Malayan Literature_ Comprising Romantic Ta - Unknown

    I've    absent  been.   My  sister  dear    I   seek.

    Thine   aid I   do  bespeak.    From    Kembajat

    I   come,   a   subject of  thy father  there,  the King.

    Forgive me, lord,   for now thou    knowest all."

    The King    rejoiced    to  hear    a   voice   that    seemed

    So  much    like    Bidasari's, and inquired

    Of  Sinapati,   "Tell   me  now his race."

    Then    Sinapati    bowed   and said:   "My lord,

    Of  princes and of  caliphs is  his race.

    His kingdom,    not so  far,    is  most    superb;

    His palace  is  most    beautiful   and grand.

    Swift   ships   within  the harbor  lie,    all well

    Equipped."  At  this    the King    enchanted   was,

    To  find    a   prince  was brother to  his wife.

    Still   more    he  asked   and Sinapati    said:

    "Because    his realm   was ravaged by  the foe

    He  hath    misfortunes suffered    manifold."

    Then    knew    the King    he  was of  royal   blood

    And had adversity   experienced.

    The King    came    from    his throne  and said,   "My friend,

    My  palace  enter." So  the King    and prince

    Went    in. They    met fair    Bidasari    there.

    She sat beside  a   Chinese window  quaint,

    All choicely    carved. She saw the King    and thought,

    "What   fine    young   man is  this    he  bringeth    here?"

    When    they    were    seated  all,    the young   prince  looked

    At  Bidasari:   "Beautiful  is  she,"

    He  thought,    "my sister  dear,   and very    like

    My  father."    Then    the King    with    smiling face

    Said:   "Bidasari,  darling,    speak   to  him.

    He  is  thy younger brother,    come    to  seek

    Thee    here.   From    Kembajat    he  came.   And thy

    Dear    father  mourns  for thee    the livelong    day."

    At  this    fair    Bidasari    sighed. She bowed

    Her head    and silence kept.   She much    was moved

    Because she had not known   her parents true,

    But fancied them    Djouhara    and his wife.

    "I'm    but a   merchant's  daughter,"  finally

    She said.   "Things all uncertain   this    young   prince