Malayan Literature_ Comprising Romantic Ta - Unknown

    Though  but a   child   thou    still   dost    bear    a   brain."

    Then    summoned    the young   prince  the merchants   all,

    And bought  much    goods   and questioned  them    in  turn

    About   all neighboring villages    and camps.

    They    told    whate'er    they    knew    most    willingly,

    For much    the young   prince  was beloved by  them.

    Among   them    was a   youth   of  handsome    face,

    Fair    Bidasari's  foster-brother  tall.

    Amid    the strangers   sat he  near    the throne;

    His name    was Sinapati.   He  was brave

    And wise.   Now as  he  watched the prince  he  thought,

    "How    strangely   like    dear    Bidasari's  face

    Is  his,    as  when    a   reed    is  split   in  twain

    There   is  no  difference  between the halves."

    His home    he  left    when    Bidasari    fair

    Became  the Queen.  He  thought of  her and wept.

    The prince  observed    him there,  and said,   with    smiles:

    "Young  man,    my  friend, from    what    far town    art thou?

    Why dost    thou    weep    so  bitterly?   What    thoughts

    Arise   in  thee    and make    thy visage  dark?"

    Young   Sinapati    bowed   and said:   "My lord,

    I   came    from    Indrapura,  in  a   ship,

    My  wares   to  sell.   For that    I   do  not weep.

    But sorrow  cometh  to  my  heart   whene'er

    I   think   upon    my  home,   and brothers    dear,

    And sisters."



                                                                    At  these   words   the prince  rejoiced.

    He  thought,    "From   him some    news    I'll    surely  learn."

    Sherbets    and dainties    then    to  all the folk

    He  offered,    and the cup went    'round  from    dawn

    Till    noon,   and then    the merchants   went    away;

    But the young   prince  kept    Sinapati    there.

    Now he  already strong  affection   felt

    For him and said:   "My friend, toward  thee    I'm moved

    And look    upon    thee    as  a   brother dear.

    Thou    dost    at  Indrapura   live,   but who

    May be  thy patron  there?" Then    with    a   smile

    Young   Sinapati    said:   "My patron's    called