Malayan Literature_ Comprising Romantic Ta - Unknown

    For thee    to  call    thyself my  brother.    I

    A   poor    and feeble  orphan  am, and how

    Should  I   the love    deserve of  a   great   prince?"

    When    this    he  heard   the prince  bowed   low his head

    And was much    troubled.   "Sister sweet," he  said,

    "Grieve not like    this.   I   only    do  return

    Because our parents must    so  anxious be.

    I   love    thee    so, my  darling,    that    my  heart

    Is  nearly  breaking.   If  thou    speakest    thus

    To  me, my  dear,   my  grief   will    still   increase.

    I   could   not leave   thee,   but I   must    respect

    Our parents'    wishes. They    commanded   me

    All haste   to  make.   So—sweet—I  pray    thee    have

    Compassion  on  me."



                                                                    Much    disturbed,  the King

    Observed    the sorrow  of  the princess    fair.

    He  kissed  her lips,   to  her a   sepah   gave,

    And said    with    tender  voice:  "My darling wife,

    What    dost    thou    wish?   Let now thy brother go.

    We'll   see thy parents here    ere many    days."

    The Queen   wept    bitterly,   and said    to  him:

    "His    wishes  I   do  not oppose. Let him

    Do  whatsoe'er  it  pleaseth    him to  do.

    For I   am  but a   stranger,   a   lost    child,

    And who should  think   of  me  or  love    me  true?"

    Then    bowed   the prince  and said:   "In very    truth,

    I   know    thou    art my  sister. Speak   not thus.

    God knows   how much    I   love    thee,   sister  mine.

    If  thou    dost    not permit  me  to  depart

    I'll    not resist. I'm happy   here    with    thee,

    But our dear    parents are in  cruel   doubt,

    And look    for news    of  thee.   Now that    I   know

    Thy husband is  a   king,   our parents dear

    Would   be  so  overjoyed   to  learn   it  too!"

    Then    spoke   the King    with    face    all radiant,

    "Return not,    brother mine,"  he  said.   "I'll   send

    Swift   messengers  to  bear    the gladsome    news

    That    Bidasari's  found.  Then,   if  he  wills,