HIKAYAT SERI RAMA. 5 
ments and properties required by him were prepared. These 
were a candle (a cubit in length, measured from the elbow to 
the top of the middle-finger, as thick as a man’s fore-arm and 
with a wick of the thickness of a man’s thumb), some 
parched rice, yellow rice, sacred water, and eight cubits of 
white-cloth. Mats and carpets were spread, curtains and cano- 
pies suspended, and a sort of altar was erected in the centre 
of the hall. 
- Raja Laksamana commenced operations by burning in- 
cense and fumigating with it the charmed water, with which 
he sprinkled the platform. He set the candle upright and 
lighted it, after having scattered some rice about. The candle 
was sprinkled with water, and there was more scattering of 
rice and waving of incense. Then, pulling the white cloth 
over his head and enveloping his whole body in it, Raja Lak- 
samana remained in abstracted contemplation from sunset to 
daybreak the next morning. He then announced that an heir 
would be born to Séri Rama, but that he must first get up an 
expedition by water for the amusement of his Princess, fitting 
out for the purpose seven sea-going boats and collecting num- 
bers of young people with bands of music to attend her. They 
were to proceed to a hill on the sea-coast, on the top of which 
would be found a lake of green water, with a river flowing down 
from it to the sea, and two lofty trees beside the lake. Strict 
warning was given to Séri Rama not to bathe in this lake, as 
whoever did so would instantly be turned into a monkey. 
. The Chiefs were then summoned to receive the Raja’s 
orders :-— | 
~ While yet some way off they bowed to the dust 
When they got near they made obeisance 
Uplifting at each step their fingers ten 
The hands closed together like the rootlets of the 
bakong palm 
The fingers one on the other like a pile of scvzh leaves.” 
‘The Téménggong having been directed to have seven boats 
built in seven days’ time, .returned home and_ forthwith 
summoned forty-four carpenters and gave them the necessary 
R. As Soc., No. 55, 1909. 
