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

BIDASARI
Oil is upheld, nor falls a single drop."
So spake the King.
The merchant and his
Were soon established in the neighborhood,
Near to Queen
wife
Bidasari's palace grand.
A hundred servants had they to fulfil
Their orders. They sent gifts to all their friends.
And food to last a month.
A certain day
"
It chanced that Bidasari said : O King,
Why goest thou no more within the gates
Of that thine other palace ? Of a truth
Queen Lila Sari will be vexed, because
Thou hast abandoned her so long a time.
She'll think that I have kept thee from her side
Unwilling thou shouldst go." So, with all sorts
Of words, fair Bidasari strove to urge
"
to visit Lila Sari. I
The King
Will go to-morrow," finally he said.
He went, when morning came, and met the Queen.
She turned him back, and with sharp, bitter words
Reproached him.
"
Wretched one, I will not see
Thy face. I love thee not. I hate thee. Go!
Lila Djouhara's son-in-law, thou'rt not
To me an equal. Thy new wife's an ape.
Who liveth in the woods."
But when the King
Heard these vociferations of the Queen,
"
He said : Branch of my heart, light of my eyes,
Oh, be not vexed, my dear. It was not I
Who wrong began, but thou didst cause it all.
For thou didst hide thy deed from me, and drive
Me on to this extremity. Oh, why
Art thou now angry with me ? If thou wilt
But love her, and attach thy heart to hers,
She'll pardon thee, and take thee as a friend."
As more and more enraged the Queen became,
Her wrath with strong reproaches overflowed.
" Depart from here, accursed of God ! Thou art
No longer husband mine. Go live with her
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