Malayan Literature_ Comprising Romantic Ta - Unknown

    Herself.    But 'tis    my  destiny—'tis    writ.

    The Queen   is  like    a   gem with    glint   as  bright

    As  lightning's flash.  No  one can ever    be,

    I   tell    thee    now,    so  beautiful   to  me."

    The mantri  smiled. "What   thou    dost    say is  just,

    O   King,   but still   if  thou    shouldst    someone find

    More    beautiful,  thou    yet couldst keep    thy word.

    The beauty  of  the Queen   may fade    away.

    The princess    thou    shalt   wed,    O   King,   hath    four

    High    qualities.  She must,   to  be  thy queen,

    Be  nobly   born,   and rich,   and fair,   and good."

    The prince  replied:    "O  uncle   mine,   thy words

    Are true.   Full    many    princesses  there   live,

    But hard    it  is  to  find    these   qualities.

    The Queen   is  good    and wise    and lovable.

    I   do  not wish    another wife    to  wed,

    And wound   the Queen   with    whom    three   years   I've    lived

    In  love    and harmony.    Yet if  I   saw

    A   quite   celestial   maid,   perhaps I   might

    Forget, and marry   her,    and give    the Queen

    A   gay companion." "O  accomplished    prince,

    Thou    sayest  truly.  Stay    long    years   with    her

    Thy Queen,  thy first   beloved,    for she hath    all—

    Great   beauty  and intelligence."  They    bowed

    As  forth   from    them    the King    went    palaceward.

    He  sat beside  the Queen,  and kissed  her cheeks,

    And said:   "Thy    features    shine   with    loveliness,

    Like    to  a   jewel   in  a   glass.  When    I

    Must    leave   thy side,   I   have    no  other   wish

    But to  return. Like    Mount   Maha    Mirou

    Thou    art."   The princess    said:   "Wherefore  art thou

    So  spirited    to-day? Thou'rt like    a   boy."

    "Branch of  my  heart,  my  dearest love,"  he  said,

    "Vex    not thyself.    Thou    know'st the adage   old:

    First   one is  taken   with    a   pretty  face,

    Then    wisdom  comes   and prudence,   and,    with    these,

    One loves   his wife    until   the day of  death.

    If  thus    thou    dost    deport  thyself,    my  dear,

    My  heart   between two wives   shall   never   be