Malayan Literature: Comprising Romantic Tales, Epic Poetry and Royal Chronicles
General
Malayan Literature: Comprising Romantic Tales, Epic Poetry and Royal Chronicles
Malay literature -- Translations into English
Then Sultan Melik-es-Salih named his son Melik-el-Mansour, King of
Samoudra. Three days later he died and was buried in the interior of
the palace. Their father dead, the two young princes, his sons,
commanded the royal herald to assemble the officers and soldiers,
elephants and horses, as well as the royal insignia of the country of
Pasey. And the two cities grew and flourished more and more. God knows
best the truth. He is our aid and our refuge.
Now this is the story of the King Chehr-en-Naoui. His power was great,
his officers and soldiers innumerable. They told this prince that the
country of Samoudra had a large population, many merchants, and a
powerful king. Chehr-en-Naoui said to his officers:
"Which of you would be able to take the King of Samoudra?"
One of his officers very strong and brave, Aoui Ditchou, bowed and
said: "Lord, if your Majesty will give me 4,000 chosen warriors, I will
take the King of Samoudra alive and bring him to the foot of your
Majesty's throne."
The King gave him the 4,000 warriors and 100 ships. When they were
ready Aoui Ditchou sailed toward Samoudra, feigning that the ships were
bent on commerce up to the very moment when they reached the end of the
voyage. Then he caused it to be said that he was an ambassador of the
King Chehr-en-Naoui, and the King of Samoudra sent some officers to
receive him.
Landing, Aoui Ditchou put into four chests four lusty _houlou-balongs_,
to whom he said: "Presently, when you are in the presence of the King
of Samoudra, open the chests, leap out, and seize the King." The chests
were fastened from within. They took them ashore in state as presents
from the King Chehr-en-Naoui. When they were in the presence of the
prince, a message couched in flattering terms was read, and the chests
were brought in. Immediately the _houlou-balongs_ opened the chests,
sprang out, and seized the sovereign. The soldiers uttered fierce cries
and unsheathed their arms to attack the band of Chehr-en-Naoui's men.
But the latter cried:
"If you fall upon us, we will kill your King."
So the soldiers paused in their attack. Aoui Ditchou and his people
returned, bringing with them the King of Samoudra. They crossed the sea
and regained their own country. There the prisoner-King was conducted
by Aoui Ditchou before King Chehr-en-Naoui, who was very joyful and
loaded the head of the expedition and all his companions with honors.
As for the King of Samoudra, they made him a poultry-keeper.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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