Malayan Literature Part 8

Perhaps he's virtuous and just. If I Am made full sure it is my sister dear, I'll send a messenger. And if it be I'll bring her back."

The King was moved To hear his son thus speak. "O dearest child,"

He said: "I'm very loath to let thee go.

But thou must many hors.e.m.e.n take with thee, Lest thou shouldst long be absent."

"Why should I Be long away?" the prince replied, with bows; "For if Lila Djouhara will not let Her come, I shall forthwith return to thee."

The King could now no more object. He gave Commands to make an expedition great.

With richest gifts, and food, and princely things, And sent him forth with blessings on his head.

"Stay not too long; thou art my only hope,"

The King exclaimed; "I'm getting old, my son, And thou my heir upon the throne must be."

They started early on the fourteenth day Of that same month. And Sinapati rode Beside the Prince.

Some went on foot and some On horses. When they far had gone, the prince Said to the youth: "Now listen, friend. When we Arrive thou must not name my family And rank. I'm someone from another town.

It doth not please me to declare my rank To strangers. Should the girl my sister prove, Thou mayst tell all, for I shall soon return."

Thus speaking, the young prince his way maintained, And soon arrived near to the city sought.

He Sinapati left, and went within The gates, with four companions, true as steel, And six attendants. They at once repaired To the _campong_ of good Lila Djouhara.

They found it closed, with a forsaken look.

"There's no one here. The King hath taken all Away, both old and young," said the _mandar_.

Then Sinapati beat his breast and said: "What hath become of my dear patron, then?"

"Be not disturbed. No harm hath come to him.

The merchant with the King hath gone, because The King hath married Bidasari fair, And made of her a queen, and built a fine New palace in the country wild. There all Is joy and happiness." Beyond all count Was Sinapati glad to hear these words.

Then to the prince he said: "My gracious lord, Lila Djouhara's near at hand. He is In highest favor with the King, and bears A t.i.tle new." They hurried forth to find His residence. "It is the left _campong_,"

Remarked a country-man. "Thy lord is grand And powerful now, and master of us here.

The King hath now become his son-in-law."

Then Sinapati went within the gates And saw his mother there. Her heart was touched.

She kissed him and inquired, "Whom hast thou brought?"

"It is a friend," he answered. "Come, my lord,"

She to the young prince said, "enter and rest."

"He's so like Bidasari," to herself She said. "What is thy name, my brave young man, Thou seemest n.o.bly born. In very truth Thou'rt handsome and well mannered." Then the prince Said: "Poutra Bangsawan I'm called. Thy son I've followed here." But Sinapati paid Him homage, and they knew him for a prince.

Before his door young Sinapati slept At night to guard him safe. Next day there came An invitation from Lila Mengindra (Before, Djouhara). So they started forth.

Lila Mengindra was astonished quite To see the prince's face so beautiful.

"Who is this most distinguished stranger here?"

He asked himself. "My master, speak a word To Poutra Bangsawan, a friend of mine,"

Said Sinapati. So the old man turned And spoke unto the prince, "Come here, my son, And sit thee near thy father." He felt drawn To him, he looked so much like Bidasari.

The young prince smiled and on the dais sat.

"What is thy visit's purpose?" then inquired The good old man. The prince with bows polite Replied: "I'm but a humble stranger, come To find my sister. I bespeak thine aid."

"Be not afraid, my son, but trust in me, Nor fear to give thy sister's name. If thou Wilt have it so I'll take thee for a son; I love thee for thou hast a face so like My daughter's." Then the brave young prince began And told his sister's story, how she was In time of stress abandoned on the sh.o.r.e.

"And if I only knew," he said, "where now She is, I'd be her master's willing slave."

Now when Lila Mengindra heard his tale His joy was quite unspeakable. His love For Bidasari's brother greater grew.

With smiles he asked: "Now, Poutra Bangsawan, Say of what family thou art, that I May aid thee in thy quest, and help thee find Thy sister." Then the young prince bowed his head And pondered, "Shall I lie?" For he knew not If 'twere his sister. Lila saw his mood And said: "Be not disturbed. It is most sure That thy dear sister's here. So speak the truth, That my old heart may be surcharged with joy.

Thy sister's seated on a throne, and like A brilliant jewel is her family.

Be no more sorry. As for me, my heart Is full of joy."

The prince looked in his face And said: "Can I confide in him? I am A stranger here and fear to be deceived."

Said Sinapati: "Speak not thus, I pray, For everybody knows this man can tell Ten-carat gold from dross. Now list, my lord.

Although he bids me silent be, a prince He is, son of a powerful king, and comes To seek his sister." Then within his heart The former merchant much rejoiced, as if He'd found a mountain of pure gems. He paid His homage to the prince in proper form, And took him into his abode, to meet His wife and all within. The spouses two To him exclaimed: "Dear prince, in our old age We're very happy. When thy sister sweet We found, o'erjoyed were we. And now the King Hath married her, and raised her to the throne.

He hath our family to n.o.ble rank Upraised, and covered us with benefits."

Then smiling said the prince: "I learn with joy My sister sweet is here. When may I go Before the King and see her? For I've come To take her home. And yet I fear the King Will never let her go away from him.

When I have seen her I'll return again."

In three days' time the King gave audience.

The former merchant with him took the prince, Who sent the richest presents on before.

The princeling was most gorgeously attired And bore himself with haughty dignity.

His robe was rich, his tunic violet And fire. His many-colored turban bore Bright agates. At his girdle hung his kriss.

He was entirely clad as prince should be, And bracelets wore with little bells and rings.

His leggings were embroidered with bright flowers Called _pouspa angatan_. He seemed divine-- His beauty was extraordinary. Pearls In numbers countless covered all his garb; An amulet he had with sacred verse From the Koran, a diamond pure. He rode A steed most richly housed, with _shabraque _decked With gleaming jewels casting rays of light.

Twas thus the prince set out to meet the King.

Lila Mengindra with him went. The prince Approached the King's pavilion, and at once The King remarked his beauty and his mien Of n.o.ble grace. "Who can he be?" he thought.

Meanwhile the prince dismounted and appeared Before the King. Full seven times he bowed And said, "O may your happiness increase, Ill.u.s.trious sovereign!"

Then the King with smiles Lila Mengindra questioned, "Who is this Thou hither bringest, of such n.o.ble mien And amiable face?"

With humble bow The former merchant said: "This slave of thine Has come from lands remote, from Kembajat, Upon the seash.o.r.e, since thy Majesty He wished to see. His presents few he sent Before him, which he hopes thou wilt accept."

The former merchant thought: "I would his rank Divulge. But some might think I lied because The King hath Bidasari wed, and if She knew she was a princess born she might Be very vain and haughty."

To the prince The King was very friendly. "Come and sit Here by my side," he said, "for thee I deem A brother." "Let me here remain, my lord, I am a poor unworthy servitor.

I hope that thou wilt pardon me. I would I might become a subject of thy crown."

The King thought: "This may be some royal heir Who here hath wandered. He resembles much Our Bidasari, Pity 'tis that he Unto another nation doth belong."

Then pleasantly he said: "Pray, truly tell What is thine origin? Keep nothing back.

What is thy name? The whole truth let me know."

The young prince bowed him low and said: "My name Is Poutra Bangsawan, of family Most humble. I am searching everywhere To find a sister lost. When she is found I shall return at once." Then said the King: "Where is thy sister? I will help thy search.

Stay here with me a month or two, that we May learn to know each other and become Fast friends." The young prince then obeisance made And said: "I bear thine orders on my head.

Thou art a king ill.u.s.trious, and I A humble servitor. I am the son Of good Lila Mengindra, but for long I've absent been. My sister dear I seek.

Thine aid I do bespeak. From Kembajat I come, a subject of thy father there, the King.

Forgive me, lord, for now thou knowest all."

The King rejoiced to hear a voice that seemed So much like Bidasari's, and inquired Of Sinapati, "Tell me now his race."

Then Sinapati bowed and said: "My lord, Of princes and of caliphs is his race.

His kingdom, not so far, is most superb; His palace is most beautiful and grand.

Swift s.h.i.+ps within the harbor lie, all well Equipped." At this the King enchanted was, To find a prince was brother to his wife.

Still more he asked and Sinapati said: "Because his realm was ravaged by the foe He hath misfortunes suffered manifold."

Then knew the King he was of royal blood And had adversity experienced.

The King came from his throne and said, "My friend, My palace enter." So the King and prince Went in. They met fair Bidasari there.

She sat beside a Chinese window quaint, All choicely carved. She saw the King and thought, "What fine young man is this he bringeth here?"

When they were seated all, the young prince looked At Bidasari: "Beautiful is she,"

He thought, "my sister dear, and very like My father." Then the King with smiling face Said: "Bidasari, darling, speak to him.

He is thy younger brother, come to seek Thee here. From Kembajat he came. And thy Dear father mourns for thee the livelong day."

At this fair Bidasari sighed. She bowed Her head and silence kept. She much was moved Because she had not known her parents true, But fancied them Djouhara and his wife.

"I'm but a merchant's daughter," finally She said. "Things all uncertain this young prince Hath told. If I'm the daughter of a King, Why hath he left me here, and never sought For me through all these years? 'Tis not so far From here to Kembajat." The young prince bowed.

"Thy words I bear upon my head," he said, "O sister dear. Pray banish from thy heart All hatred. If thou'rt lowly born, I am Likewise. Our realm was ravaged at thy birth.

But shortly afterward fair peace returned, And to his own my father came again.

I've seen how much he suffers in his heart.

Thy name he never utters without tears-- He never hath forgotten thee. Forgive Him, then, in what he was remiss. Except For stern necessity he never would Have thee abandoned."

Then the King with smiles Said: "Speak to him, my dear. He tells the truth.

Thy parents wandered through a desert land Beneath a cruel sun. Impossible It was to carry thee through brier and brush."

Down at his sister's feet the young prince knelt.

Then Bidasari clasped him in her arms.

The brave young prince to them recounted all The sorrows of his parents. Much he wept, And they wept, too, as he the story told.

Then sat they down to dine. And afterward They _siri_ took and perfumes of all kinds.

Then the young prince took leave. "Where goest thou, My brother?" asked the King. "I fain would go Straight home to my dear parents," said the prince.