Malay Annals. Anonymous

entertainments, the marriage was consummated, and the raja bestowed great largesses on his warriors, and charities on the fakirs and poor, both in gold and silver; and he also bestowed high honours on Tun Parek-patih Pand, who after some time returned to Perlac.

      By Putri Ganggang, Sultan Malec al Salih had two sons; the eldest named Sultan Malec al Zaher; and the youngest, Sultan Malec al Mansur. The elder was brought up by Sidi Ali Gheyas ed-din; and, the younger, by Sidi Ali Ismayemdi, till they arrived at maturity. At this time, the country of Perlac was conquered by its enemies opposite, and the inhabitants took refuge in Samadra, Then, Sultan Malec al Salih determined to found another settlement for his sons. He ordered all his chiefs to prepare for a hunting match; and, having mounted his elephant, Parmadewan, he crossed the river. When he had landed, his dog, named Sipasei, gave tongue, and the Sultan quickly flew to it, and found an elevated ground, of nearly the size of a palace, and its appurtenances, and very fine and smooth, as if it had been levelled. He ordered this place to be cleared out, and a Negri, or town, founded there, a palace erected, and the whole to be named Pasei, after the Prince's dog. He ordered his eldest son, Malec al Zaher to be raja; and Sidi Ali Gheyas ed-din to be mangcu-bumi; and, having divided his people, elephants, horses, and royal accoutrements into two parts, he divided them between his sons.

      After some time, Sultan Malec al Salih sickened; and, having summoned his two sons, with all the great men of Samadra, he addressed them, saying: "O, my two sons, and you my friends, I am at the point of death; but, may you remain happy, after I have left you: and you, my sons, do not covet the wealth of others, and do not desire the wives of others, but do you agree with each other like brothers, and do not quarrel." To Sidi Ali Gheyas ed-din, and Sidi Ali Ismayemdi, he said, "My brothers, carefully bring up these, my children, and do not suffer two brothers to quarrel; adhere firmly to your fidelity to them, and do not join yourselves to other rajas." They assented in profound grief, saying, "Yea, our lord, light of our eyes, we swear by the great God, the Creator of all, that we will faithfully maintain our allegiance and fidelity to the Princes, your sons." Then, Sultan Malec Mansur, the son of Sultan Malec al Salih, succeeded to the throne of the kingdom of Samadra; and, after three days died, and was buried beside his palace, and his tomb is still said to be at Samadra. After the death of their father, the Princes completed the division of their subjects, elephants, horses, and champions; and, the land of Pasei became more beautiful than ever before, flourishing both in trade and population.

      Chapter 8

       Table of Contents

      IT is related that there was a raja of great power who reigned in Shaher al Nawi, whose subjects and army were extremely numerous. Tidings were brought him one day, that the country of Samadra was a fine and flourishing land, where a great traffic was carried on, and the raja of which was extremely powerful. Then said Raja Shaher al Nawi to his champions, who of you will take Raja Samadra.

      A bold and daring champion named Avidichu replied, "if you will give me four thousand warriors, I will take him alive and bring him to you." He obtained the number of warriors, and a hundred (pelu) prows, with which he set sail, and arrived gaily at Samadra as if he had been a merchant, and as soon as he arrived, he gave himself out as an ambassador from Raja Shaher al Nawi. Raja Samadra, as soon as he received information, sent his warriors to congratulate him. Avidichu placed forty daring warriors in chests, which opened from within, and sent them forward to the palace, as containing the presents of Raja Shaher al Nawi; and he directed them, that when he should appear before the raja to receive audience, that they should suddenly issue forth and seize the raja.

      Avidichu proceeded to the presence of the raja, and presented the letter, which was read in due form; meantime the champions started from their chests, and suddenly seized upon the raja of Samadra. The warriors of Samadra quickly flew to their arms, and drew their weapons from their sheaths, but the warriors of Shaher al Nawi assured them that the instant they should commence their attack, they would slay the raja, and by this means the whole of the warriors of Pasei were prevented from using their weapons. Then Avidichu and his warriors returned to Raja Shaher al Nawi, with the raja of Pasei his prisoner, and presented him to the raja, who was highly delighted, and rewarded Avidichu and his companions. As for the raja of Samadra, he appointed him his henkeeper.

      It is related that after this event, Sidi Ali Gheyas ed-din consulted with all the ancient mantris of the land of Samadra, and having fitted out a ship with Arab merchandize, for at that time all the inhabitants of Pasei were acquainted with the Arabic language, he caused all his crew to array themselves in Arab dresses, and then going a shipboard, sailed away to the land of Shaher al Nawi, where having landed, he went to pay his respects to the raja, carrying with him a golden tree, the fruit of which consisted of various kinds of gems, the value of which was a bahara of gold. The raja of Shaher al Nawi enquired what it was they desired; but Sidi Ali Gheyas ed-din said, that he had no request to prefer, which augmented considerably the raja's joy. He could not, however, avoid reflecting what could be their object; they, however, all returned to their vessel.

      After some time he again went to visit the raja, and carried with him a golden chess board, the squares of which were of gems, in like manner worth a bahara of gold. The raja again demanded what was their request and he would grant it; but again they eluded his enquiry and returned a shipboard. When the season for returning to Samadra returned, Sidi Ali Gheyas ed-din again presented himself before the raja, and presented him with a couple of ducks, formed of gold, and embossed with diamonds, a male and a female, placed in a bason of water, in which they moved and swam of their own accord, and pecked each other.

      The raja was surprised at the skill, and again enquired what was their request and he would grant it, and confirmed by an oath (Demmi luhin!) he would grant whatever they wanted. Then Sidi Ali Gheyas ed-din said, "If you will extend to us the royal favour, present us with the man that feeds your fowls." Raja Shaher Nawi said, "he is the raja of Pasei, but if you ask him I will give him." "We ask him," said they,"because he is of the persuasion of Islam." Then the raja presented Sultan Malec al Zaher to them, and they carried him aboard, when they bathed him, and dressed him in a raja's vestments. Immediately the wind arose, and they heaved the anchor and set sail, and arrived at the land of Samadra.