JELEBU CUSTOMARY SONGS AND SAYINGS. " 17 



Forget we not our origin. 



To seaward was the custom of Dato Temenggong, 

 To landward was the custom of Dato Merpatih. 



Now the law of Dato Temenggong to seaward is this. 

 Who casts the net shall jump to drag it in; 

 Who commits an offence shall compensate; 

 Who owes shall pay ; who slays shall be slain. 



And the law of Dato Merpateh to landward is this : — 

 A debt adheres to the tribe of the debtor; 

 A mortgage becomes a lien on the tribal land; 

 Who wounds shall pay smart money, who kills shall give 

 restitution. 



The custom arose in Pagar Euyong, 



It engirdled Pulau Pereha, 



It throve in the -Malayan regions. 



Glory of Minangkabau, 



Was the Sultan in Pagar Euyong; 



Mandates issued from Sungai Trap; 



Indra Maha was at Saruasa ; 



The Kali was at Padang Genting, 



The Makhdum in Sumanik. 



As far went the custom as the trees, 



The fruit-trees marked by the raja for his people, 



The trees with spikes to climb for honey 



As far as fish traps drifted. 



Up to the kingdom of Pagar Euyong. 



In days ere our ancestors were wedded, 



When the hair of man was white, 



And crows were white and egrets black; 



Waters were clear and men were many, 



And custom brought peace on the land ; 



The bamboo was split, the log smoked in the clearing, 



And the clink of iron was heard, 



The trailing creeper served for binding, 



A turned-up clod for barrier. 



Then the folk sat looking about them: — - 

 Hillward rustled the branches of forest trees; 

 Upstream were deep ravines; 

 Downstream the flowing river; 

 Below the spreading meadows. 



R. A. Soc, No. 78. 



