And if this were of no avail, ... then I should translate my book into _Malay_, _Javanese_, _Soudanese_, _Alfoer_, _Boegi_, and _Battah_. And I should sharpen _Klewangs_, the scimitars and the sabres, by rousing with warlike songs the minds of those martyrs whom I have promised to help--I, _Multatuli_, would do this! Yes! delivery and help, _lawfully if possible_;--_lawfully with violence_ if need be. And that would be very pernicious to the COFFEE AUCTIONS OF THE DUTCH TRADING COMPANY! For I am no fly-rescuing poet, no rapt dreamer like the down-trodden Havelaar, who did his duty with the courage of a lion, and endured starvation with the patience of a marmot in winter. This book is an introduction.... I shall increase in strength and sharpness of weapons, according as it may be necessary. Heaven grant that it may not be necessary!... No, it _will_ not be necessary! For it is to thee I dedicate my book: WILLIAM THE THIRD, King, Grand Duke, Prince, ... more than Prince, Grand Duke, and King, ... EMPEROR of the magnificent empire of INSULIND, which winds about the equator like a garland of emeralds!... I ask THEE if it be thine IMPERIAL will that the Havelaars should be bespattered with the mud of Slymerings and Dry-stubbles; and that thy _more_ than _thirty millions_ of SUBJECTS far away should be _ill treated and should suffer extortion_ in THY name! IDYLL OF SAIDJAH AND ADINDA From 'Max Havelaar' Saidjah's father had a buffalo, with which he plowed his field. When this buffalo was taken away from him by the district chief at Parang-Koodjang he was very dejected, and did not speak a word for many a day. For the time for plowing was come, and he had to fear that if the rice field was not worked in time, the opportunity to sow would be lost, and lastly, that there would be no paddy to cut, none to keep in the store-room of the house. He feared that his wife would have no rice, nor Saidjah himself, who was still a child, nor his little brothers and sisters. And the district chief too would accuse him to the Assistant Resident if he was behindhand in the payment of his land taxes, for this is punished by the law. Saidjah's father then took a poniard which was an heirloom from his father. The poniard was not very handsome, but there were silver bands round the sheath, and at the end there was a silver plate. He sold this poniard to a Chinaman who dwelt in the capital, and came home with twenty-four guilders, for which money he bought another buffalo. Saidjah, who was then about seven years old, soon made friends with the new buffalo. It is not without meaning that I say "made friends," for it is indeed touching to see how the buffalo is attached to the little boy who watches over and feeds him. The large strong animal bends its heavy head to the right, to the left, or downward, just as the pressure of the child's finger, which he knows and understands, directs.