Malayan Literature_ Comprising Romantic Ta - Unknown

    A   river   or  a   pond,   and faring  far

    To  Bidasari's  plaisance   came    at  last.

    They    stopped astounded,  then    approached  the place.

    When    they    were    near    the lovely  garden  close,

    They    said:   "There  was no  garden  here    before.

    To  whom    does    this    belong? Perchance   it  is

    A   spirit's    bower.  No  human   voice   is  heard

    But just    the cry of  'minahs'    and 'bajans.'

    Whom    shall   we  call,   lest    spectres    should  appear?"

    They    wandered    round   the ramparts,   and a   gate

    Discovered, shut    with    heavy   iron    bar,

    And vainly  tried   to  open    it. Then    one

    Of  them    went    back,   and found   the King,   and said:

    "Hail,  sovereign   lord,   we  have    no  water   found,

    But a   campong here    in  the desert  lone,

    As  splendid    as  a   sultan's,   with    all sorts

    Of  trees   and flow'rs,    and not a   mortal  there.

    'Tis    girt    about   with    double  ramparts    strong.

    No  name    is  seen,   and all the gates   are shut,

    So  that    we  could   not enter."