Malayan Literature_ Comprising Romantic Ta - Unknown

    I've    been    alone   with    thee    for two whole   days,

    And all the day thou    wrapped in  sleep   didst   lie.

    Where   wouldst thou    go, my  dove?"  The gentle  girl

    Was much    afraid  and trembled,   and she thought:

    "Is it  a   spirit  come    to  find    me  here?

    Avaunt  thee    and begone, O   spectre dread,"

    She said,   amid    her tears.  "No phantom I,"

    Replied the King;   "be not afraid. I   wish

    To  marry   thee."  Then    Bidasari    strove

    Again   to  flee.   Then    sang    the King    a   song

    That    told    of  love    and happiness.  Its words

    Astonished  Bidasari,   and she cried:

    "Art    thou    a   pirate? Why dost    thou    come    here?

    Speak   not such    things  to  me. If  thou    shouldst    be

    Discovered  by  my  father, he  would   cut

    Thee    into    pieces. Thou    shouldst    go  alone

    To  death,  and find    no  pardon  in  his heart.

    Take    all my  gems    and hasten  forth   at  once."

    The King    replied:    "'Tis   not thy gems    I   want,

    But thee.   I   am  a   pirate, but thy heart

    Is  all I   want    to  steal.  Should  spectres    come

    In  thousands,  I   would   fear    them    not at  all.

    No  tears,  my  love,   bright  glory   of  my  crown.

    Where   wouldst thou    go? Hast    thou    no  pity,   sweet,

    For me? I   am  a   powerful    prince. Who dares

    Oppose  my  will?   Pure    gold,   all virginal,

    Where   wouldst thou    go?"    So  spake   the King,   and fair

    Young   Bidasari    trembled    more    and more.

    "Approach   me  not,"   she cried,  "but    let me  bathe

    My  face."  "I'll   bathe   it  for thee,   dear,"  he  said.

    But Bidasari    threw   the water   pure

    Into    his face.   "Not    that    way,    child," he  laughed;

    "My vesture thou    hast    wet.    But I   shall   stay

    And meet    thy parents here.   Oh, hearken,    love.

    I   followed    far the chase,  and wandered    here.

    I   sought  a   pretty  fawn    to  take    the Queen;

    But now thy face    I've    seen,   no  more    I   wish

    To  go  away.   Oh, have    no  fear,   my  child;

    I   would   not harm    thee.   When    thy parents come,