32 AWANG SULONG MERAH MUDA. 
There was once a prince, Hawk of the Sea, living with 
his consort princess, Hawk of the Mangrove, at Kuala Sungai 
Batu. He was very rich. 
In his meadows kine with ealf ; 
Dammed the river dry its outlet, 
From the flocks of ducks and goslings ; 
Doves so many sky was hidden ; 
Granaries seven in a row, 
Garden too with battled tower ; 
Houses full of gold and silver ; 
Palace steps of molten gold, 
Sides of stair of hammered gold ; 
But alas he had no offspring. 
So one day he said to his consort, “ It were well we paid 
vows to God the friend of the whole world; if haply he vouch- 
safe us a child.”” And on Friday evening, he bathed and took 
magic undiminishable incense and prayed that Allah would 
grant a child to him, for he was of a stock whose fathers 
were buried in holy Mekka. Then his wife conceived. 
Now after seven months had passed, prince Hawk of 
the Sea said to the princess, © It were meet we feast and 
bathe together in state as custom enjoins and call the mid- 
wives.’ All kinds of amusement were provided : 
Fencers came expert in fencing, 
Fiddlers came and played their viols. 
The Trusty Page 
Took a tray and betel-casket, 
Made by craftsmen of Macassar ; 
Wrapped in gay and fringed linen. 
Sireh leaf on golden stalk ; 
Betel-nut that’s cleft in four ; 
Finest lime and scented water ; 
Tobacco clinging to its stem :— 
These the contents of the caskets. 
And he went to the house of the eldest mid-wife and 
stood under a coco-nut tree. 
Jour. Straits Branch 
