Malayan Literature Part 9

But, with a voice affectionate, the King Replied: "Seek not Lila Mengindra. Here Thou shouldst remain, for thou hast met within This palace thy dear sister. There is room Enough for thee. Stay here with all thy folk And retinue." The prince bowed low, and forth Unto the merchant went, and to him said: "Within the palace now I shall remain With all my retinue, for thus the King Commands." The merchant said: "'Tis very well For where can one lodge better than within The palace?" So the prince returned, with all His people, to the palace of the King.

Then all the _mantris_ came, and festivals And feasts were held. As long as he remained At Indrapura, the young prince received All courtesies. And Bidasari fair Was known as daughter of a mighty king.

The news was carried far and wide, and all Repeated how her brother brave had come To seek for her.

Queen Lila Sari heard And was surprised. She sighed in solitude, And felt a woe unspeakable. She said To a _mandar_: "I was in too much haste.

On the _dyangs_ I counted, but they come No more. All four have gone and homage paid To Bidasari. All my tricks are foiled.

In no one can I trust." Dang Lila then Approached and said: "Acts of unfaithfulness Bring never happiness. G.o.d's on the side Of loyalty. Now those _dyangs_ are sad And languish after thee, but fear the King, Dost thou not think, O Queen, thou ill hast wrought?

For while the King is absent none will come Thy heart to cheer." The Queen replied with ire: "Seek not to consolation give. The King Esteems me not. I'll not humiliate Myself before him. Who is that young prince, So called, who hither came? A pirate's son He well may prove, and calls himself a prince.

Go ye, _dyangs_, pay service to the King, And he may favor ye as he did her."

She seemed most wroth. But she repented sore In truth, and pined away in sorrow deep.

In other days she had no wish nor whim Unsatisfied. Now all were for the King.

The Queen's heart angrier grew from day to day As if a scorpion's sting had wounded her.

And her distress grew greater when she thought Upon the love of other days. Her heart Was inconsolable because so bitterly She missed the pomp and glory of her court.

But Bidasari to the King one day Said: "Send back these _mendars_; for if they all Stay here, Queen Lila Sari all alone Will be." The King with smiles replied: "Oh, no!

I will not let them go. She is so fell And barbarous, she no one loves. She is Much better all alone." Then to the King Fair Bidasari said: "Thine anger was Too prompt. She spoke in wrath because she was Accustomed to a court. In what to thee Hath she been wanting, that thou shouldst repel Her thus? Thou gav'st her love, and now thou dost Abandon her in sorrow. Be not thus Incensed with her, for should she come to want The shame would be reflected on thy head."

The King's face lighted, and he said: "My dear, I went to see her, but she drove me forth With bitter words. Her conduct was beyond All bearing. And she heaped on me abuse."

But Princess Bidasari said: "Dwell not On that, my friend. She was disturbed by wrath And jealousy. In other days thou didst Embrace and kiss her. Now she is alone.

And thou perchance didst somehow hurt Or bruise her body." All his anger left The King at this. He said: "O purest soul, Thou speakest well and wisely. How could I Not love thee, dear, and cling to thee for life?

Oh, never may we separated be!

Branch of my heart, light of my eyes, thou dost But good desire. Thou'rt all the world to me.

I'll go to her, since thou doth ask. Perchance A reconciliation may be made.

But she must first admit her faults. If she Repentance shows, to see her I will go."

The merchant's wife had come and heard these words.

Her warm tears fell. She thought within herself, "My daughter hath no vengeance in her heart."

Then Dang Bidouri brought delicious rice Unto the King and Queen. They ate and drank, And stronger grew their love from hour to hour.

Then gave the King commands to call the prince.

He came with smiling face and graceful bows.

"Sit here beside us," said the King, and all The three dined there together, royal ones, Surrounded by deft servants and _dyangs_.

They chatted gayly, and, with laughter, ate.

When all was finished, from the betel-box The King of _siri_ took, perfumed himself, And then the prince retired.

When two short months Had fled, the prince bethought him of his home And parents. To himself he said, "I'll go."

He gave commands to preparation make For his departure. "I am loath to leave My sister," he to Sinapati said.

"My life is joyous here. But there at home I've left my parents in solicitude."

Then Sinapati bowed and said, "With thee I'll go."

SONG V

A certain day the _mantris_ came Before the King, in the pavilion grand.

And with them came the youthful prince, and cast Himself before the throne. The King with smiles Said: "Sit thou at my side, my brother dear, I have not seen thee for a day entire."

The princeling bowed and said: "My gracious lord If thou wilt pardon me, I would return And give my parents dear the joyful news.

My father bade me seek my sister lost, And still he nothing knows of her good fate."

The King replied with sorrow: "Brother mine, Why wilt thou go so soon? We scarcely are Acquainted, and I have not had enough Of thy dear company." The prince replied: "Oh, be not sorrowful, my gracious lord.

As soon as I have my dear father seen I'll tell him what good things have come to pa.s.s.

'Twill soothe his heart to hear my sister's joy.

My parents will be glad in learning all Thy goodness great. And pray consider me Thy subject leal. Soon I'll return again."

The King's emotion grew. With pleasant voice He said: "Take counsel of thy sister. Heed What she may say." They found the Queen within, Fair Bidasari, and attending her Dyang Agous Djouhari. All sat down And took some _siri_ from the betel-box.

The Queen to the young prince then spoke: "Come here.

My brother, why have I thy face not seen For two long days?" With bows the prince replied: "I've had a mult.i.tude of things to do.

Thus came I not; for my companions all Seek homeward to return. So I must take My leave of thee upon the morrow morn, When pales the silver moon before the dawn."

The Queen was grieved to hear these words, and shed A flood of tears. Her tender heart was touched.

Beside herself with sorrow she exclaimed: "O prince ill.u.s.trious! How canst thou go, Since we have met? I've loved thee from the time I knew thou wert my brother. I am grieved To hear thee say thou wilt so soon depart.

Of low extraction must I be! 'Twas wrong For thee to call thyself my brother. I A poor and feeble orphan am, and how Should I the love deserve of a great prince?"

When this he heard the prince bowed low his head And was much troubled. "Sister sweet," he said, "Grieve not like this. I only do return Because our parents must so anxious be.

I love thee so, my darling, that my heart Is nearly breaking. If thou speakest thus To me, my dear, my grief will still increase.

I could not leave thee, but I must respect Our parents' wishes. They commanded me All haste to make. So--sweet--I pray thee have Compa.s.sion on me."

Much disturbed, the King Observed the sorrow of the princess fair.

He kissed her lips, to her a _sepah_ gave, And said with tender voice: "My darling wife, What dost thou wish? Let now thy brother go.

We'll see thy parents here ere many days."

The Queen wept bitterly, and said to him: "His wishes I do not oppose. Let him Do whatsoe'er it pleaseth him to do.

For I am but a stranger, a lost child, And who should think of me or love me true?"

Then bowed the prince and said: "In very truth, I know thou art my sister. Speak not thus.

G.o.d knows how much I love thee, sister mine.

If thou dost not permit me to depart I'll not resist. I'm happy here with thee, But our dear parents are in cruel doubt, And look for news of thee. Now that I know Thy husband is a king, our parents dear Would be so overjoyed to learn it too!"

Then spoke the King with face all radiant, "Return not, brother mine," he said. "I'll send Swift messengers to bear the gladsome news That Bidasari's found. Then, if he wills, Thy royal father here we'll hope to see.

I'll go myself to meet him when he comes."

The young prince bowed and said: "Nay, rather send Thy messengers, a great king cannot go So far away." Queen Bidasari heard These words and much rejoiced, and gayly gave Her brother then her betel-box.

The King Caressed his wife and said, "My dearest soul, Love not thy brother more than me." He called Lila Mengindra. Soon the merchant came Before the King and prince. The King exclaimed: "Come here, my uncle. Tell me, wilt thou take A letter to the King of Kembajat-- To prove to him we live?"

So spake the King And called his counsellor of state, who came And kissed his hands. The King then bade him write A letter, all in characters of gold.

"Well," cried the King, "let's hear the letter now,"

"Now glory be to G.o.d," it thus began, And all fair Bidasari's history Recited. Then the King a mighty host a.s.sembled and with elephants and steeds Ten _mantris_ took the letter of the prince Unto his parents. With the cavalcade There went a _laksimana_ great, who bore, As king's amba.s.sador, bejewelled flags And standards rich, and presents of much worth.

Then Sinapati by the King was called A _laksimana mantri_, and received A fine equipment, with a hundred men To follow him. 'Twas thus the King preserved His reputation as a mighty king.

When he had sent the emba.s.sy, the King Went to his wife, and they were very gay.

His love for her grew greater every day.

The former merchant also was beloved.

He gave the King good counsel, and obeyed His orders willingly. He often dined Together with the King and Queen. His wealth Grew vast. No one at all could with him vie, In Indrapura. He was much attached To the chief _mantri_. They were equals both In prudence, wisdom, and fidelity, With power unquestioned over all the folk.

Beneath their sway prosperity increased, And many merchants came from far and wide.

The kingdom was at peace. The King rejoiced, And everyone was happy in the land.

SONG VI

The _laksimana mantri_ now I'll sing, Who went upon the emba.s.sy. As soon As the great King of Kembajat had news Of his arrival, he was much rejoiced.

He told the Queen, and in the audience-hall Awaited. Then went forth the officers With elephants and _payongs_. A countless throng Attended them, with music and with flags.

They met the emba.s.sy, and, with rich gifts, They gave the King's commands. Into the town Then entered all. The King was very glad, As if his only daughter had returned.

All bowed before the King, who took the gifts, While servants took the letter to the chief Of _mantris_. And he gave it to the King, The monarch read, and was possessed with joy.

He could not thank enough the merchant good, Who raised his daughter to a royal throne.

He wished forthwith to go and see his child.

The letter cordial invitation gave.

But one thing troubled him: "He straight inquired, 'Hath not the prince, my son, the liberty To come back home?'" The _laksimana_ bowed And said: "The King wished not to let him come And begged with tears that he would stay. The Queen Feared if her brother went she'd never see Her father. From your children both I bring Warm greetings. Kind indulgence from your heart They ask, and press their invitation. I Crave pardon for myself, O King, and hope Thy children dear may see their father's face, And that the kingdoms may become one realm."

At these words smiled the King. "Ah, well!" he said, "I'll wait for seven days still." Then questions flew, And the great king learned all about his child.

The Indrapura _mantris_ went apart When evening came. A separate palace grand The King a.s.signed them, with the best of food.

He orders gave for preparations great.