Malayan Literature_ Comprising Romantic Ta - Unknown

    I   have    not seen    thee    for a   day entire."

    The princeling  bowed   and said:   "My gracious    lord

    If  thou    wilt    pardon  me, I   would   return

    And give    my  parents dear    the joyful  news.

    My  father  bade    me  seek    my  sister  lost,

    And still   he  nothing knows   of  her good    fate."

    The King    replied with    sorrow: "Brother    mine,

    Why wilt    thou    go  so  soon?   We  scarcely    are

    Acquainted, and I   have    not had enough

    Of  thy dear    company."   The prince  replied:

    "Oh,    be  not sorrowful,  my  gracious    lord.

    As  soon    as  I   have    my  dear    father  seen

    I'll    tell    him what    good    things  have    come    to  pass.

    'Twill  soothe  his heart   to  hear    my  sister's    joy.

    My  parents will    be  glad    in  learning    all

    Thy goodness    great.  And pray    consider    me

    Thy subject leal.   Soon    I'll    return  again."

    The King's  emotion grew.   With    pleasant    voice

    He  said:   "Take   counsel of  thy sister. Heed

    What    she may say."   They    found   the Queen   within,

    Fair    Bidasari,   and attending   her

    Dyang   Agous   Djouhari.   All sat down

    And took    some    siri    from    the betel-box.

    The Queen   to  the young   prince  then    spoke:  "Come   here.

    My  brother,    why have    I   thy face    not seen

    For two long    days?"  With    bows    the prince  replied:

    "I've   had a   multitude   of  things  to  do.

    Thus    came    I   not;    for my  companions  all

    Seek    homeward    to  return. So  I   must    take

    My  leave   of  thee    upon    the morrow  morn,

    When    pales   the silver  moon    before  the dawn."

    The Queen   was grieved to  hear    these   words,  and shed

    A   flood   of  tears.  Her tender  heart   was touched.

    Beside  herself with    sorrow  she exclaimed:

    "O  prince  illustrious!    How canst   thou    go,

    Since   we  have    met?    I've    loved   thee    from    the time

    I   knew    thou    wert    my  brother.    I   am  grieved

    To  hear    thee    say thou    wilt    so  soon    depart.

    Of  low extraction  must    I   be! 'Twas   wrong