Malayan Literature Part 2

For she's a powerful Queen. Yet if we make Unhappy this dear girl of these good folk, Shall we not sin? And still the princess is So violent and harsh! Her jealousy Would know no limit should the King but hear Of this affair."

Dang Djoudah answering spoke: "We all can go to her and quiet her.

A word suffices oft. She is our Queen, But to the King belongeth power supreme.

If Bidasari should disdain the throne We shall renounce our functions at the court, For what the Queen desires is most unjust.

And if we prove unfaithful we shall be O'erwhelmed with maledictions." Thus they spoke And went back to the busy-lived _campong_ Of merchants. Here they thought to go and find Djouhara, and obtain what they desired.

A messenger went after them and said: "To Dang Bidouri: Come at once; my friend The princess summons you." Then the _dyangs_ Went to the Queen and found her with the King At dinner. With malicious wink of eye She made them understand they must not talk Before the prince. When he had dined he took Some _siri_ from the betel-box, himself Anointed with a perfume sweet, and went To teach the young folk how to ride and shoot The arrow straight, and played at many games.

Meanwhile the princess Lila Sari called Before her the _dyangs_ and questioned them: "Why have ye come so late?" Bidouri bowed And said: "'Twas very hard to bring her here To thee. The merchant and his wife do not A moment leave her, for they love her so.

Her tiring-women ever are about.

Thou shouldst demand her of her parents, if Thou dost desire to see her. Treat her like Thy child, for she is still so very young!

From Bidasari's father thou wilt gain All that thou canst desire, he is so rich, If thou wilt only love his daughter dear.

And dost thou give command to bring her here?

Let us go all alone and summon her For Bidasari'll freely follow us."

They tried to calm the anger of the Queen.

She bowed her head in silence, but her soul Was very heavy, and hypocrisy With hate and envy vied within her heart.

"They love the child, these _dyangs_," to herself She said, "and I shall have no easy task.

I shall attract her here by trickery, But she shall never my companion be.

With Bidasari once within my power My heart will be no longer on the rack.

Go now, _dyangs_," she said, "and seek for me The merchant and his wife and hither bring Young Bidasari, whom I'll elevate Unto the rank of princess, for I have No child. Mazendra take with ye. And when Young Bidasari shall arrive, conceal Her for a day or two. And gently speak Unto the merchant and his wife, and say Concessions will be granted to the priests And strangers in their quarter, should she come.

Console Lila Djouhara thus, and pledge That he may come to see his child whene'er His heart impelleth him." An escort went With them, and the _dyangs_ bowed low before The merchant and his wife, and greeted, too, Fair Bidasari. But the merchant said: "Why come ye here in so great numbers?" Then They straight replied: "Our most beloved Queen Hath sent us here with greetings unto thee, The master of the house. If thou'lt permit, We've come to seek fair Bidasari here."

They beat their b.r.e.a.s.t.s, the merchant and his wife.

"Our darling, only child! It will be hard For her to be the servant of a prince; For she hath had her way so long! Her traits Are not yet formed. Go back, _dyangs_, and pray The Queen to pardon us. Say how we grieve."

But the _dyangs_ repeated all the words

Said by the Queen, and so their fears were calmed.

They hoped Queen Lila Sari would love well Fair Bidasari. Then the merchant said: "I will obey, and let my darling go, So that she may become unto the Queen A servant, and perchance a daughter loved.

Now shall she go with ye. Only I beg The Queen to let her come back home to us At three days' end. She is not used to stay With strangers. Never hath she left us for A single day." Then Dang Bidouri said: "We'll do our best before the Queen; and why Should she not grant to Bidasari this?"

They bathed fair Bidasari with sweet scents, And then arranged her in rich raiment new.

A fine _sijrash_ she wore with broidered flowers Of Pekan, and a satin robe all fringed With gold. She bore a plaque of beaten gold Bound to a necklace, chiselled, gem-bedecked; Her over-tunic was of yellow silk With tiny serpents on the b.u.t.tons 'graved.

Three bracelets wore the maid, and rarest rings, And ear-rings like a wheel in motion wrought.

Chaste links of gold set forth her beauty rare, A fair flow'r in a vase, whose perfume sweet Wafts scented breaths as far as one may see.

They kissed her then with tears and held her close

Upon their b.r.e.a.s.t.s. "Be humble to the Queen,"

They said, "remember that thou art before The King, and near the throne. Ask leave to come To see us when thou dost desire. Speak sweetly With low and gentle voice."

Thus they enjoined.

And then the merchant said, "_Dyangs_, if ye Love Bidasari, see ye vex her not."

They dried their tears and said: "Be without fear.

Intrust thy daughter to our mistress dear."

"My child," he said, "I'll come to see thee oft.

Thou wilt be better there, my love, than here."

But Bidasari wept and cried: "Oh, come, Dear mother, with me! Wilt thou not, alas?"

But the fond parents were astounded then To learn the mother was not asked to come.

She stayed with tears, the while the father went.

As far as to the city's gates. With tears He said: "Farewell, O apple of my eye I leave thee here. Fear not, my dearest child."

Then Bidasari wept. Her heart was wrung.

She went. The merchant followed with his eyes.

She entered by a hidden door. _Dyangs_ And _mandars_ flocked to see her, but she hung Her head and kept her eyes downcast.

The sun Announced the evening, and the King was still Surrounded by his officers. 'Twas then Fair Bidasari to the palace came, And stood before the Queen. All the _dyangs_ Sat on the floor, with servants of the house.

Like the _pengawas_ Bidasari bowed, 'Mid the _dyangs_, in presence of the Queen.

They gave her all the merchant's gifts, as sign Of homage. All astonished was the Queen At Bidasari's beauty. She appeared Almost divine. Bidouri spoke and said, "Thou seest Bidasari, O our Queen, Lila Djouhari's daughter." At these words The Queen was stupefied, and thought: "In truth 'Tis as they said. She is more lovely than The fairest work of art." Bidouri told All that the merchant and his wife had said.

The Queen inclined her head and silence kept, But wicked thoughts were surging in her brain.

A combat raged within her heart. She feared The King might see the maiden. "Send away,"

She said, "the nurses and the women all."

Fair Bidasari wept when they retired.

The princess called her to her side and said:

"Thou must not weep so, Bidasari. They Will all return. When thou dost wish to go, They will go with thee. Now depart, _dyangs_.

Ye need not care for Bidasari more.

I will procure her dames of company And servants. You may come from time to time."

So they arose, and, with prostrations, went.

The Queen conducted Bidasari then Into a room and left her all alone, And all afraid.

When evening shadows fell, The great King bade the Queen to sup with him.

He sat beside her, smiled and gayly talked, As he had been young Bedouwandas, on His horse, with sword at belt. "My royal spouse, How thou dost love me! for thou wouldst not sup Without me, though thou needest food and drink."

Now when the King had eaten, he retired Unto his sleeping-chamber.

Still alone And weeping much, fair Bidasari stayed, In darkness with no one to speak to her.

She thought on her dear parents. "O my G.o.d!

Why dost Thou leave me here?" The solitude Filled her with terror, and she wept until The middle of the night, and thought of home.

Out spake the King: "Now what is that I hear?

What voice is that so sorrowful and sweet?"

"It is an infant crying," said the Queen.

"In all the darkness it has lost its way."

Her heart was burning, and she sent a word To Bidasari that she must not weep, And held her peace and waited till the dawn.

But Bidasari wept the whole night long And cried for home. When the _dyangs_ all ran To comfort her, they found the door was locked, And none could enter. Bidasari thought, "What wrong have I committed, that the Queen Should be so vexed with me?" When day appeared, To the pavilion went the King. The Queen Threw wide the door of Bidasari's room And entered all alone.

Then Bidasari The Queen's hand kissed, and begged that she would let Her homeward fare. "O gracious Queen," she said, "Take pity on me; let me go away.

I'll come to thee again."

The wicked Queen Struck her, and said, "Thou ne'er shalt see again Thy home." The gentle Bidasari drooped Her head and wept afresh, shaking with fear.

"Forgive the evil I have done, my Queen, For I am but a child, and do not know How I have sinned against thee," falling at Her feet she said. The Queen in anger struck Her once again. "I know full well," she said, "All thy designs and projects. What! Am I To rest in peace and see thy beauty grow, And thee become my rival with the King?"

Then Bidasari knew 'twas jealousy That caused the fury of the Queen. Her fear Increased, she trembled and bewailed her fate.

The livelong day she was insulted, struck, And of her food deprived.

Before the King Returned, the Queen departed from the room Of Bidasari. The poor child had lost Her former color. Black her face had grown From blows, as if she had been burnt. Her eyes She could not open. Such her sufferings were She could not walk. Then unto G.o.d she cried: "O Lord, creator of the land and sea, I do not know my fault, and yet the Queen Treats me as guilty of a heinous crime.

I suffer h.e.l.l on earth. Why must I live?

Oh, let me die now, in the faith, dear Lord.

My soul is troubled and my face is black With sorrow. Let me die before the dawn.

My parents do not help me. They have left Me here alone to suffer. In the false _Dyangs_ I trusted, as to sisters dear.

Their lips are smiling, but their hearts are base.

Their mouths are sweet as honey, but their hearts Are full of evil. Oh, what can I say?

It is the will of G.o.d."

Such was the grief Of Bidasari, and her tears fell fast.

Now when the King went forth again, the Queen Began anew her persecutions harsh.

With many blows and angry words, she said: "Why dost thou groan so loudly? Dost thou seek By crying to attract the King, to see Thy beauty? 'Tis thy hope, I know full well, His younger wife to be. And thou art proud Of all thy beauty." Bidasari was Astounded, and replied with many tears: "May I accursed be if ever I Such plottings knew. Thou art a mighty Queen.

If I have sinned against thee, let me die At once. For life is useless to the hearts That suffer. Hast thou brought me here to beat?