. His girdle bright Was cloth of _tjindi_, fringed with agates rare.

An amulet he wore with diamond pure, With sacred words engraved of the Koran.

He wore a jewel like a b.u.t.terfly, Most beautiful, and many rings and gems.

His features of the rarest beauty were, Like those of some divinity of heaven.

When thus arrayed, the youthful prince came forth And made obeisance to his parents both.

He went to the appointed place, and all The children of the court a.s.sembled there Before him, while two sons of heralds stood Beside him, waving fans like floating clouds.

All kept the strictest silence. Then a band Of soldiers came, with blades all glittering.

The royal sword, all diamond decked, flashed rays Of light. Three times around the island went They all, with sound of music and the noise Of bells. And all who heard in vain essayed To estimate the number. Everyone Ran forth to see the progress--men and women.

Some tore their garments, some their children lost, Distracted by the pleasure and the noise.

When ended the procession, the young prince At Princess Mendoudari's right was placed, Within the palace. Then to them was brought Rice called _adapadap_, and they became A wedded pair. And all the folk dispersed.

In three days' time was Mendoudari dressed Anew by Bidasari. She was robed With vesture of embroidered silk. The prince Was likewise gayly clad, to suit the glad Occasion. Now again they made, in state, A royal progress round about the isle.

The King and Bidasari rode in one Grand chariot, and, within another, went The prince and Mendoudari, his fair bride.

Then back they came for rest, upon the soft Rich palace cus.h.i.+ons. Then the mighty King Of Kembajat inquired of his dear wife: "What think'st thou, love? Shall we to-morrow morn Return?" With smiles the Queen replied, "I bear Thine orders on my head." Next day the hearts Of all the royal company were filled With joy. The officers a.s.sembled then To take the King's commands, and he was pleased To see them dutiful. The following morn The song of the _bajans_ awaked the King.

At early dawn each princess with her lord, And all the officers, embarked upon The s.h.i.+p. They sailed far from the island fair, Nousa Antara, and in three days came To Indrapura and the river's mouth.

When at the palace they arrived again, The _mantris_ came in joy and kissed their hands.

The King of Kembajat said that he wished To go. Scarce had fair Indrapura's King Heard that his parents to their home desired At once to go, when he the _mantris_ called And orders gave. The King of Kembajat Set out with his dear wife next day at dawn.

Within the palace of their daughter sweet They met fair Indrapura's King. The King Of Kembajat sat at his side, and said In softest tones: "Well, Bidasari, child, Thy parents now will homeward fare. Obey The King, thy gracious husband, in all things.

The former merchant brought thee up. He will A father be to thee. Strive hard to win Thy husband's heart, and never disregard His wishes." Scarcely had she heard these words Than at her father's knees she fell, and shed A flood of tears. The King embraced his child And, weeping, said: "My daughter dear, pure gold, My crown's chief gem, light of my very eyes, Branch of my heart, be not disturbed, my soul, Nor let thy heart be sad." The royal four All wept together. Then the father said: "My son, accomplished prince, we trust to thee Our Bidasari. Show her the right path If she aside should step, for hither she As prisoner came. Correction should she need, For us it will not be a shame." At this Fair Indrapura's King was greatly moved.

He bowed and said: "My father, speak not thus.

I have the best opinion of the girl.

Our hearts are one, as body with the soul.

This kingdom all is hers, the guardian I Of her possessions, and I'll satisfy Her every wish." The King with joy replied: "Well, daughter, jewel of my crown, thou art No more beneath my sway, but wholly now Under the orders of thy husband dear."

He much was moved, and to the _mangkouboumi_ Said, "Brother, take my treasures all, for we Can never all thy goodness recompense."

The former merchant and his wife bowed low: "Your grat.i.tude, O prince, is great, but all Thy treasures are thy royal daughter's meed.

For her we'll guard them." But the King replied: "Nay, speak not thus, my brother. Should I give All Indrapura's weight in purest gold It would not pay thee for thy care and love.

We are to thee devoted from our hearts."

At dawn they breakfasted, but all were sad, Because from Bidasari now must part Her parents dear and brother. Much she wept Because she felt her heart go out to him Her brother. Then she said: "I've one to take The place of parents, but where shall I find A brother?" Princess Mendoudari bowed To Bidasari, and they kissed with tears.

Fair Bidasari said: "My sister dear, Sweet Mendoudari, when wilt thou return?

Stay not too long at Kembajat, for I Could not thine absence bear. Farewell, my love."

The King embraced his daughter. Bitterly Both wept. The royal father said, "Stay here, My son-in-law, with thy dear wife." The King Before his parents bowed. The youthful prince Before the King his brother bowed, and went To Bidasari's side, his sister dear, With heavy heart. Then, weeping much, he said: "O sister mine, gem of my crown, be not So sorrowful. I go, but if thou dost Desire, I'll come each year to visit thee."

Sweet Bidasari kissed him. But her grief Was inexpressible. "O brother dear, Ill.u.s.trious prince," she said, "thine absence would E'en then be much too long." The prince replied, With bows: "a.s.suage thy grief, my sister dear.

For if the King permits, perhaps I may Come sooner back to thee."

The mighty King Of Indrapura said, in friendly tones: "Although he be thy brother, still, my dear, I love him much. We ne'er have had the least Misunderstanding. Why art thou not gay?

And why art thou not willing he should go?

If 'twere not for thy father I would keep Him here."

The King departed, followed by His son, who took his father just beyond The gates. The _mangkouboumi_ bowed his head Before the King, who with much ardor said, "O father of dear Bidasari, give Aid and protection to thy lovely child."

The _mangkouboumi_ bowed again, and said: "Whate'er is fit, I'll do. Upon my head I bear thine orders. I thy servant am."

The prince embraced the former merchant too, And said, "O uncle dear, my sister guide, And counsel her if any fault she doth."

Then said the King of Kembajat, "My son, Come, let us start at once."

So forth he fared.

The prince and all the escort with him went.

A few days pa.s.sed and they were home again.

New garments to the escort all were given, And many presents to the officers.