She feared to speak and tell him of the Queen.
She thought, "So cruel was the Queen to me
When she but feared a rival, what would come
If I should sit beside her on the throne?"
Then in her sweet voice Bidasari said:
"My glorious King, I am afraid to speak.
I am not suited to a royal throne.
But since thou lovest me, how dare I lie?
If thou dost favor me, the Queen will vex
Her heart. My parents fear her. 'Tis the cause
Why hither they have brought me. Three long months
Ago I came, for terror of the Queen."
She thought on all the horror of those days,
And choked with sobs, and could no longer talk.
Then tenderly the King spake to the girl:
"Ah, well, my darling love, confide in me
The secret thy dear heart conceals. Fear naught;
The Queen is good and wise, and knoweth how
To win all hearts. Why should she render thee
Unhappy? Speak not thus, my pretty one;
The Queen could never do an evil deed.
When thou art near her, thou shalt see, my dear,
Whether she loves or hates thee."
At these words
Young Bidasari knew the King esteemed
The Queen, and felt her heart sink in her breast.
"My words are true," she said, "but still perchance
My prince cannot believe. But was I not
Within thy palace six or seven nights?
The sweat of pain became my couch, so great
Was my desire to see my parents dear.
They sent me dainties, but all the dyangs
Were kept as prisoners by the princess there.
She said she'd take me back herself. One day
I was, indeed, sent home, but scarce alive."
She told him everything that came to pass.
He listened stupefied, and said: "How could
It be that thou wert in the palace hid,
perpustakaan sri jauhari
(Perpustakaan Sri Jauhari)
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