548 Specimen of the Burmese Drama. [_Jvt,x, 



monster would respect my presence — Oh, my lord, each step of the 

 road is a great grandfather to the last passed over ; do not go. 



Prince. If I do not meet with Maydow of the silver mountain, 

 though nine or ten worlds may have passed by, yet I shall not think 

 of returning. 



Hermit. My lord, as sure as that the castanets direct the measure 

 of the song, so surely is your highness leaping into the mouth of the 

 tiger. 



Prince. If I do not meet with Maydow of the silver mountain, 

 I would not think of returning, though hell itself were before me. 



Hermit. There are other Dwaynanhas in the south island besides 

 the one of the silver mountain, cannot you search for one here ? Give 

 me the magic bow which your highness carries, that good may come 

 of the gift, and then depart on your journey back. 



Prince. If your holiness requires the bow, take it. 



Hermit. Astonishing ! surprising ! wonderful ! To look at it, 

 it is but an insignificant thing; but how heavy it is, and what 

 strength it has ! — I detained him because I thought he was one of 

 the common order, but I now find he possesses many powers ; so 

 many indeed, that he may travel in safety wheresoever he chooses, 

 either on the air or under the earth. Let me see if I can find the ring 

 and the drugs which the benefactress Manan entrusted to me — I will 



go and look for them ! Ah ! here they are — I bestow them upon 



your highness. 



Prince. If your reverence's hair was more than three cubits in 

 length, my obeisance would be still longer. 



SONG. 

 \The Prince arrives at the haunt of the devil. 



Prince. I will just sit down here, and take some betel leaf to 

 refresh me. 



Devil. My tribe have reigned in this Haywonta forest from the 

 beginning — here have we held uninterrupted dominion, killed what- 

 ever we found, and eat it without cooking — our power, I fear, is about 

 to be overturned. \_Sees the Prince,"} Oh, what is this ? a mortal or a 

 spirit ? Didst thou arrive here by the road ? You are my victim. 



Prince. Listen ! and I will tell you. I am neither a dragon nor 

 a spirit, Pyentsa is my country ; Thoodanoo my name ; will you in- 

 deed eat me !— look at my sword, foolish devil ! 



