SRI RAMA. 89 



given by Mr. Peeham in seine of Lis contributions to this 

 Journal. The following sketch of the story, with quota- 

 tations from the text where passages of particular interest occur, 

 will give those who are unable to read the original an insight 

 into the style of a genuine Malay legendary romance. 



The story opens in the kingdom of Tanjong Bunga, the 

 Raja of which is called Ski Kama, married to the Princess 

 Sakutum Bunga Satangre ("a single blossom on a stalk"). 

 Sri Rama's peace of mind is disturbed by the fact that, though 

 he has been married for three years, he has no child, and for 

 three months and ten days he ponders over this want of an heir. 

 An idea occurs to him one night, and on rising in the morning 

 he goes into the outer hall of his palace and ringing the 

 alarm-bell brings all his people together. A metrical passage 

 in which a tropical daybreak is described is not without some 

 beauty of expression : — 



Tengah malam ter-lampau 



Dinahari belum sampei 



Budak-budak dua kali bangun jaga 



Orang tua ber kalih tidor 



Ambun jantan rintik-rintik 



Ber-bunyi kuang jauh ka- tengah 



Sorong lanting riang di-rimba 



Tcr-dingur lembu di padang 



Sambut menguwak kerbau di kandang 



Ber-tepuk mendong arak mengilai 



Fajr sidik menielengsing naik 



Kichak-kichau bunyi morai 



Taptibau melambong tinggi 



Menguku balam di hujong bendul 



Ter-dingut puyuh panjang bunyi 



Puntong sa'jingkal tinggal dua jari 



Itu-lah c alamat hari handak siang. 

 The following is a somewhat free translation : — 



Long had past the hour of midnight, 



Lingered yet the coming day-light ; 



Twice ere now had wakening infants 



Risen and sunk again in slumber : 



