Phra Aphai Mani

Part V
 Phra Aphai Mani : Part

Message
n behalf of the Ministry of Culture, I am pleased to present Part V of
O the English version of çPhra Aphai Mani,é the longest narrative poem written
by Sunthon Phu, a great poet of Thailand, who was declared a world personage
in 1986 by UNESCO.
In writing this poetic tale, Sunthon Phu excelled in the Klon Paet or
eight-syllabled verses to vividly express his philosophy, imagination and deep
emotion which have captured the interest of his readers. His talent in the use
of ordinary Thai words, simple phrases and perfect rhyming systems makes
his verses sound beautiful and very easy to understand. The poetic tale depicts
the early Bangkok Period, more than 200 years ago when Thailand was recognized
as Siam.
I wish this poetic tale will be a perfect source to communicate to
the readers some in-depth knowledge and to promote understanding of Thai
culture from past and present. I also hope that readers will find a wealth of
treasure in the book and use it to their benefit.
Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to pay homage to çSunthon Phu,é
the great poet, and thank the translators, the editor, the co-ordinators and
the publisher whose combined efforts have made this book available to
the readers.

(Mr. Vira Rojpojchanarat)

Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Culture
 Preface
T his book is the fifth part of the translated series of Sunthon Phuûs Phra Aphai
Mani. The project of the translation of Phra Aphai Mani,one of the best works
of Sunthon Phu and also one of the best works of Thai literature, was launched in
2002. So far 30 episodes including this volume have been translated by a team of
experienced translators. Their names and bio-data are at the back of the book.
The story of this epic poem begins when two handsome princes of Rattana
Kingdom , Phra Aphai Mani and Sisuwan, set off in quest of knowledge. Phra Aphai
Mani, the elder brother, learned pipe playing and Sisuwan, the younger brother
learned staff fighting. When they returned to the kingdom, King Suthat, their
father, looked down upon their knowledge which in his opinion did not befit royalty.
The two brothers were banished from Rattana. While roaming, they met three
Brahmins who became their friends. Phra Aphai Mani was demonstrating his skill in
pipe playing which could make people sleep soundly and even die. While the music
put his brother and friends to sleep, a sea-ogress carried him away to her cave.
Thus, the two brothers were separated and each had their own fascinating
adventures. Phra Aphai Mani had the sea-ogress as wife who bore him a son called
Sinsamut. Meanwhile, Sisuwan and the three Brahmins went on a magic ship to
look for Phra Aphai Mani. They came to the Kingdom of Rommachak where Sisuwan
met Princess Ketsara, the kingûs daughter. He fell in love with her and, after having
repelled the enemy from Rommachak, he was given the throne and married Ketsara.
Eventually Phra Aphai Mani and Sinsamut suceeded in fleeing from the sea-ogress
with the help of a merman and his daughter. The merman was killed by the pursuing
ogress but the mermaid carried Phra Aphai Mani safely to Crystal Isle where lived
a hermit who used his power to chase away the ogress. There Phra Aphai Mani
and Sinsamut met many shipwrecked seamen of various nationalities. Phra Aphai
Mani and Sinsamut learned their languages and they became loyal to Phra Aphai
Mani. The latter had the mermaid as wife who later became pregnant.
Princess Suwannamali took a sea voyage with her father, King Silarat of
the Kingdom of Phaluek. The ship arrived at Crystal Isle where Suwannamali met
Phra Aphai Mani. The two fell in love while Sinsamut asked Suwannamali to be his
mother. The latter took a liking to Sinsamut and adopted him as her son. Phra
Aphai Mani and Sinsamut, together with the shipwrecked men, left Crystal Isle in
King Silaratûs ship. The sea-ogress attacked the ship and the king was drowned.
Sinsamut carried Suwannamali to safety while Phra Aphai Mani and his followers
fled the pursuing ogress to an island. Phra Aphai Mani told his men to plug their
ears while he played his pipe to kill the ogress. Sinsamut and Suwannamali went
on board the piratesûship headed by an English pirate named Surang. When
the latter tried to molest Suwannamali, Sinsamut killed him and took possession of
 Phra Aphai Mani : Part

Surangûs fleet. Phra Aphai Mani and his men met Utsaren,Suwannamaliûs fiancé,
who went in search of her. Phra Aphai Mani and Utsaren became sworn brothers
and he went on board Utsarenûs ship with his followers.
Sinsamut attacked Rommachak to get food supplies. He found out that
Sisuwan, King of Rommachak, was in fact his uncle. Sisuwan, his daughter
Arunrasmi, Suwannamali and Sinsamut travelled together in search of Phra Aphai
Mani. They met Phra Aphai Mani and Utsaren who demanded that Suwannamali
should be delivered to him. Sinsamut refused the demand. He fought with Utsaren
with the help of Suwannamali who disguised herself as a man. Phra Aphai Mani,
feeling grateful to Utsaren, remained neutral in the fight but intervened to save
Utsarenûs life when the latter was captured. Phra Aphai Maniûs attitude angered
Suwannamali so much that she spurned his love.
When Phra Aphai Mani, Sisuwan, Suwannamali, Sinsamut and Arunrasmi
arrived in Phaluek,the queen invited Phra Aphai Mani to become King of Phaluek but
Suwannamali refused to become his queen. By Waliûs ruse, Suwannamali finally
consented to marry Phra Aphai Mani. Meanwhile, on Crystal Isle, the mermaid gave
birth to a son. The hermit named him Sudsakhon, reared him up and taught him
knowledge necessary for a prince. Still a child of three years old, he went in search
of his father. Riding a mighty dragon-horse, Ninmangkon, and holding a magic staff
as weapon, Sudsakhon had many adventures on his journey. He was deceived by
the naked ascetic who stole his dragon-horse and magic staff. Sudsakhon traced
him to the Kingdom of Karawek and regained his dragon-horse and staff. He was
adopted by King Suriyothai and Queen Chanthavadi of Karawek who had a daughter
named Saowakhon aged two years and four months. Sudsakhon, Saowakhon and
their young companions were trained in martial art. Sisuwan, Sinsamut and Arunrasmi
went to visit King Suthat of Rattana while Phra Aphai Mani had twin daughters
by Suwannamali. Utsaren came to attack Phaluek but he lost the battle and died
of shame and a broken heart. His father, King of Lanka, was wounded and died
of grief at the news of his sonûs death. Princess Laweng Wanla, Utsarenûs younger
sister, became the new ruler of Lanka and planned revenge.
The story of Phra Aphai Mani Part V takes up from this point. It gives
the Thai view of European life because Lanka at the poet Suthon Phuûs time was
ruled by Europeans.

(Professor Emeritus Srisurang Poolthupya)

Fellow of the Royal Institute,
Chairperson of the Academy of Arts,
the Royal Institute of Thailand
 Acknowledgments
he translation of Phra Aphai Mani IV is the combined efforts of five translators
T namely Khunying Kullasap Gesmankit, Professor Emeritus Srisurang
Poolthupya, Mrs.Pensri Kiengsiri, Mrs.Sudchit Bhinyoying and Associate Professor
Malithat Promathatavedi; and the editor, Mr.Megh Manivacha (Michael Wright).
Mr.Vira Rojpojchanarat and Mr.Grianggrai Sampatchalit are the honorary advisors.
MissChansuda Rukspollmuang, MissPhiranai Chotikanta, MissSunadda Chearsakul,
MissUrusaya Intrasuksri and Mr.Glos Sawangwan are the co-ordinators. Mr.Somchok
Upaikul is the book designer. With the kind support of Professor Khunying Maenmas
Chavalit, advisor of the project the translation project was successfully completed.
All the names mentioned above are duly acknowledged and appreciated by
the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture.
 Page

Episode XXVII King Laman Attacks Phaluek 1

Episode XXVIII Sudsakhon in Search of Phra Aphai Mani 42
Episode XXIX The Battle of Nine Armies against Phaluek 79
Episode XXX Phra Aphai Mani Launches a New Attack 135
About the translators and the editor 177
‡ÀÁπæÀ≈æ≈¢—π∏åæ«°øíπ‡ ’È¬¡ Phra Aphai saw the sabre-toothed soldiers
°”·À߇À’¬È ¡‚Àà≈π—Ë  π—πË ÀŸ Expressing bravery and bravado aloud.
·µà≈«â π¡◊Õ∂◊Õ§—π‡°“∑—≥±å∏πŸ Their hands held crossbows and arrows.
 —߇°µ¥Ÿ·µàß°“¬§≈⓬‡ ’¬È «°“ß They were clad like mythical gate guardians.
¢÷πÈ ¢’ÀË ≈—ß¡—ß°√°Á∂Õπ∂’∫ On his horseûs back and kicked off,
≈ßπÈ”√’∫µ“¡µ‘¥¢π‘…∞“ On the water after the two, chasing
‰≈ງ’  ◊ÕÈ ‡ß◊ÕÈ ‰¡â‡∑â“¢Õ߇®â“µ“ The butterflies and brandishing the hermitûs staff.
√âÕ߇À«¬«à“ —°‡∑à“‰√°Á‰¡à«“ß In spite of his cry for their release,
‡ °‰¡â‡∑â“¥“«∫ ®¥°√–¥“… And placed the hermitûs staff on the paper.
‡ ’¬ß√Ÿª«“¥À«’¥√âÕß ¬Õߢπ The scream from the portrait was hair-raising.
·≈â«´È”µ’º√’ “â ¬°Á«“¬™π¡å He hit again and the evil ghost expired,
°√–¥“…ªÉπ‡ªìπª√–°“¬«Ÿ∫À“¬‰ª The paper became glowing dust and vanished.
¥Ÿ∑æ— Àπâ“¢«“´â“¬À“¬‰ªÀ¡¥ Seeing the left and right vanguards were gone,
‡¢“≈âÕ¡√∂∑√߉«â¡‘„ÀâÀπ’ His chariot was blocked from escaping.
µ°æ√–∑—¬„πÕ“√¡≥剡ࠡª√–¥’ Phra Aphai, being totally frightened,
®÷ß∑√ߪï‡ò ªÉ“Àâ“¡ª√“¡≥√ߧå Decided to play his pipe to stop the fight.
 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

µÕπ∑’Ë Ú˜ Episode 27
‡®â“≈–¡“πµ’‡¡◊Õߺ≈÷° King Laman Attacks Phaluek
Translated by Sudchit Bhinyoying

Ô ΩÉ“¬≈Ÿ° “«‡®â“≈—ß°“æ√–¬“À≠‘ß The daughter of the Lankan King

‰¡à¡ ’ ß‘Ë  ÿ¢®‘µ§‘¥∂«‘≈ Felt deeply unhappy, recalling
∂÷߇«≈“«à“¢“π°“√·ºàπ¥‘π Every time she presided over state duties,
°Á‰¥â¬π‘ ‡√◊ÕË ß‡¢“¶à“∫‘¥“µ“¬ How people talked about her fatherûs murder.

π“ß∑√ßøíߥ—ßæ√–°√√≥®–≈—πË ÕÕ° Hearing it, her ears rang,

‡À¡◊ÕπÀπ“¡¬Õ°‡ ’¬∫ÀŸ‰¡à√ŸâÀ“¬ As if a thorn pierced her earlobe.
∂÷߬“¡πÕπ∂Õπƒ∑—¬„Àâ√–§“¬ In bed, she heaved a sigh with heavy heart
§‘¥Õÿ∫“¬∫“∑À≈«ß‡æ’¬ß∑√«ß‚∑√¡ Trying to unravel the bishopûs trick.

‰¡à‡ÀÁπÀπ°≈»÷°∑’≈Ë °÷ ´÷ßÈ Unable to see the depth of war tactics,

· π√”æ÷ߺա´Ÿ∫æ√–√Ÿª‚©¡ She went on thinking, thus losing weight.
∑ÿ°∑ÿ¡à ¬“¡Àâ“¡¶âÕß°≈Õߪ√–‚§¡ Gongs and drums beaten to tell the hours
¡‘„À₧√¡§√◊πÈ §√÷°¥â«¬µ√÷°µ√Õßœ Were banned from making such a loud noise.

Ô ΩÉ“¬π“√’æ‡’Ë ≈’¬È ßÕ¬Ÿ‡à §’¬ß·∑àπ The ladymaids who crouched close to her couch,
‡ÀÁππ“ß· π‚»°π—°æ√–æ—°µ√åÀ¡Õß Seeing her pale and aggrieved,
®’߇≈â“‚≈¡‚©¡ß“¡µ“¡∑”πÕß Said in order to placate her,
·¡â¢—¥¢âÕߢâÕ„¥∑’Ë„π∑√«ß çIf you have in mind any problems,

·¡à‚©¡¬ß®ßÕÿµ à“Àå¡¡’ “π– çWould you please try to collect your wits.

‰ªÀ“æ√– —߶√“™ºŸ∫â “∑À≈«ß Go to call on the archbishop
®–‰¥âÕâÕπ«Õπ∂“¡§«“¡∑—Èߪ«ß And ask him to help find a solution.
®–‡Àß“ßà«ßß÷¡ß”Õ¬Ÿ∑à ”‰¡œ Why doze off and only mumble?é

Ô π“ßøíß ’æË ‡’Ë ≈’¬È ߪ√–‚≈¡ª≈Õ∫ Hearing the four ladiesû comforting words,
§àÕ¬™◊πË ™Õ∫™’∑È “ß «à“߉ « She slowly perked up, seeing a way out.
æÕ‡™â“µ√Ÿ à √ÿ ‚‘ ¬Õ‚≥∑—¬ Early at dawn when the sun began to shine,
 —Ëß„À≢ ‘π∏ÿæÿ≈–ÕÕß She ordered a shower prepared for her.

1
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

π“ß √ß™≈∫π‡µ’¬ßæ’‡Ë ≈’¬È ß≈âÕ¡ She took a bath among her maids

ª√–≥µπâÕ¡æ√–∫ÿµ√’ ’¢πÕß Who prostrated before her, scrubbed her sides
¢—¥ ÿ§π∏åªπ‡®◊ե⫬‡π◊ÈÕ∑Õß And polished her with scented gold-dust,
π«≈≈–ÕÕßÕ”‰æ«‘‰≈µ“ Making her looking radiant and glowing.

·≈â«·µàßÕߧå∑√߇§√◊ÕË ß‡√◊Õß®”√—  She dressed up in shimmering attire

Õ¬à“ß°…—µ√‘¬∫å µ‘ ‡ÿ √»æ√–‡™…∞“ Like that of her father and brother.
æ’‡Ë ≈’¬È ߇À≈à“ “« «√√§å°≈— ¬“ All her ingenious ladies-in-waiting
≈â«πª√’™“‡™‘≠æ√–· ß·µà߇ªì𙓬 Also dressed like men, carrying rapiers.

 à«π‚©¡¬ß∑√ß°√–∫’·Ë ≈â«≈’≈“» Laweng herself, carrying a royal sabre strutted

¡“∑√ß√“™√∂“Ω“æ√–©“¬ To board a mirror-studded carriage.
¢ÿππ“ß·Àà·µà≈«â π¥“∫°”´“∫ –擬 Escorting courtiers all held or wore swords.
ÕÕ°∑“ß∑⓬‡¡◊Õß¡“∂÷ßÕ“√“¡œ They marched from the rear of the city to the temple.

Ô ≈ß®“°√∂∫∑∫“∑§àÕ¬¬“µ√¬à“ß She got off the carriage and walked on slowly.

æ’‡Ë ≈’¬È ßπ“ß𔇠¥Á®‰¡à‡¢Á¥¢“¡ Her lady maids led the way without qualm.
 “« –‡∑‘πÈ ‡™‘≠æ√–· ß§Õ¬·´ßµ“¡ The younger girls carrying rapiers kept gazing at
™¡Õ“√“¡√ÿßà ‚√®πå‚∫ ∂å‚∫√“≥ And admiring the glorious temple and the old chapel.

‡æ‘ߺπ—ßÀ≈—ߧ“‚ÕÓ√÷° Their walls and roofs were fine and massive.

°ÿƵ’ °÷ ‚µ‚µ√‚À∞“π Huge monk cells and brick buildings abounded.
∫—π‰¥§¥≈¥À≈—πË ‡ªìπ™—πÈ ™“π Spiral staircases led down to layered platforms
»‘≈“≈“π‡≈’¬Ë π≈“¥ –Õ“¥µ“ Made of flat stones, a clean sight to the eyes.

ª≈Ÿ°µâπ·°â«∑—∫∑‘¡∑’√Ë ¡‘ µ÷° With satinwood and pomegranate round,

√à¡√–√◊πË §√◊πÈ §√÷°≈â«π惰…“ The buildings looked shady with dense trees.
°ÿÀ≈“∫ÕÕ°¥Õ°·´¡·¬â¡√–¬â“ Roses bloomed, hanging and standing upright,
∑—ßÈ æÿ¥®’∫ªï∫®”ª“ “√¿’ Along with gardenia, cork tree, champaka and saraphi1.

________________________________________
1Saraphi-Mammea siamensis (T. Anderson) Kosterm. GUTTIFERAE (CLUSIACEAE)

2
 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

ÀÕ¡√«¬√«¬™«¬™◊Ëπ√–√◊Ëπ√  Their fragrance billowed, softly and refreshingly.

¥Õ°‰¡â ¥ Õߢâ“ß∑“ß«‘∂’ Fresh flowers lining both roadsides.
 ’æË ‡’Ë ≈’¬È ߇§’¬ß§≈Õ®√≈’ The four lady maids escorted her onwards,
¢÷πÈ °ÿÆ∫’ “∑À≈«ß¡’§«ß°≈ To the bishopûs cell adorned with mechanical devices.

æÕ‡À¬’¬∫∫—π‰¥‰æ≈àæ≈‘°‡ ’¬ß°√‘°°√à“ß The ladderûs rungs clanged when touched by feet.

√–¶—ßÀßà“߇Àßàßµ“¡°—π “¡Àπ Thrice a bell rang in succession.
æ√–Ω√—ßË øíß ”§—≠Õ¬Ÿ™à π—È ∫π The bishop, resting upstairs, knowing of the visit,
√Ÿâ«à“§π‡¢â“¡“À“ÕÕ°¡“√—∫ Came downstairs to welcome the guests.

‡ÀÁπ≈Ÿ° “«‡®â“≈—ß°“¡“‡ªìπæ«° He saw the Lankan kingûs daughter and her retinue

≈â«π∂Õ¥À¡«°¬◊π‡√’¬ßæ’‡Ë ≈’¬È ß ≈—∫ All standing in line, with hats removed.
¥â«¬∂Õ¥À¡«°æ«°Ω√—ßË ‡ªìπ§”π—∫ White folks take off their hats to show respect.
®÷ßµâÕπ√—∫‡™‘≠π—ßË ∑’µË ß—Ë ‡µ’¬ßœ The bishop invited them to take their seats.

Ô π“ß≈–‡«ß‡°√ßæ√–µâÕß≈–¬» Honouring the bishop, Laweng was humble.

 ≈–≈¥ à“π‰À¡ ‰∫‡©’¬ß She lowered her silk stole and sash.
∫√√¥“‡À≈à“ “«»√’æ√–æ’‡Ë ≈’¬È ß All her lady maids and entourage
Õ¬Ÿ·à µà‡æ’¬ß™—πÈ ≈à“ßÀà“ßÀà“ß°—π Remained downstairs, far from her.

∫“∑À≈«ß‡≤à“‡¢â“„®‰∂≈∂“¡ The old bishop unknowing asked,

¡“Õ“√“¡√Ÿª∑”‰¡‡®â“‰Õ»«√√¬å çWhy your visit to my church, Your Majesty?é
ΩÉ“¬‚©¡¬ßÕߧå≈–‡«ß«‘≈“«—≥¬å Laweng the beauteous queen,
®÷ß√”æ—πæ®π“¥â«¬Õ“¥Ÿ√ With grief, bared out her soul,

¢â“懮ⓇՓ™’«µ‘ Õÿ∑»‘ ∂«“¬ çIûve placed my whole life

∑—ßÈ √à“ß°“¬°«à“™’«“µ¡å®–¢“¥ Ÿ≠ And my body unto my dying day
¢Õæ÷Ëß∫ÿ≠§ÿ≥æ√–™à«¬Õπÿ°Ÿ≈ To seek your help and kind benevolence
„Àâ‡æ‘¡Ë æŸπ¿‘≠‚≠„π‚¿‰§¬ For the glory and progress of my reign.

3
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

´÷ßË ∑‘ßÈ µ√“√“ÀŸ‡√’¬π√ŸÀâ ≠‘ß çTo discard Rahu Seal and learn female guile,
∑—ßÈ  Õß ‘ßË  ÿ¥®–·ª≈®–·°â‰¢ The two are beyond my comprehension
æ√–‚ª√¥¥â«¬™à«¬· ¥ß„Àâ·®âß„® Kindly explain them to me
·µàæÕ„Àâ·°â·§âπ·∑π∫‘¥√œ Suffice for me to avenge my fatherûs death.é

Ô ∫“∑À≈«ßøíßπ—ßË π÷°‡ÀÁπ≈÷°·À≈¡ The bishop felt her quite ingenious.

‰Õ°√–·Õ¡Õÿ∫Õ‘∫°√–´‘∫ Õπ Clearing his throat, he whispered,
Õ—π¥«ßµ√“√“ÀŸ§πŸà §√ çIt is widely known that the Rahu Seal
¢à“«¢®√‡®√‘≠¡“‡π‘Ëππ“π Has long been the city emblem.é

∑ÿ°¥â“«·¥π· π√—°®—°„§√à‰¥â çEvery land fervently desires to have it.

‡¢’¬π∫Õ°‰ª„π°√–¥“…√“™ “√ Write down in royal letters that
·¡âπ„§√√—∫¥—∫√âÕπ™à«¬√Õπ√“≠ Whoever can lessen the peopleûs plight
®–‡™‘≠∑à“πºà“πº¥ÿß°√ÿß≈—ß°“ Will be invited to help rule Lanka.

´÷ßË ‡√’¬π√Ÿºâ ÀŸâ ≠‘ß ‘ßË  —ß«“  çTo learn the femaleûs guile and wile,
„Àâ©≈“¥‡À≈◊Õ‡Õ°‡À¡◊Õπ‡¡¢≈“ You must be like the clever Mekhala.
®”≈ÕßÕߧå≈ß°√–¥“…„Àâ∫“¥µ“ Have someone draw your portrait on a scroll.
‡Õ“™◊ÕË µ√“™◊ÕË °√ÿß®√ÿßæ®πå Affix it with the name of the seal and the city.

°—∫√Ÿª«“¥√“™ “√°“√ √√‡ √‘≠ çShow this royal letter and the scroll

‰ª‡∑’¬Ë «‡™‘≠∑â“«°√–¬“§ß¡“À¡¥ To kings and rulers whoûll come forward.
‰¥â„™â‡≈àπ‡™àπ‡¢“«à“‡ π“¡¥ Weûll make use of them as an ant army,
‡æ√“–√—°¬»√—°À≠‘ߙ૬™‘ß™—¬ For lady and honour, theyûll help us fight.

Õ—π∂‘πË ∞“π∫â“π‡¡◊Õß∑’‡Ë √◊Õ߇¥™ çA vast array of mighty lands and countries,

À≈“¬ª√–‡∑»·ºπ∑’§Ë ¡— ¿’√‰å  ¬ Long listed in maps and magic texts
∑—ßÈ ·¬∫¬≈°≈»÷°®“√÷°‰«â And recorded in books of secret war strategies,
µ—ßÈ ·µà‰µ√¥“¬ÿ§∑ÿ°·ºàπ¥‘π From the Tretayuga* up to now.

________________________________________
* The second age of the world according to Hindu myth. Now we are in the Kaliyuga which is
the fourth and the last age before the world is destroyed because of total degeneracy.

4
 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

·¡âπ‡√’¬π‰¥â‰«â‡ªìπ§√Ÿ√∑Ÿâ ”‡π’¬∫ çOnce youûve grasped the knowledge,

®–§‘¥‡∑’¬∫∑”Õ¬à“߉√°Á‰¥â π‘È Youûll be able to use it as you like.
‰¡à‡Àπ◊ËÕ¬„®‰æ√àøÑ“¢â“·ºàπ¥‘π Your people will not have to suffer.
„™â·µà≈π‘È °ÁæÕ‡ÀÁπ®–‡ªìπ°“√ Only your tongue will bring the desired results.é

æ≈“߉¢µŸ¥â µŸ ”√“‰µ√¥“¬ÿ§ He unlocked his cabinet and took the ancient text
·ºπ∑’∑Ë °ÿ ª√–‡∑»‡¢µ ∂“π Together with the maps of various countries and lands.
„Àâ≈°Ÿ  “«‡®â“≈—ß°“·≈â«Õ“®“√¬å He handed them to Laweng and told her
°Á∫Õ°°“√°≈‡≈àÀ‡å  πàÀ™å “¬ How to use guile and wiles to win a manûs heart.

‡ ° ÿ§π∏åªπ¬“·°â«µ“¡πÿ…¬å çMix human eyes with scented potion.

·¡âπ∫ÿ√…ÿ ‡ÀÁπæ—°µ√å√°— ‰¡àÀ“¬ If a man looks at you, heûll never stop loving you.
¬‘ßË ∂Ÿ°¡◊ÕÀ√◊Õ«à“‰¥â‡¢â“„°≈â°“¬ Once he touches your hand or comes close,
§ππ—πÈ µ“¬¥â«¬‰¥â‡æ√“–„®√—° He can die for his love in you.

®ßæ“°‡æ’¬√‡√’¬π√Ë”„Àâ ”‡√Á® çTry hard to finish your lessons.

°≈‡¡Á¥‡À¡◊ÕπÕ¬à“ß°√‘™∑’¡Ë ¥‘ Ωí° The tricks contained are like a dagger in sheath.
·µàΩ°ñ µ—«¡—«Ë ™“¬«ÿπà «“¬π—° In training, youûll meet a number of men.
„®®–√—°‡¢“‡¢â“∫â“ß√–«—ß„® Be careful. You might fall in love with some.é

π“ß≈–‡«ß‡°√ß∫“ª‰¡àÀ¬“∫À¬“¡ Fearful of sin, Laweng dared not mock him.

®–∑”µ“¡™’·È ®ß·∂≈߉¢ She said, çIûll do as you advised.
·¡âπ√“§’¡√’ –§“¬∑’™Ë “¬„¥ If I let myself be tainted by any man,
 —≠≠“„Àâ·≈à‡π◊ÕÈ ‡Õ“‡°≈◊Õ∑“œ You may slice my flesh and pour salt on it.é

Ô ∫“∑À≈«ßøíßπ—ßË À—«√àÕ·≈â«¢Õ‚∑… The bishop laughed and said, çSorry, Your Majesty.
Õ¬à“°√‘«È ‚°√∏µ√Õßµ√÷°À¡—πË »÷°…“ Donût be angry. Think hard and learn hard.é
π“ß®¥®”§”π—∫√—∫µ”√“ Laweng bowed to him, accepting the text
∑—ßÈ º◊πºâ“·ºπ∑’¥Ë «â ¬¥’„® And the map on fabric scroll with glee.

5
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

‡Õ“„ àÀ∫’ ®’∫®—∫√–¥—∫°√–¥“… She put them in a chest along with other papers
µ”√—∫√“™ ß§√“¡µ“¡«‘ ¬— Containing knowledge of the art of war.
„Àâ§πÀ“¡µ“¡À≈—߇¢â“«—ß„π She ordered her men to carry the chest
π“ßµ—ßÈ „®æ“°‡æ’¬√‡√’¬πµ”√“ To the palace where she studied the texts hard.

√Ÿ«â  ‘ ¬— ‰µ√‡æ∑ª√–‡∑»∂‘πË She learned of the Three Vedas and other lands
¿Ÿ¡·‘ ºàπ¥‘π·¥π∑–‡≈æ√–‡«À“ Continents, vast areas of sea and sky.
·≈â«®â“ßπ“ß‚≈¿Àπ—°¡“§«—°µ“ A greedy maid was paid to have eyes plucked out
ª√– ¡¬“¬Õ¥‡ πàÀ¥å «â ¬‡≈àÀ°å ≈ And used to mix into a love potion.

‡≈◊Õ°‡À≈à“ “« ÿ√“ߧ堔Փ߂©¡ Laweng chose gorgeous court ladies

ß“¡ª√–‚≈¡≈È”À≠‘ß„π ‘ßÀ≈ Whose beauty surpassed othersû in Singhala.
∑’√Ë πÿà √“« “«πâÕ¬‰¥â√Õâ ¬§π All young ones, numbering a hundred,
¡“ Õπ°≈ —µ√’„Àâª√’™“ Were taught to excel in female guile.

·¡â𙓬„¥‰¥âª–æÕª–‡πµ√ Any man, seeing them eye-to-eye

· π‡∑«…À«—ß√—°π—πÈ Àπ—°Àπ“ Would fall deeply in love with them.
·≈â«Ωñ°À≠‘߬‘ß∏πŸ√ Ÿâ “µ√“ Three thousand women, designated to be escorts
‡ªìπ√—°…“Õߧåππ—È  “¡æ—π§π Were taught archery and weaponry.

∑—ßÈ À—¥™“¬π“¬∑À“√™“≠°”·Àß Men were also drilled to be brave fighters,

„À⇢⡷¢Áß°“√»÷°‡ΩÑ“Ωñ°Ωπ Excellent in warfare through constant training.
∑ÿ°§◊π«—πÀ¡—πË √–«—߇ªìπ°—ß«≈ Day and night they kept regular vigil.
°«à“æ«°æ≈®–‰¥â§≈àÕß∂÷ß Õߪï Two years it took for them to be fully trained.

®÷ß·µàß “√≈“π∑Õß„ à°≈àÕß·°â« A letter on golden palm leaf placed inside a crystal box

‡À¡◊Õπ°≈·√â«®–‰¥â¥°— ΩŸßªí°…’ Was sent around, like a snare to capture birds.
‡≈◊Õ°Õ”¡“µ¬å√“™∑Ÿµ∑’æË ¥Ÿ ¥’ Selected to be envoys were courtiers with good diction
√Ÿ∑â «à ß∑’∑”‡≈àÀ‡å æ∑ÿ∫“¬ And a knowledge of tricks and wiles.

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 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

°—∫√Ÿªπ“ß™à“߇¢’¬π‰¡à‡æ’¬È πº‘¥ Taken with them was her life-like portrait

µ“¡®√‘µ‡¡◊Õß∑¡‘à‘πÈ ∑—ßÈ À≈“¬ In a tradition of all Tamil cities which dictated
 “√ ”À√—∫°—∫√Ÿª¢Õ߇®â“𓬠That a royal letter and a picture of the monarch
‰ªΩ“°ΩÉ“¬‡¡◊Õß¡’‰¡µ√’°π— Must be presented as gift to a friendly country.

‡∑’¬Ë «‡™‘≠∑â“«‡®â“∫ÿ√π‘ ∑√åªπîò ª√–‡∑» Invited were kings and rulers

∑—ßÈ µà“߇滇撬߬—°…å¡°— °– —π All men of mighty stature.
¥â«¬·ºπ∑’¡Ë ·’ ®âß·Ààß ”§—≠ Following the map of important places,
‡°≥±å°”ªíπò ‰ª≈”≈–µ”∫≈ A junk was designated to go to each district.

·≈⫇°≥±å‰æ√à‰ªµ—ßÈ ∑’«Ë ß—  π“¡ Common men were recruited and posted

∑’∑Ë “à ¢â“¡¢Õ∫Ωíßò À≈—ß∂ππ To field camps and coastline behind the road.
°àÕ°”·æß·À≈àß≈âÕ¡ªÑÕ¡ª√–®≠ Barricades were set up encircling the fortress,
¡’µ°÷ °≈ Ÿß„À≠à°√–‰¥‡«’¬π With tall buildings containing spiral staircases.

‡°ãß ”À√—∫√—∫·¢°∑”·ª≈°Õ¬à“ß Reception halls were made in special style.

‡≈◊Õ°≈â«π™à“ß∑’©Ë ≈“¥¡“«“¥‡¢’¬π Top artists were assigned to paint pictures.
¡’§π√Ÿºâ ¥Ÿâ ”√‘§Õ¬µ‘‡µ’¬π Learned men came to review the paintings,
„Àâ·ª≈߇ª≈’¬Ë πª≈Ÿ° √â“ß ”Õ“ßµ“ Adapting them to look artistic and clean.

‡ªìπªï§√÷ßË ®÷ß ”‡√Á®‰¥â‡ √Á® √√æ A year and a half it took to finish

«—ß ”À√—∫∑à“¢â“¡ ”ªíπÀπ“ The buildings of the Sampanna Pier Palace.
Àπ∑“߉°≈‰ª·µà«ß— ‡¡◊Õß≈—ß°“ A three-day travel it was
®π∂÷ß∑à“∑’¢Ë “â ¡‡ªìπ “¡«—π From the Lankan Palace to the new pier.

∂⓵°·≈âß·µàߢÿππ“ßµà“ßæ√–‡πµ√ In summer, a Regent would be appointed

‡ΩÑ“π‘‡«»π凫’¬ß™—¬‰Õ»«√√¬å To take care of the great capital city.
π“߬°æ≈§π· π°—∫ “¡æ—π Laweng would bring a hundred and three thousand men
¡“µ—ßÈ ¡—πË ‡¡◊Õß„À¡à„°≈â§ß§“ To rest in the new city by the sea.

7
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

„Àâ¢÷ÈπªÑÕ¡≈âÕ¡√–«—߇º◊ËÕæ≈—Èßæ≈“¥ Sentinels were sent to guard the fortress.

·µàßÕÕ°≈“¥µ√–‡«π‡°≥±åÕ“ “ Scouts and volunteers patrolled the streets.
 –æ√—°æ√âÕ¡´âÕ¡À—¥‡æ≈ß»— µ√“ In full they were taught the arts of war,
∑—ßÈ §Õ¬∑à“∑—æ∑â“«∑ÿ°¥â“«·¥πœ Ready to meet the armies of various kings.

Ô ΩÉ“¬Õ”¡“µ¬å√“™∑ŸµºŸ∂â Õ◊  “√ The learned courtiers carrying the royal message

§ÿ¡∑À“√≈”≈–√âÕ¬ÕÕ°≈Õ¬·≈àπ Travelled with a hundred men in each vessel.
¥â«¬‡¢Á¡µ—ßÈ  —߇°µ∑ÿ°‡¢µ·§«âπ They set the compass towards each country
‰ªµ“¡·ºπ∑’∑Ë “ß°≈“ߧߧ“ As found in the map along the seacoast.

ΩÉ“¬≈”Àπ÷ßË ∂÷ß≈–¡“π ∂“π∂‘πË One vessel reached the land of Laman,

‡¡◊Õß∑¡‘Ãøíπ‡ ’È¬¡‡À’Ȭ¡Àπ—°Àπ“ A country where ferocious sabre-toothed people lived.
‰¡à°π‘ ¢â“«™“«∫ÿ√π‘ ∑√å°π‘ ·µàª≈“ Rice these people ate not, eating only fish,
°‘π™â“ß¡â“ “√æ—¥ —µ«åπ°‡π◊ÕÈ Elephants, horses, birds, and other kinds of meat.

∂÷߇«≈“¶à“™’«µ‘ ‡Õ“¡’¥‡™◊Õ¥ When killing, they slaughtered animals with their knives
·≈⫧≈ÿ°‡≈◊Õ¥¥â«¬ —°ÀπàÕ¬Õ√àÕ¬‡À≈◊Õ Then blended in fresh blood to make the meat tasty.
∑—ßÈ πÈ” â¡æ√¡æ≈à“πÈ”ª≈“‡®◊Õ Vinegar and fish sauce was sprinkled.
≈â«π‡∂◊Õ‡π◊ÕÈ ¥‘∫°‘π ‘πÈ ∑ÿ°§π Everyone simply sliced raw meat and ate it.

®÷ßæà«ßæ’¡°’ ”≈—߇À¡◊Õπ¥—ßÕŸ∞ They were as strong and healthy as camels.

·µà‡ ’¬ß查§≈⓬∑”πÕߢÕß ‘ßÀ≈ Their spoken words sounded like Singhalese.
‰«âº¡ª°ª√°‰À≈à‡À¡◊Õπ‰ø≈π They wore their hair shoulder-length and frizzy.
À¬‘°À¬‘°¬àπ¬àÕ¬àÕßÕßÕßÕπ The hair curled upwards and was very wavy.

„ à‡ ◊ÕÈ · ß·µàß°“¬§≈⓬Ω√—ßË Their dress was similar to white menûs garb.

¡’°”≈—߇À≈Á°π—πÈ ∑”§—π»√ With their strength, they could bend iron into bows,
„ à “¬≈«¥°«¥°≈¡æÕ ¡°√ Adding a little motif to suit their grips.
¬‘ß°ÿ≠™√·√¥§«“¬µ“¬∑ÿ°∑’ Elephants, rhinos, buffaloes met death from their shots.

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 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

Õ—π·¥π¥‘π∂‘πË ∞“π∑ÿ°∫â“π™àÕß In every district and homestead

∫—߇°‘¥∑Õ߇°‘¥‡æ™√∑—ßÈ ‡®Á¥ ’ Could be found gold and seven-spectrum gems,
Õ÷°∑÷°µ÷°µ—ßÈ ¥â«¬¡—ßË ¡’ Houses and buildings were buzzing due to their riches.
™“«∫ÿ√°’ ¡Á ‰‘ ¥â∑”‰√àπ“ Their people did not live on farming.

‡°Á∫‡ß‘π∑Õß°Õß∑√—æ¬å‰«âπ∫— ´◊ÕÈ They gathered cash to buy buffaloes,

‚§°√–∫◊Õ¡â“™â“ßµà“ß¿“…“ Horses and elephants from overseas.
„§√‰ª¢“¬‰¥â·æß·√ß√“§“ Vendors were paid good price for their merchandise.
‡√◊Õ≈Ÿ°§â“‡¢â“‡¡◊Õßπ—Èπ‡π◊Õ߉ª Thus large fleet of cargo ships kept visiting the city.

Õ—πÕߧå∑“â «‡®â“∫ÿ√π‘ ∑√åªπîò ª√–‡∑» The king who ruled this country
Õ—§‡√»√à«¡√—°π—πÈ µ—°…—¬ Had just lost his wife.
∑ÿ°‡™â“§Ë”§√Ë”§√«≠√—≠®«π„® Morning and night he mourned for her.
®–À“„À¡à°Á‰¡à ¡Õ“√¡≥姑¥ A new wife could not be found to his liking.

∂÷ßπ“√’¡Õ’ π◊Ë  —°À¡◊πË · π Though there existed a hundred or ten thousand women
‰¡à‡À¡◊Õπ·¡âπ‡¡’¬À≈«ß¥—ߥ«ß®‘µ These could not compete with his beloved first wife.
æÕÀ≈—∫≈ß∑√ßæ√– ÿ∫π‘ π‘¡µ‘ In deep sleep, he had a dream
«à“𓧒¡ƒ’ ∑∏‘‡Ï ºàπ∑–¬“π Of a serpent leaping mightily before him.

¥Ÿ¬“«‡øóôÕ¬‡≈◊ÈÕ¬¡“∫πÕ“°“» Its long body floated in the sky,

√—¥ª√“ “∑ ÿ¥¬Õ¥µ≈Õ¥∞“π Then wound around the palace rooftop,
·≈â«æàπæ‘…ƒ∑∏‘‡Ï √‘ߥ—߇æ≈‘ß°“≈ Gushing inferno-like fire engulfing him,
ª√–À“√º≈“≠«√Õߧ凪ìπºß§≈’ Burning him to powdery smithereens.

æÕ√Ÿ â °÷ π÷°«à“ߟ§Õ◊ ºŸÀâ ≠‘ß Awake, he knew then that it must be a woman
®–¡’„§√„§√à‡ªìπ¡‘Ëß¡‡À ’ Desiring to be his darling wife.
®÷ß·°âΩπí ∫√√¥“‚À√“°«’ He asked astrologers to unravel the dream.
‡¢“«à“∑’®–‰¥âÕߧåÕπߧåπ“ß They said heûd perhaps gain a girl.

9
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

æÕ‰¥â¢“à «™“«≈—ß°“®–¡“‡ΩÑ“ When he heard the Lankans coming to see him,

„Àâ√—∫‡¢â“‡¢µ®—ßÀ«—¥‰¡à¢—¥¢«“ß He let them in without qualm.
ΩÉ“¬Õ”¡“µ¬å√“™∑Ÿµ‡Õ“ÕŸ∞™â“ß The envoy brought for him camels and elephants
∂«“¬µà“ß∫ÿªº“∫√√≥“°“√ As gifts in lieu of flowery tribute.

·≈⫇¢â“‡ΩÑ“‡®â“∫ÿ√’‡ÀÁπ ’´∫Ÿ The envoy, granted audience,

∂«“¬√Ÿª°√–¥“…√“™ “√ And presented to him the royal letter
∑—ßÈ ∑Ÿ≈§«“¡µ“¡ª√– ß§å¢Õßπߧ√“≠ Informing him of Lawengûs wishes.
‡®â“≈–¡“πµ√— µÕ∫«à“¢Õ∫„® In reply, King Laman thanked him.

√—∫‰¡µ√’§≈’°Ë √–¥“…∑’«Ë “¥√Ÿª He unfolded the paper and saw her portrait.
‡ÀÁπß“¡ßŸ∫ßà«ß´∫ ≈∫‰ ≈ Oh, how lovely she looked! His passion made him faint.
À¡Õ‡¢â“·°â·µàÕß—  “∂÷ߢ“µ–‰°√ A doctor came to massage him from jaws to shoulders.
®÷ߧàÕ¬‰¥â ¡ª√–¥’°≈—∫§≈’™Ë ¡ Recuperated, he unfurled the scroll again.

ß“¡‡ ß’ˬ¡‡Õ’ˬ¡Õ‘Ë¡¥Ÿæ√‘È¡æ—°µ√å How beauteous and refreshing she looked!

æ√–‡°»ªí°ªîπò ∑Õß„ à™Õâ ߺ¡ She wore a hair wig and a golden hairpin.
π‘«È π‘¥π‘¥™‘¥·™à¡·©≈â¡°≈¡ Her fingers were tiny and round,
·µà∑√«ßÀà¡ à“πæ—∫π—ßË À≈—∫µ“ Her chest covered with pleated silk and her eyes closed.

π«≈≈–ÕÕß Õß·°â¡‡À¡◊Õπ·¬â¡¬‘¡È Slight smiles appeared on her cheeks

¥Ÿ®¡‘È ≈‘¡È À≈߇≈àÀ„å π‡≈¢“ He was infatuated with her beauty in the picture.
æ√–‚Õ…∞åÕ‘Ë¡æ√‘È¡æ√“¬™¡â“¬¡“ Her lips seemed to be smiling at him.
æÕª–µ“‡µÁ¡√—°æ√–¬—°§‘È« Looking at her eyes, he raised his eyebrows at her.

·≈â«≈◊¡Õߧå∑√ß°√–·Õ¡·≈â«·¬â¡‡¬◊ÕÈ π Forgetting himself, he cleared his throat, saying,

·¡àß“¡‡À¡◊Õπ‡¥◊Õπ‡æÁß™à“߇ª≈àߺ‘« çYou are as radiant as a full moon.
¥—ß≈Õ¬øÑ“¡“„À♡¥—ß≈¡ª≈‘« Floating in the sky like a breeze for us
·≈â«≈Õ¬≈‘«Ë ≈—∫‰ª‡ ’¬‰°≈µ“ Then disappearing from our eyes.é

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 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

§√—πÈ √Ÿ â °÷ π÷°‡°âÕ∑”‡√Õ·°â Conscious, he pretended to belch.

‡Õ“æ—∫®’∫Àπ’∫√—°·√â√°— Àπ—°Àπ“ Folding back the scroll, he tucked it under his armpit
∑”∂“¡∑ŸµæŸ¥∂÷ßæ√–∏‘¥“ And ask the envoy about Laweng,
™—π…“‚©¡‡©≈“ —°‡∑à“‰√œ çHow old is she right now?é

Ô √“™∑ŸµæŸ¥≈àÕ∑—ßÈ ¬Õ‡®â“ The man answered with admiration for his monarch,
‰¥â ∫‘ ‡°â“‡¢â“ªïπ‡’È ªìπªï„À¡à çThis new year sheûll be nineteen.
‡¡◊ÕË §≈Õ¥π—πÈ §«—π°≈∫∑—ßÈ ¿æ‰µ√ At her birth, smoke filled the three worlds.
·ºàπ¥‘π‰À«·«à𷧫âπ·¥π ÿ∏“ Earthquakes were felt throughout the country.

‚À√∑”π“¬∑“¬«à“®–ª√“°Ø çThe astrologer foretold that her soul-mate

‡°’¬√µ‘¬»§Ÿ à √â“ßµà“ß¿“…“ Would come from a foreign land.
æÕ ‘Èπ∫ÿ≠∑Ÿ≈°√–À¡àÕ¡®Õ¡≈—ß°“ When her father the Lankan King was no more,
æ√–∏‘¥“Õߧ凥’¬«°Á‡ª≈’ˬ«„® She was left alone and felt lonely.

®÷߇ ’¬Ë ß∑“¬À¡“¬«à“π“π“ª√–‡∑» So she cast lots to see if any country

∑ÿ°¢Õ∫‡¢µ¢—µµ‘¬«ß»åæ√–Õߧå‰Àπ Among the lands with ruling monarchs
∑√ß‚ª√¥ª√“πª√“∫ ‘πÈ Õ√‘π∑√忬— Would come to help her rid her land of foe,
°Á®–„Àâ∫”√ÿß°√ÿß≈—ß°“œ And she would let him help her rule Lanka.é

Ô ‡®â“≈–¡“πÀ«“πÀŸ‰¡à√ŸâÕ‘Ë¡ With endless delight King Laman said,

∑—ßÈ ·¬â¡¬‘¡È ¬—߇æ‘ßË √ÿπà ∫ÿ≠Àπ—°Àπ“ çHow lucky for me! Sheûs so young and always smiles.
‰¥â‡¡’¬„À¡à‰¥â∑ß—È ‡¡◊Õß≈—ß°“ Iûll get a new wife and also Lanka.é
æ≈“ß©’°µ√“√“™ “√ÕÕ°Õà“πæ≈—π He broke the seal and read the royal letter.

„π “√∑√ßÕߧå≈–‡«ß«—≥Ó√“™ It said, çLaweng the gracious queen

‡ «¬√“™≈—ß°“¡À“»«√√¬å Succeeded to the throne of Lanka.
 ◊∫°…—µ√‘¬¢å µ— µ‘¬«å ß»å„πæß»åæπ— ∏ÿå A descendant of a long line of monarchs,
∑ÿ°§◊π«—π«â“‡À«àÕ¬Ÿà‡Õ°“ She felt lonesome, day and night.

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æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

‡À¡◊ÕπÀß å∑Õß≈àÕ߇¡¶«‘‡«° Ÿß çLike a golden swan soaring high in the sky,

‰¡à‡À¡◊ÕπΩŸßÀß å∑ÕßÀâÕߧŸÀ“ She is different from a swan in a cage.
·¡âπ ‘πÈ ∫ÿ≠ Ÿ≠°…—µ√‘¬¢å µ— µ‘¬“ Once a monarch is no more in existence,
™“«æ“√“√“…Æ√®–√âÕπ√π The people will suffer indefinitely.

∫—¥π’‡È ≈à“™“«º≈÷°‡ªìπ»÷°‡ ’¬È π çNow Phaluek people came to wage war

¬—߇∫’¬¥‡∫’¬π™“¬À≠‘ß™“« ‘ßÀ≈ And harass the Singhalese people.
‰¡à¡™’ “¬π“¬∑—æ°”°—∫æ≈ We have no male commander to lead the troops.
®–ºàÕπª√πª√“∫»÷°™à«¬µ√÷°µ√“ Please help us to mitigate the threat of war.

®÷߇ ’¬Ë ß∑“¬æ√“¬·æ√àߙ૬·®âß¢à“« çWe hereby dispatch messages

∂÷ßÕߧå∑“â «‡®â“ª√–‡∑»‡À¡◊Õπ‡™…∞“ To monarchs regarded as our brothers.
ºŸ„â ¥√—∫¥—∫·§âπ·∑π∫‘¥“ Whoever comes to protect us in lieu of our father
ª√“∫ªí®®“¡‘µ√„Àâ∫√√≈—¬≈“≠ And succeed in subduing our foe,

®–¡Õ∫µ√“√“ÀŸ§ Ÿà ¡∫—µ‘ çWeûll hand over the Rahu Seal

 ◊∫°…—µ√‘¬ å √ÿ ¬‘ «ß»å¥”√ß ∂“π And invite him to succeed to the throne.é
·µà≈–¢âÕ≈àÕ„®‡ÀÁπ‰¥â°“√ Each offer touches Lamanûs heart,
‡®â“≈–¡“π‡À¡◊Õπ®–‡À“–À—«‡√“–§—° Causing him to laugh with delight.

·≈â«™«π∑ŸµæŸ¥®“ª√– “´◊ÕË He asked the envoy to talk frankly with him,

‡√“π—∫∂◊ÕÕ¬Ÿà®–„§√à‰ª√Ÿâ®—° çWe respect your monarch and would like to see her.
·µà‡¡◊Õ߇√“™“«≈—ß°“‡¢“«à“¬—°…å But we have been held as ogres and for ages
®÷ß·°≈âß°—°°—πÈ ¥à“π‡ ’¬π“π¡“ Would not be allowed to pass your borders.

ª√–‡¥’¬Î «π’»È √’ «— ¥‘‡Ï  «¬√“™¬å çNow the princess has ascended the throne
„Àâ√ªŸ «“¥µ“¡ª√– ß§å¥ß— «ß»“ And given us her portrait as in kinship.
‡√“µà“߇滇Àµÿ‰©π„® ÿ¥“ Why is it that she gave the portrait to us,
«à“‡¡µµ“ ß —¬®–„§√à√œŸâ Even though we are of different nations?é

12
 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

Ô Ω√—ßË ∑ŸµæŸ¥¥’‰¡à¡¢’ ¥— Upon replying, the white envoy was as eloquent

‡À¡◊Õπªóπ¬—¥¬‘ß°√Õ°°√–∫Õ°ÀŸ As a bullet rushing out into a human ear,
·¡âπÀà“ß°—πæ√—πË µ—«‡À¡◊Õπ°≈—«ßŸ çDistance causes one to fear, like the fear for a snake.
∂Ⓡªìπ§Ÿ‡à §’¬ß¢â“ß°Á«“ß„® Living together like a couple gives one a feeling of trust.

·µà‡ ◊Õ≈“¬√⓬°≈⓪√–¥“‡ ’¬ çEven the most ferocious tiger

‰¡à°‘π‡¡’¬°‘π¡‘µ√æ‘ ¡—¬ Does not devour his loving mate or friends.
¬‘ßË ‰¥â¬°— …å»°— ¥‘ Ï ∑‘ ∏‘ƒÏ ∑∏‘‰°√ If she pairs with a mighty ogre,
¬‘ßË ¥’„®®–‰¥â°≈—«∑—«Ë ·ºàπ¥‘πœ That will raise fright among others.é

Ô ‡®â“≈–¡“πæ“π®–´◊ËÕ∂◊Õ«à“·πà Trustful King Laman thought it would be so.

‡ «¬·µàº≈¬ÕÀ—«√àÕ¥‘Èπ Flattered, he laughed out loud.
„Àâ∑Õߧ”∫”‡ÀπÁ®∑—ßÈ ‡æ™√π‘≈ He loaded the envoy with gold, cash, diamonds and gems
‡≈’¬È ß„Àâ°π‘ ¢â“«ª≈“ª√– “‡§¬ And a grand feast with all the trimmings.

·≈â«Õߧå∑â“«‡¢â“∑’˧≈’Ë°√–¥“… He himself went to his chamber and unfolded the scroll,

‡Õ“√Ÿª«“¥«“߇√’¬ß‡§’¬ß‡¢π¬ Taking out the portrait and placing it on his pillow.
¬‘ßË æ‘»‡æà߇ª≈àߪ≈—ßË °”≈—߇™¬ The more he looked, the more ravishing she was.
æ√–°√‡°¬°Õ¥√Ÿª‡ΩÑ“≈Ÿ∫§≈” He fumbled and fondled the picture.

·µàπ“à ™—ß —ß«“ µ“¡™“µ‘¬°— …å How disgusting the way he treated the portrait!

Ωï¡Õ◊ Àπ—°π‘¥‡πâπ‡§≈âπ¢¬” Being an ogre, he pressed and squeezed it.
°”‡√‘∫√—°ª≈—°ª≈Õ∫‰¡àµÕ∫§” His passion increased. Seeing her without response,
‡ΩÑ“ Ÿ¥√Ë”√âÕß«à“ “·°à„® He kissed her harder, shouting, çYou deserve it!é

ª√–À≈“¥®√‘ßπ‘ßË Àß‘¡‰¡à¬¡‘È ·¬â¡ Surprise! The lady kept quiet, so he said,

‡¥’¬Î «π’·È °â¡·¥ß¥Õ°®–∫Õ°„Àâ çWait till your cheeks blush redder!é
æ√–°Õ¥√Ÿª®Ÿ∫´È”π—πÈ √Ë”‰ª He kept on kissing and caressing the portrait,
„§√„™â„À≡à楟 ®– Ÿ¥·√ß çIûll kiss you more if you keep mum!é

13
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

§√—πÈ √Ÿ â °÷ π÷°¬—ßÈ ·≈⫧≈—ßË Õ’° Gaining awareness, he paused awhile,

‡ΩÑ“™—°©’°™“¬‡ ◊ÕÈ ‡À≈◊Õ· ≈ß Then resumed his attack, trying to tear her clothes.
·≈⫇§≈‘¡È ‡ÀÁπ‡ªìπÀ¬‘°∑”æ≈‘°·æ≈ß He thought she pinched him and turned aside.
æ√–Õߧ工ߥ—ßÀπ÷ßË µ”≈÷ßßÕ¡ His whole body blushed like a ripe gourd.

®π√ÿà߇™â“∑â“«·Õ∫‰«â·π∫‡π◊ÈÕ Came morn, he kept the picture next to him,

·≈â«∑√߇ ◊ÕÈ  «¡ªî¥ π‘∑∂πÕ¡ Gently covering it with his cloak
§≈ÿ¡ª√–∑¡Àࡧ≈ÿ¡¥ŸÕÕ¡§√Õ¡ Which he wrapped around like a blanket,
µâÕßÕ¥ÕÕ¡Õ“√¡≥å„Àâµ√¡‡µ√’¬¡ While he suppressed the passion in his heart.

‡«≈“ “¬¬â“¬¬à“ßÕÕ°¢â“ßÀπâ“ Late that morning, the king moved to the front

æ√âÕ¡‡ π“π—∫æ—πæ«°øíπ‡ ’È¬¡ Together with thousands of his sabre-toothed minions.
®÷ß —ßË ß“π°“√ ß§√“¡µ“¡∏√√¡‡π’¬¡ He directed traditional war tasks to his men
„Àâµ√«®‡µ√’¬¡‡¿µ√“æ—πÀâ“√âÕ¬ To check a thousand and five hundred ships.

æ≈ª√–®”≈”≈–æ—π∂◊Õ§—π»√ Each one contained a thousand archers.

‡§¬√“≠√Õπ√∫°≈Ⓣ¡à≈“à ∂Õ¬ All were brave men who knew no defeat.
‡√◊Õ∑Õߧ”≈”∑’πË ß—Ë π—πÈ Ωíßæ≈Õ¬ Their gold vessels were gem-studded
¥Ÿæ√“¬æ√âÕ¬·æ√«æ√à“ß°√–®à“ßµ“ Looking beautifully sparkling and bright.

¥â«¬∑’·Ë ¥π·ºàπ¥‘π‡æ™√π‘≈¡“° In their land were found plenty of gems and diamonds.
‰¡àÀ“¬“°‡À¡◊ÕπÕ¬à“ßµà“ß¿“…“ They were not hard to find, unlike in other countries.
∫√√∑ÿ°πÈ”≈”‡≈’¬ß°—∫¢â“«ª≈“ The men loaded water, fish and rice, wild animals
∑—ßÈ  —µ«åª“É ‡ªì¥‰°à‡Õ“‰ª°‘π And fowl, ready to serve as provisions.

‰¥âæ√âÕ¡æ√—ßË §—ßË §—∫‡ªìπ √√懠√Á® All things were properly prepared.

§Õ¬‡ ¥Á®¥“…¥“™≈“ ‘π∏ÿå Ready were the ships to accompany him.
 à«πÕߧå∑“â «‡®â“≈–¡“πºà“π·ºàπ¥‘π King Laman, supreme lord of his realm
‡À¡◊Õπ®–∫‘π¢â“¡Ωíò߉ª≈—ß°“ Felt like flying across the bay to Lanka.

14
 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

¥â«¬‡™¬√Ÿª®Ÿ∫ ÿ§π∏åªπ¬“·Ω¥ To kiss the scented portrait mixed with love potion

‡ª√’¬∫‡À¡◊Õπ·√¥‰¥â°≈‘πË ∂«‘≈À“ Was like putting a rhino in heat, ready to mate.
æÕæ√âÕ¡‰æ√à‰¡à√Õ¥Ÿƒ°…åæ“ His men ready, not waiting for the auspicious time,
¬°‡¿µ√“æ—π‡»…®“°‡¢µ·§«âπ He and his thousand ships sailed from his land.

 à«ππ“¬∑⓬À¡“¬¡—Ëπµ–«—πÕÕ° The skippers aimed to head to the east,

µ—¥√–≈Õ°·≈àπ¢â“¡‰ªµ“¡·ºπ Cutting across the ocean, following the map,
¥â«¬√’∫√âÕπ°àÕπ∑â“«∑ÿ°¥â“«·¥π Hurriedly arriving ahead of other rulers.
‰¥â≈¡·≈àπ√Ë”¡“‰¡à√“„∫ They sailed non-stop with the wind.

‡ªìπ‡¥◊ÕπÀπ÷ßË ∂÷ß≈—ß°“µ√ß∑à“¢â“¡ A month it took to reach the causeway of Lanka

∂ππæ√–√“¡√“™«—ß∑’µË ß—È „À¡à Ramaûs Road, to the new palace.
∑Õ¥ ¡Õ√Õ‡√’¬ß‡§’¬ß°—π‰ª The ships moored in neat rows.
∫â“ß≈¥„∫≈¥‡ “°‘π‡À≈⓬“ Some seamen lowered their sails and started to drink.

ΩÉ“¬Õ”¡“µ¬å√“™∑Ÿµ∑’∂Ë Õ◊  “√ The envoy carrying the royal letter

∑Ÿ≈≈“∑â“«‡®â“≈–¡“π¥â«¬À√√…“ Gladly took leave from King Laman.
¢÷Èπ‡¡◊Õß„À¡à‰ª‡ΩÑ“æ√–∏‘¥“ He disembarked, went straight to Laweng
∑Ÿ≈°‘®®“µ“¡®√‘ß∑ÿ° ‘ßË Õ—πœ And told her all that happened.

Ô ΩÉ“¬‚©¡¬ßÕߧå≈–‡«ß«—≥Ó√“™ Laweng Wanla, the beauteous monarch,

§‘¥¢¬“¥Õ¬Ÿ¥à «â ¬¬—°…å¡°— °– —π Was quite scared of the ogre.
·µà„®√ŸÕâ ¬Ÿ«à “à ‰¡à∑”‰¡°—π Deep inside, she knew he wouldnût hurt her.
®–¥Ÿøπí ‡ ’¬È ¡‡≈àπ„Àâ‡ÀÁπæ—°µ√å She decided to go out and see him.

¥”√‘æ≈“ß∑“ß —ßË æ«°™à“ß·µàß Thus thinking, she ordered her craftsmen

®ß®—¥·®ß„Àâæ≈‘ °÷ µ÷°µ”Àπ—° To adorn her pavilions in fine style,
®–√—∫·¢°·ª≈°ª√–‡∑»‡ªìπ‡æ»¬—°…å As a gesture of welcome to foreign ogre guests.
„Àâæ√âÕ¡æ√—°æ√–∑’Ëπ—Ë߇À¡◊Õπ —Ë߉«âœ The palace must be ready as instructed.

15
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

Ô ΩÉ“¬Ω√—ßË ™à“ߪ√–¥—∫‰¥â√∫—  —ßË The white folk accepted the royal order.
¡“·µàßµ—ßÈ ‡µ’¬ß∑Õß¡à“π Õ߉¢ They installed a gold bed, curtains with strings.
‡ªìπ≈¥À≈—πË ™—πÈ ∫π≈â«π°≈‰° The upstairs was equipped with music boxes
¡’§«ß‰¢¶âÕß√–¶—ß°Á¥—߇Õß That played when they were wound.

√‘¡°√–∂“ß«“ß∏Ÿª√ŸªΩ√—ßË Near the incense bowl were white menûs pictures.

∂÷ßπ“∑’µ√’ –¶—߇ ’¬ßÀß—ßË ‡Àßàß On the minute, ding-dong bells would sound
√–‡√◊ËÕ¬√—∫¢—∫¢“πª√– “π‡æ≈ß Releasing soft and melodious tunes
ºŸ„â ¥øíß«—߇«ß„π«‘≠≠“≥å That haunted the minds of listeners.

¥Õ°‰¡â√Õâ ¬ √âÕ¬ π ÿ§π∏√  Garlands of jasmine strung together were hung,

¡–≈‘ ¥ÀÕ¡√–√◊πË ™◊πË π“ “ Sending out scents fresh and appealing to the nose.
·∂«∂ππÀπ∑“ߢâ“ߧߧ“ Two layers of yards of white fabric were laid
„À⪟ºâ“¢“«√Õ߉«â Õß™—Èπ On the streets adjacent to the seacoast.

ΩÉ“¬æàÕ§√—«À—«ªÉ“°åÀ“·°≈⡇À≈â“ Chefs looked for tidbits for the ogres,

®–‡≈’¬È ߇À≈à“æ«°¬—°…å¡°— °– —π To be taken while drinking.
 —ßÀ“√·æ–·°–§«“¬≈ßÀ≈“¬æ—π Several thousand goats, sheep and buffaloes
‡Õ“·¡à¢—π√Õ߇™◊Õ¥‡≈◊Õ¥‡Õ“‰«â Were slaughtered with blood kept in bowls.

∫â“ß·≈à‡∂◊Õ‡π◊ÕÈ  ¥√¥πÈ” â¡ Some cooks sliced fresh meat and poured vinegar on it.
‰¡à·°ßµâ¡µ—∫¥‘∫æÕÀ¬‘∫‰¥â No need for boiling. Raw liver could be eaten.
ª√ÿߺ—°™’¬À’Ë √à“‚√¬æ√‘°‰∑¬ Only add parsley, fennel and pepper.
∑”‡µ√’¬¡‰«â„Àâæ√âÕ¡‡ √Á® ”‡√Á®°“√œ Everything was prepared, ready to be served.

Ô ΩÉ“¬‚©¡¬ßÕߧå≈–‡«ß«—≥Ó ¡√ Laweng Wanla the beautiful queen,

æÕ·¥¥ÕàÕπÕ“∫Õߧå √ß π“π Went to take a bath at sunset.
™‚≈¡≈–ÕÕß∑Õߪπ ÿ§π∏å∏“√ Gold dust was sprinkled in scented water
æπ—°ß“π¢—¥ ’©«’«√√≥ Which would be rubbed into her complexion.

16
 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

∑√ß¿Ÿ…“§à“‡¡◊Õ߇√◊Õß√–¬—∫ She put on a shimmering, highly expensive skirt

 Õ¥ ≈—∫©≈ÕßÕߧå∑√ß°√– —π And a tightly fitted bodice.
„ à √âÕ¬π«¡ «¡ª√– “π —ß«“≈«√√≥ A quilted neckband, a gold necklace
·°â«°ÿ¥—Ëπ·«««“«Õ√à“¡Õߧå And sparkling gems adorned her body.

·≈â«°«¥‡°≈Ⓡ¡“≈’»√’ «— ¥‘Ï Her hair was coiled into a bun.

º®ßº—¥æ√–π≈“Ø«“¥¢πß She powdered her forehead and drew her eyebrows.
ªí°ªîπò ∑Õß™âÕߺ¡æÕ ¡∑√ß In her hair was a golden pin matching her coiffure.
¥—ßÕπߧåπ“ßøÑ“ ÿ√“≈—¬ She looked like a lady from heaven.

„ à πÕ∫°√Õ∫Àπâ“√–¬â“¬âÕ¬ Also worn was a tiara with dangling ornaments

≈â«π‡æ™√æ≈Õ¬·æ√«æ√“¬¥Õ°‰¡â‰À« Made of diamonds, gems and quivering flowers.
·≈⫇≈◊Õ° “« —π∑—¥∑’ÀË ¥— ‰«â She selected some of the trained girls
 ”À√—∫„™âª√ππ‘∫µ— °‘ …—µ√“ Who would serve and please the king.

·¡â𙓬„¥‰¥â¬≈«‘¡≈‚©¡ Any man, setting eyes on these gorgeous ladies,

À«—ߪ√–‚≈¡À≈߇≈àÀ‡å  πàÀ“ Would want to make love to them.
°—∫π“√’∑‰’Ë ¥âÀ¥— ‡æ≈ß»— µ√“ Other girls well-trained in weaponry
§Õ¬√—°…“Õߧåπ“ߢâ“ß≈–æ—π Escorted her, a thousand on both sides.

·≈â«∑√ßµ√“√“ÀŸ¬√ÿ ¬“µ√ Laweng strutted out, carrying the Rahu Seal,

¥Ÿº¥ÿ º“¥¥—ß ÿ√“ߧåπ“ß «√√§å Looking as radiant as a celestial being.
 ’æË ‡’Ë ≈’¬È ߇§’¬ß§≈Õ®√®√—≈ The four lady maids escorted her,
π“ß°”π—≈æ√—ßË æ√âÕ¡≈âÕ¡®√¥≈ Followed by a large group of court ladies.

ÕÕ°µ÷°„À¡à„À≠à°«â“ß ”Õ“ß‚©¡ They entered the new, fine and spacious building.

‡ ’¬ßª√–‚§¡¶âÕß°≈Õß°âÕß°“À≈ Gongs and drums sounded in an uproar.
∑—ßÈ ∏ß∑‘«ª≈‘«‡ª≈◊ÕÈ ß‰ª‡∫◊ÕÈ ß∫π Flags and banners flew upward towards the sky.
µ“¡∂ππ„À≠ଓ«ºâ“¢“«ªŸ White cloth lined the long and wide road.

17
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

™“«≈—ß°“æ“°—π¥Ÿæ«°øíπ‡ ’¬È ¡ The Lankans came out to see the sabre-toothed

‡ÀÁπÀ“≠‡À’¬È ¡πà“°≈—«∑—ßÈ À—«ÀŸ Who looked ferocious, from head to ears.
·µà≈â«π¡’Ωï¡◊Õ∂◊Õ∏πŸ They carried bows, with smart appearance.
™«π°—π¥Ÿ‡¥‘πµ“¡ÕÕ°À≈“¡¡“ The townspeople followed them in large groups.

‡¢â“„π«—߬—ßÈ À¬ÿ¥°√–∫«π·Àà The procession stopped at the pavilion.

„Àⵓ¡·µàµ«— π“¬∑—ßÈ ´â“¬¢«“ King Laman and his left and right men were allowed in,
‡¢â“µ÷°∑ÕßÀâÕߪ√–∑—∫√–¬—∫µ“ Passing the golden building and glittering chamber.
¢ÿπ‡ π“‡™‘≠„Àâπß—Ë ∫—≈≈—ß°å√µ— πå The courtiers invited them to sit on crystal couch.

ΩÉ“¬ ÿ√“ߧåπ“ß ”À√—∫§Õ¬√—∫·¢° Receptionists waiting on duty

≈â«π√ÿπà ·√°√Ÿ°â ≈ª√ππ‘∫µ— ‘ Were all young and eager to please.
¡“π∫πÕ∫À¡Õ∫°√“πÕ¬Ÿàß“πæ—¥ They prostrated and fanned the guests.
∫â“ß°Á¬¥— ®ÿ¥°≈âÕߪ√–§Õߧլ Some filled their pipes and waited on them.

∫â“ßÀ¡Õ∫‡¡’¬ß‡§’¬ß∫—≈≈—߰凢⓵—ßÈ ‡§√◊ÕË ß Some crouched close to the couch, setting table,

·≈™”‡≈◊Õß≈àÕ„®„Àâ„™â Õ¬ Glancing enticingly at him, ready to serve.
æÕ‡πµ√ ∫À≈∫‡≈’ˬ߇¡’¬ß™¡âÕ¬ Making eye contact, they pretended to look away,
¥Ÿ·™à¡™âÕ¬‡™‘ß™«π„Àâ¬«π„®œ Causing him to feel more enamoured of them.

Ô ‡®â“≈–¡“πæ“π®‘µæ‘»‡æàß King Laman, fervent with desire, gazed fixedly.

≈â«πª≈—ßË ‡ª≈àߪ≈◊¡È ®‘µ¥â«¬æ‘ ¡—¬ The girls looked glowing, worthy of love.
°√‘¬“πà“∂πÕ¡≈–¡àÕ¡≈–‰¡ They were mild-mannered and polite.
æ√–¬‘È¡„À≠଑ȡπâÕ¬™¡âÕ¬‡¡‘π The king smiled openly and kept staring.

¡“‡ÀÁππ“ߢâ“ߴ⓬™¡â“¬À¡Õ∫ Seeing the girl at left glancing his way,

¬‘ßË ™◊πË ™Õ∫‡™‘ßπ“ß√–§“߇¢‘π He was pleased, making her bashful.
¥Ÿ‡æ√“æ√‘È¡¬‘È¡·¬â¡·®à¡‡®√‘≠ Sheûs young, smiling and pleasing to the eyes.
æ√–À≈߇æ≈‘πæ≈Õ¬¬‘¡È Õ¬Ÿæà √‘¡È æ√“¬œ He enjoyed smiling back to her.

18
 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

Ô ΩÉ“¬‚©¡¬ßÕߧå≈–‡«ß«—≥Ó ¡√ Laweng Wanla, the beauteous queen,

‡ªî¥∫—≠™√©“°‡¢’¬π«‘‡™’¬√©“¬ Opened the windows adorned with paintings
‡ÀÁπÕߧå∑“â «‡®â“≈–¡“π‡À¡◊Õπ¡“√√⓬ And saw the obnoxious-looking King Laman,
∑—ßÈ √Ÿª°“¬„À≠àÀ≈«ß¥Ÿæ«à ßæ’ Huge and rotund in physique,

®¡Ÿ°·À≈¡·°â¡·ø∫´’°øíπ‡ ’¬È ¡ Pointed nose, hollow cheeks, tapered teeth,

¥ŸÀπⓇÀ’¬È ¡À“≠Àπ—°‡À¡◊Õπ¬—°…’ And overly fierce look, like a real ogre.
·µà°√‘ ¬‘ “¥Ÿª√–À«—¥¥â«¬ µ√’ However, he inclined to be fond of women.
‡ÀÁππ“√’ “«· â·≈µ–≈÷ß Looking stunned whenever he saw a girl.

¥”√‘æ≈“ßπ“ß°…—µ√‘¬µå √— ª√“»√—¬ Thus thinking, she addressed him,

¢Õ∫æ√–∑—¬‡™…∞“√’∫¡“∂÷ß çI thank you for hastily coming here.
πâÕß ¡À«—ߥ—ß®‘µ§‘¥§–π÷ß It is exactly what I had in mind.
®–‰¥âæ÷Ëß¿Ÿ¡’‡À¡◊Õπæ’ˬ“ I can rely on you as if you were my brother.é

·≈⫪√“»√—¬‰µà∂“¡‰ªµ“¡‡√◊ÕË ß She went on talking pleasantries,

∂÷ß∫â“π‡¡◊Õ߇ºà“æß»åæ√–«ß»“ Asking him about his country, his relatives
∑—ßÈ ·∂«∑“ß°≈“ß∑–‡≈¡“‡¿µ√“ And his voyage on the sea,
¡√§“¢—¥¢«“߇ªìπÕ¬à“߉√œ çWas there any obstacle along the way?é

Ô ΩÉ“¬Õߧå∑“â «‡®â“≈–¡“π„Àâ≈“𮑵 King Laman was deep in infatuation.

‡ΩÑ“‡æàßæ‘»ΩŸßÕπߧå„ÀâÀ≈ß„À≈ He kept on staring at the girls incessantly.
‡ ’¬ßµ√–Àπ—°∑—°∑“¬°ÁÕ“¬„® Ashamed, he heard the words addressed to him.
™”‡≈◊Õ߉ª¥Ÿπ“ßµ“¡À«à“ß‚§¡ He peeped among the lamps to look at her.

‡ÀÁπ‚©¡¬ßÕߧå≈–‡«ß«—≥Ó√“™ Seeing Laweng Wanla the gorgeous queen

 ∂‘µÕ“ πåÕ”‰æ«‘‰≈‚©¡ While sitting on a royal couch.
¥—ߥ«ß‡¥◊Õπ‡§≈◊ÕË π§≈âÕ¬≈Õ¬‚次 She resembled the moon sailing in the sky
ß“¡ª√–‚≈¡≈◊¡ÕߧåÀ≈ßµ–≈÷ß He was so stunned that he felt choked.

19
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

‡À¡◊Õπ√Ÿª√à“ß™à“߇¢’¬π‰¡à‡æ’È¬πº‘¥ çExactly like what was painted!

∑»∑‘»∏“µ√’‰¡à¡∂’ ß÷ None can match her beauty, in all ten directions!
≈”æ√–°√ÕàÕπ≈–¡àÕ¡‡À¡◊Õπ°≈àÕ¡°≈÷ß Her arms are so pliable as if rounded
π‘«È ¥—ßÀπ÷ßË ≈”‡∑’¬π‡®’¬πª√–®ß And her fingers are like moulded candles.

æ√–‚Õ…∞åπ“ßÕ¬à“ß ’≈‘Èπ®’®Ë ‘È¡ Her lips seemed to be dipped in lychee colour

¥Ÿ‰¡àÕ‘Ë¡Õ°„®„Àâ„À≈À≈ß Suffice it was not, just to look at her.
‡æ≈‘πÕ“√¡≥噡√Ÿª®πߟ∫≈ß Engrossed, he bowed his head sleepily.
°≈—∫√ŸÕâ ߧåÕ“¬„®Õ“≈—¬≈“π Conscious again, he felt besotted and forlorn.

®÷ßµÕ∫«à“∏“π’‰¡à¡’∑ÿ°¢å çOur city is free from worries,é he replied.

‡°…¡ ÿ¢ ◊∫«ß»å¥”√ß ∂“π çWe enjoy ourselves and carry out our tasks.
æÕ∑√“∫¢à“« “«πâÕ¬æ≈Õ¬√”§“≠ Learning of your plight, we felt annoyed
®–¡“º≈“≠‰æ√’´ß÷Ë ∫’±“ And came here to help suppress your foe.

„Àâ‚©¡¬ß∑√߬»„π∑»∑‘» çLet the lady whose glory spreads in ten directions

ªí®®“¡‘µ√¡“∫—ߧ¡°â¡‡°»“ Have her adversaries bow low to her.
·¡âπ¢—¥‡§◊Õ߇¡◊Õ߉Àπ∑’ˉ¡à¡“ Any lands that oppose by being absent,
®–Õ“ “ ß§√“¡ª√“∫ª√“¡‰ª Iûll volunteer to go and fight them.

ª√–‡¥’¬Î «π’∑È «’Ë “à ‡ªìπ¢â“»÷° çRight now, where is that place called Phaluek
‡¡◊Õߺ≈÷°π—πÈ Õ¬ŸÀà πµ”∫≈‰Àπ Which dares to be your enemy?
®–‰ª¡—¥µ—¥»’√…–æ√–Õ¿—¬ çIûm going to cut off Phra Aphaiûs head
¡“„À≥ⵓ¡ª√– ß§å®”πßπ“ßœ And present it to you as you wish.é

Ô π“ß≈–‡«ß«—≥Ó ÿ¥“ ¥—∫ Listening to him, Laweng Wanla smiled.

∑”¬‘¡È √—∫√—°„§√ࡉ‘ ¥âÀ¡“ß Agreeing to his words, not rejecting him, she said,
æ√–≈Ⓡ≈◊ÕË ¬‡Àπ◊ÕË ¬¡“µ“¡∑à“∑“ß çTired you must be as the distance has been long.
æ—°‡ ’¬∫â“ßæÕ„Àâ‰æ√à‰¥â ”√“≠ çBetter take a rest and give your minions a respite.é

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 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

·≈⫇≈à“‡√◊ÕË ß‡¡◊Õߺ≈÷°‡ªìπ»÷°„À≠à She went on talking about the battle against Phaluek
æ√–Õ¿—¬ºà“π ¡∫—µæ‘  — ∂“π çPhra Aphai rules that vast country.
·¡âπ∑√߇¥™‡™…∞“ª√’™“™“≠ If you, my dear clever brother,
™à«¬‚ª√¥ª√“πª√“∫‰¥â¥ß— „®ªÕß Could suppress him as I wish,

®–¡Õ∫µ√“√“ÀŸ§°Ÿà …—µ√‘¬å çIûll give you the prestigious Rahu Seal

· π ¡∫—µ„‘ πæ√–§≈—ß∑—ßÈ  ‘∫ Õß Plus all the riches in my twelve treasuries.
‡ªìπªîòπ‡°≈â“™“«‡¡◊Õß„Àâ‡√◊Õß√Õß Iûll set you up as ruler of this country
¢Õ„ÀâπâÕßæ÷Ëß∫ÿ≠‰¥âÕÿàπ„® So that I can be under your protection.é

¥”√— æ≈“ßπ“ß —ßË „Àâµß—È ‡≈’¬È ß Thus said, she ordered a grand feast set.
≈â«π‚µä–‡µ’¬ß·µàßß“¡µ“¡«‘ ¬— Fine tables and couches were arranged.
‡§√◊ÕË ßæ≈à“¬”πÈ” â¡æ√¡æ√‘°‰∑¬ On the plates were ingredients for salad : vinegar, pepper,
 ÿ°√·æ–·°–‰°à≈«â π„ à®“π Pork, goat, sheep and chicken meat.

„∫º—°™’¬À’Ë √à“‚√¬Àπâ“æ√âÕ¡ Parsley and fennel for sprinkling,

æ√–· ß âÕ¡¡’¥æ—∫ ”À√—∫Ω“π Forks and knives for cutting,
 ÿ√“‡¢â¡‡µÁ¡æ√–‡µâ“‡°â“∑–π“π Whiskey in nine gourd-shaped decanters,
æπ—°ß“πµ—ßÈ ‡§’¬ß‰«â‡√’¬ß√“¬œ Were set in neat rows by the servants.

Ô ΩÉ“¬ ÿ√“ߧåπ“ß∫”‡√Õ‡ πÕÀπâ“ The young female entertainers

√‘π ÿ√“·≈™¡âÕ¬§Õ¬∂«“¬ Kept pouring liquor for the royal guest.
 “« ”À√—∫¢—∫‡§’¬ß‡¡’¬ß™¡â“¬ Girl singers sang melodious tunes
ª√– “𠓬´Õ¥—߇ ’¬ß«—߇«ß Accompanied by resonant violins.

·≈â«¢—∫¢“πª√– “π‡ ’¬ß ”‡π’¬ß‡√◊ÕË ¬ They sang a slow concerted chorus,

™à“ß©Ë”‡©◊ÕË ¬©Õ‡≈“–≈â«π‡À¡“–‡À¡Áß Soft and flowing, pleasant to the ears.
∫â“߉¢°≈¥πµ√’„Àⵇ’ Õß Some played a music machine
‰¥âøßí ‡æ≈߇æ≈‘¥‡æ≈‘π‡®√‘≠„®œ That produced fine sweet tunes by itself.

21
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

Ô Õ—πÕߧå∑“â «‡®â“≈–¡“π‡À¡◊Õπ∫â“ππÕ° King Laman was like a country bumpkin.

‡¢“≈«ßÀ≈Õ°≈ÿ¡à À≈߉¡à ß —¬ He doubted not that they were fooling him.
‡ «¬‡À≈Ⓡ¡“¡“¬ ∫“¬„® He drank till intoxicated, and devoured
°‘π·°–‰°à¡“â ≈“ “√æ—π Sheep, chicken, horses, and donkeys.

‡Õ“ª≈“¬¡’¥°√’¥‡™◊Õ¥‡≈◊Õ¥ ¥ ¥ He cut them up with the tip of his knife.

Õ√àÕ¬√ πÈ” â¡¥â«¬§¡ —π As blood gushing out, he added vinegar.
‡π◊ÕÈ æ—ߺ◊¥µ◊¥‰µ°‘π‰ âµπ— Their meat and guts he ate
¬‘ßË °≈◊π¡—π‡¡“¡“¬∑”™“¬µ“ And swallowed, glancing sheepishly at Laweng.

¥Ÿ√ªŸ ∑√ßÕߧå≈–‡«ß¬‘ßË ‡ª≈àߪ≈—ßË Her figure, and her whole body are glowing.
∑”πÕßπ—ßË πà“√—°π—πÈ π—°Àπ“ Her sitting posture was prim and proper.
æÕ‚©¡©“¬™“¬™âÕ¬™¡âÕ¬¡“ Whenever she glanced his way,
‰¥âª–µ“µ≈–»√ –∑âÕπ∑√«ß His heart was enamoured with love.

¬‘ßË · π√—° ÿ¥√—°„ÀâÀπ—°Õ° The more he looked at her, the more he loved her.
‡À¡◊ÕπÀπ÷ßË ¬°‡¡√ÿ‰°√‰»≈À≈«ß It was like lifting a great mountain.
‚ÕâÕ°„§√„π·ºàπ¥‘π ‘πÈ ∑—ßÈ ª«ß Oh! All the hearts in this land
‰¡à‡À¡◊Õπ∑√«ß‡®â“≈–¡“π∑’≈Ë “π√—° Could not match Lamanûs love frenzy.

®π‡§≈‘È¡«à“∂Ⓣ¥â‡À¡◊Õπ„®·≈â« In a stupor, he thought he had won her heart.

®–Õÿâ¡·°â«°Õ¥ª√–∑—∫‰«â°—∫µ—° He would hold her close on his lap.
æ≈“ߧ‘¥Õà“π°“√»÷°æŸ¥Œ÷°Œ—° Planning war tactics, he stammered
®–À“≠À—°ÀÈ”À—πË „Àâ∫√√≈—¬ That he would slaughter all her enemies.

∑—ßÈ ¢â“‡ΩÑ“‡®â“≈–¡“πæ≈Õ¬À“≠»÷° Laman and his minions turned brave-hearted.

‡¡◊Õߺ≈÷°®–¡“§√◊Õ¡◊Õ∑’ˉÀπ How could Phaluek withstand our might, they thought.
∑—ÈߢⓇ®â“‡¡“¡—«‰¡à°≈—«„§√ Master and men, drunken, showed no fear,
®–™‘ß™—¬™à«¬∫”√ÿß°√ÿß≈—ß°“ çWe are ready to fight for Lanka!é

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 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

‡À≈à“æÀ≈æ≈¢—π∏åæ«°øíπ‡ ’¬È ¡ The sabre-toothed soldiers in the army

π—ßË æ√¡‡®’¬¡¥◊¡Ë ‡À≈Ⓡ¡“Àπ—°Àπ“ Sat on fine carpets and drank.
‡√‘ß ”√«≈ √«≈‡ ‡ ’¬ß‡ŒŒ“ Intoxicated, they laughed out loud
°‘π«—«æ≈à“§«“¬¬”§”‚µ‚µ And ate mouthfuls of oxen and buffalo salad.

∫â“ß°—¥°‘π≈‘πÈ ÕŸ∞·≈â«æŸ¥æ√Ë” Some chomped away camel tongue and rattled on.
¬—ß´¥´È”‡À≈Ⓡ¢â¡Õ’°‡µÁ¡‚∂ They gobbled up a big bowl of liquor.
∑’ÀË ¬“∫§“¬√⓬°“®™“µ‘‡©‚° Some base and cruel-hearted
°Á楟 ‚ÕâÕ«¥µ—«‰¡à°≈—«‡°√ß Continued boasting without fear.

∫â“ß°‘π·°≈â¡·∂¡‡À≈â“®π‡¡“¡“° Some ate tidbits and drank to intoxication.

µ’Ωªï “°‚ªÑß‚À¬ß∑”‚©ß‡©ß They began to be engaged in rows.
≈“ßæ«°æ√âÕß√âÕß√Ë”∫â“ß∑”‡æ≈ß Some shouted, some sang lewd songs.
ÕÕ°§√◊πÈ ‡§√ß·´à‡ ’¬ß∑—ßÈ ‡«’¬ß«—ß The noise was heard around the palace.

∫â“߇°’¬È « “«™“«≈—ß°“∑’¡Ë “‡≈’¬È ß Some courted Lankan girls who entertained them.
‡¢â“¬◊π‡§’¬ß¢Õ®Ÿ∫·≈â«≈Ÿ∫À≈—ß They stood close, kissed and stroked the girls.
∫â“߬◊ÕÈ ¬ÿ¥©ÿ¥§√à“∑”πà“™—ß Some pushed and pulled them disgustingly.
π“ßΩ√—ßË √âÕßÕ÷ߧ–π÷߉ª White girls shrieked in loud voices.

®πæ≈∫§Ë” ”‡√Á®‡ªìπ‡ √Á® √√æ At sunset, the feast was over.

„Àâ°Õß∑—æÕ¬Ÿæà ≈—∫æ≈“∑’ÕË “»—¬ The troops were made to stay at the rest-house.
∑—ßÈ ¢â“‡®â“‡¡“´“π ”√“≠„® The king and his men, all happy and drunken,
µà“ßÀ≈—∫„À≈≈◊¡°“¬¥—ß«“¬ª√“≥ Slept like logs, totally oblivious of anything.

®π¬“¡ Õ߶âÕß√–¶—ߪ√–¥—߇ ’¬ß At midnight, gongs and bells rang out.

·´à ”‡π’¬ßπ“¬À¡«¥µ√«®∑À“√ Noises were heard; commanders checked troops.
æ«°Ω√—ßË π—ßË ≈âÕ¡ªÑÕ¡ª√“°“√ White men sat around the fortress,
µ’¶âÕߢ“π¬“¡‡√’¬°°—π‡æ√’¬°‰ªœ Sounding gongs to tell the time for their men.

23
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

Ô ΩÉ“¬Õߧå∑“â «‡®â“≈–¡“π™“≠©°“® King Laman the valiant sovereign

‡¡◊ÕË ‰ ¬“ πåÕ¬Ÿæà ≈—∫æ≈“∑’ÕË “»—¬ Was asleep in his pavilion.
‡ πàÀ“Õ“«√≥å√Õâ πƒ∑—¬ Besotted with love, he dreamed that
Ωíπ«à“‰¥â‡™¬™‘¥æ√–∏‘¥“ He had consummated his love with her.

®πøóπô °“¬§≈“¬‡¡“¬—߇§≈â“À¡Õπ Not sated and aware, he fondled the pillow

À¡“¬«à“πÕπ·π∫™‘¥¢π‘…∞“ Thinking he was lying close to her.
∂πÕ¡Õÿâ¡®ÿ¡æ‘µº‘¥æ–ß“ He lifted the pillow up and kissed it
æ√–≈◊¡µ“µ°„®°√–‰√‡≈¬ Not she! Shocked, he opened his eyes wide.

·≈‡¢¡âπ‡ÀÁπÀ¡Õπ¬‘ËߧàÕπ·§âπ Gazing at the pillow, he felt vindictive.

¡“∑”·∑π‡∑’¬¡π“ߢ«â“߇¢π¬ çYou pretend to be her!é he cast it away.
¬—ß≈◊¡ÕߧåÀ≈ß·≈™–·ßâ‡ß¬ Still in stupor, his eyes roved around.
π’∑Ë √“¡‡™¬·¡à‰ª·Ω߇ ’¬·Ààß„¥ çWhere are you hiding, dearest?é

æÕ‡ÀÁπ‡À≈à“™“«∑’πË ß—Ë «’楗 Seeing the courtier who was fanning him,
®‘µª√–À«—¥«à“Õπߧ奫⠬À≈ß„À≈ Mistaking him for Laweng Wanla,
≈ß®“°‡µ’¬ß‡§’¬ßª√–‚≈¡‚©¡«‘‰≈ He got down from his couch, embracing him, saying,
„§√„™â„Àâ»√’ «— ¥‘¡Ï “æ—¥«’ çWho asks you to come and fan me?

«“߇ ’¬‡®â“‡¢â“‰ªπÕπ‡ ’¬°àÕπ‡∂‘¥ çPut the fan down and go to bed.

ß“¡ª√–‡ √‘∞ “«πâÕ¬Õ¬à“∂Õ¬Àπ’ Donût pull yourself away from me, dear heart.é
æ≈“ß®ÿ¡æ‘µ™‘¥™«π‡ΩÑ“¬«π¬’ He kissed and fumbled him.
µ“™“«∑’≈Ë °ÿ ∑–≈÷ßË ‡ ’¬ßµ÷ßµ—ß The courtier sprang up with a crushing noise.

æ√–©«¬©ÿ¥¬ÿ¥À—µ∂å°√–À«—¥°Õ¥ He grasped his arm, pulling him back.

‡ ’¬ßøÕ¥øÕ¥‡ΩÑ“·µà®∫Ÿ ·≈â«≈Ÿ∫À≈—ß He kissed and kissed the man, stoke his back
®–¢—¥¢«“ßÕ¬à“߉√°Á‰¡àøßí And listened not to his protest.
¡—π√âÕߥ—ߥ‘πÈ Õ÷ߧ–π÷߉ª The man struggled and shouted out loud.

24
 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

æ√–√Ÿâ ÷°π÷°Õ“¬√–§“¬‡¢‘π Ashamed, he felt deeply embarrassed,

™¡â“¬‡¡‘π¡—«À¡Õ߉¡àºàÕß„  Displeased and tried to look away.
¢÷πÈ  Ÿ·à ∑àπ· π√–∑¥ ≈¥„® Returning to his couch, his mind was perturbed
‡À≈◊ÕÕ“≈—¬√”≈÷°π÷°∂÷ßπ“ß But still thought of Laweng.

¡“æ“πæ∫ ∫ ¡Õ“√¡≥å√°— Having met her as desired, many factors,

·µà ßŸ »—°¥‘ Ï “√æ—¥®–¢—¥¢«“ß Including her honour, stood in the way of his love.
‡À≈◊Õ§«“¡§‘¥¡‘¥‡¡âπ‰¡à‡ÀÁπ∑“ß Nor knowing a way to win her heart,
®π√ÿàß√“ß√âÕπ√π°√–«π°√–«“¬ He turned and tossed in bed till dawn.

®”®–√’∫√∫æÿßà °√ÿߺ≈÷° çI need to hastily conquer Phaluek

„À⇠√Á®»÷° ¡§‘¥∑’®Ë µ‘ À¡“¬ To end the war as planned.é He thought
®÷ßÕÕ°π—ßË  —ßË ¡À“‡ π“𓬠And went out to order his courtiers,
µ–«—π∫à“¬≈¡µ°®–¬°∑—æ The troops will start moving this evening.

‰ª√∫æÿßà °√ÿߺ≈÷°‡ªìπ»÷°„À≠à çThe major battle it will be against Phaluek.

‰¡à™π–æ√–Õ¿—¬°Á‰¡à°≈—∫ If not winning over Aphai, we will not return.é
Õ”¡“µ¬åÀ¡Õ∫πÕ∫π∫‡§“√æ√—∫ The courtiers paid respect, accepted his orders
¡“°”™—∫°”™“µ√«®µ√“°—π And went out to prepare their men.

„Àâµ°— πÈ”≈”‡≈’¬ß‡ ∫’¬ß‡∫‘° Water and provisions were stocked up.

‡ ’¬ß‡Õ‘°‡°√‘°‡µ√’¬¡æÀ≈æ≈¢—π∏å Noisily, the troops made themselves ready,
≈ߪ√–®”≈”∑’πË ß—Ë ∑—ßÈ ¥—ßÈ °—π The royal barque and five hundred escort ships
≈”≈–æ—π‡¿µ√“∑—ßÈ Àâ“√âÕ¬ Each of which had a thousand men on duty.

∫â“߇ª≈’¬Ë π‡ “‡æ≈“„∫„ àÀ“߇ ◊Õ Some changed sail and mast and rudder.

·µà≈â«π‡√◊Õ√∫„À≠à‡§¬„™â Õ¬ All ships were experienced naval vessels.
ªí°∏ߥ”°”ªíπò ‡ªìπÀ≈—πË ≈Õ¬ Black flags were flown in layers.
µà“߇µ√’¬¡§Õ¬æ√âÕ¡æ√—Ëß√‘¡Ωíòß™≈œ All were ready for action by the seashore.

25
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

Ô ΩÉ“¬Õߧå∑“â «‡®â“≈–¡“π¬‘ßË À“≠Œ÷° King Laman, the valiant warrior, wished to fight,
®–∑”»÷°Õ«¥ºŸÀâ ≠‘߇¡◊Õß ‘ßÀ≈ As a showing off to Sinhalese ladies.
®÷ß‚ √® √ߧߧ“∑“ ÿ§π∏å He took a bath, rubbed himself with scented lotion
∑√߇§√◊ÕË ßµâπ·µàߪ√–¥—∫ ”À√—∫°“¬ And put on royal attire and ornaments:

 π—∫‡æ≈“‡π“Àπà«ß¡’À«à ß√—¥ Breeches tightened with loops,

§“¥‡¢Á¡¢—¥‡§√◊ÕË ß¡—πË °√– —𠓬 Belt lined with fitting device,
„ à‡°√“–‡æ™√‡°≈Á¥°≈—∫ ≈—∫≈“¬ And gem-studded armor with patterned scales.
¥Ÿ°√ÿ¬°√“¬°√’¥æ√–À—µ∂宥— ª√–®ß He appeared dandy with his fingers joining together.

„ àÀ¡«°∑Õß√Õßπ«¡ «¡æ√–‡»’¬√ Perched on his head was a hat with soft lining.

¬Õ¥«‘‡™’¬√™“¬√àÕπ‡À¡◊ÕπÀßÕπÀß å Its top flew hovering like a swanûs crest.
„ à‡°◊Õ° «¡π«¡πÿà¡Àÿâ¡æ√–™ß¶å His quilted boots reached to his knees.
§√—πÈ ‡ √Á®∑√ß∏πŸ§æŸà √–°√ In his hand he carried his personal bow.

ÕÕ°®“°ÀâÕß√âÕ߇√’¬°‚¬∏“À“≠ Leaving his chamber, he summoned his men

¡“°√“∫°√“π‡µ√’¬¡·Àà·´à ≈Õπ Who came to prostrate before him in large numbers.
™«π¢ÿππ“߬à“߬⓬°√’¥°√“¬°√ Asking his courtiers to stroll with him,
∫∑®√®“°æ≈—∫æ≈“‡¢â“¡“«—ßœ He left his pavilion for the palace.

Ô ΩÉ“¬‚©¡¬ßÕߧå≈–‡«ß«—≥Ó√“™ Laweng Wanla, the lady of royal lineage,

ÕÕ°Õ”¡“µ¬åπÕ∫πâÕ¡Õ¬Ÿàæ√âÕ¡æ√—Ëß Was in the Throne Hall with her ministers.
„À⇙‘≠∑â“«‡®â“≈–¡“π¢÷πÈ ∫—≈≈—ß°å She invited King Laman to sit on the throne
¡’π“ßπ—ßË æ—¥«’„Àâª√’¥“ To be fanned by a lady maid.

·≈⫪√“»√—¬‰æ‡√“–‡ π“–∂âÕ¬ She talked to him sweetly, saying,

π“߇»√â“ √âÕ¬· π —߇«™æ√–‡™…∞“ çI feel sorry for you indeed.
‡§¬ ”√“≠ºà“π ¡∫—µÕ‘ ¬ŸÕà µ— √“ You who used to living in great luxury
‡ ¥Á®¡“∫√√∑¡µ√¡ƒ∑—¬ Had to spend the night in dire manner.

26
 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

‡ªìπ µ√’¡‰‘ ¥â‰ª„Àâ„™â Õ¬ çBeing a woman, I did not go to serve you

Õ¬à“π÷°πâÕ¬„®πâÕ߮ߺàÕß„  Please do not feel hurt; be of good cheer.é
ª√–¿“…æ≈“ßπ“ߪ√–∑“πæ«ß¡“≈—¬ She presented him with a garland,
„Àâ “«„™â‰ª∂«“¬™¡â“¬‡¡‘πœ Passing it through a lady maid and glancing at him.

Ô ‡®â“≈–¡“πÀ«“π‡ ’¬ß ”‡π’¬ß‡ π“– King Laman heard her sweet voice.

™à“߉æ‡√“–√”æ—π √√‡ √‘≠ Her compliments were pleasing to the ear.
√—∫∫ÿªº“¡“≈—¬„®‡®√‘≠ He accepted her garland with delight,
æ√–™¡‡æ≈‘πæ≈“ßµÕ∫«à“¢Õ∫„® Admiring it, and thanking her.

®–Õ“ “°«à“®–‡ √Á® ”‡√Á®»÷° çIûll volunteer until the warûs over.

·¡àÕ¬à“π÷°‡§≈◊Õ∫·§≈ß·Àπ߉©π Have no doubt of my intention.
‡¬Áπ«—ππ’Èæ’Ë®–¬°‚¬∏“‰ª This evening, my men and I will move
™à«¬™‘ß™—¬‡¡◊Õߺ≈÷°‡À¡◊Õπµ√÷°µ√“ To beat Phaluek as already planned.

‰¡à‡ÀπÁ¥‡Àπ◊ËÕ¬‡¢Á¥¢“¡·°à§«“¡¬“° çTired we will not be; hardship we will not fear.

À«—ß®–Ω“°™’«µ‘ ¢π‘…∞“ We hope to place our lives in your hand.é
 πÕßæ≈“ßπ“ß™¡â“¬∑”™“¬µ“ He said while she glanced his way
æÕ ∫Àπâ“π“߬‘È¡¬‘ËßÕ‘Ë¡„®œ And smiled at him, making his heart swell.

Ô ΩÉ“¬≈–‡«ß«—≥Ó ÿ¥“ ¥—∫ Laweng Wanla listened to him,

¡‘„§√à√∫— §”≈“Õ—™¨“ —¬ Not wanting to respond to his farewell.
· √âß∑”∑’°√‘ ¬‘ “‡À¡◊ÕπÕ“≈—¬ She pretended to regret his leaving,
∂Õπƒ∑—¬∑” –Õ◊πÈ °≈◊ππÈ”µ“ Heaving a deep sigh, holding her tears.

·≈â««à“πâÕßµ√Õßµ√÷°π÷°«‘µ° Said she, çIn my mind there remain some worries

æ√–®–¬°∑—懥’¬«‡ª≈’ˬ«Àπ—°Àπ“ That you will travel alone by yourself.
®–‡°≥±å‰æ√à„ÀâΩ√—ßË ™“«≈—ß°“ I will ask a number of my Lankan men
§ÿ¡‚¬∏“‰ª¥â«¬™à«¬ ß§√“¡ To accompany you, along with some soldiersé.

27
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

‡®â“≈–¡“π∑“π∑—¥Õ¬à“®—¥∑—æ King Laman said, çBother you I must not.

©—π®–√—∫„Àâ ”‡√Á®‰¡à‡¢Á¥¢“¡ Iûll volunteer to do it till itûs finished.
·¡âπ‡¡◊Õ߉Àπ‰¡à√“∫®–ª√“∫ª√“¡ Any uprising in any city, Iûll suppress it,
„Àâ ¡§«“¡ª√“√∂π“¬ÿæ“æ“≈ To fulfill Your Majestyûs wishes.

π“ßøíߧ”∑”™–ÕâÕπ∂Õπ„®„À≠à Hearing this, she faked deep sighs

·≈â« —ßË „Àâ°Õßµ–‡«π‡°≥±å∑À“√ And ordered the patrol to recruit some naval men
‡ªìπ‡√◊Õπ”µ”∫≈™≈∏“√ To lead in the convoy surveying the coastline
‡Õ“‡Àµÿ°“√≥å°≈—∫À≈—ß¡“≈—ß°“ And report back to Lanka.

·≈â«Õ«¬™—¬„Àâ¡À“Õ“πÿ¿“æ She then gave him a blessing,

Õ√‘π∑√å√“∫‡√◊Õ߇¥™æ√–‡™…∞“ çMay you be victorious over the foe.
»÷° ”‡√Á®‡ √Á® √√æ√’∫°≈—∫¡“ Come back to me when the battleûs won.
‰¥â‡ÀÁπÀπâ“πâÕßπ’®È –¥’„® Iûll be happy to see you.é

‡®â“≈–¡“πÀ«“π«“∫„Àâª≈“∫ª≈◊¡È King Laman, crazy with love, felt elated.

µ–≈÷ß≈◊¡Õ”≈“πÈ”µ“‰À≈ Tearful, he even forgot to say good-bye,
 –Õ◊πÈ √Ë” ”≈—°°√–Õ—°°√–‰Õ He sobbed and sobbed, choking and clearing his throat
·µà®”„®®”≈“¬ÿæ“æ“≈ But he had to bid adieu.

¡“≈߇√◊Õæ√–∑’πË ß—Ë ∫—≈≈—ß°å√µ— πå Boarding the royal barque with gem-studded throne
æ√âÕ¡¢π—¥π“«“‚¬∏“À“≠ Accompanied by vessels well manned.
„Àâµ°’ ≈Õ߶âÕß√–¶—ß°—ß ¥“≈ Gongs, drums and bells were sounded.
∑À“√¢“π‚Àà≈π—Ë  π—πË ¥—ß Men said hurrah in a loud voice for victory.

‰¥â≈¡¥’§≈’„Ë ∫¢÷πÈ „ à√Õ° As the breeze came, sails were unfolded by pulleys.
‡Õ–Õ–ÕÕ°π“«“∑—ßÈ Àπâ“À≈—ß Vessels, fore and aft, started to move,
¢â“¡¡À“ “™≈„π«π«—ß Crossing the vast ocean through the whirling water,
µ“¡Ω√—ßË ‡√◊Õ𔇪ì𠔧—≠œ Following the lead vessel of the white men.

28
 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

Ô ®–°≈à“«∂÷ßæ√–Õ¿—¬‡®â“‰µ√®—°√ Phra Aphai, king of the three lands,

¡’§π√—°§Õ¬‡Àµÿ∑°ÿ ‡¢µ¢—≥±å Had his loyal men on sentinel everywhere.
‡¡◊ËÕøíπ‡ ’¬È ¡‡µ√’¬¡æ≈§π ”§—≠ While the sabre-toothed were hastily preparing,
‡Õ“¢à“«π—Èπ∫Õ°¡“∂÷ß∏“π’ News was reported to him in his city.

æ√–∑√“∫§«“¡¢“¡¢¬“¥«à“™“µ‘¬°— …å Slightly apprehensive that they were ogres

®–À“≠À—°√∫æÿßà ‡Õ“°√ÿß»√’ Who aimed to fight for his city,
®÷ßµ√Õßµ√÷°ª√÷°…“‡ π“∫¥’ Phra Aphai consulted his ministers,
»÷°§√“«π’ÀÈ “â «À“≠™“≠©°√√®å çThis battle is a crucial one.

∑—ßÈ ‰æ√à𓬰“¬ Ÿß∂÷ßÀ°»Õ° çCommanders and men are six ells tall.

Àπ—ß ◊Õ∫Õ°¡“«à“¬—°…å¡°— °– —π The message stated that they are ogres.
®–‡°≥±åæ≈§π‡√“‡¢â“ª√–®—≠ If our men were forced to fight against them,
‡≈Á°°«à“¡—π‡À¡◊ÕπÀπ÷ßË ÀπŸ‰ª Ÿ™â “â ß Weûll be like mice fighting elephants.

¢÷πÈ √—°…“Àπâ“∑’‰Ë «â¥°’ «à“ çWeûd better guard our position.

ª≈àÕ¬¡—π¡“µ“¡∂𗥉¡à¢¥— ¢«“ß Let them come without obstruction.
·≈⫇ π’µ°’ √߇À≈Á°µ“√“ß Let our men build iron-meshed cages
‰«â∑¢’Ë “â ߇°¬™≈“Àπâ“æ√–≈“π And leave them lying outside near the open space.

°—∫‚´à„À≠à„Àâæ≈‰«â§π≈–‡ âπ çLet each of our men hold a stout chain.

®–®—∫‡ªìπæ«°øíπ‡ ’È¬¡∑’ˇÀ’Ȭ¡À“≠ Weûll catch the sabre-toothed alive.é
æ√– —ßË µ√— ®—¥‡ √Á® ”‡√Á®°“√ Thus ordered, he had everything arranged.
ªÑÕ¡∑«“√ªí°¢«“°‰«â¡“°¡“¬ Caltrops were scattered around fortresses and gates.

·≈⫇ π’µ’¶Õâ ߇∑’¬Ë «√âÕߪɓ« Courtiers went around, sounding gongs,

ª√–™“™“«¢â“ß„µâ‰æ√à∑ß—È À≈“¬ Announcing that people who lived in the city
„ÀâÀ≈∫≈’ÀÈ π’µ«— µâÕπ«—«§«“¬ Had to flee with their cattle
‰ªÕ¬Ÿà∑⓬‡¡◊Õߺ≈÷°‡¡◊ËÕ»÷°¡“œ To the back part of the city during the battle.

29
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

Ô ΩÉ“¬Õߧå∑“â «‡®â“≈–¡“π™“≠©°“® King Laman, the valiant ruler,

§‘¥ª√–¡“∑‡¡◊Õߺ≈÷°Œ÷°À√√…“ Underrating Phaluek, was overly careless
√’∫¬°∑—梗∫æÀ≈æ≈π“«“ And hastily moved his men and one and a half thousand
∑—ßÈ æ—πÀâ“√âÕ¬ ≈â“ß¡“°≈“ß™≈ Vessels, sailing forth in the ocean.

 ‘∫Àⓧ◊π§≈◊πË ≈¡√–¥¡ àß For fifteen nights wind and waves pushed them on.
‡ªìπ∑“ßµ√߇√Á«√—¥‰¡à¢¥—  π The path was straight entailing no hitches.
∂÷ߪ“°Õà“«‡™â“µ√Ÿ‰à ¡à√°Ÿâ ≈ Arriving at river-mouth and not knowing the tricks,
‡ÀÁπºŸ§â πÀ𒵫— ∑—ßÈ «—«§«“¬ They saw townspeople hurriedly flee with the cattle.

‡®â“≈–¡“πÀ“≠Œ÷°π÷°ª√–¡“∑ Careless still, valiant King Laman thought,

¡—π‰¡àÕ“®µàÕµ’®ß÷ Àπ’À“¬ çThey cannot fight us so theyûre running away.é
„À⇢â“Ωíßò æ√—ßË æ√âÕ¡∑—ßÈ ‰æ√à𓬠He ordered his men, masters and minions, to land.
µà“ß‚°àß “¬‡°“∑—≥±å≈«â π§—π∑Õß They strung their golden bows, ready for action.

·≈⫵—ßÈ ‚Àà‚¬∏“ ‘∫Àâ“À¡◊πË The fifteen thousand troops shouted hurrah,

‡ ’¬ß§√÷°§√◊πÈ æ◊πÈ æ‘¿æ ¬∫ ¬Õß So loud and menacing that it frightened everybody.
‡¥‘π∏߇∑’¬«‡¢’¬«‡À≈◊ÕߥŸ‡π◊ÕßπÕß Hordes of green and yellow flags flew with the march
¬°¢â“¡∑âÕß∑ÿßà ¡“¬—ß∏“π’ From the flat field at the outskirts, right to the city.

‡ÀÁπæ«°æ≈∫π°”·æ߇ ◊ÕÈ ·¥ß¥“… Seeing the men on the city walls wearing red uniforms
≈â«π “¡“√∂À¡“¬®–√∫‰¡àÀ≈∫Àπ’ With a defiant look, not prompting escape,
®÷ßÀ¬ÿ¥∑—欗∫¬—ßÈ  —ßË ‚¬∏’ The onrushing troops were ordered to halt,
Õ¬à“‡æàÕµ’µ—Èß¡—Ëπª√–®—≠∫“π Not yet engaging in combat but waiting first.

„Àâ§π„™â‰ªÀ“µ√ßÀπ⓪ÑÕ¡ An envoy was sent to announce at the fortress

«à“æ√–®Õ¡øíπ‡ ’È¬¡´÷Ë߇À’Ȭ¡À“≠ That the brave king of the sabre-toothed
¬°æÀ≈æ≈π‘°√¡“√Õπ√“≠ Now came with his men to stage a battle,
®–∑”°“√·°â·§âπ·∑π≈—ß°“ Seeking revenge for the Lankans.

30
 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

·¡âπ«à“Õߧåæ√–Õ¿—¬‡®â“‰µ√®—°√ çShould Phra Aphai, lord of the three worlds,

¬—ߧ‘¥√—°‡ºà“æß»åæ«°«ß»“ Have any love for his family and friends,
¡“§”π—∫√—∫æ√–√“™Õ“™≠“ He must come out and accept the royal judgment.
®–‰¡à¶à“À≠‘ß™“¬„Àâ«“¬ª√“≥ Then his peopleûs lives will be spared.

¡‘πÕ∫π∫√∫ Ÿâ®–æ√Ÿæ√âÕ¡ çIf not but desiring to fight, we will

∑”≈“¬ªÑÕ¡ªóπ«—߉≈à ß— À“√ Destroy the forts, guns and palace,
™—πÈ ≈Ÿ°ÕàÕππÕπøŸ°≈Ÿ°æ÷ßË §≈“π Kill crawling babies and those lying in cribs
®–‡º“º≈“≠‡æ≈‘ߧ≈Õ°‡√àß∫Õ°π“¬ And burn everything. Go tell your master.é

æ«°¢ÿππ“ßµà“ß®”§”¢â“»÷° The courtiers memorized the enemiesû words.

‡ÀÁπÀ“≠Œ÷°ÀÿπÀ—π‡√àߺ—πº“¬ Seeing it urgent, they immediate left
‰ª∑Ÿ≈§«“¡µ“¡‡¢“¡“√âÕß∑â“∑“¬ To inform their master of this challenge,
≈â«πÀ¬“∫§“¬§÷°§—°‡À¡◊Õπ¬—°…å¡“√œ Rude and hasty fitting the ogres.

Ô æ√–Õ¿—¬‰¡àæ√—Ëπª√–À«—ËπÀ«“¥ Phra Aphai, fearing not at all,

 —ßË Õ”¡“µ¬å¡≈Ÿ π“¬ΩÉ“¬∑À“√ Ordered his courtiers and army chiefs,
·¡âπ°Õß∑—æÀ≈—∫‰À≈‡ÀÁπ‰¥â°“√ çAs soon as the enemy troops doze off,
‡ªî¥∑«“√ÕÕ°‰ª¡—¥„Àâ√¥— √÷ß Open the city-gate and tie them up.

‡∑’ˬ«ºŸ°∂◊Õ¡◊Õ‡∑â“æ«°∫à“«‰æ√à çBind their lowly men hand and foot,

„Àâ “„®‡À¡◊Õπ≈Ÿ°ÕàÕπ≈ßπÕπ¢÷ß Like babes in swaddling.
·µà𓬄À≠à„ à∂«â π‚´àµ√«πµ√÷ß Tighten the chains over the masters,
‡ √Á®·≈â«®÷ßæ“¡“„ à‰«â„π°√ß Then drag them to the cages.

„Àâæ«°‡√“‡Õ“¢’Ⱥ÷Èߺπ÷°ÀŸ çAsk our people to put wax in their ears.

§Õ¬π—ßË ¥Ÿ∏ß™—¬Õ¬à“„À≈À≈ß Watch the victory flag fixedly.
·¡â°Õß∑—æÀ≈—∫„À≈‡À¡◊Õπ„®®ß If their troops fall asleep as intended,
®–‚∫°∏ߢ÷πÈ „Àâ‡ÀÁπ‡ªì𠔧—≠ Weûll wave our flag as signal.é

31
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

æ√– —ßË æ≈“ß∑“ß≈ÿ°≈ß®“°Õ“ πå Thus ordering, he got up from his couch

¡“∑√ß√“™¬“πÀ“¡ß“¡¢¬—π And boarded the royal palanquin with bearers
∑À“√æ√âÕ¡ÀâÕ¡·ÀàÕÕ°·®®—π Who carried him outside in a noisy mass
¢÷πÈ ∫π™—πÈ ‡™‘߇∑‘π‡∑’¬Ë «‡¥‘π¥Ÿ To the rampart, surveying the events.

‡ÀÁπæÀ≈æ≈¢—π∏åæ«°øíπ‡ ’È¬¡ Phra Aphai saw the sabre-toothed soldiers

°”·À߇À’¬È ¡‚Àà≈π—Ë  π—πË ÀŸ Expressing bravery and bravado aloud.
·µà≈«â π¡◊Õ∂◊Õ§—π‡°“∑—≥±å∏πŸ Their hands held crossbows and arrows.
 —߇°µ¥Ÿ·µàß°“¬§≈⓬‡ ’¬È «°“ß They were clad like mythical gate guardians.

∑—ßÈ  Ÿß„À≠à‰æ√àπ“¬π—πÈ À≈“¬À¡◊πË Tall and robust were masters and men,
æÕ·√ߪóπ∂÷ß∂𗥉¡à¢¥— ¢«“ß Standing just in the fire range.
æ√–¥Ÿæ≈∫π‡™‘ß‡∑‘𥔇π‘πæ≈“ß He walked on, inspecting men on the rampart,
æ“¢ÿππ“߉ªª√–∑—∫∑’æË ≈—∫æ≈“ And led his men to the open pavilion.

¢÷πÈ ∑√ßπ—ßË ¬—ß∑’‡Ë °â“Õ’‡È Õ’¬Ë ¡ Taking a seat on a new chair

Õ”¡“µ¬å‡øï¬ô ¡‡ΩÑ“ΩÉ“¬∑—ßÈ ´â“¬¢«“ With courtiers crouching nearby, left and right,
À¬‘∫ªï·ò °â«·≈â«™Ÿ¢π÷È ∫Ÿ™“ He took out his pipe, worshipped it
æÕ≈¡¡“‡æ≈“‡æ≈“∑√߇ªÉ“æ≈—π And played tunes as breezes blew.

‡ªî¥ ”‡π’¬ß‡ ’¬ß≈‘«Ë ∂÷ßπ‘«È ‡Õ° He started playing at the highest pitch,

À«“𫑇«°«—߇«ß¥—߇æ≈ß «√√§å As sweet, melodious and haunting, as from heaven.
„Àâ™◊Ëπ‡©◊ËÕ¬‡®◊ËÕ¬·®â«∂÷ß·°â«°√√≥ Reaching out softly to the listenersû ears.
‡À≈à“æ«°øíπ‡ ’¬È ¡øíß ‘πÈ ∑—ßÈ ∑—æ All the sabre-toothed men caught the notes.

¬◊π‰¡àµ√ß≈ßπ—ßË ¬‘ßË «—߇«° Unable to stand erect, down they sat,

‡Õ°‡¢π°πÕπ‡§’¬ß‡√’¬ß≈”¥—∫ Felt sleepy and had to lie down in rows.
‡®â“≈–¡“πÀ«“π∑√«ßßà«ß√–ß—∫ King Laman, hearing the sweet tune, dozed off
≈ß≈â¡À≈—∫≈◊¡°“¬¥—ß«“¬ª√“≥œ And lay asleep as if in death.

32
 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

Ô æ√–Õ¿—¬„®∫ÿ≠°“√ÿ≠√“…Æ√å The kind-hearted Phra Aphai

¡‘„À⢓¥¥«ß®‘µ§‘¥ ß “√ Did not want these people to die.
®÷ß‚∫°∏ßµ√ßæ≈—∫æ≈“ —≠≠“°“√ He waved a flag as promised.
æ«°∑À“√‡ÀÁπ ‘πÈ °Á¬π‘ ¥’ The soldiers were delighted to see it.

‡ªî¥ª√–µŸæ√Ÿæ√—ßË ÕÕ°§—ßË §—∫ They opened the city-gate and saw the enemy
‡ÀÁπæ«°∑—æÀ≈—∫‡°≈◊ÕË π¥Ÿ‡À¡◊Õπº’ Lying around, looking like corpses.
µà“ߺŸ°¡—¥√—¥√÷ßµ÷߇µÁ¡∑’Ë Tying up these bodies tightly, they hit
∑—ßÈ ∑ÿ∫µ’‡µ–´È”„ÀâÀπ”„® And kicked them repeatedly to please themselves.

¬°Õߧå∑“â «‡®â“≈–¡“π¢÷πÈ §“πÀ“¡ King Laman was carried on a stretcher,

‡Õ“‚´à≈“à ¡‡ √Á® √√æ∑—ßÈ À≈—∫‰À≈ With chains tied on him during his sleep
À“¡¡“ àß°√ßµ–√“ß∑’¢Ë “â ß„π Into a cage in the city he was pushed
‡∑’¬Ë «√‘∫‰æ√àæ≈´È”∑”ª√–®“π His men were rid of their belongings too.

‡°Á∫ “µ√“ºâ“‡ ◊ÕÈ ‰¡à‡À≈◊ÕÀ≈Õ Weapons and clothes were confiscated.

„ à‚´à§Õ§√∫∑—«Ë µ—«∑À“√ Chains were placed on every neck.
‡ÀÁπºŸ°√—¥¡—¥‡ √Á® ”‡√Á®°“√ Once all were done and completed.
πƒ∫“≈°≈—∫·°≈â߇ªÉ“·ª≈߇æ≈ß Phra Aphai played his pipe again.

„À⇮◊ËÕ¬·®â«·°â«ÀŸ°≈—∫√Ÿâ ÷° The captivating melodies touched every ear.

‡ ’¬ßµ◊πË Õ÷°Õ—°ÕàÕπ≈ßπÕπ‡¢≈ß Regaining consciousness, they kept on lying still.
‡¢“√—¥√÷ßµ÷ßµ—«µâÕß°≈—«‡°√ß Bound with chains, they felt scared
‡√’¬°°—π‡ÕßÕ◊ÈÕÕ÷ߧ–π÷߉ª And had to call out to their peers.

æ«°™“«‡¡◊Õ߇§◊Õߢ—¥§Õ¬¡—¥´È” Angry, the townspeople tightened the ropes more.

§ÿ¡ª√–®”§π≈–§πæ≈‰æ√à A man was assigned to guard a soldier.
‡ÀÁπæ≈‘°·æ≈ß·«âß«—¥§‘¥¢—¥„® If the latter twisted and turned, the angry captor would hit
µ’¥â«¬‰¡â°√–∫Õß√âÕß«ÿà𫓬œ With cudgels and sticks, causing a cry of pain.

33
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

Ô ΩÉ“¬æ√–Õߧå∑√߇¥™‡°»°…—µ√‘¬å Phra Aphai, lord of the realm,

‚ ¡π— „πÕ“√¡≥奫⠬ ¡À¡“¬ Was pleased to have succeeded as planned.
®÷ßµ√Õßµ√÷°ª√÷°…“‡ π“𓬠He consulted his men and captains,
∑À“√ΩÉ“¬øíπ‡ ’È¬¡‡ÀÁπ‡À’Ȭ¡§√—π çThese sabre-toothed people are very fierce.

‡À¡◊Õπ®—∫™â“ß°≈“ßªÉ“Õ¬à“ª√–¡“∑ çLike capturing wild elephants, cautious we must be.

µâÕߺŸ°°√“¥°√÷ßµ√«®°—π°«¥¢—π Ropes and knots must be tightened regularly.
„ÀâÕÕà πÀŸ¥∑Ÿ ”πÕß —° Õß«—π Let two days pass until he grows more pliant.
®÷ߺàÕπº—π查®“¥Ÿ∑“à ∑“ß Then we can talk with him, sounding his stanceé.

 —ßË °”™—∫ √√懠√Á®‡ ¥Á®°≈—∫ Thus said, he started to leave.

≈ß®“°æ≈—∫æ≈“‡¥‘π‡™‘ß‡∑‘π¢«“ß He descended from the pavilion on the rampart,
∑À“√·Àà·≈À≈“¡¡“µ“¡∑“ß Travelled in a procession with his soldiers,
¢÷πÈ  Ÿªà √“ߧåª√“ “∑∑Õß∑’ÀË Õâ ß„πœ And went inside his inner chamber in the golden palace.

Ô ΩÉ“¬Õߧå∑“â «‡®â“≈–¡“π´÷ßË À“≠Œ÷° The impetuous King Laman

§√—πÈ √Ÿ â °÷ ‰ ¬“ πå„ÀâÀ«“¥‰À« Awakened from sleep, felt deeply frightened.
‡ÀÁπ‚´àµ√«πæ«πæ—πæ√—πË æ√–∑—¬ With chains around his body, he shivered
µâÕßÕ¬Ÿ„à π°√ßµ√÷ß√”æ÷ߧ‘¥ And pondered hard while in the cage.

π’‡Ë π◊ÕÈ ‡§√“–Àå‡æ√“–∑–πß¡“À≈ßÀ≈—∫ çDestiny had turned my pride to sleep.

¡—π≈Õ∫®—∫®Õß®”„Àâ™È”®‘µ They tied me up, causing me pain at heart.
®–√∫√—∫ —ª¬ÿ∑∏å‡ÀÁπ ÿ¥ƒ∑∏‘Ï Unable to struggle to free myself or fight,
‡ªìπ ÿ¥§‘¥§—ßË ·§âπ·πàπÕÿ√“ I am out of my wits, breast bursting.

‚Õ⇠’¬·√ß·µàß∑—æ¡“π—∫· π çHow humiliating! More than a hundred thousand soldiers

®–·°â·§âπ·∑π¡‘µ√°π‘…∞“ Iûve brought, hoping to take revenge for my darling lady.
¡‘∑π— √∫´∫À≈—∫¡—π®—∫¡“ The fightûs about to start but I went to sleep
‚Õâπ÷°πà“πâÕ¬„®°√–‰√‡≈¬ And was captured. O, how shameful!

34
 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

 ß “√·µà·¡à≈–‡«ß«—≥ÓπâÕ¬ çYet I pity little Laweng Wanla

®–À≈ߧլ‡™…∞“π‘®®“‡Õ㬠Who must be waiting for this brother of hers.
À¡“¬«à“∑—æ°≈—∫‰ª®–‰¥â‡™¬ I hoped to win her heart upon returning.
∫ÿ≠‰¡à‡§¬§≈“¥·§≈⫇ ’¬·≈â«πâÕß My merit does not suffice to make that happen.

∂÷ßµ—«æ’πË ®’È –µ“¬‰¡à«“¬√—° çThough I perish, Iûll still love her.

®–‰ªΩí°øŸ¡‡ΩÑ“‡ªìπ‡®â“¢Õß Iûll keep my spirit close to her, possessing her.
·¡â𙓬Õ◊Ëπ™◊Ëπ™Õ∫¡“§√Õ∫§√Õß Any man hoping to win her heart,
®–∑ÿ∫∂Õß∂’∫º≈—°·≈â«À—°§Õ Will be punched and kicked, his neck broken.é

¬‘ßË µ√÷°µ√“Õ“≈—¬„®®–¢“¥ The more he thought, the more forlorn he felt.

‡¢“ºŸ°°√“¥°«¥µ√÷ßµ÷ßæ√–»Õ They tightened the noose and pulled at his neck.
¬‘ßË ‚¡‚À‚°√∏“√âÕߥà“∑Õ Furious, he scolded them aloud.
‰¡à¬Õà ∑âÕ·°≈âß∑â“„Àⶓà øíπœ Undeterred, he challenged the guards to kill him.

Ô ΩÉ“¬¢â“‡ΩÑ“™“«∫ÿ√π‘ ∑√å π‘È ∑—ßÈ À≈“¬ All the Phaluek townspeople, men and women,
∑—ßÈ À≠‘ß™“¬™◊πË „®∑—ßÈ ‰Õ»«√√¬å Were delirious with happiness.
‡∑’¬Ë «¥Ÿ‡À≈à“™“«≈–¡“π ”√“≠§√—π Strolling about, they took a look at Lamanûs men
·µà≈«â πøíπ‡ ’¬È ¡·´¡·À≈¡·À≈¡‡≈Á° Whose teeth were tapered and spiky.

∫â“ߥŸ∑“â «‡®â“≈–¡“π™“≠©°“® Some gazed at the valiant King Laman

‡¢“®”°√“¥µ√÷ßÕߧ剫â°√߇À≈Á° Chained and tied inside an iron cage.
·¢°Ω√—ßË ∑—ßÈ æ√“À¡≥å®π’ ®“¡‡®ä° Indians, white men, Brahmins, Chinese, and Chams,
ºŸ„â À≠à‡¥Á°‡¥‘π¥Ÿ‡ªìπÀ¡Ÿ¡à ßÿ Young and old, walked in groups for a look.

∫â“ßÀ—«‡√“–‡¬“–À¬—πæ«°øíπ‡ ’È¬¡ Some laughed at the spiky-toothed

¡—πÕ“¬‡Àπ’¬¡π—ßË π‘ßË ‡À¡◊Õπ≈‘ß∂ÿß Who felt ashamed and sat still like apes.
®πæ≈∫§Ë”µ√”µ√“°„Àⵓ°¬ÿß At night with mosquitoes aplenty, they were left there.
æ«°™“«°√ÿßµ√÷ßµ√“„π√“µ√’ The townspeople came to patrol in the dark.

35
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

 ß “√∑â“«‡®â“≈–¡“π„Àâ√“à π√âÕπ Poor King Laman, greatly perturbed,

¥â«¬Õ“«√≥åπ“ß«—≥Ó¡“√»√’ And with yearning for Wanla the beauteous,
‡ ’¬πÈ”„®„πÕ“√¡≥剡ࠡª√–¥’ Suffered badly to the point of losing consciousness.
®π√“µ√’µ√÷°µ√ÕßπÕßπÈ”µ“ At night, he kept thinking while his tears flowed.

‚Õ⇠’¬¥“¬ “¬ «“∑ª√–À≈“¥‚©¡ çO, how great the loss of that amazing lovely lady!
™«¥ª√–‚≈¡≈—∫‡πµ√¢Õ߇™…∞“ I miss caressing her because sheûs out of sight.
·µà√ªŸ ∑√ßÕߧå≈–‡«ß·¡à«≥ — Ó But the figure of that beautiful Laweng Wanla
¬—ßµ‘¥¡“„π‡ ◊ÈÕ‡ªìπ‡¬◊ËÕ„¬ Is imprinted on the scroll inside my shirt.é

¬‘ßË π÷°√—°™—°°√–¥“…∑’«Ë “¥√Ÿª With longing, he unfolded the scroll,

¡“°Õ¥®Ÿ∫®‘µª≈ߥ⫬À≈ß„À≈ Kissed and cuddled the portrait crazily.
‡ΩÑ“≈Ÿ∫‡≈àπ‡§≈âπ‡§≈Ⓡª≈à“‡ª≈à“‰ª He touched and fondled, to no avail.
¬‘È¡≈–‰¡À¡“¬«à“ÕߧåÕπߧåπ«≈ He smiled, mistaking the picture for the real person.

∂πÕ¡·π∫·Õ∫Õÿ⡬‘ßË §≈ÿ⡧≈—Ëß Tenderly he held the portrait close,

‡À¡◊Õπ∫â“À≈—ß≈◊¡Õߧå∑√ßæ√– √«≈ As though insane, he smiled inanely.
 –°‘¥‡°“‡´â“´’‡È ΩÑ“¬’¬«π He nudged and scratched her incessantly.
‡ ’¬ß‚´àµ√«π°√‘ßË °√à“ßÕ¬Ÿ°à ≈“ß°√ßœ Clanging sounds of chains could be heard in the cage.

Ô æ«°ºŸ§â ¡ÿ °≈ÿ¡â °≈“¥ª√–À≈“¥®‘µ The prison guards were puzzled,

µà“ß –°‘¥„Àâ°π— ¥Ÿ√«Ÿâ “à À≈ß Nudging each other to say heûs crazy.
∫â“ß·Ω߇ߓ‡¢â“‰ª¡Õßµ“¡™àÕß°√ß Some sneaked close to the bars of the cage.
‡ÀÁπ√Ÿª∑√ß “«πâÕ¬°Áæ≈Õ¬‡æ≈‘π Seeing the figure of the young lady, they felt titillated.

∫â“ßæ≈—ßÈ «à“πà“√—°æ¬—°æ‡¬‘¥ Some nodded, saying, çSheûs pretty

«‘‰≈‡≈‘»≈È”¡πÿ…¬å ¥ÿ  √√‡ √‘≠ And lovelier than ordinary women.é
∫â“ߢեŸ¢µŸà –§Õ°∑”À¬Õ°‡Õ‘π Some begged for a look. He scowled. They teased him.
‡ÀÁπÀ¡“߇¡‘π¡â«π°√–¥“…‰¡àÕ“®°«πœ Seeing him moody, they dared not disturb him.

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 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

Ô  ß “√∑â“«‡®â“≈–¡“π√”§“≠®‘µ Pitiful King Laman felt deeply annoyed,

‡Õ“√Ÿªªî¥ª°ªÑÕߪ√–§Õß ß«π Hiding the portrait as itûs something he cherished.
µâÕßÕ¥Õ¬“°µ√“°µ√”¬‘ßË √”®«π In hardship, he became more infatuated with Laweng.
∑—ßÈ ‚´àµ√«πµ√÷ßµ√“√–Õ“„® Cumbersome were the chains around him.

‰Àπ®–§‘¥∂÷ß ¡∫—µæ‘  — ∂“π He thought of his wealth and his relatives

∑—ßÈ «ß»å«“π¡‘‰¥â‡ÀÁπ«à“‡ªìπ‰©π Whom he knew not how they were.
¬‘ßË √”≈÷°µ√÷°µ√“¬‘ßË Õ“≈—¬ The more he pondered, the more forlorn he felt.
®πÀ“¬„®∑“ߪ“°¥â«¬¬“°‡¬Áπ He even breathed through the mouth with difficulty.

¬‘ßË ¥÷°¥◊πË °≈◊π°≈È”πÈ”æ√–‡πµ√ Deeper in the night, his tears he swallowed,

 ÿ¥ —߇°µ„§√®–·°â‰¡à·≈‡ÀÁπ Seeing no way out and no one to help him.
Àπ“«πÈ”§â“ß°≈“ßÕ“°“» “¥°√–‡´Áπ Cold dew dropped and splattered.
· ¬ß‡¬Áπ‡¬◊Õ°À≈—∫√–ß—∫‰ª Deeply frozen he felt and so he went to sleep.

æÕ‡™â“µ√ŸàºŸâ§ÿ¡™ÿ¡πÿ¡π—Ëß Early at dawn, the guards sat down together.

‡ ’¬ß°√π¥—ߥŸ√–ß—∫‡ÀÁπÀ≈—∫‰À≈ Hearing him snore and seeing him in slumber,
‡¢â“≈âÕ¡≈—°™—°°√–¥“…√Ÿª«“¥‰«â They stole his portrait scroll
‡Õ“¡“„ÀâÀ¡◊Ëπ¢ÿπ‡ªìπ¡ÿ≈𓬠And took it to their commanding master.

æ«°‡ π’§≈’¥Ë ‡Ÿ ÀÁπºŸÀâ ≠‘ß Unrolling the paper, the courtiers saw a ladyûs portrait.
™–ß“¡®√‘߇®’¬«π–®–∂«“¬ çItûs magnificent. Weûll take it to the king.é
‡«≈“‡™â“‡¢â“¡“‡µ√’¬¡øŸ¡‡øïô¬¡°“¬ Morning came. They dressed themselves up,
æ√âÕ¡∑—ßÈ ΩÉ“¬´â“¬¢«“¢â“√“™°“√œ Ready to go on duty, left and right.

Ô ΩÉ“¬Õߧåæ√–Õ¿—¬„π𑇫»πå At eight oûclock in the palace, Phra Aphai

 Õß‚¡ß‡»…‡ ¥Á®¡“¬—ßÀπâ“©“π Came out to the open terrace.
 ∂‘µ·∑àπ·«àπøÑ“‚ÕÓÓ√ He took a seat on his majestic throne.
¡πµ√’°√“π°√“∫°â¡∫—ߧ¡§—≈ His ministers prostrated in front of him.

37
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

æ√–∂“¡∑â“«‡®â“≈–¡“π¬—ßÀ“≠Œ÷° He asked, çIs King Laman still defiant?

À√◊Õ√Ÿ â °÷ ‚∑…°√≥åæÕºàÕπº—π Or has he repented, enough for us to be lenient?é
‡ π“∑Ÿ≈¡Ÿ≈§«“¡‡ÀÁπ§√“¡§√—π The courtiers voiced their opinions,
‡∏ժɫπªíòπ‡ªìπ∫â“∂÷ßπ“√’ çHeûs gone mad over a woman.

‡Õ“°√–¥“…«“¥√ŸªÕÕ°®Ÿ∫°Õ¥ çTaking out her picture, he caressed and kissed it,

·≈â«À≈ßæ≈Õ¥ Õ¥ —¡º— πà“∫—¥ ’ Even made love to it. How shameful!
·µà√ªŸ √à“ßπ“ßπ—πÈ ¢¬—π¥’ But her figure was magnificent.
ª√–‡¥’ά«π’È¢â“懮⓰Á‡Õ“¡“ Iûve brought the picture with me.é

·≈â«π∫πÕ∫À¡Õ∫‡¡’¬ß‡¢â“‡§’¬ßÕ“ πå He crawled close to the royal couch,

§≈’°Ë √–¥“…ÕÕ°∂«“¬≈“¬‡≈¢“ Unfurling the paper for the king to see.
æ«°¢â“‡ΩÑ“‡À≈à“Õ”¡“µ¬å¡“µ¬“ Courtiers and officials on duty
µà“ßµâÕßµ“µâÕß®‘µ„Àâµ¥‘ „® Found the picture striking to their eyes and mind.

æ√–Õ¿—¬‰¥â¬≈«‘¡≈‚©¡ The king saw the gorgeous portrait

ß“¡ª√–‚≈¡À≈ß·≈¥—ß·¢‰¢ Featuring her exquisite moon-like beauty.
µâÕ߇ πàÀ‡å ≈¢“§‘¥Õ“≈—¬ Mesmerized, he suddenly felt a pang of regret,
¥â«¬·®âß„®«à“≈Ÿ° “«‡®â“≈—ß°“ Knowing well that she was the Lankan Kingûs daughter.

π’ÀË √◊Õ∑â“«≈–¡“π¡‘´“π´∫ çThis is why King Laman came to volunteer

¡“√—∫√∫‡¡◊Õߺ≈÷°»÷°Õ“ “ To battle against Phaluek.é
æ√–À≈ߧ‘¥æ‘»«ßÕߧå«≥ — Ó He was puzzled, thinking about Wanla,
·≈â«À¬‘∫¡“¡â«π°√–¥“…√Ÿª«“¥‰«â And rolled up the portrait scroll.

®÷߇Õ◊ÕÈ πÕ√√∂µ√—  —ßË æ«°¢â“‡ΩÑ“ He said to those in royal audience,

„À⧡ÿ ‡®â“≈–¡“π¡“‰¥âª√“»√—¬ çGo and fetch King Laman here for a talk.é
π§√∫“≈§≈“πÕÕ°¡“擇¢â“‰ª The police on duty crawled out and dragged inside
∑—ßÈ µ√«π„À≠à‚´à≈“à ¡ “¡ª√–°“√œ King Laman who was chained at three main spots.

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 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

Ô ‡®â“øíπ‡ ’È¬¡‡À’Ȭ¡Œ÷°‰¡àπ÷°æ√—Ëπ The spiky-toothed had no fear.

·°≈â߬◊π¬—πÕ¬Ÿµà √ßÀπⓉ¡à«“à ¢“π Standing in front of the king, he said not a word.
®–µ√— ∂“¡§«“¡Õ–‰√‰¡à„Àâ°“√ Whatever Phra Aphai asked, he kept silent.
æ√–√”§“≠‡§◊Õߢ—∫„Àâ°≈—∫‰ª Bored with his manner, away the king drove him.

·≈⫪√÷°…“¢â“‡ΩÑ“‡À≈à“Õ”¡“µ¬å Phra Aphai then consulted his ministers,

¡—π‡™◊ÕÈ ™“µ‘‡ ’¬È «°“ßµà“ßπ‘ ¬— çThey belong to a different race, like the gate guardians.
®–¶à“µ’™’«—π„Àâ∫√√≈—¬ It will not be of any use to us
°Á‡ÀÁπ‰¡à‡ªìπº≈‡≈¬¡πµ√’ Even if we put them to their death.

§√—πÈ ®–ª≈àÕ¬„À≪‡¡◊Õß¡—π‡∫◊ÕÈ ßÀπâ“ çIf we let them go back to their city,

¡—π®–¡“√∫æÿßà ‡Õ“°√ÿß»√’ In future they will return to fight us again.
®ß§ÿ¡‰ª„π∑–‡≈‡∂‘¥‡ π’ You, my ministers, should take them into the deep
ª≈àÕ¬‡ ’¬∑’·Ë ¥π‡ß“–µ“¡‡°“–‡°’¬π And set them free on any island there.

‡ªìπΩÉ“¬‡Àπ◊Õ‡√◊Õ‰ª‰¡à„§√à∂÷ß çLet it be in the north, rarely visited by boats.

π—πÈ ·À≈–®÷ß·ºàπ¥‘π®– ‘πÈ ‡ ’¬È π Thus our land will be free from foe.é
æ√– —ßË ‡ √Á®‡ ¥Á®®“°·∑à𫑇™’¬√ Spoken, he descended from his crystal couch
 Ÿ¡à π‡∑’¬√ª√“ߧ塓»√“™«—ßœ And walked back to his palace.

Ô ΩÉ“¬¢â“‡ΩÑ“‡Õ“‡¿µ√“„ à¢“â »÷° The courtiers put the enemy into a boat

ÕÕ°·≈àπ≈÷°·À≈¡‡ß“–‡°“–°ÿπµ—ßÎ And set sail for Ngo Cape and Guntang Island.
‡∑’¬Ë «ª≈àÕ¬∑’¡Ë π’ È”‡ªìπ°”≈—ß Freeing their captives on islands in the strong currents
µ“¡√—∫ —ßË ‡ √Á® √√æ·≈â«°≈—∫¡“ As ordered by Phra Aphai, and returned home.

· π ß “√∑à“π∑â“«‡®â“≈–¡“π What a pity for King Laman!

°—∫∑À“√‰æ√àπ“¬∑—ßÈ ´â“¬¢«“ He and his retinue, soldiers at his left and right,
Õ¬Ÿ‡à °“–„À≠à„π∑–‡≈∂÷߇«≈“ Remained on the big island
æ√– ÿ√¬‘ “‡¬Áπ¬Ë”®π§Ë”æ≈∫ Till the sun started to set at dusk.

39
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

§≈”°√–¥“…«“¥√Ÿª®–®Ÿ∫‡≈àπ He searched for the portrait scroll, hoping to kiss it.

‰¡àæ∫‡ÀÁπ√Ÿª‡¢’¬π‡®’¬π ≈∫ Nothing was there. The king nearly fainted.
„π‡ ◊ÕÈ · ß·Àà߉√°Á‰¡àæ∫ In his jacket and elsewhere there was nothing!
¬‘ßË ‡´“´∫‡ ’¬„®√âÕ߉Àâ‚Œ He stooped and wailed in a loud voice.

∂÷߬“°‡¬Áπ‡ÀÁπ√Ÿª‰¥â≈∫Ÿ ‰≈â çIn hard times, caressing your portrait

§àÕ¬™◊Ëπ„®º—«√—°¢÷ÈπÕ—°‚¢ Makes me feel a lot happier.
¡“™«¥®Ÿ∫√Ÿªß“¡‡¡◊ËÕ¬“¡‚´ In adversity and devoid of kissing that fair picture,
À—«Õ°‚ÕâÕ“¿—æÕ—ª√–¡“≥ O, how miserable I feel!é

æ√–°≈‘ßÈ ‡°≈◊Õ°‡ ◊Õ°Õߧå≈ß°—π· ß He thrashed, rolled about and wept

®π ‘πÈ ·√ß√–∑¥Õ¥Õ“À“√ Until his strength was no more.
≈¡Õ—  “ –ª√– “∑¢“¥ —π¥“π With no food, his nerves and breathing were hindered.
‡®â“≈–¡“𫓬«“ßÕ¬Ÿ°à ≈“߇µ’¬π King Laman came to his death on the barren island.

‡¡◊ÕË ¥—∫®‘µ§‘¥√”æ÷ß∂÷ߺŸÀâ ≠‘ß At his last moment, his mind went to her.
‡ªìπº’ ß‘ √Ÿª°√–¥“…∑’«Ë “¥‡¢’¬π His spirit flew back to possess the portrait scroll,
‡ª√’¬∫‡À¡◊Õπ‡ß“‡¢â“π—Ëß√–«—߇«’¬π Like a shadow that keeps hovering around.
„Àâ滑 ‡æ’¬È πº’∑∫— ‡¢â“®—∫µ“œ Anyone gazing at the picture would be ensnared.

40
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

µÕπ∑’Ë Ú¯ Episode 28
 ÿ¥ “§√µ“¡À“æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ Sudsakhon in Search of Phra Aphai Mani
Translated by Assoc. Prof. Malithat Promathatavedi
and Pensri Kiengsiri

Ô ΩÉ“¬Õߧåæ√–Õ¿—¬‡®â“‰µ√®—°√ Phra Aphai, ruler of three realms,

¬‘ßË À≈ß√—°√Ÿª‡ πàÀ„å π‡≈¢“ Smitten with the charming portrait,
∂÷߬“¡À≈—∫∑—∫‰«â√¡‘ ‰ ¬“ Placed it by his bedside when he slept.
§√—πÈ ‡«≈“øóπô Õߧå°∑Á √ß™¡ Upon waking up, he kept admiring it.

‚©¡·©≈â¡·°â¡§“ß ”Փߧå‡Õ’¬Ë ¡ The alluring pretty cheeks and chin

ª√–‚≈¡‡≈’¬¡≈◊¡ ÿ√“ߧåπ“ß π¡ Made him forget all the court ladies.
∑ÿ°§◊π§Ë”√”≈÷°π÷°π‘¬¡ Each night his mind was filled with desire
®–„§√à™¡‡™¬ª√–‚≈¡‚©¡«—≥Ó To see and caress the gorgeous Wanla.

¬“¡‡ «¬‡§¬Õ√àÕ¬°Á∂Õ¬√  His meals were no longer tasty.

‰Àπ®–Õ¥∫√√∑¡™¡‡≈¢“ He slept not but kept admiring the picture.
°√– —π‚»°‚√§√—°Àπ—°Õÿ√“ His heart was heavy with love sickness,
æ√–æ—°µ√“¡—«À¡Õß≈–ÕÕßπ«≈ His face clouded, devoid of lustre.

Àâ“¡¡‘„À℧√‡¢â“¡“‡ΩÑ“·Àπ Forbidding anyone his presence,

Õ¬Ÿ·à µà·∑àπ∑’∑Ë Õߪ√–§Õß ß«π He remained abed, guarding the likeness.
‡ πÀ“Õ“≈—¬„Àâ√≠ — ®«π His amorous desire made him agitated,
¥—ߪ√–™«√‚√§“¡“°«à“‡¥◊Õπœ As if he were sick for over a month.

Ô ΩÉ“¬ ÿ«√√≥¡“≈’»√’ «— ¥‘Ï As for the gracious Suwannamali,

π“ß°…—µ√‘¬å‡»√â“„®„§√®–‡À¡◊Õπ The Queen was rueful beyond compare
¥â«¬‡ÀÁπÕߧå∑√ß∏√√¡å‡∏Õøíòπ‡øóÕπ Seeing Phra Aphai vague of mind,
æ√–æ—°µ√å‡ΩóÕò πΩÑ“§≈È”πà“√”§“≠ His countenance dark and dreary.

Àâ“¡¡‘„À℧√‡ΩÑ“‡¢â“‰ ¬“ πå The King would allow no one near him,

 ∂‘µÕ“ πå‡ÕπÕߧåπ“à  ß “√ Piteously reclining on his couch.
§‘¥®–„§√à‰ª‡ΩÑ“øíßÕ“°“√ Wanting to know how he was faring,
§àÕ¬·À«°¡à“π‡¡’¬ß¡Õ߇¢â“ÀâÕß„π The Queen gently parted the drapes.

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 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

‡ÀÁπ∑√ß∏√√¡å∫√√∑¡™¡·µà√ªŸ Seeing her Lord in bed eyeing the image,

ª√–‚≈¡≈Ÿ∫≈◊¡Õߧ奫⠬À≈ß„À≈ Caressing it all the while with infatuation,
π“ßæ√“¬æ√‘È¡¬‘È¡·¬â¡°√–·Õ¡‰Õ The Queen, smiling, cleared her throat.
æ√–Õ¿—¬æ—∫Àπ’µ–≈’µ–≈“π Phra Aphai frantically hid the likeness,

‡Õ“·Õ∫Õߧå∑√ߧ≈ÿ¡Àÿ¡â °√–¥“… Covering it with a piece of paper.

 ÿ¥ «“∑«—π∑“‰¡à«“à ¢“π The Queen greeted him with no reproach,
∑”∑Ÿ≈∂“¡§«“¡«à“æ√–Õ“°“√ Feigning to ask about his symptoms,
√âÕπ√”§“≠¢—¥¢«“߇ªìπÕ¬à“߉√ Was he annoyed, thwarted, or what else?

æ√–øíߧ”∑”§√“߇À¡◊ÕπÕ¬à“߇®Á∫ Hearing her, he moaned as if in pain

„Àâ‡Àπ◊ËÕ¬‡ÀπÁ∫≈ÿ°π—Ë߬—߉¡à‰À« And too tired to move about.
‡ÀÁππ“߬‘È¡æ√‘È¡æ√“¬Õ“¬æ√–∑—¬ Seeing her smiling, he felt ashamed
∑”®—∫‰¢â√∫’ √Ÿ¥«‘ µŸ √∫—ßœ And feigned a fever, drawing the drapes.

Ô π“ßπ∫πÕ∫À¡Õ∫‡¡’¬ßÕ¬Ÿ‡à §’¬ßÕ“ πå The Queen, crouching by the couch,

≈—°°√–¥“…¥Ÿ‰¥â¥ß— „®À«—ß Managed to steal the paper as desired.
¬‘ßË ·≈‡≈Á߇æàßæ‘»¬‘ßË §‘¥™—ß The more she eyed it, her aversion grew,
æ√–§≈ÿ⡧≈—Ëߺա´Ÿ∫‡æ√“–√Ÿªπ’È For the form had caused her Lordûs malady.

®–‡Õ“‰«â„¬Õ’°©’°°√–¥“… She tore the paper to destroy the portrait,

‰¡à¬°— ¢“¥·µà °— π‘¥¥â«¬ƒ∑∏‘ºÏ ’ Which ripped not, by a demonûs power.
π“ß ÿ¥· π·§âπ„®‡Õ“‰¡âµ’ Enraged, she beat the image with a stick.
√Ÿªπ“√’√Õâ ß°√’¥π“ßÀ«’¥«“ß It shrieked, and so did she, dropping it.

æ√–‡À≈’¬«‡ÀÁπ‡ªìπ‚¡‚Àæ“‚≈«à“ Seeing this, Phra Aphai became furious

·§âπÀπ—°Àπ“πÕ°√’µ¡“°’¥¢«“ß With his Queen for thwarting his desire.
‡¢â“™‘ß√Ÿª≈Ÿ∫·≈¥Ÿ·º≈æ≈“ß Snatching the image to probe for damage,
¬—ß°√–®à“ß·®âߥ’‰¡à¡™’ È” The King found that it was still intact.

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æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

°≈—∫‡¢â“∑’§Ë ≈’«Ë “߉«â¢“â ß·∑àπ Back in bed, he placed the picture close,
‡ΩÑ“À«ß·Àπ™¡™‘¡‰¡àÕ‘Ë¡Àπ” Jealously admiring it with unsated joy
®π‡§≈‘¡È ÕߧåÀ≈ßß÷¡‡ ’¬ßæ÷¡æ” Until he became spellbound, murmuring
摉√√Ë”√—∫¢«—≠®”π√√®“ And raving rapturously at the portrait.

π“ß‚©¡¬ßÕߧå π—Ë æ√–¢«—≠À“¬ The Queen, trembling all over in fright

‡ÀÁπ√Ÿª°“¬√âÕߥ—ß°Á°ß— ¢“ At the image shrieking, had misgivings.
®–∑Ÿ≈∂“¡¢“¡¢¬“¥æ√–Õ“™≠“ Not daring to ask lest the King chided,
®÷ß°≈—∫¡“ÀâÕßπÕ°∫Õ°°”π—≈ She retreated outside and told her maids,

æ√–¿Ÿ«π—¬‰¥â°√–¥“…∑’«Ë “¥√Ÿª çThe King has a paper with an image on it

æ√–‚≈¡≈Ÿ∫À≈ß„À≈‡À¡◊Õπ„ΩÉΩπí Which he keeps stroking as if fancying it.
∑’π‡’È ®â“‡¢â“‰ª¥â«¬‰¥â™«à ¬°—π This time you should all go in with me
≈—°¡“øíπ‡º“‰ø‡ ’¬„Àâ¬∫— To steal the image, and slash and burn it.é

·≈â«æ“‡À≈à“ “« ÿ√“ߧå§Õà ¬¬à“߬àÕß Quietly, she led the handmaids inside.

‡¢â“„πÀâÕ߇ÀÁπæ√–∫“∑‰ ¬“ πåÀ≈—∫ Seeing the King asleep on the gold couch,
π“ßπ∫πÕ∫À¡Õ∫‡¡’¬ß‡§’¬ß§”π—∫ She paid him obeisance respectfully
§àÕ¬¢¬—∫À¬‘∫°√–¥“…√Ÿª«“¥¡“ And gently took the drawing away.

™«π°—π©’°‡∑à“‰√°Á‰¡à¢“¥ It ripped not, no matter how they tore.

·§âπ∑“¬“¥À¬‘°∑÷ßÈ ¥â«¬À÷ß “ Enraged by jealousy, the Queen pinched
‡Õ“‡º“‰ø„π‡µ“µâ¡πÈ”™“ And burned it in the kettle stove.
ªï»“®°≈â“°≈—∫≈ÿ°¢÷πÈ §≈ÿ°§≈’ The mighty demon rose and fought back.

¢Ÿµà –§Õ°À≈Õ°‡À≈à“ “« π¡ It threatened and spooked the ladies,

∫â“ßÀ≈∫≈⡇°≈◊Õ°°≈‘ßÈ ∫â“ß«‘ßË Àπ’ Who either dodged and fell or ran away.
µà“ß·≈‡ÀÁπ‡ªìπ√Ÿª‡¢â“∑ÿ∫µ’ All the maids saw the demon hitting them,
ΩŸßπ“√’∫“â ß°Á√Õâ ß∫â“ߪÑÕß°—π Some screaming and others fending it off.

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 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

∫â“ߺ≈—°‰À≈à‰≈à∑∫ÿ °—πµÿ∫µ—∫ Some pushed and pounded on shoulders,

‡ª√’¬∫‡À¡◊ÕπÀ≈—∫À≈߇æâÕ≈–‡¡ÕΩíπ Like being in a dream-like hallucination.
æ√–Õ¿—¬‰ ¬“ πåÕ“ πå «ÿ √√≥ Phra Aphai, lying on his golden couch,
‡ ’¬ß π—πË ·´à´Õâ ß¡“¡Õ߇¡’¬ß Rose to see what caused the commotion.

‡ÀÁπº≈—°æ≈‘°¢¬‘°¢¬’µÈ °’ √–¥“… He saw the ladies beating at the paper,

«ÿπà «‘«“∑«“∑“∫â“ß∑Ⓡ∂’¬ß All in a turmoil fighting and arguing.
∑√ߧ≈—ßË §≈ÿ¡â °≈ÿ¡â „®‰¡à‰≈à‡≈’¬ß Delirious and vexed, he asked nothing
©«¬‰¡â‡¡’¬ß‡¢â“¡“„°≈â·≈⫉≈൒ But grabbed a stick and hit them.

≈߉¡â‡√’¬«‡¢«’¬«¢«—∫‰¡à¬—∫¬—Èß The non-stop thrashing of the Kingûs rod

∂Ÿ°‰À≈àÀ≈—߇À≈à“ ÿ¥“æ“°—πÀπ’ Fell on the back of the ladies, who fled.
æ√–·ª≈°æ—°µ√åÕ—§‡√»√à«¡™’«’ The King did not recognize his own wife
‡∑’¬Ë «‰≈൵’ Õâ πæ—≈«—π‰ª And ran after her, trying to beat her too.

·≈â«°≈—∫¡“À“°√–¥“…∑’«Ë “¥√Ÿª Then he returned to find the drawing,

ª√–‚≈¡®Ÿ∫æ—°µ√åπÕâ ß„ÀâºÕà ß„  Kissing the face on it to brighten it up.
‡¢â“ Ÿ∑à §’Ë ≈’°Ë √–¥“…√Ÿª«“¥‰«â Getting in bed, he unfolded the paper,
„Àâ§≈—ßË ‰§≈⇧≈‘¡È Õ“√¡≥剡ࠡª√–¥’œ Enraptured by it, he lost all consciousness.

Ô  ß “√Õߧåπß≈—°…≥åÕ§— ‡√» Pity gracious Queen Suwannamali,

™≈‡πµ√·π«πÕß„ÀâÀ¡Õß»√’ With tears streaming, marring her face,
„Àâ “«„™â‰ª‡™‘≠æ√–™ππ’ She sent a maid to invite her mother
¡“∂÷ß∑’ªË √“ߧ塓»ª√“ “∑™—¬ To come see her in the golden palace.

®÷ß∑Ÿ≈§«“¡µ“¡°√–¥“…∑’«Ë “¥√Ÿª Then she told her about the painting

æ√–‚≈¡√Ÿª≈◊¡Õߧ奫⠬À≈ß„À≈ With which Phra Aphai was infatuated.
≈Ÿ°À≈“°π—°≈—°‡Õ“¡“‡º“‰ø çStrangely, I stole the image to burn it;
¡—π‰¡à‰À¡â°≈—∫≈ÿ°¢÷πÈ §≈ÿ°§≈’ It wouldnût burn but rose to confront me.

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æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

¢â“°—∫‡À≈à“ “« «√√§å™«π°—π Ÿâ çI and my maids joined in fighting it,

ª≈È”°—πÕ¬Ÿºà ≈—°‰ ¡—π‰¡àÀπ’ Wrestling and pushing, but it fled not.
æ√–‚°√∏“§«â“‰¡â¡“‰≈൒ Enraged, Phra Aphai beat us with a rod,
·≈⫇¢â“∑’Ë¡‘‰¥âÕÕ°¢â“ßπÕ°‡≈¬œ Then went to bed and never came out.é

Ô æ√–¡“√¥√¢âÕπ∑√«ß‡ ’¬ßº“ߺ“ß The Queen Dowager beat her breast loudly,

°—π· ßæ≈“ßµ√ß¡“À“≈Ÿ°‡¢¬ In tears she went straight to Phra Aphai.
‡ÀÁπ§«â“√Ÿª≈Ÿ∫µâÕߪ√–§Õ߇™¬ Seeing him caressing the haunted image,
‡Õ–°√√¡‡Õ㬰√√¡°√√¡∑”°√–‰√ She thought it must have been his karma.

¢÷πÈ ·∑àπ√—µπåµ√— ∂“¡«à“∑√“¡ «“∑ Seated on a dais, she asked, çDear son,

‰¥â°√–¥“…‡≈¢“¡“·µà‰Àπ Where did you obtain this portrait?
¢Õ„Àâ·¡à·≈¥Ÿ√ªŸ ºŸ„â ¥ Let me have a look whose likeness it is.é
æ√–Õ¿—¬√Ÿâ ÷°„Àâπ÷°Õ“¬ Phra Aphai, now conscious, was abashed.

∑”¬‘È¡¬àÕߪÑÕߪ≈â«Õ‘¥‡Õ◊ÈÕπ Smiling, he hid the image and refrained

µàÕµ√— ‡µ◊ÕπÀ≈“¬§”®”∂«“¬ From answering until he was urged to,
·≈â«∑Ÿ≈«à“π“√’¥À’ √◊Õ√⓬ çA lady, but whether she is good or bad
‰¡à∑√“∫ΩÉ“¬¢â“‡ΩÑ“‡¢“‡Õ“¡“ I know not, since the officials brought it,

«à“¢Õß∑â“«‡®â“≈–¡“πÀ¡àÕ¡©“π‡ÀÁπ çSaying that it belonged to King Laman.

°Á¥‡Ÿ ≈àπµ“¡ ∫“¬≈“¬‡≈¢“ Finding it, I was admiring the sketch,
Õ’ “« “«‡À≈à“°”π—≈°—≈¬“ Then all these handmaidens appeared.
¡—π‡ªìπ∫ⓉªÕ¬à“߉√°Á‰¡à√Ÿâ Somehow they must have been mad,

¡“Õ◊ÈÕÕ÷ßÀ÷ß°√–¥“…«‘«“∑«ÿàπ çBeing jealous, fighting over the paper

™ÿ≈¡ÿπ¥â«¬°—πÀ¡¥‰¡àÕ¥ Ÿ Tumultuously without any shame,
‡¢â“©ÿ¥§√à“Àπâ“À≈—ßÕÕ°æ√—ßË æ√Ÿ Crowding around me and tugging me.
≈Ÿ°Àπ«°ÀŸ‰≈൮’ ß÷ À𒉪œ Disturbed by the din, I beat them away.é

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 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

Ô π“ßøíߧ”∑”µ√— «à“∫—¥ ’ Hearing him, she said, çItûs a shame!

√Ÿª‡™àππ’°È ®Á –À÷߉ª∂÷߉Àπ Why be jealous over such an image?
·≈â««à“æàÕ°ÁÕ¬à“‡Õ“‡¢â“¡“‰«â As for you, do not keep it by your side
®–°√–‰√Õ¬Ÿà°√–¡—ß√–«—ßÕߧå I fear something is amiss, so be wary.

¥â«¬√Ÿªπ’¡È ¡’ “·µà¢“â »÷° çSince the image came from the enemy,
Õ¬à“‰¥âπ°÷ √—°„§√à®–„À≈À≈ß To adore it is to be infatuated by it.
‡¥’¬Î «π’æÈ Õà °Á¬ß— ´Ÿ∫∑—ßÈ √Ÿª∑√ß Now you are still wan and emaciated,
√—°…“Õߧ几’¬„ÀâÀ“¬ ∫“¬„® Nurse yourself back to health in comfort.

π’Ë·¡à¢ÕæàÕ‡∂‘¥√Ÿª°√–¥“… çLet Mother have this piece of paper

®ß‰ ¬“ πåÕ¬Ÿ„à πÀâÕß„ÀâºÕà ß„  And rest joyously in your chamber.é
ª√–¿“…æ≈“ßπ“ßæ√–¬“≈ÿ°§≈“‰§≈ Thus speaking, the Queen Dowager rose
‡ ¥Á®‰ªÀâÕßπÕ°∫Õ°∏‘¥“ And went outside to tell her daughter.

æ√–‡À◊Õ¥À“¬§≈“¬§≈—ßË ≈ß∫â“ß·≈â« çYour husbandûs delusion has abated,

æ“≈Ÿ°·°â«°≈Õ¬„®‡¢â“‰ªÀ“ So take the princesses in to see him.
∂÷ß°≈—¥°≈ÿ¡â §≈ÿ¡â §≈—ßË ‰¡àøßí ¬“ However depressed or mad he may be,
‰¥â‡ÀÁπÀπâ“≈Ÿ°πâÕ¬°Á§Õà ¬§≈“¬ Seeing the girls will make him better.é

·≈â« àß√Ÿª‡≈¢“„Àâ®“à ‚¢≈π Handing the image to the chief court lady

‡Õ“‰ª‚¬π‡ ’¬∑’«Ë π™≈ “¬ To be thrown away in the water,
π“ß√Õ√—ßÈ øí߇ߒ¬∫‡™’¬∫ ∫“¬ The old queen waited until all was quiet,
®÷ߺ—πº“¬æ“ ÿ√“ߧ剪ª√“ߧå∑Õßœ Then led her servants back to the palace.

Ô ΩÉ“¬ ÿ«√√≥¡“≈’π“√’√“™ The regal Queen Suwannamaliûs

‡ÀÁπ¿Ÿ«π“∂‡§≈◊ÕË π§≈“¬§àÕ¬«“¬À¡Õß Gloom abated, seeing her Lord stirring.
®Ÿß∏‘¥“π“√’∑ß—È æ’πË Õâ ß She held her two daughtersû hands and
‡¢â“„πÀâÕßæ√–∫√√∑¡§àÕ¬°â¡§≈“π Led them into the chamber, prostrating.

47
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

®Õ¡°…—µ√‘¬µå √— ‡√’¬°æ√–≈Ÿ°√—° The King called his beloved daughters

¡“π—ßË µ—°¢â“ß≈–Õߧ奫⠬ ß “√ To sit on either side of his lap out of pity.
·¡à‰ª‰Àπ‰¡à¡“À“æàÕ™â“π“π çItûs so long since you came to see me.é
π“ß°√“∫°√“πµ√ßæ√–‡æ≈“·≈⫇≈à“§«“¡ The elder one bowed at his lap, saying,

©—π‡°≈â“®ÿ°µÿ°ä µ“®–¡“∂«“¬ çI tied a topknot for my doll to give you

¡—πÀπ’À“¬°ÁµÕâ ߉ª‡∑’¬Ë «‰µà∂“¡ But it ran away so I had to look for it.é
∑—ßÈ πâÕßπâÕ¬æ≈Õ¬«à“µÿ°ä µ“ß“¡ The younger added, çPretty dolls there,
¬—ßÕ¬Ÿ à “¡µ—««“߉«â¢“â ߇µ’¬ß Three of them, are still beside the couch.é

æ√–°Õ¥®Ÿ∫≈Ÿ∫À≈—ß·≈â«øíßæ≈Õ¥ He hugged, kissed, stroke their backs

™à“ß©Õ¥©Õ¥©Õ‡≈“–‡ π“–‡ ’¬ß And listened to their endearing words.
Õÿâ¡∫ÿµ√’æ’ËπâÕߪ√–§Õ߇§’¬ß Being held side by side in Papaûs arms,
æ‘»‡æ’¬ßæ‘¡æ凥’¬«·≈⫇À≈’¬«¡“ The sisters looked exactly alike. Turning,

·°≈âßµ√— ∫Õ°À¬Õ°¡‘ßË ¡‡À ’ The King teased his Queen jokingly,

‰ÀππâÕßæ’πË °’Ë ¬Á ß— §‘¥°—ߢ“ çWhich is elder or younger, I still doubt.é
π“ß·¬â¡¬‘È¡æ√‘È¡æ√“¬Õ“¬«‘≠≠“≥å The Queen, abashed, smiled demurely.
æ√–µ√— «à“«—ππ’ƒÈ °…奧’ √—π He said. çToday is an auspicious day,

®–µ—ßÈ π“¡µ“¡«ß»åæ߻尅—µ√‘¬å çI will name them to suit the royal line.

»√’ «— ¥‘®Ï ߢ¬—∫¡“√—∫¢«—≠ Move closer to receive my blessings.
„Àâ∫µÿ √’æ™’Ë Õ◊Ë  √âÕ¬ ÿ«√√≥ Let the elder sister be called Soisuwan,
πâÕß™◊ÕË ®—π∑√å ¥ÿ “°ÿ¡“√’ And the younger Chansuda Kumari.é

π“ߧ”π—∫√—∫√ æ®π“√∂ The Queen bowed, heeding his words,

·≈â« Õπ√“™∏‘¥“¡“√»√’ Then instructed the royal princesses
„Àâ√∫—  —ßË ∫—ߧ¡°â¡‚¡≈’ To bow and acknowledge the command,
æ√–∫ÿµ√’√∫— æ≈Õ¥©Õ¥ ”‡π’¬ß Which they did, while prattling sweetly.

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 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

 √âÕ¬ ÿ«√√≥π—Èπ«à“™◊ËÕ©—π‡æ√“–°«à“ Soisuwan said, çMy name sounds nicer.é

πâÕß°Á«à“¢Õß©—π‡æ√“–∑–‡≈“–‡∂’¬ß Chansuda argued, çMine is better.é
µà“ß∑Ÿ≈§«“¡∂“¡‰∂à‡ΩÑ“‰≈à‡≈’¬ß Each kept asking their royal father
«à“™◊ËÕ‡ ’¬ß„§√®–‡æ√“–‡ π“–¥’ Whose name sounded most melodious.

æ√–Õ¿—¬„® ∫“¬§àÕ¬§≈“¬§≈—Ëß At ease, Phra Aphaiûs dementia abated.

«à“‡æ√“–∑—ßÈ æ’πË Õâ ß∑—ßÈ  Õß»√’ He said, çBoth your names sound nice.é
π“ß∑Ÿ≈≈“«à“®–‰ªÕ«¥Õ—¬°’ Saying that they would go tell Grandma,
Õ—≠™≈’·≈â«°Áæ“°—π§≈“‰§≈œ The girls paid him obeisance and left.

Ô æÕæ≈∫§Ë”¬Ë”¶âÕß°≈Õß°√–À÷¡Ë At dusk booms of gongs thundered,

ª√–‚§¡§√÷È¡§√◊Èπ§√—Ëπ π—Ëπ‰À« Music was struck up boisterously.
π“ß ”À√—∫¢—∫√âÕß∑”πÕß„π Court singers assigned to sing royal tunes
°Á∑“â ∑—∫¢—∫‰¡â¡‚À√’ Staged the mahori orchestra performance.

∫√√∑¡øíß«—߇«ß¥â«¬‡æ≈ß°≈àÕ¡ The King lay alone listening to the lullaby

ª√– “π´âÕ¡ —ߧ’µ∑—ßÈ ¥’¥ ’ Harmoniously played by the ensemble.
®«π®–À≈—∫°≈—∫‡ÀÁπ√Ÿªπ“√’ Almost asleep, he saw the ladyûs portrait
Õ¬Ÿ√à ¡‘ ∑’‰Ë  ¬“ πåª√–À≈“¥„® At his bedside and wondered at it.

ª√–‚≈¡≈Ÿ∫√Ÿª«“¥ªï»“®´È” Repeatedly caressing the haunted image,

„À⮵‘ §≈Ë”‡§≈‘¡È Õߧå°≈—∫À≈ß„À≈ He became derilious with infatuation.
·π∫∂πÕ¡ÀÕ¡™◊Ëπ√◊Ëπƒ∑—¬ Pressing it close and kissing it with joy.
‡ΩÑ“≈Ÿ∫‰≈â√∫— ¢«—≠®”π√√®“ He kept stroking and talking to the lady.

‡®â“°—∫æ’πË °’È »ÿ ≈·µàÀπÀ≈—ß çYou and me must have previous merits,

‡ÀÁπ®√‘ß®—߇®’¬«π–·¡à·πàÀπ—°Àπ“ This is a certainty, my dearly beloved.
∂÷ßæ√“°‰ª‰«â∑Õ’Ë π◊Ë §ß§◊π¡“ Though removed elsewhere, you return,
‡À¡◊Õπ‡¢“«à“§Ÿà·≈⫉¡à·§≈⫇≈¬ As they say, true mates never part.é

49
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

ª√–¿“…æ≈“ß∑“ßµ√–‚∫¡ª√–‚≈¡≈Ÿ∫ Talking, the King caressed the portrait,

∂πÕ¡√Ÿª√à«¡‡√’¬ß‡§’¬ß‡¢π¬ Placing it on his pillow while he slept
®π· ß∑Õß àÕß «à“ßπÈ”§â“߇™¬ Until dawn broke and dewdrops fell.
≈¡√”‡æ¬æ—¥æ“ ÿ¡“¡“≈¬å The breeze swept the scents of flowers

¡“√◊πË √◊πË ™◊πË ®‘µ π‘∑À≈—∫ Gently in, and the King slept soundly
√–∑«¬∑—∫√Ÿª∑√ßπà“ ß “√ As he sadly reclined atop the portrait.
®π√ÿßà ‡™â“ “« «√√§åæπ—°ß“π When morn came the ladies in charge
µ—ßÈ ‡§√◊ÕË ßÕ“π·Õ∫¥Ÿæ√–¿Ÿ«‰π¬ Of the royal wardrobe took a peek at him.

‡ÀÁπ «¡ Õ¥°Õ¥°√–¥“…∑’«Ë “¥√Ÿª Seeing the King caressing the paper,

µà“ß°Á≈∫Ÿ Õ°«à“πà“ ß —¬ They stroke their chests in doubt.
‡¡◊ÕË ∑‘ßÈ ¢«â“ß°≈“ßπÈ”∑”°√–‰√ The paper had been thrown in water,
®÷ß¡“‰¥âÀ√◊Õ°√–¥“…ªï»“®¡’ How did it get here, was it possessed?

ª√÷°…“æ≈“ß∑“ß√’∫‰ªª√“ߧå√µ— πå Consulting, they rushed to the palace

∑Ÿ≈√À— ‡Àµÿæ√–¡‡À ’ To report the incident to the Queen.
π“ßµ°„®„À⇙‘≠æ√–™ππ’ Frightened, she sent for her mother
¡“æ√âÕ¡∑’ªË √“ߧå√µ— πå°…—µ√“ To join her in the Kingûs chamber.

¡Õ߇¢¡âπ‡ÀÁπ°√–¥“…ª√–À≈“¥®‘µ Seeing the paper, they were amazed.

‡ªìπ ÿ¥§‘¥·§âπ§—ßË π—ßË ª√÷°…“ At their witsû end they sat consulting.
ΩÉ“¬Õߧåæ√–Õ¿—¬µ◊πË ‰ ¬“ When Phra Aphai woke from his slumber
‡ÀÁπ¡“√¥“‡¥◊Õ¥¥“≈√”§“≠„® And saw the old Queen, he was vexed.

∑”º‘πÀ≈—ß∫—ß°√–¥“…Õπ“∂π‘ßË Turning his back, hiding the paper,

°≈—«®–™‘ß©’°¡‘µ√æ‘ ¡—¬ He was afraid sheûd tear his beloved up.
æ√–¡“√¥√«Õπ«à“¥â«¬Õ“≈—¬ The old Queen pleaded with worry,
π’Ë√Ÿª„À¡àÀ√◊Õ‡°à“æàÕ‡ΩÑ“‡™¬ çIs the image you so admire new or old?

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 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

√Ÿª‰¡à¥º’  ’ ß‘ ∑‘ßÈ ‡ ’¬‡∂‘¥ çThe painting is haunted, throw it away,

®–°àÕ‡°‘¥§«“¡«ÿàπæàÕ§ÿ≥‡Õ㬠Lest it bring troubles, my beloved son.
øíß·¡à«“à ‡∂‘¥Õ¬à“‰¥â‡Õ“‰«â‡≈¬ Heed my words and do not retain it,
æàÕ§«√‡™¬ “« π¡°√¡„π But turn to admiring the ladies instead.é

π“ßæ√–¬“«à“«Õπæ√–πÕππ‘Ëß All through her pleading he laid so still.

π“ß°Á¬ß‘Ë «Õπ«à“πÈ”µ“‰À≈ She insisted more, with tears streaming.
æ√–Œ÷¥Œ—¥µ√— «à“√–Õ“„® Feeling oppressed, he said, çIûm fed up
‡ΩÑ“·§–‰§â§Õà π«à“¥Ÿπ“à ™—ß With the constant carping so disgusting.

∑—ßÈ ºŸ¥â ¢’ ¢’È “â ¢÷πÈ ¡“·´à çBoth the high-born and maids clamorously
‡ΩÑ“‚À¡·ÀàÀß÷  “‡À¡◊Õπ∫â“À≈—ß Throng jealously around me like mad?é
æ√–‡§◊Õߢ—∫°≈—∫√Ÿ¥«‘ µŸ √∫—ß Irate, the King drew the drapes after him.
„Àâ§≈ÿ¡â §≈—ßË ‡§≈‘¡È Õ“√¡≥剡ࠡª√–¥’œ Half-crazed, he lost all consciousness.

Ô æ√–¡“√¥√∂Õπ„®‰Àâ –Õ◊Èπ The Queen Dowager sighed and sobbed

 ÿ¥®–°≈◊π°≈—πÈ πÈ”µ“¡“√»√’ As she was unable to suppress her tears.
∑—ßÈ ‚©¡¬ßÕߧ堫ÿ √√≥¡“≈’ Her daughter Suwannamali as well,
æ√–À—µ∂åµ∑’ √«ß´È”√˔摉√ Beat her breast repeatedly and moaned.

‚Õâæ√–√à¡‚æ∏‘Ï∑ÕߢÕßπâÕß·°â« çAlas, my beloved Lord Protector!

À≈߇ ’¬·≈â«°√√¡‡Õ㬰√√¡®–∑”‰©π Heûs been infatuated, what should I do?é
æ√–¡“√¥“«à“æàÕ§ÿ≥‡§¬Õÿàπ„® Her mother said, çWe have been secure,
‡À¡◊Õπ©—µ√™—¬™à«ß∫”√ÿß„Àâ√ßÿà ‡√◊Õß For his protection has led us to glory.

¡“‡°‘¥‡ªìπ‡™àππ’«È ª‘ √‘µ çNow that heûs behaving so strangely,

‡À¡◊Õπ¡◊¥¡‘¥·À≈àßÀ≈â“øÑ“®–‡À≈◊Õß Itûs all dark and the sky is turning sallow.
·¡âπ¢â“»÷°Œ÷°Õ÷ß¡“∂÷߇¡◊Õß If the enemies march noisily to our town,
‡¡◊ËÕ·§âπ‡§◊Õߢÿàπ‡¢Á≠®–‡ÀÁπ„§√ Who else could help us in dire straits?é

51
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

π“ߧ√«≠§√Ë”°” √¥ ≈¥®‘µ The old Queen lamented in sorrow.

‚Õâ ¥ÿ §‘¥ ÿ¥∑’·Ë ¡à®–·°â‰¢ çAt my witsû end, I cannot right this.é
∑—ßÈ Àâ“¡·Àπ· π π¡°√¡„π The court ladies and the maids in droves,
µà“ß√âÕ߉À≡૓¬ø“¬πÈ”µ“œ All were weeping with tears in profusion.

Ô §√—πÈ  «à“ßπ“ß„ÀâÀ“‚À√“√“™ Morn came, so she sent for the royal seer
∑—ßÈ Õ”¡“µ¬å‡¡◊Õߺ≈÷°¡“ª√÷°…“ And Phaluek court officials for counsel.
‡ªìπ‡Àµÿ„À≠à‰æ√’®–¡’¡“ çThis event forecasts the enemy coming,
‡ «°“®–§‘¥Õà“πª√–°“√„¥ You officials, what plans do you have?é

æ«°‡ π“µà“ß§π§‘¥ÕâπÕ—πÈ The officials were at a loss for words.

 µ‘µπ— µ°ª√–À¡à“πÈ”µ“‰À≈ At their witsû end, nervous, and in tears,
µà“ß∑Ÿ≈§«“¡µ“¡·§≈߉¡à·®âß„® They all said that they were still in doubt.
·≈â« —ßË „Àâ‚À√™”√–¥Ÿæ√–‡§√“–Àå So she bade the seer read the Kingûs fate.

æƒ≤“‡≤à“‡Õ“ª√–π‘π∑‘πÕÕ°§≈’Ë The old astrologer unfolded his calendar,

µ—ßÈ ‡¥◊Õπªï≈߇≈¢‚ª°‡ª°‡ª“– Writing the month and year on the slate.
√“ÀŸ‡ “√凢â“√«∫®«∫®”‡æ“– With Rahu1 and Saturn entering his sign,
‡ªìπæ√–‡§√“–Àå§√“«√⓬®÷ß∑“¬∑Ÿ≈ The Kingûs luck was bad, so he foretold.

µâÕßµ”√“«à“º’‰æ√’√“â ¬ çThe book says that the enemyûs demon

∑”«ÿà𫓬À«—ß®–„À⇠’¬‰Õ»Ÿ√¬å Is wreaking havoc for to slay the King,
·µà‰¡à¡â«¬¥â«¬æ√–«ß»åæß»åª√–¬Ÿ√ But his life may be saved by a relative,
®–‡æ‘Ë¡æŸπºàÕπª√π„Àâæâπ¿—¬œ Who will get him out of harmûs way.é

Ô π“ßæ√–¬“«à“°√–π—Èπ„π«—ππ’È The Queen Dowager said, çThen today

®–≈ߺ’‰µà∂“¡µ“¡ ß —¬ A séance should be planned for inquiry.
„ÀâÀ“∑â“«‡®â“ ‘ß∑’®Ë √‘ß„® An honest medium should be summoned
¡“¢â“ß„π·µàßµ—ßÈ ‡§√◊ÕË ß —߇«¬ Here inside, with offerings made ready,

________________________________________
1Rahu : name of a planet in Thai astrology. It is believed to bring misfortune.

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 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

∑—ßÈ ‡ªì¥‰°à∫“¬»√’Õ“Àπ’‡Ë À≈â“ çDuck, chicken, baisi2, and ani3 liquor

‡∑懮⓮߇®√‘≠‡™‘≠‡ «¬ For the assembled deities to feast on.é
Õ’∑“â «·¡π· π°≈‡ªìπ§π‡§¬ The experienced and crafty Thao Maen
√âÕß —߇«¬‰À«âº„’ Àⵂ’ ∑π Invoked the spirits to the beats of thon4,

∑”∂◊Õ‡∑’¬π‡«’¬πÀ—π —πË  –‡∑‘¡È Whirling with candle in hand, shaking

√–√‘°‡√‘¡È √—«‡µâπ¥—߇≈àπ‚¢π And jumping as if doing a khon5 dance.
≈Ÿ° ¡ÿπÀπÿπÀπâ“∑—∫√—∫µ–‚æπ Her aides played tunes for the taphon6,
∑à“𬓬‚¬π‡À≈Ⓡ¢â¡‡¢â“‡µÁ¡µ÷ß The medium quaffed the strong spirits.

∑—ßÈ °√’¥°√“¬¬â“¬Õ¬à“߬à“ß –∫—¥ Strutting and striding about brusquely,

¢÷πÈ ‡µ’¬ß¢—¥ ¡“∏‘πÏ ß—Ë ∑”µ—ßÈ ¢÷ß She got on the couch and sat cross-legged.
§π ”À√—∫π—∫∂◊Õ°ÁÕÕ◊È Õ÷ß Then all devotees boisterously inquired.
∑à“πÕ¬Ÿ∂à ß÷ ∂‘πË ∞“π‚√ß»“≈„¥ çWhence come you, from which shrine?é

Õ’∑“â «·¡π· π√Ÿ«â “à °Ÿπ’È The wily medium Thao Maen said, çI

¡‘„™àº‚’ ªÉߪɓ¡“·µà‰Àπ Am no jungle spirit or forest demon,
§◊ÕÕߧå∑“â «‡®â“π§√·µà°Õà π‰√ But the late sovereign of this realm.
æ√–Õ¿—¬‰¡à¡“ßâÕ°ŸæàÕµ“ Phra Aphai ignored me, his father-in-law.

®÷ß·§âππ—°®—°∑”„ÀâÀπ”®‘µ çAngered, Iûll plague him until satiated,

‡Õ“™’«µ‘ ‡ ’¬‡¥’¬Î «π’·È ≈â« ‘Àπ“ Taking his life right at this moment.é
∑”µ÷ßµ—ߥ—ß®–‡Õ“´÷ßË ™’«“ Noisily, the spirit acted threateningly.
π“ßæ√–¬“µ°„®°√–‰√‡≈¬ The Queen Dowager, in such fright,

π÷°«à“®√‘ß«‘ßË ¡“À“¬“¬∑â“« Thinking it true, ran to the old woman.

«à“æàÕ‡®â“§ß°“√ÿ≠æàÕ§ÿ≥‡Õ㬠çMy Sovereign, please have mercy.
Õ¬à“∂◊Õ‚∑…æ√–Õ¿—¬‡∏Õ‰¡à‡§¬ Do not bear a grudge against Phra Aphai
‡≈’¬È ß≈Ÿ°‡¢¬‰«â‡∂‘¥∑â“«‡®â“ª√–§ÿ≥ But spare our son-in-law, dear Lord.é

________________________________________
2 baisi : food offerings to spirits in a propitiatory ceremony
3 ani : a kind of liquor flavoured with fragrant seeds
4 thon : one-faced drum
5 khon : Thai masked drama enacts scenes from the Ramakian (Ramayana)
6 taphon : two-faced drum

53
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

Õ’∑“â «·¡π· π©≈“¥µ«“¥«à“ The clever Thao Maen scolded loudly,

¬“¬Õ¬à“¡“Àπà«ß‡Àπ’ˬ«®–‡©’¬«©ÿπ çDonût try to stop me or Iûll get angry.
·¡âπßÕπßâÕ¢Õ™’«“®–°“√ÿ≠ If you beg for his life I will spare him.
‡√àß∫πÀÿπà ‚¢π≈–§√∑—ßÈ ¡Õ≠√” Set up puppets, khon, plays, Mon dance in haste

 —°‡®Á¥«—ππ—πÈ ·À≈–¬“¬®–À“¬·§âπ çFor seven days, then Iûll be pacified.

∂â“¡“µ√·¡âπ¡‘∫πÕ¬Ÿ®à π§Ë” If the offerings appear not by nightfall,
®–À—°§Õ¡√≥“∑“√°√√¡ I will break his neck in a brutal way.é
æÕ ‘πÈ §”∑”≈⡉¡à ¡ª√–¥’ So spoken, the medium fell unconscious.

π“ßæ√–¬“«à“æÿ§–®–∂«“¬ The Queen said, çIûll set up the offerings.

¢Õ„ÀâÀ“¬‡∂‘¥®–„Àâ∑ß—È ∫“¬»√’ If the King is well, I will offer a baisi.é
·≈⫵√—  —ßË ∑—ßÈ  Õ߇ π“∫¥’ She then bade the two court officials
®—¥‡ π’𓬥à“π™”π“≠‡√◊Õ Send skilled seafaring harbour-masters

‰ª‡™‘≠æ√–Õπÿ™“À“‚Õ√  To invite Sisuwan and Sinsamut

¡“∑—ßÈ À¡¥‡¡◊Õߺ≈÷°‡ªìπ»÷°‡ ◊Õ To Phaluek, for the city was at war.
∑—ßÈ ‚À√¥Ÿ¿«Ÿ π“∂«à“™“µ‘‡™◊ÕÈ The seer had also predicted that kin
®–°àÕ‡°◊ÈÕ·°âÀ“¬‰¡à«“¬ª√“≥œ Would save Phra Aphai from death.

Ô ‡ π“„π‰¥â ¥—∫§”√—∫ —ßË The officials, heeding royal command,

ÕÕ°®“°«—߇√’¬°‡ ¡’¬π¡“‡¢’¬π “√ Left and bade the clerk write an epistle,
„À⇠π’∑©’Ë ≈“¥√Ÿ√â “™°“√ Which they gave to a clever attendant
§ÿ¡∑À“√‡¿µ√“‰ªÀâ“≈” Who commanded a fleet of five ships.

æÕ≈¡¥’§≈’„Ë ∫∑—ßÈ „À≠àπÕâ ¬ Big and small ships set sail with the wind
ÕÕ°·≈àπ≈Õ¬µ“¡§≈◊πË ∑ÿ°§◊π§Ë” Along the billowy waves night and day.
µàÕπÈ”À¡¥Õ¥π—°·«–µ—°πÈ” They stopped only to replenish water
·≈â«·≈àπ√Ë”√’∫‰ª®π‰°≈§√—πœ And rushed on until farther ahead.

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 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

Ô ®–°≈—∫°≈à“«‡®â“æ“√“°“√–‡«° Back to the Sovereign of Karawek

‡ «¬‡»«°©—µ√™—¬‰Õ»«√√¬å Who ruled over the victorious city.
‡¡◊ÕË ªï ¥ÿ  “§√®√¡“π—πÈ The year that Sudsakhon came to him
æ√–π“ß®—π∑«¥’¡‚’ Õ√  Queen Chanthavadi gave birth to a son.

æ√–∫‘µ√ÿ “™¡“µÿ√ߧå«ß»å°…—µ√‘¬å The King and Queen of royal lineage

‚ ¡π— ‡ΩÑ“∂πÕ¡Õ¬Ÿàæ√âÕ¡À¡¥ Guarded and tended him with delight.
 “« ÿ√“ߧåπ“ß π¡≈â«π ¡¬» Court ladies all of excellent ancestry
‡≈’Ȭ߂Õ√ §àÕ¬‡®√‘≠¡“‡π‘πË π“π Reared the prince till he grew bigger.

‰¥â ‘∫¢«∫Õ«∫Õâ«π‡ªìππ«≈‡ª≈àß At ten years he was chubby and radiant,

¥—߇¥◊Õπ‡æÁߺ‘«æ√√≥„π —≥∞“π His complexion bright as the full moon.
∂«“¬π“¡µ“¡™–µ“‚À√“®“√¬å The name given him by the royal seer
™◊ÕË °ÿ¡“√À— ‰™¬«‘‰≈∑√ß Was Prince Hatsachai the handsome.

 ÿ¥ “§√πÕπ‡§’¬ß§Õ¬‡≈’¬È ßπâÕß Sudsakhon lay beside him, rearing the tot

‡À¡◊Õπ√à«¡∑âÕß√—°„§√à®π„À≈À≈ß Zealously, as if born of the same womb.
∑ÿ°‡™â“‡¬Áπ‡≈àπ°—∫πâÕß∑—ßÈ  ÕßÕߧå Morn and eve he played with both babes.
®π§àÕ¬∑√ßæ√–‡®√‘≠¬‘Ë߇æ≈‘π„® The older they got, the gladder he was.

¡“«—πÀπ÷ßË √”æ÷ß∂÷ß∫‘µ‡ÿ √» One day the prince thought of his father

‰¡à·®â߇Àµÿ«“à Õ¬ŸÀà πµ”∫≈‰Àπ Whose whereabouts he had no inkling.
·µà«π— ≈“¥“∫ °”À𥉫â Since the day he took leave of the hermit
πâÕ¬À√◊Õ‰¥â ‘∫ªï‡¢â“π’Ë·≈â« It must now be ten years at the least.

æ√–∫‘µ√ÿ ߧåÕߧå‰Àπ¬—߉¡à‡ÀÁπ He had not met one who was his father,
‡ ’¬·√߇ªìπÀπàÕ‡π◊ÈÕ„π‡™◊ÈÕ·∂« Despite the fact that he was sired by him.
·¡â¡µ‘ “¬À¡“¬¡“¥‰¡à§≈“¥·§≈â« If Papa still lived, heûd certainly find him.
æ√ÿßà π’·È ≈â«≈Ÿ°®–≈“∫‘¥“‰ª In the morn heûd ask the King to depart.

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æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

æ√–§√«≠§√Ë”√”≈÷° –Õ÷° –Õ◊πÈ Sudsakhon lamented between sobs

®π¥÷°¥◊πË ‡¥◊Õπ¥—∫‰¡àÀ≈—∫‰À≈ Until the moon was gone, sleeping not.
æÕ√ÿßà √“ßæ≈“ß –∑âÕπ∂Õπƒ∑—¬ At dawn he sighed with a heavy heart
®÷ߪ√“»√—¬ —ßË æ√–πâÕß Õß°ÿ¡“√ And spoke to the two royal children.

‡¬Áπ«—ππ’Èæ’Ë®–≈“·≈â«Àπ“®ä– çThis evening I will take leave of you,

¥â«¬∏ÿ√–√âÕπ„®¥—߉øº≈“≠ For an urgent task is burning my heart.
‡∑’¬Ë «µ“¡µ‘¥∫‘µ√ÿ ߧåÀ“«ß»å«“π I have to go find my father and kin;
·¡âπæ∫æ“πæ’Ë®–¡“À“æ√–πâÕß Having found them I will return to you.

·¡àπ߇¬“«å‡ “«§π∏åÕ¬à“´π«‘Ëß çSaowakhon, be not unruly or run about,

‡ªìπºŸâÀ≠‘߇π◊ÈÕµ—«®–¡—«À¡Õß Being a girl, you skin will be lustreless.
æ√–Õπÿ™“Õ¬à“‰ª‡µâπ‡≈àπ§–πÕß Hatsachai, do not jump about recklessly,
Õ¬Ÿ„à πÀâÕßÀ—¥Àπ—ß ◊ÕÕ¬à“¥◊ÕÈ ¥÷ß Stay inside to study and be not stubborn.é

æ≈“ß «¡ Õ¥°Õ¥ Õßæ√–πâÕß·°â« He then hugged the two beloved babes.

·¡â‰ª·≈â«æ’®Ë –π÷°√”≈÷°∂÷ß çEven when Iûm away I will think of you.
‰¡à√‡Ÿâ √◊ÕË ß‡¡◊Õߺ≈÷°¬—ß≈÷°´÷ßÈ Since I have little knowledge of Phaluek,
‡¡◊ËÕ‰√®÷ß®–‰¥â¡“‡ÀÁπÀπâ“°—π When will we all ever meet again?é

æ√–æ’πË Õâ ß Õß°ÿ¡“√ ß “√æ’Ë The two tots took pity on their brother,

√⓬À√◊Õ¥’°‰Á ¡à·®âß°—π· ß»—≈¬å Whether heûd fare ill or well, and wept.
 –Õ◊πÈ æ≈“ß∑“ß«à“∂Ⓡ™àππ—πÈ Sobbing, they said, çif such is the matter,
‰ª¥â«¬°—π©—π‰¡àÕ¬Ÿà„π∫ÿ√’ Weûll go with you, not staying in town.é

æ√–‡™…∞“«à“∑“ß°≈“ß ¡ÿ∑√ Sudsakhon said, çIn the oceanûs midst

≈”∫“° ÿ¥‡ ’¬·≈â«πâÕß®–À¡Õß»√’ Great hardship will tarnish your face.
‡≈àπ°—∫æ√–Õπÿ™“Õ¬Ÿà∏“π’ Play with your brother here in the city,
ÀπàÕ¬Àπ÷ßË æ’Ë°®Á –¡“‰¡à™“â π“π Then I will come back in a short while.é

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 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

æ√–æ’ËπâÕß√âÕ߉Àâ®–‰ª¥â«¬ The two cried, wanting to go with him,

‡¢â“©ÿ¥©«¬‡™…∞“πà“ ß “√ Tugging at their brother piteously.
 ÿ¥ “§√«Õπ«à“‡ªìπ™â“π“π Sudsakhon pleaded with them a long time.
 Õß°ÿ¡“√°Á‰¡àøßí ‡¢â“√—ßÈ ‰«â They heeded him not but pulled him back.

®–¢—¥π—°®—°™â“®÷ßæ“πâÕß Afraid of being late, he took the children

‰ª‡ΩÑ“ Õß°…—µ√‘¬Õå ™— ¨“ —¬ With him to see the King and Queen.
»‘‚√√“∫°√“∫∫“∑‡æ’¬ß¢“¥„® Paying them respect, he was heartbroken,
æ≈“ß摉√√Ë”«à“¥â«¬Õ“«√≥å Bemoaning his loss of their company.

‚Õ⺓à π‡°≈Ⓡ®â“ª√–§ÿ≥°“√ÿ≠√—° çO, how kind and loving both of you are,
∂πÕ¡æ—°µ√庥‘ æ≈—ßÈ ™à«¬ —ßË  Õπ Nurturing and teaching me when I fail.
‡°…¡ ÿ¢∑ÿ°∑‘«“‡ΩÑ“Õ“∑√ Secure daily under your watchful care,
¬‘ßË ∫‘¥√¡“√¥“欓∫“≈ Like parents you nursed me when sick.

·µàµ«— ≈Ÿ°ºŸ°§‘¥∂÷ß∫‘µ‡ÿ √» çBut my thoughts still linger on my father

‰¡à·®â߇Àµÿ∏“π‘π∑√å∂π‘Ë  ∂“π Whose whereabouts I know nothing of.
¡“æ÷ßË ∫ÿ≠¡ÿ≈°‘ “Õ¬Ÿ™à “â π“π Having been your ward a long time,
π÷° ß “√æ√–∫‘¥“‡Õ°“°“¬ I feel sorry for Father who is all alone.é

≈Ÿ°¢Õ≈“ΩÉ“≈–ÕÕß Õß°…—µ√‘¬å çI ask to leave your royal presence

‰ªªØ‘∫µ— ∫‘ µ‘ √ÿ “™‡À¡◊Õπ¡“¥À¡“¬ To go serve my father as I have planned.
·¡âπ≈Ÿ°π’È™’«µ‘ ¡‘«Õ¥«“¬ If my life does not come to a close,
®–º—πº“¬°≈—∫¡“‡À¡◊ÕπÕ“≈—¬œ I will return here for I shall miss you both.é

Ô  Õß°…—µ√‘¬Õå ¥— Õ—πÈ „Àâµπ— ®‘µ Hearing the boy, both royals, baffled,
 ÿ¥®–§‘¥¢—¥¢âÕß∑”πÕ߉Àπ Were at their witsû end how to deter him.
‡ πÀ“Õ“«√≥å√Õâ πƒ∑—¬ Their love for him made them perturbed,
æ√–™≈π—¬πåπÕ߇πµ√‡«∑π“ With tears brimming their eyes pitifully.

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®÷ß«à“æàÕ°Á‰¡àÀ“â ¡®–µ“¡ àß çI wonût hinder you, but will see you off,
„Àâæ∫Õߧå∫µ‘ √ÿ “™‡À¡◊Õπª√“√∂π“ So that you may find your Pa as desired.
®ß√Õ√—ßÈ  —ßË ‡«√‡°≥±å‡¿µ√“ Wait tilI I order that ships be arranged,
¬°‚¬∏“‰ª¥â«¬°—π —°æ—π≈”œ A thousand with troops to go with you.é

Ô  ÿ¥ “§√ÕàÕπ‡°≈â“≈߇§“√æ Sudsakhon bowed his head in respect.

æ√–§ÿ≥≈∫‡≈’¬È ß™ÿ∫Õÿª∂—¡¿å çIûm grateful to you for nurturing me,
·µà¡‘§«√°«πÕߧåæ√–∑√ß∏√√¡ But it is unsuitable to bother you, Sire,
·≈â«®–≈”∫“°„®·°à‰æ√àæ≈ And the troops will be inconvenienced.

®–¢Õ≈“ΩÉ“≈–ÕÕ߉ª∑àÕ߇∑’ˬ« çI will take leave of you to go places

·µàº‡Ÿâ ¥’¬«‰¥â· «ß∑ÿ°·ÀàßÀπ All by myself, everywhere I may seek.
æ√–∫‘µ√ÿ ߧå®ß ”√“≠ºà“π¡≥±≈ Pray Papa rule the realm in contentment,
„Àâ‰æ√àæ≈∫â“π‡¡◊Õ߇√◊Õß ”√“≠ Making the people prosperous and happy.

¢ÕΩ“°·µà°π‘…∞“πÿ™“πâÕ¬ çIûll leave the little ones in your care,

®–‡»√â“ √âÕ¬‚»°“À“À¡àÕ¡©“π They will be sad and crying after me.
™à«¬«à“°≈à“«πâ“«‚π⡪√–‚≈¡≈“π Pray ye be persuasive and comfort them,
Õ¬à“√ÿ°√“π√—∫¢«—≠®π©—π¡“ Chide not but console them till I come.é

æ√–æ’πË Õâ ß ÕßÕߧå∑√ß°—π· ß The sister and brother burst into tears,

‡¢â“¬ÿ¥·¬àßÀ¬‘°·¢π·§âπÀπ—°Àπ“ Pulling and pinching his arm out of rage.
‡¢“®–‰¥â‰ª¥â«¬‰¡à™à«¬≈“ çWhy not ask Papa to let us go along?é
·≈â«‚»°“°Õ¥‰«â‰¡à‰°≈°“¬œ Then they cried and hugged him close.

Ô  Õß°…—µ√‘¬∑å »— π“∏‘¥“∫ÿµ√ The two royals looked at the children,

¬‘ßË · π ÿ¥Õ“≈—¬¡‘„§√àÀ“¬ And felt all the more a sense of loss,
‡À¡◊Õπæ’ËπâÕß∑âÕ߇¥’¬«‡®’¬«‡ ’¬¥“¬ As if they shared the same mother.
®÷ß¿‘ª√“¬‚ª√¥«à“ ÿ¥ “§√ So the King spoke to Sudsakhon,

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∂÷ß≈Ÿ°√—°®—°¡‘„ÀâæÕà ‰ª¥â«¬ çEven though you wonût let me go too,

®–¢Õ™à«¬·µàß∑À“√™“≠ ¡√ Iûll have some brave soldiers assembled
„Àâ≈°Ÿ ¬“æ“æÀ≈æ≈π‘°√ So that you may take them with you
‡∑’¬Ë « —≠®√µ“¡µ‘¥æ√–∫‘¥“ In your quest for your royal father.

‡¡◊ËÕæ∫°—π«—π„¥®–‰¥â·®âß çThe day you meet him let him know

«à“æàÕ·µàßµ“¡¬»‚Õ√ “ That I have appointed you as my son.
Õ¬à“µ—¥≠“µ‘¢“¥‡¥Á¥®ß‡¡µµ“ Be kind as not to sever our relationship,
„Àâ∫¥‘ “¥’„®®÷߉°≈°—πœ To delight your father we must be apart.é

Ô  ÿ¥ “§√ÕàÕπÀ«“πª√–∑“π‚∑… Sudsakhon sweetly asked his pardon,

µ“¡®–‚ª√¥™ÿ∫¬âÕ¡°√–À¡àÕ¡©—π çMay it please Your Majesty to adopt me.é
·≈⫪≈Õ∫πâÕß Õß√“Õ¬à“®“∫—≈¬å He then consoled the two tots not to cry.
 Õß “¡«—πæ’ˬ“®–¡“«—ß çIn a few days I will return to the palace.

π“ß«à“™–æ√–æ’™Ë “à ߢ’ªÈ ¥ Saowakhon remonstrated, çYouûre a liar!

‡¢“√ŸÀâ ¡¥¡‘„™à«“à ‡ªìπ∫â“À≈—ß I know everything, not being an idiot.
‰¡à∑≈Ÿ ≈“擉ª°Á‰¡àøßí Not asking Pa for me, I heed you not.é
π“߇ΩÑ“π—ßË ∫àπ«à“·≈â«®“∫—≈¬å She kept on whining and then wept.

 ÿ¥ “§√ÕàÕπ„®Õ“≈—¬πâÕß Sudsakhon, weary and missing the tots,

®÷ß∑Ÿ≈ Õß°…—µ√“π√“ «√√§å Pleaded with the Monarch and his Queen,
æ√–πâÕß√—°®—°„§√à‰ª¥â«¬°—π çThe dear ones wish to accompany me
„ÀâÀ¡àÕ¡©—π∑Ÿ≈≈“ΩÉ“∏ÿ≈œ’ And ask me to beg you on their behalf.é

Ô æ√–∫‘µ√ÿ ߧå ß “√‚Õß°“√µ√—  Pitying the three young royals, the King said,
æàÕ‰¡à¢—¥¢ÿàπ¢âÕß„ÀâÀ¡Õß»√’ çIûll not sadden you by objecting.
®–Õ¬Ÿà‰ªæàÕ‰¡àÀâ“¡¥Õ°µ“¡∑’ You may stay or leave as you please;
 ÿ¥·µàæ°’Ë ∫— πâÕߪ√ÕߥÕß°—π Let it be as the three of you choose.é

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æ√–µ√— æ≈“ß∑“ßÀ“‡ π“ºŸ„â À≠à Turning to his senior courtiers, he said,

¡“ —ßË „À⮥— æÀ≈æ≈¢—π∏å çHave a great mass of troops prepared,
 —°Àâ“À¡◊πË ªóπ√∫„Àâ§√∫§√—π That of fifty thousand men with arms
≈ß°”ªíπò √âÕ¬≈”ª√–®”°“√ To man a hundred great vessels.

∑’πË ß—Ë √ÕߢÕ߇√“¬“« “¡‡ âπ çDecorate the long barque second only to mine,
‡Õ“·µà߇ªìπ≈”∑√ß„ à∏ß©“π Royally with bright flags for Sudsakhon.
‡≈◊Õ°≈⓵⓵âπÀπ∑—ßÈ §πß“π Choose you captains, navigators and crew,
∑’™Ë ”π“≠π“«“„𠓧√ Who are well experienced sailors.é

‡ π“„π‰¥â ¥—∫§”√—∫ —ßË The courtiers bowed to the Kingûs orders

¡“‡µ√’¬¡æ√—ßË æ√âÕ¡∑—æ ≈—∫ ≈Õπ And left to get the grand fleet ready,
≈”∑’πË ß—Ë ∫—ßÀâÕß™àÕß∫—≠™√ Seeing that the royalsû barque had, near its windows,
¡’∫√√®∂√≥å·∑àπµ—ßÈ ≈â«πΩíßæ≈Õ¬ Beds and daises studded with glittering gems.

∑—ßÈ ∏ß∑Õß√Õ߇√◊Õ߇§√◊ÕË ßª√–¥—∫ With flags and golden decorations,

‡™◊Õ° ”À√—∫√Õ°„∫¢Õß„™â Õ¬ Ropes for working sails and all essentials,
¡“∑Õ¥∑à“Àπâ“«—ß∂â«π∑—ßÈ √âÕ¬ The hundred ships reached the palace front,
µà“߇µ√’¬¡§Õ¬æ√–‚Õ√ ¬»‰°√œ Ready for the mighty Prince, Sudsakhon.

Ô ΩÉ“¬‚©¡®—π∑«¥’π“√’√“™ Chanthavadi, the gracious queen,

· π «“∑≈Ÿ°πâÕ¬≈–ÀâÕ¬‰Àâ Was despondent that the three children
®–®“°«—ß∑—ßÈ  “¡µ“¡°—π‰ª Would soon leave her palace, but could not
‡ªìπ®π„®∑’Ë®–¢—¥®–∑—¥∑“π Think of any reason to object.

®—¥ ÿ√“ߧåπ“ß π¡æ’‡Ë ≈’¬È ßæ√âÕ¡ So she chose court ladies, nannies

∑—ßÈ §π°≈àÕ¡°≈à“«‡°≈’¬È ß≈â«π‡ ’¬ßÀ«“π And sweet-voiced lullaby singers for them.
‡®â“¢√—«¬“¬π“¬ ”À√—∫∫—ߧ—∫°“√ Selecting also people for other duties,
µ√«®‡§√◊ÕË ßÕ“πæ√âÕ¡‡æ√’¬ß®π‡ ’¬ß‡§√◊Õ Her voice was hoarse from giving orders.

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‡√àß„Àâ§π¢π àß≈ß°”ªíπò The Queen hastened men to carry belongings aboard.

∑—ßÈ °”π—≈πâÕ¬„À≠ॄ’ ®‡À≈◊Õ The chosen women of all ranks were delighted.
æÕ√ÿßà √“ßµà“ߧπ¡“≈߇√◊Õ They boarded the ships with the first light of dawn,
¡’À¡Õπ‡ ◊ËÕ “√–æ—¥®—¥ª√–®ßœ Carrying pillows, mats and other things.

Ô ΩÉ“¬æ√–ÀπàÕ∫摵√Õ¥‘»√ Prince Sudsakhon, of royal lineage, invited

 ÿ¥ “§√™«πæ√–πâÕ߇¢â“ÀâÕß √ß The young princess and prince to bathe.
 ’ §ÿ π∏åªπ∑Õß≈–ÕÕßÕߧå They used perfumes and ornate garments,
µà“ß Õ¥∑√߇§√◊ÕË ßª√–¥—∫¥Ÿ«∫— «“¡ And sparkling ornaments to adorn themselves.

·≈â«≈’≈“¡“¬—ßÀâÕß Õß°…—µ√‘¬å They went to see the King and the Queen,

™≈’Àµ— ∂åæ√âÕ¡æ√—ßË °—π∑—ßÈ  “¡ Saluting them in a wai simultaneously.
π“߉«â®°ÿ ≈Ÿ°πâÕ¬πâÕ¬§Õ¬µ‘¥µ“¡ Followed by their companions,
≈â«πß“¡ß“¡πà“√—°≈—°…≥“œ Each with a top-knot and looking cute.

Ô æ√–∫‘µ√ÿ “™¡“µÿ√ߧåÕߧ尅—µ√‘¬å Both the King and the Queen

 ŸÕâ π—È Õ—¥Õ¥√—°‰«âÀπ—°Àπ“ Tried to suppress their great love for the three.
°≈—«‡ªìπ≈“ßµà“ß –Õ◊πÈ °≈◊ππÈ”µ“ Keeping back tears for fear of them turning
∑—ßÈ ∫‘¥“¡“√¥√Õ«¬æ√™—¬ Into a bad omen, they gave them blessings

®ß‰ª¥’¡“¥’»√’ «— ¥‘Ï çFare you well both in going and returning;

Õ¬à“‡§◊Õߢ—¥¢ÿàπ¢âÕß„ÀâºàÕß„  Let nothing displease you but be merry.
‰¥âæ∫ª–æ√–∫‘¥“¥—ßÕ“≈—¬ May Sudsakhon meet his father as he longs to
Õ√‘π∑√忬— §≈“¥·§≈â«Õ¬à“·ºâ«æ“π And may all of you be free from foes and danger.é

∑—ßÈ  “¡Õߧå∑√ß ¥—∫Õ¿‘«“∑ As the three royals prostrated, receiving

ª√–¬Ÿ√≠“µ‘„À≠àπÕâ ¬æ≈Õ¬ ß “√ The blessings, relatives sympathized with them.
æ√–∫‘µ√ÿ “™¡“µÿ√ߧå∑ß—È «ß»å«“π Soon the King and the Queen led their kin
æ“°ÿ¡“√¡“ àß≈ßπ“«“ To the pier to see them board the ship.

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æ√âÕ¡ –æ√—ßË ∑—ßÈ √âÕ¬≈Õ¬ ≈â“ß The hundred vessels floated in grand majesty,

¡’¢πÿ π“ß≈”≈–π“¬√“¬√—°…“ Each with a chief commanding naval officer.
‡ ’¬ß∑À“√¢“π‚Àà°Õâ ß‚°≈“ The sailors cheered in loud voices
ªóπ —≠≠“¬‘ß≈—πË  π—πË ¥—ß And cannons burst out thunderously.

ÕÕ°°”ªíπò ≈—πË ¶âÕß°≈Õß°√–À÷¡Ë As the ships set sail, gongs sounded.

ª√–‚§¡§√÷¡È §√◊πÈ ·´à∑ß—È ·µ√ —ߢå Trumpets and conches added to the din.
ÕÕ°®“°∑à“ “§‡√»π‘‡«»πå«ß— All vessels soon left the palace pier,
≈”∑’πË ß—Ë ≈Õ¬‡≈◊ÕË π§àÕ¬‡§≈◊ÕË π§≈“¬ The royal barque moving slowly.

 Õß°…—µ√‘¬∑å »— π“π“«“§≈âÕ¬ The King and Queen watched the ships depart,
À«π≈–ÀâÕ¬‚À¬‰Àâæ√–∑—¬À“¬ Their hearts already missing the three young ones.
∑—ßÈ · π “«∑â“«π“ß∑à“π¢√—«π“¬ Their entourage of palace women and men
µà“ßøŸ¡ø“¬™≈π“¥â«¬Õ“≈—¬ Shed tears of sadness and longing.

¬‘ßË ·≈≈—∫«—∫®‘µ§‘¥«‘µ° As the fleet disappeared, their anxiety increased

√–°”Õ°Õÿµ à“Àå¢π◊  –Õ◊πÈ ‰Àâ And they tried not to sob loudly.
°…—µ√“æ“ π¡°√¡„π Finally the King led all of them
°≈—∫‰ª‰æ™¬πµå «ÿ √√≥æ√√≥√“¬œ Back to his golden palace.

Ô  ß “√ÀπàÕ∫摵√Õ¥‘»√ Sudsakhon the prestigious prince,

 ÿ¥ “§√‡ “«§π∏å«¡‘ ≈©“¬ Saowakhon the pretty princess
∑—ßÈ ÀπàÕ°…—µ√‘¬Àå  — ‰™¬„® ∫“¬ And Prince Hatsachai who was feeling happy,
Õ¬ŸÀà Õâ ß∑⓬°”ªíπò ‡º¬∫—≠™√ Were at the rear-end chamber. Opening a window,

∫√‘°√√¡ ”‡Àπ’¬°√âÕ߇√’¬°¡â“ Sudsakhon cried out his horseûs name,

¥â«¬¡πµ√“¥≈®‘µπ—° ‘∑∏å Õπ Chanting the magic words the hermit taught him,
®÷ߥ≈„®„Àâæ√–¬“¡â“¡—ß°√ Thus inspiring the dragon horse,
∑ÿ√π√âÕπ√’∫¡“À“°ÿ¡“√ King of its kind, to hasten to his side.

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‡ºàπ¢÷πÈ ≈”°”ªíπò  ÿ«√√≥√—µπå With a great jump, the horse leapt onto the barque,
‰¡à¥¥’ °—¥‡ π“‚¬∏“À“≠ Neither kicking nor biting anyone,
¡“‡øï¬ô ¡øÿ∫¬ÿ∫¬Õ∫‡À¡◊ÕπÀ¡Õ∫°√“π But humbly bowing low as in a salute
æ√–°ÿ¡“√ÕÕ°¡“À“Õ“™“‰π¬ When the young prince came out to see him.

·≈â«≈Ÿ∫À≈—ß —ßË «à“‡«≈“§Ë” Stroking the horseûs back, Sudsakhon said,

¢÷πÈ πÕπ≈”°”ªíπò πâÕß„ÀâºÕà ß„  çAt night, sleep with comfort on my barque,
·µà°≈“ß«—ππ—πÈ ‰¡àÀ“â ¡µ“¡·µà‰ª But daytime, feel free to go where you please.é
·≈â«°Á„Àâ¢Õß°‘π¥â«¬¬‘π¥’œ Then gladly, he fed the dragon horse.

Ô æÕÕÕ°®“°ª“°πÈ”æ√–°”Àπ¥ As they left the river mouth, Sudsakhon

‡À¡◊Õπ¥“∫ ∫Õ°∑“ß°≈“ß«‘∂’ Chose his course as directed by the hermit.
À¡“¬æ“¬—æ√—∫‚Àà∑ß—È ‚¬∏’ They headed north with loud cheers,
æÕ≈¡¥’„™â„∫‰√‰√¡“ Spreading out sails in the welcome winds.

∑—ßÈ √âÕ¬≈”°”ªíπò ‡ªìπÀ≈—πË ·≈àπ A hundred vessels moved in orderly array

·µà·Àà·Àπ‡√’¬ß√“¬∑—ßÈ ´â“¬¢«“ Left and right of the royal barque,
π“ß “« “«‡À≈à“°”π—≈°—≈¬“ With numerous court ladies and maids
ÕÕ°‡¬’¬Ë ¡Àπâ“π—ßË  ≈Õπ¢â“ßµÕπ∑⓬ Sitting and looking about at the rear.

‡ÀÁπ°«â“ߢ«“ß«à“ß‚«âß≈–‚≈àß≈‘«Ë Seeing the wide, empty expanse of the sea,

„ÀâÀ«‘«À«‘«À«—ËπÀ«—Ëπ¡‘Ëߢ«—≠À“¬ The womenûs hearts and spirits quivered.
‡°“–°√–æÿࡧÿࡇ§’¬ß‡√’¬ß‡√’¬ß√“¬ The humped islands, in groups and in rows, made them
®–‡À≈’¬«´â“¬·≈¢«“°Áπ“à °≈—« Feel that left or right, things were frightening.

°≈“ßÕ“°“»°≈“¥°≈ÿ¡â ™Õÿ¡à ‡¡¶ Amidst the heavy, cloudy atmosphere,

·≈«‘‡«°‡«À“øÑ“ ≈—« Under the lonely and overcast sky,
‡ ’¬ß§√÷°§√◊πÈ §≈◊πË √–≈Õ°‡ªìπÀ¡Õ°¡—« With waves beating loudly, creating a mist
√–«—ßµ—«µà“ß¿“«π“¥—ßœ They loudly chanted prayers for their safety.

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Ô ΩÉ“¬æ√–ÀπàÕª√‡¡»√凰»°…—µ√‘¬å The young prince Sudsakhon,

‚ ¡π— „πÕ“√¡≥奫⠬ ¡À«—ß Delighted to see things going as he wished,
¢÷πÈ ∫“À≈’∑ ’Ë «ÿ √√≥‡Àπ◊Õ∫—≈≈—ß°å Sat on his royal, golden dais,
æ√–πâÕßπ—ßË ·π∫¢â“߉¡àÀ“à ß°—π With the princess and prince on each side.

≈¡‡¬Áπ‡¬Áπ‡ÀÁπ¡—®©“¢÷πÈ §≈“§≈Ë” Feeling the pleasant breeze, they laughed at

∫â“ߺÿ¥¥”¥Ÿ™«π°—π √«≈ —πµå Schools of fish popping up and sinking away.
‡ΩÑ“∑—∫¬’æ¬’Ë “∂“¡ “√æ—π The two young ones kept asking questions,
«à“¬‚πàππ—πË ª≈“Õ–‰√„À≠à‡µÁ¡∑’ çWhat fishûs that? And what that huge one?é

æ√–∫Õ°πâÕß Õß√“ª√– “‡¥Á° Sudsakhon answered as a child would,

π’ªË ≈“‡≈Á°¥Õ°π–®ä–¡“√»√’ çThese are not huge at all, my dears.
«à“¬¢â“ßπÕ°¥Õ°¡—π‡∑à“‡¢“§‘√’ Farther ahead there are fish large as mountains.
«à“¬‡À≈à“π’´È «‘ ´à“ª≈“‡≈Á°πâÕ¬ What swim here are only tiny ones.é

·≈â«™«π¥ŸÀ¡Ÿ à µ— «åªØ‘ π∏‘Ï He then pointed out other sea beasts,

À—«‡ªìπ§π¢â“ß∑⓬°≈“¬‡ªìπÀÕ¬ Some with heads like humans and bodies like shells,
‡∑’¬Ë «‡°Á∫°‘π¥‘π ≈ÿµ¢÷πÈ ºÿ¥≈Õ¬ Mud eating creatures coming to the waterûs surface.
æ√–πâÕßπâÕ¬™¡‡æ≈‘π‡®√‘≠„® The two young royals had a pleasant time.

∫â“ß¡’À“ßÕ¬à“ߪ≈“ÀπⓇÀ¡◊Õπ‡ß“– Another species had fish tails and Sakai faces.

µà“ßÀ—«‡√“–√âÕß«à“ª≈“‰ª‰Àπ Laughing, they asked them, çWhereûre you going?é
¡—π查լà“ߢâ“߇√“‰¡à‡¢â“„® But could not understand their answer.
æ√–ÀπàÕ‰∑∑‘ßÈ Õ“À“√„Àâ∑“π°‘π Sudsakhon threw food to these creatures.

¡’µ“à ßµà“ß∫â“ßæ‘°≈°âπ‡ªì𠓬 There were strange species, some with tails in strips,
¢÷πÈ ‡√’¬ß√“¬°≈“ß¡À“™≈“ ‘π∏ÿå Coming up in schools amidst waves.
¡’·µà°“¬ “¬À¬—ßË °√–∑—ßË ¥‘π With their bodies visible, their tails fixed deep down,
‡∑’¬Ë «®—∫°‘π°ÿßâ ª≈“„π “™≈ They gobbled prawns and tiny fish in the water.

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‡ÀÁ𰔪íπò ¡—π√âÕßÕÕ°°âÕ߇ ’¬ß On seeing the vessels they screeched in panic.

„Àâ·≈àπ‡≈’¬Ë ßÀ≈’°∑“߉ª°≈“ßÀπ Sudsakhon ordered his captains to steer away,
®–∂Ÿ° “¬µ“¬ ‘πÈ ¡—π¥‘πÈ √π Not wanting them to be hurt or killed.
‡ ’¬ß‡À¡◊Õπ§π·µà¢â“߇√“‰¡à‡¢â“„® Their voices were like humansû but unintelligible.

æ√–æ’πË Õâ ß ÕßÕߧå∑√ßæ√– √«≈ The two siblings had a great time laughing

µà“ß™’™È «π™¡ª≈“™≈“‰À≈ And pointing out fishes to each other.
∑—ßÈ ‡ π’√æ’È ≈ °≈‰°√ The officers and crew were relaxed and happy,
 ”√“≠„®®√¡“ ‘∫Àâ“«—πœ And fifteen days soon passed.

Ô ∂÷ß≈–‡¡“–‡°“–°“«‘π∂‘πË º’‡ ◊ÕÈ On reaching Kawin Island, land of butterflies,

µà“ß∑Õ¥‡√◊Õ‡√’¬ß‡√’¬ß‡§’¬ß‡§’¬ß§—πË The vessels anchored by one anotherûs side.
¢÷πÈ µ—°πÈ”≈”‡≈’¬ßæ√âÕ¡‡æ√’¬ß°—π As the crew began getting fresh water aboard,
º’‡ ◊ÕÈ ¡—π‰¥â°≈‘πË °Á∫π‘ ¡“ The butterflies scented the human presence.

‡ ’¬ß§÷°§÷°§√÷°§√◊πÈ ‡ªìπÀ¡◊πË · π A great commotion occurred as thousands

‡∑à“≈”·æπ·ºàª°ï À≈’°∂≈“ Of gigantic butterflies spread out their wings,
≈ß‚©∫‰¥â‰æ√àæ≈∫π‡¿µ√“ Swooping down on the seafarers on board
°√–æ◊Õæ“¢÷Èπ≈–‡¡“–‡°“–°“«‘π And carrying them off to Kawin Island.

∑’‡Ë À≈◊ÕÕ¬Ÿ à √Ÿâ ∫‰¡àÀ≈∫À≈’° Those remaining fought without flinching, but more
¡“°—πÕ’°Õ—¥·Õ°√–·  ‘π∏ÿå Butterflies came in multitudes over the sea,
‡ª√’¬∫‡À¡◊Õπ‡À¬’¬Ë «‡©’¬Ë «ª≈“·≈â«æ“∫‘π Carrying them off as eagles preying on fish.
ÀπàÕπ√‘π∑√å°—∫æ√–πâÕßÕ¬ŸàÀâÕß„π The three royals were in their chamber.

‡ ’¬ß«â“«ÿàπº≈ÿπÕÕ°¡“πÕ°ÀâÕß On hearing the commotion, they came out.

¡—π‚©∫ ÕßÕπÿ™“擉ª‰¥â Suddenly the butterflies carried off the two
 ÿ¥ “§√√âÕπÕ°µ°æ√–∑—¬ Young royals, giving Sudsakhon a shock.
©«¬‰¥â‰¡â‡∑â“‚≈¥°√–‚¥¥¡“ Snatching his magic staff, he jumped

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¢÷πÈ ¢’ÀË ≈—ß¡—ß°√°Á∂Õπ∂’∫ On his horseûs back and kicked off,

≈ßπÈ”√’∫µ“¡µ‘¥¢π‘…∞“ On the water after the two, chasing
‰≈ງ’  ◊ÕÈ ‡ß◊ÕÈ ‰¡â‡∑â“¢Õ߇®â“µ“ The butterflies and brandishing the hermitûs staff.
√âÕ߇À«¬«à“ —°‡∑à“‰√°Á‰¡à«“ß In spite of his cry, for their release,

¡—π°≈—∫°≈ÿâ¡√ÿ¡®—∫æ√–√—∫√∫ The butterflies kept on preying and fighting him.

∑—ßÈ ¡â“¢∫‚¢°°—¥ –∫—¥À“ß The horse bit and knocked them about, lashing its tail,
∑—ßÈ µ—«ªï°©’°µ“¬¡—𫓬«“ß Tearing wings and bodies and killing them.
æ√– Ÿæâ ≈“ß¿“«π“¡À“¡πµå Sudsakhon chanted his mantra while lashing out

À«¥‰¡â‡∑â“¥“∫ ¥—ß°√¥°√‘™ With the hermitûs staff as a deadly dagger,

æÕ∂Ÿ°π‘¥°“¬¢“¥°≈“¥°≈“ßÀπ Which, touching their bodies, cut them
º’‡ ◊ÕÈ √⓬«“¬ª√“≥‰¡à∑“π∑π Into bits and causing instant death.
µà“ß∑‘ßÈ §π‡ ’¬ ‘πÈ ·≈â«∫‘π‰ª Deserting the men, the remaining butterflies fled.

æ√–Õÿâ¡πâÕß ÕßÕߧå¢÷Èπ∑√ß¡â“ Sudsakhon helped the two royals onto horseback

æ«°‚¬∏“«à“¬§≈Ë”„ππÈ”‰À≈ While his men, swimming in the sea,
µà“ߢ÷πÈ ≈”°”ªíπò ‰¡à∫√√≈—¬ Narrowly escaped death and climbed aboard,
∑—ßÈ π“¬‰æ√àæ√âÕ¡ ‘πÈ °Á¬π‘ ¥’œ All rejoicing as they came together.

Ô ∂Õπ ¡Õ™àÕ„∫¢÷Èπ„ à√Õ° Weighing anchors, lifting sail

®–√’∫ÕÕ°π“«“æ“°—πÀπ’ On pulleys, they set off in flight.
æÕÕ“°“»ø“¥‡ª√’¬È ߇ ’¬ß ÿπ’ As the sky echoed with a great thunder,
‡ÀÁπ§π¥’∂Õ◊ ¢«“πºà“πÀπⓇ√◊Õ Before their fleet they saw a man holding

·≈â«√âÕß«à“Õ¬à“‡æàÕ‰ª®–‰¥â≈“¿ An axe and saying, çStay and luck will be yours,

™à«¬°—πª√“∫Õ ÿ√’æ«°º’‡ ◊ÈÕ If you help us defeat the butterflies.
¡—πÀ¬“∫§“¬√⓬°“®‡ªì𙓵‘‡™◊ÕÈ Being of a cruel and dangerous species,
°‘π™“«‡√◊էⓢ“¬¡“À≈“¬æ—π Theyûve eaten thousands of seafaring traders.

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‡∑æ‰∑„™â‡√“¡“‡º“º≈“≠ çThe gods sent us here to wipe them off the earth.
º’‡ ◊ÕÈ æ“≈æ«°¬—°…å¡°— °– —π But the wicked butterflies have under water
Õâ“¬π“¬„À≠à„ππÈ”µ—« ”§—≠ Their great chief, the able culprit
¡—πªÑÕß°—πæ«°æ≈¥â«¬¡πµ√“ Who protects his followers with magic

¡‘„Àâ‡√“‡¢â“‰ª∂÷ß„π∂È” çAnd prevents us from entering his cave.

µâÕߧլ∑”√⓬լŸπà Õ°§ŸÀ“ We can only wait outside the cave to
∑à“π™à«¬≈àÕ·µàæÕ„Àâ¡π— ‰≈à¡“ Attack him; so do lure him out after you
‡√“®–¶à“µ—«π“¬„Àâ«“¬™π¡å And weûd slay this great chief.

®÷ߧ«â“·°â«·««µ“∑—ßÈ ¢«“´â“¬ çThen you can take both his eyeballs

‰ª°—𰓬 “√æ—¥‰¡à¢¥—  π Which have protective magical power,
∫—߇°‘¥·√ß·¢Áß≥√ߧå∑ß—È §ß∑π Increasing your might and endurance
∂â“®—∫§π‡¢â“°ÁÕÕà πÀ¬àÕπ°”≈—ßœ While weakening your captivesû strength.é

Ô ÀπàÕ°…—µ√‘¬µå √— «à“∂Ⓡ™àππ—πÈ Sudsakhon said, çIn that case weûll

®–≈àÕ¡—π¡“„À≥â¥ß— „®À«—ß Entice him out of the cave as you wish.é
·≈⫪√“»√—¬„Àâæ√–πâÕ߇¢â“ÀâÕß∫—ß Persuading the two young ones to stay
°”™—∫ —ßË æ≈‰°√∑—ßÈ ‰æ√à𓬠In the chamber, he said to his officers and crew,

∂â“∑’πº’È ‡’  ◊ÕÈ ¡“‡√◊ÕÕ’° çIf this time the giant butterflies come,
Õ¬à“‡≈’¬Ë ßÀ≈’°√∫æÿßà ‡À¡◊Õπ¡ÿßà À¡“¬ Avoid them not, but attack as we intend.é
·≈â«·µàßÕߧå∑√߇°“∑—≥±å§π— ‡¢“§«“¬ He took up his arrows and buffalo horn bow.
 –æ—° “¬∑√ßæ√–¬“¡â“¡—ß°√ Well prepared, he again jumped on horseback.

 ¡§–‡π‡∑«¥“æ“¢÷Èπ‡°“– The god, being pleased, took him to the island

¢â“¡≈–‡¡“–‡¢“‡¢‘π‡π‘π ‘ߢ√ Traversing jungles and mountains.
∂÷ߪ“°∂ȔՔ≈“ ÿ¥ “§√ At the mouth of the cave, the god bade him
¢÷πÈ ·Ωßπ—ßË ∫—ß™–ßàÕπ°âÕπ»‘≈“ Good-bye and hid behind jutting rocks.

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æ√–ÀπàÕπ“∂Õ“®Õßµ√߇¢â“∂È” Sudsakhon boldly entered the cave and saw

æ‘≈°÷ ≈È”·≈‡«‘ßÈ ‡ªìπ‡æ‘ߺ“ How deep and how almost like a home it was.
‡ÀÁπº’‡ ◊ÈÕ‡À≈◊Õ„À≠à‡∑à“‰Õ¬√“ On sighting a butterfly, huge as an elephant,
°Á√«Ÿâ “à µ—«π“¬πÕπ√à“¬¡πµå He knew this was the chief, chanting magic.

®÷߇Ւ¬È «Õߧå∑√ß≈—πË ‡°“∑—≥±å¢«—∫ Turning, he let fly an arrow, twang!

∂Ÿ°¢¡—∫‰¡à√–§“¬‡∑à“ª≈“¬¢π It hit the chiefûs temple but hardly tickled him.
´È”Õ’°∑’º‡’  ◊ÕÈ ‡ÀÁπ‡À≈◊Õ∑π As Sudsakhonûs second arrow hit him, the chief
≈◊¡√à“¬¡πµå‚¡‚À„Àâ‚°√∏“ Was so furious that he stopped chanting.

§”√π√âÕß°âÕß°÷° –Õ÷°‰≈à It roared in anger and rushed at him.

æ√–ÀπàÕ‰∑Àπ’ÕÕ°πÕ°§ŸÀ“ The prince ran out of the cave;
º’‡ ◊ÈÕ√⓬À¡“¬®–°‘π∫‘πÕÕ°¡“ The butterfly, meaning to gobble him up, flew out,
øÑ“°Áº“à ‡ª√’¬È ߇ª√’¬È ß ”‡π’¬ß¥—ß When suddenly a thunderbolt struck,

∂Ÿ°º’‡ ◊ÕÈ ‡π◊ÕÈ µ—«∑—ßÈ À—«¢“¥ Tearing its head off and its body to pieces.
æ√–ÀπàÕπ“∂™◊πË ™¡¥â«¬ ¡À«—ß His errand fulfilled, Sudsakhon was gladdened.
‡¢â“§«—°·°â«·««µ“≈–≈â“≈–≈—ß Hesitantly, he scooped out the dead chiefûs
‰¥â¡“∑—ßÈ  Õߢâ“ß «à“ß«“« Eyeballs, which were sparkling brightly,

‡ªìπ· ß√ÿßâ æ≈ÿßà æ√“¬ª√–°“¬·°â« Their rays, darting out as those of a rainbow,

¥Ÿ«“«·««°≈¡‡°≈’¬«∫â“߇¢’¬«¢“« Some green, some white, all in radiant harmony.
æ‘»‡æà߇ª≈àߪ≈—ßË ¥Ÿ¥ß— ¥“« On a close look, the eyeballs shone like stars,
 ¡∑’∑Ë “â «‡∑«“‡∏Õ«à“¥’ Proving the truth in the godûs praise of them.

·≈â«·≈¥ŸºπŸâ π—È §√—πÈ ‰¡à‡ÀÁπ On looking for this deity and not finding him,
¢—∫¡â“‡ºàπ‚ºπº“¥¥—ß√“™ ’Àå Sudsakhon on his horse leapt like a mighty lion
≈ß≈”‡π“‡¢“‡¢‘π‡π‘π§‘√’ Down the mountains, cliffs and slopes, across the sea,
¢â“¡π∑’∂ß÷ °”ªíπò ‰¡à∑π— ‡¬Áπ Onto his royal barque before evening fell.

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®÷ß·®âߧ«“¡µ“¡≈â«ß‰¥â¥«ß‡πµ√ Informing his men about the magic

¢Õß«‘‡»…™Ÿ„Àâ𓬷≈‰æ√à‡ÀÁπ Eyeballs, he raised them up for all to see.
¥Ÿ‡ª≈àߪ≈—ßË ¥—ߥ“«√“«°—∫‡ªìπ Amazed as to how bright and alive they seemed,
µà“߇¢¡âπÀ¡Õ∫°â¡™¡°ÿ¡“√ The men crowded in to view the magic eyes.

æ√–¬◊Ëπ·°â«·««µ“¡À“¬—°…å Handing the eyeballs of the giant butterfly

„ÀâπÕâ ß√—° ÕßÕߧ奫⠬ ß “√ With affection to the princess and prince,
°“¬ ‘∑∏‘ƒÏ ∑∏‘√≥∑—ßÈ ∑π∑“π Sudsakhon told them of the power therein.
 Õß°ÿ¡“√Õ—≠™≈’¥«â ¬¥’„® The sister and brother, elated, gave him a wai,

µà“ß√—∫·°â«·««‡πµ√®“°‡™…∞“ Taking the eyeballs into their hands.

™¡®‘𥓷æ√«æ√à“ß «à“߉ « They looked at the sparkling gems, and Hatsachai
æ√–Õπÿ™“«à“¡≥’¥Õ’ ¬à“߉√ Asked, çWhat magic power have these orbs?
©—π®–„§√य़‡≈àπ„Àâ‡ÀÁπƒ∑∏‘Ï Iûd like to see their might manifest.é

ÕÕ°®“°ÀâÕß≈Õ߬°§√°‡À≈Á°„À≠à Leaving the chamber, he tried to lift a huge

‡Õ“¢÷πÈ ‰¥â¥‰Ÿ ¡à¬“°·µà °— Àπ‘¥ Iron mortar and succeeded with ease.
µà“߇√‘ß√◊πË ™◊πË ™¡¥â«¬ ¡§‘¥ Both siblings, feeling pleased and delighted,
¡“π—ßË ™‘¥‡™…∞“·≈â«æ“∑’ Came back to sit near Sudsakhon, saying,

©—π¢âÕ·¢Áß·√߇√’ˬ«¢÷Èπ‡®’¬«®ä– çMy limbs are so strong now, Iûd never

∑’πª’È –¢â“»÷°‰¡àπ°÷ Àπ’ Run away were we to meet our foes again.
∂÷ß Ÿß°«à“Àâ“»Õ°®–ÕÕ°µ’ Be they taller by five feet, Iûd still fight them.é
Õ«¥æ√–æ’Ë查®“ª√– “„® Thus they boasted as young children would.

·≈⫇™…∞“À“¢ÿππ“ß™à“ß©≈“¥ Sudsakhon summoned an able jeweller

¡“§‘¥§“¥‡æÁ™√√—µπå®”√— ‰¢ To design and make a glittering ornament,
∑” “¬ √âÕ¬√âÕ¬°√Õß∑ÕßÕÿ‰√ An ornate bracelet for each of the
ºŸ°À—µ∂å„Àâπ™ÿ πâÕß Õß°ÿ¡“√œ Siblings, each bracelet carrying an eyeball.

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Ô ·≈â«ÕÕ°≈”°”ªíπò ‡ªìπÀ≈—πË ·≈àπ The fleet set sail in good order

‰ªæâπ·¥π‡°“–°“«‘π∂‘πË  ∂“π Away from Kawin Island, taking good note
 —߇°µ∑‘» ‘∑∏“∫—≠™“°“√ Of directions till it was three months
¡“ª√–¡“≥ “¡‡¥◊Õπ‰¡à‡§≈◊ÕË π§≈“ Since they had started on the journey.

‡¢â“‡¢µ·§«âπ·¥π‡¡◊Õߺ≈÷°√“™ Finally they reached the Kingdom of Phaluek,

‡ÀÁπ‡√◊Õ≈“¥µ√–‡«π√“¬∑—ßÈ ´â“¬¢«“ And saw coastal vessels left and right.
„À⵶’ Õâ ß√âÕß∂“¡µ“¡ ß°“ Sudsakhon ordered gongs beaten, asking
™“«æ“√“√—∫¶âÕß·≈â«√âÕ߉ª Who they were and they answered,

‡√“æ«°æâÕß°Õßµ√–‡«π‡¡◊Õߺ≈÷° çWeûre coastal guard vessels of Phaluek City.

π’¢Ë “â »÷°À√◊Õπ“«“¡“·µà‰Àπ Are you an enemy or wherefrom is your fleet?é
 ¡§–‡π‡ π’°¥Á „’ ® Hearing this, his men were happy.
®÷ß —ßË „Àâ∑Õ¥ ¡Õ≈ß√Õ√“ They dropped anchor and answered,

·≈â«∫Õ°‡À≈à“™“«º≈÷°„™à»°÷ ‡ ◊Õ çWe are by no means your enemy,

æ√–ÀπàÕ‡π◊ÕÈ ∑√߬»‚Õ√ “ But our young Prince of noble lineage
®–¡“‡ΩÑ“‡®â“™’«‘µæ√–∫‘¥“ Has come to seek his royal father.
·«–‡¢â“¡“‡∂‘¥®–‡≈à“„À⇢Ⓞ® Do come near and weûll explain.é

°Õßµ√–‡«π‡®π®‘µ§‘¥ —߇°µ The coastal regiments observed them and

√Ÿ«â “à ‡æ»æß»åæ√“À¡≥嵓¡«‘ ¬— Noticing their Brahmin aspects, wondered
‡ªìπ‚Õ√ ¬»¬ßæ√–Õߧ儥 As to whose son the prince was.
®”®–‰ª‡ΩÑ“øíß√—∫ —ßË §«“¡ Deciding they should listen to the message,

®÷ߢ÷πÈ ≈”°”ªíπò  ÿ«√√≥√—µπå The naval officers boarded the golden barque.
ÀπàÕ°…—µ√‘¬∑å √ß∑—°·≈â«´—°∂“¡ Sudsakhon, greeting them graciously and asking
∂÷ßæß»å‡ºà“‡À≈à“°Õæ√–ÀπàÕπ“¡ For the names of Phaluekûs rulers,
°Á‰¥â§«“¡‡∑’¬Ë ß·∑â·πàæ√–∑—¬ Was then certain of what he wished to know.

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·≈â««à“‡√“‡¬“«åÕ¬Ÿà‰¡à√Ÿâ®—° çBeing young, I know not your King,é he said,

®÷ßπ—∫»—°¥‘ Ï √ÿ ¬‘ «å ߻奫⠬ ß —¬ çAnd could only guess my relationship to him.
∑à“π™’·È ®ß·®âß ‘πÈ ‰¡à°π‘ „® Now that youûve told me about him, Iûd
®–¢Õ‰ª‡ΩÑ“Õߧåæ√–∑√ß∏√√¡åœ Like to go and pay the King my respect.é

Ô °Õßµ√–‡«π‡®π®—¥®÷ߢ—¥¢«“ß To this the coastal patrol objected,

Õ—π‡¬’¬Ë ßÕ¬à“ß°√ÿ߉°√¡‰À»«√√¬å Saying çFor a great kingdom as Phaluek,
∂÷ßÀπàÕ‡π◊ÕÈ ‡™◊ÕÈ «ß»å‡ªìπæß»åæπ— ∏ÿå Though a royal relative arrives, being from afar,
Õ¬Ÿ‰à °≈°—π°ÁµÕâ ßÀâ“¡µ“¡∑”πÕß Heûs not allowed to visit at once.

®–π”¢à“«√“«§«“¡‰ªµ“¡‡√◊ËÕß çWeûll enter the city bearing news

„Àâ∑√“∫‡∫◊ÕÈ ß∫“∑¡Ÿ≈∑Ÿ≈©≈Õß About you to our King.
·¡âπ¿Ÿ«‰π¬„ÀâÀ“ΩÉ“≈–ÕÕß If he decides to give you audience,
®÷߬°°Õß∑—懢Ⓣª„ππ§√ Then you may enter the city with your men.é

·≈â«∑Ÿ≈≈“¡“‡°≥±åµ√–‡«π¥à“π Leaving the royal barque, they returned

‡√◊Õ∑À“√Àâ“√âÕ¬≈Õ¬ ≈Õπ To order the men on five hundred vessels
„Àâª√–®”°”°—∫Õ¬à“À≈—∫πÕπ To guard the outpost without sleeping.
·≈â«√’∫√âÕπ‡√Á«¡“∂÷ß∏“π’œ This done, they hurried into the city.

Ô ®÷ß·®âß°“√∑à“π¡À“‡ π“ºŸ„â À≠à The older courtiers having heard their story,

擇¢â“‰ª∑Ÿ≈æ√–¡‡À ’ Brought them in to see the Queen.
ΩÉ“¬‚©¡¬ßÕߧ堫ÿ √√≥¡“≈’ Suwannamali the beautiful queen,
‰¡à∑√“∫∑’‡Ë ∑Á®®√‘߬—ß°√‘ßË „® Not knowing what truth there was, hesitated

®–∑Ÿ≈§«“¡¬“¡§≈—ßË °”≈—߇§≈‘¡È About informing the king in his unsound state.

‡π◊ÕÈ §«“¡‡¥‘¡‡ÀÁπæ√–Õߧ宖À≈ß„À≈ Wondering if he still remembered his past,
®÷ßµ√Õßµ√÷°ª√÷°…“‡ π“„π She pondered, and consulted the courtiers,
®–√—∫„Àâ¡“¥’À√◊Õ¡‘§«√ çShould we let them come in or not?é

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¢ÿππ“ßæ√âÕ¡πâÕ¡ª√–≥µ«à“°ÆÀ¡“¬ The courtiers bowing low, said, çBy our laws

·¡âπ‡®â“𓬇 ’¬®√‘µ‡ÀÁπº‘¥º«π If a ruler is disturbed in his mind,
§√—Èπ®–°√“∫∑Ÿ≈§«“¡¬“¡ª√–™«√ Matters should wait till he is better.
°Á‰¡à§«√¢Õ„Àâ∑—æ‡∏Õ¬—∫¬—Èß Itûs best to let the fleet wait where it is,

Õ¬Ÿ∑à “à æ√–Õπÿ™“∂â“¡“∂÷ß çTill our kingûs brother has arrived.

π—πË ·≈–®÷ß®–‰¥â∂“¡‡π◊ÕÈ §«“¡À≈—ß We can then ask him about their past.
°≈»÷°≈÷°‡À≈◊Õ®–‡™◊ÕË øíß War tricks can be so subtly made. Weûre not
¢â“§‘¥¬—߇§≈◊Õ∫·§≈ß√–·«ß§«“¡ Very clear about things and must be cautious.é

π“ß°…—µ√‘¬µå √— µÕ∫«à“™Õ∫Õ¬Ÿà çI agree,é said the gracious queen. çEnemies

¥â«¬»—µ√Ÿ‡∫’¬¥‡∫’¬π‡ªìπ‡ ’¬È πÀπ“¡ We do have, like thorns hurting us.
®–‰≈à¢∫— °≈—∫‰ª°Á‰¡àß“¡ Sending the prince away, we could not,
©«¬‡ªì𧫓¡ ÿ®√‘µ®–º‘¥π—° Lest weûd be in grave wrong if the truth he spoke.

‡ π“„π‰ª„Àâ∂ß÷ ®÷ß®–™Õ∫ çGo courtiers to the prince, and, keeping our

™à«¬‚µâµÕ∫µ“¡‚∫√“≥Õ¬à“À“≠À—° Good tradition, give him a gentle answer,
·¡âπ‚Õ√ Õÿµ à“Àå¡“ “æ‘¿°— ¥‘Ï Saying that if heûs the Kingûs son, coming to pay respect,
„Àâ≈°Ÿ √—°Õ¬Ÿ∑à ¥’Ë “à π™“ππ§√œ Do wait a few days by our cityûs edge.é

Ô ‡ π“√—∫Õ¿‘«π— ∑å·≈⫺—πº“¬ The courtiers bowed to her order.

‰ª¥â«¬π“¬·¥π¥à“π™“≠ ¡√ And left with the naval officers.
¢÷πÈ ≈”∑√ßÕߧåæ√–ÀπàÕ∫¥‘π∑√ As they came aboard the royal barque,
 ÿ¥ “§√‡√’¬°À“¡“¢â“ßπ’È Sudsakhon greeted them, saying, çCome this way.é

‡ π“„π‰ªª√–≥µ‚Õ√ √“™ Putting their palms together, saluting him,

‡ÀÁπºÿ¥º“¥º‘«ºàÕß≈–ÕÕß»√’ The courtiers noticed how no less handsome he was
‰¡à§≈“¥‡§≈◊ËÕπ‡À¡◊Õπæ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ Than their king Phra Aphai Mani.
§«“¡¬‘π¥’‡ÀÁπ®√‘߉¡à°√‘ßË „® Delighted and no longer suspicious,

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 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

®÷ß∑Ÿ≈§«“¡µ“¡Õߧåæ√–∑√ß»—°¥‘Ï They informed him how the King

ª√–™«√Àπ—°≈◊¡Õߧå„ÀâÀ≈ß„À≈ Was awfully sick, as if under a spell,
∑—ßÈ Àâ“¡·Àπ· π π¡°√¡„π And how his ladies of all ranks
π—ßË √âÕ߉À≡૓¬ø“¬πÈ”µ“ Had been crying, not knowing what to do.

·µà∏“π’¡»’ °÷ π÷°«‘µ° çBut because Phaluek is at war,é they said,

®÷ßµâÕߪ°ªî¥§«“¡Àâ“¡Àπ—°Àπ“ çWe have to keep his illness secret.
„Àâ‡√◊Õ„™â‰ª‡™‘≠æ√–Õπÿ™“ Messengers have been sent to his brother,
‰¡à‡ÀÁπ¡“™â“π“π®πªÉ“ππ’È But till now we see nothing of the brother.

æÕ∑√“∫«à“ΩÉ“æ√–∫“∑√“™‚Õ√  çNow that we know you are our Kingûs son

¬°æ«°∑»‚¬∏“¡“°√ÿß»√’ Who has come here with your fleet,
æ√–¡“√¥“¢â“·ºàπ¥‘π°Á¬π‘ ¥’ Our queen is happy. She sends us here
„À⢓â π’¡È “ª√–≥µ∫∑¡“≈¬å To salute you, welcome you

‡™‘≠ª√–∑—∫¬—∫¬—È߬—ߪ“°Õà“« çAnd invite you to wait at our gulf.

¥â«¬‰¥â¢“à «¢â“»÷°‡ÀÁπŒ÷°À“≠ Hearing that our enemies are brave and ruthless,
„Àâæ√–Õߧå∑√߃∑∏‘§Ï Õà ¬§‘¥°“√ She asks that you make careful plans
√—°…“¥à“𪓰πÈ”∑’ Ë ”§—≠ To help guard this important inlet.

§≈“¬ª√–™«√§«√∑Ÿ≈∂«“¬‰¥â çWhen the king is better, she will give him

®÷ß®–„À⇙‘≠‡ ¥Á®‡¢â“‡¢µ¢—≥±å Your message and invite you into the city.
Õπ÷ßË ‡≈à“æ√–‡®â“Õ“πÿ™“π—πÈ As for his brother, who is your uncle,
 Õß “¡«—π‡ÀÁπ®–¡“‰¡à™â“∑’œ We think he will arrive in two to three days.é

Ô  ÿ¥ “§√√âÕ𮑵∂÷ß∫‘µ‡ÿ √» Anxious about his father, Sudsakhon was restless.

™≈‡πµ√·π«πÕß„ÀâÀ¡Õß»√’ With tears staining his face, he looked gloomy.
∂Õπ –Õ◊πÈ Ωóπæ—°µ√å´°— ‡ π’ Choking back sobs, he asked the men,
ª√–‡¥’ά«π’È∑√ß∏√√¡å§àÕ¬∫√√‡∑“ çIs the King now slightly better

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À√◊Õª√–™«√ª√«π·ª√°«à“·µà°àÕπ çOr has he changed for the worse?

Õ°‡√à“√âÕπ√“«°—∫‰øª√–≈—¬‡º“ My heart is so anxious, it feels as if on fire.é
‡ π“∑Ÿ≈¡Ÿ≈§«“¡µ“¡ ”‡π“ The courtiers told him what they knew,
§àÕ¬∫√√‡∑“¢÷πÈ ¥â«¬∂à“¬À≈“¬‡«≈“ çHeûs better; now he to the privy goes;

æ√–Õ“À“√«“ππ’°È ¡Á √’   çSince yesterday his appetite improves.

‡ «¬À¡¥¢â“« «¬ —°∂⫬Ω“ Now he eats and finishes his bowl of rice,
‡ÀÁπ™◊πË ¡◊πË øóπô øíß°”≈—߬“ And willingly takes his medicine.
æ√–‚√§“§ß®–À“¬‡À¡◊ÕπÀ¡“¬‰«âœ It looks like heûll be well again as we hope.é

Ô æ√–øíߧ”®”®π„ÀâÕπâ Õ—πÈ The young prince could say no more.

®÷ߺàÕπº—π查®“Õ—™¨“ —¬ Not insisting on the visit at this time, he said,
‡ªìπ®”‡æ“–‡§√“–Àå°√√¡°√–∑”‰«â çMy past bad karma, catching up, prevents me
®÷ß¡‘‰¥â√°— …“欓∫“≈ From attending and nursing my sire!

´÷ßË Õߧåæ√–™ππ’¡√’ ∫—  —ßË çAs for the Queenûs order,

„Àâ√–«—ߪ“°Õà“«¥â«¬¢à“« “√ For me to keep watch over the gulf,
∂ⓢ⓻÷°Œ÷°‚À¡¡“‚√¡√“≠ If the enemy dares launch an attack,
®–µàÕµâ“πµ’∑æ— „Àâ¬∫— ‡¬‘π Their naval force Iûd crush to the utmost.

·µàÕ“°“√ºà“π‡°≈Ⓡ∫“À√◊ÕÀπ—° çAbout my fatherûs condition, as it changes,

„Àâª√–®—°…å·®âß∫â“ßÕ¬à“Àà“߇À‘π Do not keep quiet but let me know.é
¢ÿπ‡ π“«à“®–‰¡à≈–‡¡‘π The courtiers, saying they would keep him informed,
°√–π—πÈ ‡™‘≠‡¢â“¥à“π™“ππ§√œ Invited him to proceed by water to the cityûs edge.

Ô æ√–∑√ßøíß —ßË ¡À“‡ π“ºŸ„â À≠à Sudsakhon ordered his officers

„Àâ„™â„∫°”ªíπò ‡ªìπÀ≈—πË  ≈Õπ To set sail, and in grand order
‡¢â“ª“°πÈ”¬Ë”‡¬Áπ≈ß√Õπ√Õπ They entered the gulf at sundown,
„Àâæ°— ºàÕπÕ¬Ÿ∑à ¥’Ë “à π™“π∫ÿ√œ’ To take repose at the city border.

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Ô Õ—π‡√◊ËÕß√“«°≈à“«§«“¡∑’ËÀâ“¡‡ΩÑ“ While the prince waited as bidden,

¬—ß¡‘‡¢â“‰ªª√–≥µ∫∑»√’ Not pressing to pay the King his respect,
æÕºŸ∂â Õ◊ Àπ—ß ◊Õ¡“∂÷ß∏“π’ Newsbearers came to the city of Phaluek,
·®âߧ¥’¥«â ¬‡√◊ÕË ß‡¡◊Õß≈—ß°“ With tidings of threat from Lanka, saying

«à“∑—æ∑â“«‡®â“ª√–‡∑»∑ÿ°‡¢µ·§«âπ çKings of many cities have arrived

¡“∂÷ß·¥π ‘ßÀ≈æ≈Àπ—°Àπ“ With huge fleets and troops. Each king,
·µà≈–‡¡◊Õ߇√◊Õ߇¥™‡«∑«‘™“ Steeped with war experience and magic,
™‘ßÕ“ “√∫°àÕπ‰¡àÀ¬àÕπ°—π Offers to be the first in waging war.

π“ß≈–‡«ß‡°√ß„®„ÀâÕπÿ≠“µ çPrincess Laweng has promised

„§√ “¡“√∂√∫‰¥â‰Õ»«√√¬å To submit her countryûs Rahu Seal
®–¡Õ∫µ√“√“ÀŸ„À⺟âπ—Èπ To the conquerer of Phaluek, thus making rulers
®÷ß™‘ß°—π¬°¡“∑ÿ°∏“π’ Of all cities vie with each other, flocking to her side,

‡¡◊Õß¡–Àÿßà °√ÿ߇µπ°ÿ‡«π≈«“¥ çSuch as Mahung, Krung Ten, Kuwen, Lawat,

‡¡◊Õß«‘≈“ «‘≈¬“™«“©«’ Wilat, Wilaya, Java, Chawi,
∂÷߇¡◊Õ߇ߓ–‡°“–«≈” ”ª–≈’ Mueang Ngo, Walam Island and Sampalang,
®–™‘ßµ’‡¡◊Õߺ≈÷°‡ªìπ»÷°√ÿ¡œ All eager like a pack of hounds, to assault Phaluek.é

Ô π“ß√Ÿ¢â “à «√“«°—∫°“¬«“¬™’«µ‘ Hearing this, Suwannamali was

‡ªìπ ÿ¥ƒ∑∏‘√Ï Õâ πƒ∑—¬¥—߉ø ÿ¡ Extremely shocked, her heart as if on fire.
æ√–∑Ÿ≈°√–À¡àÕ¡®Õ¡«—߬—ߧ≈—ßË §≈ÿ¡â As Phra Aphai Mani was still insane,
„§√®–§ÿ⡧√Õ߉¥â‡ÀÁπ‰¡à¡’ She saw no one who could save her city.

æ≈“߇¢â“ÀâÕß¡ÕߥŸ¿«Ÿ π“∂ Entering Phra Aphai Maniûs chamber, she saw him
®Ÿ∫°√–¥“…´Ÿ¥´Ÿ¥æŸ¥°—∫º’ Kissing the portrait and talking as if to a ghost.
‡¢â“‡§’¬ßÕߧå∑√ß∏√√¡å·≈â«Õ—≠™≈’ Going close and saluting him, she was
∑√ß‚»°’°≈—πÈ  –Õ◊πÈ °≈◊ππÈ”µ“ In tears and tried to choke back her sobs.

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·≈â«∑Ÿ≈§«“¡µ“¡Ω√—ßË ∫Õ°Àπ—ß ◊Õ She told him the news from the messengers;
æ√–Õ◊ÕÕ◊Õ·≈â«°Á‡§≈‘È¡‡À‘¡À√√…“ He nodded and nodded, half in stupor.
Õ¬Ÿ¥à ¥’ ™’ π’È «‘È °√‘«È ‚°√∏“ Suddenly he pointed a finger at her face,
πâÕ¬À√◊Õ¡“π—ËßÀ÷ß°√–∫÷ß°√–∫Õπ Accusing her of being moody and jealous,

∑”®â«ß®“∫À¬“∫™â“ “√æ—¥ And of various other rude acts.

æ√–º≈—°æ≈—¥µ° ÿ«√√≥∫√√®∂√≥å He then pushed her down from his bed.
π“ß ß “√ºà“πøÑ“¬‘ßË Õ“«√≥å Feeling sorry for him and even more worried,
æ√–°√¢âÕπ∑√«ß´È”√˔摉√ The Queen beat her breast and moaned,

‚Õâªπîò ‡°≈Ⓡ®â“ª√–§ÿ≥¢Õ߇¡’¬‡Õ㬠çO my respected, dearest husband,

‰¡àøπóô ‡≈¬·≈â«À√◊Õ°√√¡®–∑”‰©π Will you not wake at all? What can we do?
»÷°®–¡“∏“π’‰¡à¡’„§√ Terrible war is coming here and no one
™à«¬·°â‰¢§‘¥Õà“π°“√≥√ߧå Have we, to plan strategies of combat.

‚Õ⇫’¬ß«—ߧ√—Èßπ’ȉ¡à¡’√Õ¥ çThis time our city and palace will not be spared;
®–¡â«¬¡Õ¥‡À¡◊Õπ‡¢“‡∫◊ÕË ‰¡à‡À≈◊ÕÀ≈ß Weûll all die as if swept off by poison.
·≈â«¡‘Àπ”´È” Ÿ≠ª√–¬Ÿ√«ß»å None will remain, including our royal kin.é
π“ß√Ë”∑√ß‚»°“∂÷ß∏“π’ Thus moaning, she wept over the fate of her city.

æ√–øí߇øóÕπ‡À¡◊ÕπÀπ÷ßË «à“¥à“°√–¥“… The King, crazed, thought she scolded the drawing
µ√— µ«“¥«à“Õÿ‡À¡à¡‡À ’ And shouted at her, çGoodness! Wife!
· π ”ÕÕ¬§Õ¬‡ΩÑ“¡“‡´â“´’È You do excel in moping and nagging,
查լà“ßπ’ÕÈ ¬à“ßπ—πÈ ¢¬—π®√‘ß Now saying this, then saying that. How energetic!

‡®â“§“√¡≈¡‡µ‘∫°”‡√‘∫®‘µ çGood at speaking, now youûve become bold, coming here,

¥—¥®√‘µ‡¢â“¡“¥à“«à“ºŸÀâ ≠‘ß Feigning something but in fact to scold a woman!é
æ≈“ß·º¥‡ ’¬ß‡À«’¬Ë ߇¢π¬∑’‡Ë §¬Õ‘ß Having thus bellowed, he threw his pillow at her.
π“ßÀ«’¥«‘ßË Àπ’¡“Àπâ“æ√–≈“π Suwannamali ran out to the palace front.

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·≈â«„ÀâÀ“¢â“‡ΩÑ“‡¢â“¡“ —ßË Summoning one and all on duty, and

 ß§√“¡§√—ßÈ π’ÀÈ π—°®–À—°À“≠ Declaring it hard to win this war, she ordered,
‡√àߢ÷ÈπªÑÕ¡≈âÕ¡√Õ∫¢Õ∫ª√“°“√ çOfficers, guard our towers and forts.
À—¥∑À“√‡¥‘π√∫∫√√®∫°—π Soldiers, practise marching as in a war.

·≈⫇°≥±å‰æ√à‰«â∑°ÿ ™àÕß°Õß≈–À¡◊πË çLet each quarter be manned by ten

©«¬§Ë”§◊π‡¢â¡ß«¥®–°«¥¢—π Thousand guards, with strict caution at night.
∂â“Àπ—°‰Àπ„Àâ∑À“√™à«¬¥â“ππ—πÈ When trouble turns heavy in any place,
Õ¬à“§‘¥§√—Ëπ§√â“¡„®·°à‰æ√’œ Hasten you there; fear not but fight our enemy.é

Ô ΩÉ“¬‡«’¬ß«—ߧ≈—ßπ“æ«°¢â“‡ΩÑ“ Her court officials, in audience,

µà“߰⡇°≈â“°√“∫æ√–¡‡À ’ Bowed in acceptance of her orders
¡“ —ßË ‡«√‡°≥±å∑À“√µ“¡∫“≠™’ And dispersed to carry out her commands,
¢÷πÈ π—ßË ∑’‡Ë ™‘߇∑‘π‡π‘πÀÕ√∫ With soldiers quickly manning the towers.

π“¬√—°…“Àπâ“¥à“π∑À“√‡Õ° Generals marched to the front line,

„Àâ§ÿ¡‡≈°§π≈–æ—π‡¢â“∫√√®∫ Each commanding a thousand men.
∑—ßÈ °ÕßÀ¡◊πË æ◊πÈ  —π∑—¥®—¥ ¡∑∫ Thousands, well experienced in war, joined them.
∫πÀÕ√∫√“¬ªóπ°Õßøóπ‰ø On the towers, cannons were ready to fire.

∫â“߇∑’¬∫√∂§™“ºŸ°¡â“™â“ß The infantry was busy with horses and elephants.

æ«°¢ÿππ“ßµ√«®°—π‡ ’¬ßÀ«—πË ‰À« Superior officers checked everything in a din.
®ÕßÀßàÕßÀßàÕ߶âÕß°√–·µÕÕ°·´à‰ª Gongs were sounded everywhere
µà“߇µ√’¬¡‰«â‡ √Á® √√æ√—∫ ß§√“¡œ And everyone was ready for war.

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µÕπ∑’Ë Ú˘ Episode XXIX

»÷°‡°â“∑—æµ’‡¡◊Õߺ≈÷° The Battle of Nine Armies against Phaluek
Translated by Professor Emeritus Srisurang Poolthupya

Ô ΩÉ“¬Ω√—ßË ≈—ß°“æ«°¢â“»÷° The foreign rulers fighting for Lanka

≈â«π‡À‘¡Œ÷°Àâ“«À“≠™“≠ π“¡ All brave and well-skilled in war,
°”‡√‘∫√—°®—°™‘ߺŸÀâ ≠‘ßß“¡ Filled with love and desire to win a beauty,
µà“ß√’∫¢â“¡‡√Á«¡“‰¡à√“„∫ Led their fleet fast under full sail.

∂÷߇¢µ§ÿßâ °√ÿߺ≈÷°‡ ’¬ß§√÷°§√◊πÈ Reaching Phaluekûs bay with clamour

¥Ÿ¥ß— §≈◊πË ¢â“¡¡À“™≈“‰À≈ Like waves crossing the ocean,
¥â«¬À≈“¬‡¡◊Õ߇π◊Õß·πàπ·≈àπ‰√‰√ They came in crowds from various cities,
æ≈‰æ√à‚Àà≈π—Ë  π—πË ¥—ßœ With warriors roaring loud like thunder.

Ô °Õßµ√–‡«π‡®ππ“«“∑—ßÈ Àâ“√âÕ¬ The skilled patrol of five hundred boats

‡∑’ˬ«·≈àπ≈Õ¬æÕ‡ÀÁπ∑—æ¡“§—∫§—Ëß Moved around and spied the numerous fleet
‡ªìπÀ¡◊πË · π·πàπÀ𓥓ª√–¥—ß With ten hundred thousand men
¬—ߢâ“ßÀ≈—ß·≈àπµ“¡¡“À≈“¡∑“ß Followed by many more behind.

®÷ߪ√÷°…“«à“»÷°‡ÀÁπŒ÷°À“≠ Agreed among themselves the fight was fierce,

®–µàÕµâ“πµ’µ¥— °Á¢¥— ¢«“ß Not easy to withstand the enemy,
·µà≈Õß Ÿ¥â ÀŸ πàÕ¬·≈â«∂Õ¬æ≈“ß They fought a little then retreated
‰ªªî¥∑“ߪ“°πÈ”∑’ Ë ”§—≠ To block the vital estuary.

·≈â«¢“π‚Àà‚¬∏“ —≠≠“√∫ They shouted war cries signalling the fight,

·≈àπµ≈∫‡≈’¬È «≈—¥ °—¥°—πÈ Sailed right around to block the enemy,
µà“ߪ≈àÕ¬ªóπ§√◊πÈ §≈ÿ¡â ™Õÿ¡à §«—π Firing cannon balls till smoke filled the air,
∂Ÿ°°”ªíπò µŸ¡µ÷ߪñߪíߪíß Hitting the galleons with loud booms.

¡—πµÕ∫ªóπ§√◊πÈ §√÷°‡ ’¬ß°÷°°âÕß The foe fired back with awesome bangs.

µ√–‡«π≈àÕßÀ≈’°§≈âÕ¬ª≈àÕ¬ªóπÀ≈—ß The patrols moved away firing rear cannons,
∂Ÿ° ”‡¿“‡ “°√–‚¥ßº÷ß‚ºßæ—ß The balls hit the galleons, breaking masts,
æ≈Ω√—ßË ≈⡵“¬≈ßÀ≈“¬æ—π Killing thousands of white enemies.

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æ«°°ÕßÀπÿπ¢ÿπæ≈‡¡◊Õß«‘≈“  The support fleet of Wilatûs warriors

‡¢â“°≈ÿ¡â °≈“¥¬‘ß·¬âß≈â«π·¢Áߢ—π Dashed to open fire, showing their mettle.
µ–‡«ππâÕ¬§Õ¬√∫∫√√®∫°—π Small patrol boats joined the battle,
‡ ’¬ß§√◊πÈ §√—πË §√÷¡È øÑ“ ÿ∏“∏“√œ Clashes clanged from sky to land and water.

Ô ΩÉ“¬æ√–ÀπàÕ∫摵√Õ¥‘»√ As for the prince of great lineage,

 ÿ¥ “§√‡¢â¡·¢Áß°”·ÀßÀ“≠ Sudsakhon, strong, daring and mighty,
°—∫Õߧåæ√–°π‘…∞“πÿ™“™“≠ With his brave sister and brother,
µ—ßÈ Õ¬Ÿ¥à “à 𪓰πÈ”·µà§Ë”æ≈∫ He guarded at the estuary from dusk.

æÕ‡™â“µ√Ÿ¥à ‡Ÿ √◊Õ‡ÀÁπ‡À≈◊ÕÀ≈“¡ At dawn they saw so many ships

‰≈൥‘ µ“¡™“«∫ÿ√µ’ µ’ ≈∫ Pursuing the city men and routing them.
µ√–‡«π¥à“πæ“π®–πâÕ¬°Á∂Õ¬∑∫ Patrol boats, fewer than the foeûs, retreated;
‰æ√’√∫√ÿ¡°—π°√–™—Èπ¡“ The enemy surrounded them closer.

æ√–µ°„®„ÀâÕ”¡“µ¬åª√–°“» —ßË Alarmed, the prince told the officers to have

°”ªíπò ∑—ßÈ √âÕ¬√“¬Õ¬Ÿ´à “â ¬¢«“ The hundred barques moored left and right
ÕÕ°√∫√—∫∑—æΩ√—ßË ‡¡◊Õß≈—ß°“ To sail against the European fleet.
æ«°‚¬∏“À¡¥∑—«Ë ‰¡à°≈—«‡°√ß All the soldiers were truly fearless.

µà“ß®—¥·®ß·µàß°“¬∑—ßÈ π“¬‰æ√à Officers and sailors donned their garb,

·µà≈«â π„ à‡ ◊ÕÈ ‡°√“–¥Ÿ‡À¡“–‡À¡ß All wore armoured vests befitting them.
ÕÕ°°”ªíπò ≈—πË ªóπ‡ ’¬ß§√◊πÈ ‡§√ß They set sail and fired cannons loudly
∫â“ß√”‡æ≈ß·À≈πÀ≈“«‚Àà©“«¡“ While some danced with spears and made war cries.

¡À“¥‡≈Á°‡¥Á°π—πÈ æ—πÀâ“√âÕ¬ One thousand five hundred boy pages,

≈â«π„ à √âÕ¬ —ß«“≈À“≠Õ“ “ All clad with ornate breastplates, came forward,
∂◊Õ∏πŸ§æŸà √–Õߧåæß»åπ√“ Holding bows and arrows beside the princes,
Õߧå≈–Àâ“√âÕ¬∂â«π≈â«π‡≈Á°‡≈Á° Five hundred for each royal person.

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‡§¬‡√’¬π√Ÿ â √Ÿâ ∫∂÷ßÀ≈∫Ωπ Well-skilled in fighting and avoiding arrows,

µà“ß√“≠√π‡√‘ß√à“ª√– “‡¥Á° They were active and cheerful as boys should be.
∫â“ß¡â«π®ÿ°ºŸ°°√– —πæ—πÀ“߇®ä° Some wore top-knots, others wore Chinese pig-tails,
¥“∫‡≈Á°‡≈Á°‡ÀπÁ∫·π∫‡ªìπ·¬∫§“¬ Tucking their small swords close to their sides.

 ÿ¥ “§√ Õπ Õßæ√–πâÕßπâÕ¬ Sudsakhon taught his brother and sister

„Àâ «¡ √âÕ¬ —ß«“≈ª√– “𠓬 To wear breastplates and ornaments.
°ÿ¡“√’æ·’Ë µàß·ª≈߇ªì𙓬 The sister was dressed up as a boy,
 Õ¥ –擬≈Ÿ°·≈àßæ√–· ß∑√ß Shouldering a quiver, sword in hand.

 ÿ¥ “§√°√°ÿ¡‰¡â‡∑â“·°â« Sudsakhon, holding his magic staff,

 ”‡√Á®·≈â«≈’≈“»¥—ß√“™Àß å Was ready to move like a royal swan.
¢÷πÈ ∫πÀ≈—ß∂—ßπÈ”∑—ßÈ  “¡Õߧå All three standing on the poop
„Àâ‚∫°∏ßµ’¶Õâ ߇√àß°≈Õß√∫œ Bade the men wave flags and beat gongs and drums.

Ô ΩÉ“¬‡ π“°“√–‡«°‡Õ°Õ”¡“µ¬å The high officials of Karawek,

‡ÀÁπ‡√◊Õ≈“¥µ√–‡«π·¬°·µ°µ≈∫ Seeing the patrol boats beaten,
‰¡àÀ≈’°‡≈’¬Ë ߇√’¬ß√–¥¡‡¢â“ ¡∑∫ Did not shy away but went to their aid,
¬‘ߪóπ√∫√—∫Ω√—ßË ‡ ’¬ßªíߪñß Shooting loudly at the white enemy.

æÕ≈¡À«πªÉ«πª–ª–∑–∑—æ When the wind changed direction towards the fleet,

‡Õ“¢Õ —∫ “¬‚´àæÕ‚≈â∂ß÷ They hooked the enemyûs ships to get close.
°”ªíπò ªí¥øí¥¥—߇ ’¬ßªíߪñß The ships resisted and fired back
æ≈∑–≈÷ßË ‚≈¥‚ºπ‚®π≈߇√◊Õ While the soldiers jumped on board.

æ«°Ω√—ßË Õ—ß°ƒ…‚≈À‘µ “¥ The wounded white men were dripping blood.

„§√‰¡àÕ“®µàÕµâ“π∑À“√‡ ◊Õ None could fight against these brave soldiers.
¢÷πÈ ≈”‰Àπ‰æ√à𓬵“¬‡ªìπ‡∫◊Õ Whichever ship they jumped on, they killed
∑’ÀË ≈Õ‡À≈◊Õ≈ßπÈ”«à“¬§≈Ë”‰ª While survivors swam away in droves.

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æÕ∑—æ∑â“«‡®â“«‘≈“ ¡“°≈“¥°≈ÿ¡â When the King of Wilatûs fleet came forth

‡¢â“ÀâÕ¡Àÿâ¡‚Àà≈—Ëπ‡ ’¬ßÀ«—Ëπ‰À« And surrounded the Karawek ships,
æ≈°ÿ¡“√√“≠‡√‘߇™‘ß™‘ß™—¬ The boysû brigade, well-skilled in battle,
‚¥¥¢÷πÈ ‰¥â∫𰔪íπò ‰≈àøπí ·∑ß Jumped on board and attacked them.

≈â«π‡√Á«√«¥À«¥ø“¥‡ ’¬ß©“¥©—∫ All hit so fast with resounding blows that

®–√∫√—∫°Á‰¡à∑—π≈â«π¢—π·¢Áß The foe could not fend off their mighty strokes.
Ω√—ßË √⓬«“¬ª√“≥‰¡à∑“π·√ß The evil white men fell dead, being weaker.
≈”Õ◊πË ·´ß´Õ°´Õπ‡¢â“√Õπ√“≠ Other ships pushed forward to fight with them.

‡®â“«‘≈“ ¶“µ°≈Õ߇√àß°Õß√∫ King of Wilat beat war drums and urged his fleet
„Àâ ¡∑∫´â“¬¢«“‚¬∏“À“≠ To join him left and right, all brave soldiers.
æÕ‡¿µ√“Àâ“æ—πª√–®—≠∫“π As the five thousand ships fought the battle,
®–À—°¥à“π‰ª„À≥â¥ß— „®®ßœ He hoped to break through the defending front.

Ô ΩÉ“¬∑—æ∑â“«‡®â“ª√–‡∑»∑ÿ°‡¢µ·§«âπ The troops from all foreign kingdoms

µà“ßÀ≈’°·≈àπ‡¢â“∂÷ßΩíßò ¥—ߪ√– ß§å All tried to reach the shore as desired.
‡ÀÁπ∑—æ∫°¬°∑À“√™“≠≥√ߧå Armies of skilled soldiers were seen
∑—È߇հÕߧ凮Ⓡ¡◊ÕßÀπÿπ‡π◊ËÕß¡“ With their kings heading forward.

¥â«¬®–„§√à‰¥âºÀŸâ ≠‘ß™‘ß°—π√∫ They fought with hope of winning a lady,

‰¡à ¡∑∫∂âÕ¬∑’ª√– ’ª√– “ Vying with one another naively.
‡ ’¬ß∑À“√¢“π‚Àà‡ªìπ‚°≈“ Their troops shouted loud war cries,
‡¥‘π‚¬∏“¢â“¡∑ÿßà ‡¢â“°√ÿ߉°√œ Marching across the fields to the city.

Ô ΩÉ“¬æ«°æ≈∫π‡™‘ß‡∑‘π‡π‘πÀÕ√∫ The soldiers at the city mounds and towers,

≈â«π‡®π®∫®âÕߪóπ¬◊π‰ « Skilled in shooting, were aiming at the foe.
‡ÀÁπ°Õß∑—槗∫§—ßË §Õ¬™—ßË „® Seeing many armies, they waited
æÕ®«π„°≈âª≈àÕ¬ªóπ‡ ’¬ß§√◊Èπ§√÷° Till they were close enough to fire loud guns.

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∂Ÿ° “¬‚´à‚¬∑–°“≈ߥ“¥“… They hit the chains of the anchors,

¥Ÿ°≈‘ßÈ °≈“¥°≈“ß∑ÿßà °√ÿߺ≈÷° Cannon balls rolled over Phaluek fields,
ªóπªÑÕ¡‡ª√’¬È ߇ ’¬ß π—πË ≈—πË æ‘≈°÷ The firing from the towers caused a great din,
∂Ÿ°¢â“»÷°≈⡵“¬≈ßÀ≈“¬æ—π Hitting the enemy who fell in thousands.

∑’‡Ë À≈◊Õµ“¬π“¬µâÕπ‡¢â“∂Õπ¢«“° Masters ordered survivors to pull up the caltrops;

∫â“ß·≈àπ≈“°ªóπ¬‘ß«‘ßË ∂≈—π Some draggred cannons, running and firing.
¥â«¬À≈“¬∑—æπ—∫· π·πàπÕπ—πµå So many troops counting hundred thousand
‡¢â“°√–™—πÈ ‡™‘߇∑‘π‡π‘π°”·æß Approached the mounds around the city wall.

æ«°√—°…“Àπâ“∑’‰Ë ¡àÀπ’À≈∫ Those on duty did not flee from the foe:
¬‘ߪóπ√∫√”¥“∫°”´“∫·º≈ß Some fired cannons, some wielding poisoned swords,
∂Ÿ°‰æ√à𓬫“¬«“ß≈ß°≈“ß·ª≈ß Hit and killed the foe of high and low rank.
∑’‡Ë À≈◊Õ·´ß´Õ°´Õπ‡¢â“√Õπ√“≠ Those who survived rushed forward to fight.

‡¡◊Õß¡–Àÿàß°√ÿ߇µπ°ÿ‡«π©«’ Troops from Mahung, Krung Ten, Kuwen, Chawi,

 ”ª–≈’«≈‘ ¬“≈â«π°≈â“À“≠ Sampalang, Wilaya all daring
µà“߬°ÕâÕ¡≈âÕ¡√Õ∫¢Õ∫ª√“°“√ Surrounded the edge of the towered wall.
∑—æ≈–¥â“πÕ◊ÕÈ «‘ßË ‡¢â“™‘ß·¥π Each army on each side rushed to gain ground.

∂Ÿ°ªóπµ—∫¬—∫¬àÕ¬ºÁÕ¬ºÁÕ¬≈â¡ Hit by rounds of cannons, they fell dead,

¬‘ß√–¥¡¥“…¥◊πË ‡ªìπÀ¡◊πË · π Scattered around in ten hundred thousand.
‡ ’¬ß¢â“»÷°Œ÷°‚ÀàªÕÑ ß‚≈à·æπ The foe shouted and hid behind their shields,
∂◊ÕÀ≈“«·À≈π√∫æÿßà ™“«°√ÿ߉°√œ Holding javelins and spears to fight the city men.

Ô ΩÉ“¬ ÿ«√√≥¡“≈’π“√’√“™ Suwannamali, the gracious queen,

Õ¬Ÿªà √“ “∑‡ ’¬ß√∫æ‘¿æ‰À« Was in the palace and heard the war din.
Õÿµ à“Àå°≈—πÈ °—π· ß·¢Áßæ√–∑—¬ Trying to suppress her sobs and steel herself,
µ√߇¢â“‰ª·∑àπ√—µπåæ√–¿— ¥“ She went to her lordûs crystal couch.

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∫—ߧ¡∑Ÿ≈¡Ÿ≈§«“¡‰ªµ“¡‡√◊ÕË ß The queen told him what had happened:

∫—¥π’ȇ¡◊Õß„À≠àπâÕ¬√âÕ¬¿“…“ Kings of big and small realms, talking hundred tongues,
¡“æ√—Ëßæ√âÕ¡≈âÕ¡√Õ∫¢Õ∫æ“√“ Came to besiege the city in great numbers,
¬—ß√∫√“¬‘ߪóπ‡ ’¬ß§√◊πÈ ‡§√ß Fighting and firing guns loudly.

æ√–Õ¿—¬‰¥âøßí «à“™à“߇¢“ Phra Aphai heard and said, çLet it be.

„§√„™â‡®â“°—∫ π¡¡“¢à¡‡Àß Who told you and the ladies to bully
®÷ßæ«°æâÕߢÕßÕπߧåÕߧå≈–‡«ß Queen Laweng that her kith and kin
¡“§√◊Èπ‡§√ߧ√“«π’ȉ¡à¡’„§√ Came to attack us, none other.é

æ√–µ√— æ≈“ß∑“ß √«≈ ”√«≈‡¬â¬ So saying, the king laughed and mocked her,

·≈â«°Á‡≈¬≈◊¡Õߧ奫⠬À≈ß„À≈ Then forgot himself, crazed with passion.
 ß “√π“ßÕ¬à“ß™’«π— ®–∫√√≈—¬ Poor Suwannamali nearly died of grief.
 –Õ◊πÈ ‰Àâ∑≈Ÿ ≈“æ√– “¡’ With sobs she took leave of her lord,

πâÕß®–¢ÕµàÕ¬ÿ∑∏å®π ÿ¥ƒ∑∏‘Ï çIûll fight the foe to my last breath,

‡Õ“™’«µ‘ ·∑π∑¥∫∑»√’ Offer my life to repay your kindness.
¢Õæ√–§ÿ≥∫ÿ≠≠“ΩÉ“∏ÿ≈’ May your might and merit great
„Àâ‰æ√’¬àÕ¬¬—∫Õ—ª√“ Cause the enemy to be destroyed.

·¡âπ ‘πÈ ∫ÿ≠∑Ÿ≈°√–À¡àÕ¡®Õ¡°…—µ√‘¬å çIf Your Majesty no longer live,

®– Ÿ≠¢—µµ‘¬√“™æ√–»“ π“ The end of dynasty and faith will come.
¢Õ¡â«¬¡√≥å°Õà π°…—µ√‘¬¿å  — ¥“ Let me be dead ere my king and lord dies.é
æ≈“ß‚»°“°Õ¥∫“∑‰¡à§≈“¥§≈“¬ Weeping, she held fast to his feet.

æÕ‡ ’¬ßªóπ§√◊πÈ §√—πË  π—πË °âÕß When the sound of cannon firing echoed,
°≈—∫¡“ÀâÕß¡π‡∑’¬√«‘‡™’¬√©“¬ She returned to her palace chamber.
√’∫®—¥Õߧå∑√ß·µàß·ª≈߇ªì𙓬 Hurriedly disguising herself as a man,
 –æ—° “¬· ß»√‡§¬√Õπ√“≠ She shouldered her quiver of arrows.

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∑—Èß “«„™â„À≠àπâÕ¬Àâ“√âÕ¬‡»… Some five hundred maids old and young,

µà“ß·ª≈߇滂氻’√…–‡À¡◊Õπ∑À“√ Disguised as male soldiers with turbaned heads,
∂◊Õ‡°“∑—≥±å π— ∑—¥À—¥™”π“≠ Holding bows and arrows skilfully,
¡“°√“∫°√“π‡µ√’¬¡‡ √Á®‡ ¥Á®®√ Came to pay obeisance, ready to go.

ÕÕ°®“°«—ߥ—ßÀπ÷ßË Õߧåæ√–∑√߬» Leaving the palace, looking like the king,

¢÷πÈ ∑√ß√∂‡π“«√—µπåª√–¿—  √ The queen mounted a nine-gemmed chariot.
¢ÿππ“ß·Àà·≈ ≈â“ß°≈“ßπ§√ The noblesû procession was at city centre,
Õ— ¥√‡¥‘π√Õ∫¢Õ∫°”·æß Horses trotted around the city wall.

‡∑’ˬ«µ√«®æ≈∫π‡™‘ß‡∑‘π‡π‘πÀÕ√∫ The queen inspected troops on the rampart

®π®«πæ≈∫∑‘π°√°ÁÕÕà π· ß Till near dusk, sunlight faded.
‡ÀÁπ∑À“√¥â“π‡Àπ◊Õπ—πÈ ‡À≈◊Õ·√ß She saw soldiers on the north side weaken,
¢â“»÷°·∑߇®Á∫ªÉ«¬≈ߡ⫬¡√≥å For the foe wounded them or stabbed them dead.

„ÀâÀ¬ÿ¥∑—梗∫æÀ≈æ≈∑À“√ She bade her army halt and urged her men
¢÷πÈ √Õπ√“≠√∫√—∫ ≈—∫ ≈Õπ To engage in battle far and wide.
·≈â«‚©¡¬ß≈ß®“°√∂∫∑®√ Then she got down from her chariot
‡∑’ˬ«‰≈àµÕâ π‚¬∏“‡¢â“√“«’ And rounded up the soldiers to fight.

·≈â«·≈¥Ÿº§Ÿâ πæ≈¢â“»÷° The queen watched the foeûs forces,

≈â«π‡À’Ȭ¡Œ÷°À“≠√∫‰¡àÀ≈∫Àπ’ All fierce and bold, none fled the front,
∫â“ß∂Õπ¢«“°≈“°≈âÕ‡¢â“µàÕµ’ Some pulled up caltrops and dragged carts,
·µà≈«â π¡’‚´à ”À√—∫ —∫°”·æß Each had a chain to hook and climb the wall.

∫â“ߪïπªÉ“¬∫—π‰¥‰¡â‰ºàæ“¥ Some mounted bamboo ladders.

™“«‡¡◊Õßø“¥øíπ¡—π°—π¥â«¬·ºß When city men struck, they hid behind boards,
∑—ßÈ ·À≈πÀ≈“«ßâ“«∑«π‡¢â“ «π·∑ß Thrust back lances, javelins and spikes.
µà“ßµàÕ·¬â߬‘ß°—πª√–®—≠∫“π Both sides fought and fired at each other.

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π“ߥŸ»°÷ Œ÷°Œ—°‡ÀÁπÀπ—°·πàπ She saw and realized the foe was too strong
‰¡à∑¥·∑π∂÷ß¢π“¥®–Õ“®À“≠ For the city men to subdue.
¥”√‘æ≈“ßπ“ß°…—µ√‘¬¡å “®—¥°“√ Thus thinking, the queen decided to advance
®–µâ“π∑“π∑—æÀ≈«ß∑–≈«ßøíπ Her force against the main enemyûs force.

∑—ßÈ æ≈‚≈à‚µ¡√»√°”´“∫ Soldiers with shields, spears and poisoned arrows,

∑À“√¥“∫ Õ߇≈à¡≈â«π‡¢â¡¢—π Strong swordsmen holding two swords each,
°—∫∑«π∑Õß°ÕßÀπâ“∑—ßÈ Àâ“æ—π With lancers as vanguard of five thousand
™â“ßπÈ”¡—π°≈â“ß“π—πÈ Àâ“√âÕ¬ And five hundred fierce elephants in rut.

‡ªî¥ª√–µŸæ√Ÿæ√—ßË ÕÕ°§—ßË §—∫ The city gate opened, armed men rushed out
‡¢â“µ’∑æ— ‡¡◊Õß≈¬“‰¡à≈“à ∂Õ¬ To attack King of Wilayaûs troop, never stepped back.
‡∑’ˬ«≈ÿ¬‰≈à‰æ√à𓬵“¬‰¡àπÕâ ¬ They chased chiefs and followers, killing many.
∑—ßÈ °Õß√âÕ¬√ÿ¡°—π‡¢â“øíπ·∑ß The whole army stormed and struck them.

‚¬∏“∑—æ√—∫√∫®πæ≈∫§Ë” The troop assailed the foe till dusk.

π“ß°Á´È”µâÕπ∑À“√™“≠°”·Àß The queen mobilized the brave soldiers,
‡√àß√∂∑√ßµ√ßÕÕ°πÕ°°”·æß Hastened her chariot outside the wall,
∑À“√·∑ߴ⓬¢«“≈â«ππ“√’ With female soldiers on her left and right.

‡¢â“À—°‚À¡‚®¡∑—扡à¬∫— ¬—ßÈ They rushed to fight with all their might.

¢â“»÷°æ—ß·æâæ“à ¬°√–®“¬Àπ’ The enemy was routed and fled.
æ≈º≈÷°Œ÷°‚À¡°√–‚®¡µ’ The Phaluek forces attacked impetuously,
‰¥â∑«à ß∑’·∑ßøíπ°√–™—πÈ ‰ª Thrust and struck them fast at every chance.

‡®â“¡–Àÿßà °√ÿ߇µπ‡ºà𵫓¥ Kings of Mahung, Krung Ten, jumped and roared,

‰≈à涑 “µæ≈¢—π∏几’¬ßÀ«—πË ‰À« Chased and killed Phaluek forces noisily.
®–™‘ßæ≈∫√∫æÿßà ‡Õ“°√ÿ߉°√ They hoped to seize the city ere nightfall.
æ≈‰æ√à‚Àà≈π—Ë  π—πË ¥—ß Their menûs cheers echoed far and wide.

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æÕæ∫°—∫∑—ææ√–¡‡À ’ When they confronted the queenûs army,

‡¢â“√ÿ¡µ’´“â ¬¢«“∑—ßÈ Àπâ“À≈—ß They attacked right, left, front and rear.
‡ ’¬ß§√÷°§√◊πÈ ªóπµ÷ߪñߪñߪíß The clamour of firing was so great
‡æ’¬ß®–æ—ß·ºàπæ‘¿æ¥â«¬√∫°—π That the fight might cause the world to crumble.

 ß “√æ√–¡‡À ’Õ¬Ÿ∑à ≈’Ë Õâ ¡ Pity the poor queen who was surrounded!

¢â“»÷°ÀâÕ¡Àÿâ¡∑—扫⧗∫¢—π The foe besieged her army so tight
®–‡¢â“ª√–µŸ∫ÿ√’°Á¡‘∑—π She had no chance to lead it through the gate.
µâÕß·¬°°—π√∫√—∫∑ÿ°∑—æ™—¬ The forces had to fight foe on all sides.

∑—ßÈ ™â“ß¡â“°≈â“À“≠∑–¬“π¬ÿ∑∏å Both elephants and horses bold in battle

Õÿµ≈ÿµ‰≈à°π— ‡ ’¬ßÀ«—πË ‰À« Chased enemy with roaring sound.
®–º‘πæ—°µ√åÀ°— À“≠ÕÕ°¥â“π„¥ The queen looked for a way to break out
°Á‰¡à‰¥â‡ªìπ‡«≈“‡¢â“√“µ√’ In vain as it became dark at nightfall.

·µàæ«°¢â“ “æ‘¿°— ¥‘‡Ï æ√“–√—°‡®â“ Yet her followers, loyal because of love,

∑—ßÈ π“¬∫à“«Õÿµ à“Àå√∫‰¡àÀ≈∫Àπ’ Both high and low ranks fought unflinchingly
®π¥÷°¥◊πË §√◊πÈ §√—πË ª√–®—≠µ’ Till late at night, causing such clamour,
®π´“°º’æ≈µ“¬°à“¬Õπ—πµåœ Corpses piled up uncountable.

Ô ΩÉ“¬∑—æ‡√◊Õ‡¡◊ËÕ°ÿ¡“√ÕÕ°√“≠√∫ As for the fleet commanded by the princes,

‡≈’Ȭ«µ≈∫‡¢àπ¶à“„ÀâÕ“ —≠ It turned around killing the attackers.
¢â“»÷°·µ°·¬°¬â“¬«“¬™’«π— The foe was routed and lost their lives
‰¥â°”ªíπò ªóπº“ “√æ—¥ While the princes seized their barques and cannons,

¡Õ∫„Àâ‡À≈à“™“«¥à“π‡ªìπ°“√À≈«ß Handing them to frontier men as crown assets

‰¡à·ÀπÀ«ßÀâ“¡ª√“¡µ“¡∂π—¥ Liberally, to use as seen fit.
æÕæ≈∫§Ë”πÈ”¢÷πÈ ‡ªìπ§≈◊πË ´—¥ At dusk when the flowing tide brought big waves,
„Àâ·≈àπ≈—¥‡≈’¬∫§ÿßâ ‡¢â“°√ÿ߉°√ They led the fleet along the inlet to the city.

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∂÷ߪ“°πÈ” ”‡π’¬ß‡ ’¬ß π—πË At river mouth Sudsakhon heard the din

¥—ßøÑ“≈—πË ‚≈°“ ÿ∏“‰À« So loud like thunder and earthquake.
»÷°µ≈∫√∫æÿßà ∂÷ß°√ÿ߉°√ The foe attacked from behind the city.
æ√–µ°„®®—¥·®ß·∫àß‚¬∏“ Alarmed, he divided his forces by

„ÀâπâÕßπâÕ¬§Õ¬√—∫∑—æ‡√◊Õ√∫ Letting the younger ones face the foeûs fleet

™à«¬ ¡∑∫°Õßµ√–‡«π‡°≥±åÕ“ “ And help the patrol volunteers fight
·µàæ≈‚≈à‚µ¡√»√ “µ√“ But shield and spear men, archers,
‡ªìπÀ¡◊πË Àâ“æ—π¬°¢÷πÈ ∫°‰ª Numbering fifteen hundred landed with him.

√’∫‡¥‘π∑—梗∫π‘≈ ‘π∏æ He hurried with his army, riding on his dragon horse.

¥â«¬‡æ≈‘ߧ∫ àÕß∑“ß «à“߉ « Lighting the way with torches bright,
‡ªìπ°“√¥à«π®«π√ÿßà ∂÷ß°√ÿ߉°√ He arrived fast just before dawn,
‡ÀÁπ∑—æ„À≠à≈âÕ¡√Õ∫¢Õ∫°”·æß Seeing big armies surround the city wall.

·µàæ«°æ≈∫πÀπâ“∑’‰Ë ¡à¡À’ ≈∫ Yet the men on the fortress did not flinch,
æÕ Ÿâ√∫√—∫°—π¥â«¬¢—π·¢Áß They fought against their foe in full force.
·µà∑À“√¥â“π‡Àπ◊Õ‡ÀÁπ‡À≈◊Õ·√ß But the men on the north were exhausted,
∫π°”·æßæ≈‰æ√à¡„‘ §√à¡’ Very few were left on the rampart.

®÷ß√’∫¬°«°∑“ß¡“¢â“ßÀ≈—ß The prince quickly led his troop around.

‡ÀÁπΩ√—ßË √∫æÿßà ™“«°√ÿß»√’ Seeing white men fighting the city force,
„Àâ≈π—Ë ¶âÕß√âÕߪɓ«™“«∫ÿ√’ He bade men beat the gongs to rouse city folk
æ≈“ß‚®¡µ’µ¥‘ æ—π‰≈àøπí ·∑ß While assailing the foe with swords and spears.

¡À“¥‡≈Á°‡¥Á°™“∑—ßÈ Àâ“√âÕ¬ Pages numbering five hundred

µà“ߺ≈ÿπæ≈Õ¬·≈àπ≈—πË ‡°“∑—≥±å·º≈ß Ran and shot arrows at the enemy.
Ω√—ßË ·¢°·µ°æ≈à“π‰¡à∑“π·√ß Europeans and Indians were routed,
µà“ßæ≈—¥·æ≈ߺ≈ÿπ«‘ßË ∑‘ßÈ Õ“«ÿ∏ Ran away, leaving their arms behind.

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∑—ßÈ ∑—æ‡ß“–‡°“–«≈” ”ª–À≈—ß The forces of Ngo, Walam, Sampalang

æ≈Õ¬·µ°∑—ßÈ  “¡∑—æ√—∫‰¡àÀ¬ÿ¥ Were also routed; all three couldnût withstand
æ√–ÀπàÕ‰∑‰¥â∑‡’ ∑’¬Ë «µ’√¥ÿ The princeûs troop. Winning, he chased the foe,
Õÿµ≈ÿ¥√∫æÿßà ®π√ÿßà √“ßœ Attacking them till dawn drew near.

Ô ΩÉ“¬∑—ææ√–¡‡À ’æâπ∑’Ë≈âÕ¡ The queenûs army could break the siege, and

√’∫¬°ÕâÕ¡¡“∂÷߇π‘π‡™‘ß‡∑‘π¢«“ß Quickly made a detour round the city mound.
‡ÀÁπæ«°æ≈§πÀ≈“¡¡“µ“¡∑“ß Seeing a big troop along the way,
„Àâ¢πÿ π“ß∂“¡¥Ÿ«“à ºŸ„â ¥ The queen asked her men to find out who they were.

∑√“∫«à“Õߧå∑√߬»‚Õ√ √“™ Learning it belonged to the kingûs son,

æ√–π“ßπ“ج‘π¥’®–¡’‰Àπ She was so pleased and happy.
®÷ßÀ¬ÿ¥¬—ßÈ  —ßË ¡À“‡ π“„π Halting her army, she ordered her courtier
‰ª∫Õ°„Àâ∑≈Ÿ ·∂≈ß·®âߧ¥’œ To inform the prince of the matter.

Ô ΩÉ“¬æ√–ÀπàÕ∫摵√Õ¥‘»√ When the great kingûs son, Sudsakhon,

 ÿ¥ “§√√Ÿ«â “à æ√–¡‡À ’ Knew that it was the queenûs army,
®÷ß√—ßÈ √Õ¬—ßÈ À¬ÿ¥æ«°‚¬∏’ He halted and bade his troop to stand,
¥â«¬¬‘π¥’®–‰¥â‡¢â“‡ΩÑ“∫‘¥“ Feeling glad that he would see his sire.

≈ß®“°À≈—ß¡—ß°√ Õπ∑À“√ He dismounted from the dragon horse,

„ÀâÀ¡Õ∫°√“π∫—ߧ¡°â¡‡°»“ Bade his soldiers to bow down to the queen,
™«π¢â“‡ΩÑ“™“«∫ÿ√·’ ≈â«≈’≈“ Called his retinue and people to go,
∑—È߇ π“πâÕ¬πâÕ¬æ≈Õ¬‰ªµ“¡œ Together with the little warriors.

Ô π“ß°…—µ√‘¬∑å »— π“æ√–ÀπàÕπ“∂ Queen Suwannamali saw the young prince

¬ÿ√¬“µ√‡¬◊ÕÈ ß¬à“ß¡“°≈“ß π“¡ Walking slowly across the field,
‰¡à‡æ’¬È πº‘¥∫‘¥“ ßà“ß“¡ Looking just like his sire, very handsome,
∑À“√µ“¡·µà≈«â π‡¥Á°‡≈Á°∑—ßÈ π—πÈ The soldiers following him were all children.

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≈ß®“°√∂∫∑®√¡“®ŸßÀ—µ∂å She stepped from her carriage to take his hand.

ÀπàÕ°…—µ√‘¬∑å √ÿ¥§”π—∫π“ß√—∫¢«—≠ As the prince bowed down, she kissed him
ª√–§ÕßÕߧåµ√ߢ÷πÈ √∂ ÿ«√√≥ And led him to mount her golden carriage,
„Àâπß—Ë ∫—≈≈—ß°å√µ— πå™™— «“≈ Placing him on the bright jewelled seat.

·≈â«‚≈¡≈Ÿ∫®Ÿ∫®Õ¡∂πÕ¡æ—°µ√å Then she patted him and kissed his cheeks,

¬—߇≈Á°π—°‡≈Á°Àπ“πà“ ß “√ çPoor child, still so small as you are!
¡“™à«¬·°â·¡à®ß÷ ‰¥âæπâ ¿—¬æ“≈ You had helped me and saved me from harm,
À“‰¡à¡“√¥“À¡“¬«à“«“¬™π¡å Or else I would have died in battle.

‡æ√“–∑√߃∑∏‘∫Ï µ‘ ‡ÿ √»¢Õß≈Ÿ°√—° çDear Son, as the king your father

ª√–™«√Àπ—° “√æ—¥®–¢—¥ π Was very ill and could not be cured,
§√—Èπ‰æ√’¡¡’ “‡¢â“µ“®π When the foe came, we were in a fix.
µâÕߧÿ¡æ≈√∫æÿßà °—π°√ÿ߉°√ I had to lead the troops to defend the city.

´÷ßË „ÀâæÕà √Õ√—ßÈ µ—ßÈ Õ¬Ÿ¥à “à π çThat I made you wait at the frontier
§Õ¬¿Ÿ∫“≈∫‘µ√ÿ ߧå¬ß— À≈ß„À≈ Because the king was still under a spell,
æ√–≈Ÿ°¬“Õ¬à“≈–ÀâÕ¬πâÕ¬æ√–∑—¬ Donût feel sad or hurt, Dear Son,
·¡àπ‰’È ¡à°¥’ °—π¥â«¬©—π∑“œ I have no intention to hinder you.é

Ô  ÿ¥ “§√√âÕ𮑵¥â«¬∫‘µ‡ÿ √» Sudsakhon was anxious for his father.

πÈ”æ√–‡πµ√æ√à“ßæ√“¬∑—ßÈ ´â“¬¢«“ Tears rolled from his eyes left and right.
»‘‚√√“∫°√“∫°√“πæ√–¡“√¥“ He bowed down to pay respect to the queen,
´÷ßË »÷°¡“µ—ßÈ ≈âÕ¡ªÑÕ¡ª√“°“√ Saying, çThe foe that besieges the fortress,

®–¢Õ√—∫¥—∫‡¢Á≠‡ªìπ∏ÿ√– çI volunteer to subdue,

¡‘„Àâæ√–¿Ÿ«π“∂‡ ’¬√“™∞“π Not letting the king lose his city.
·µà≈°Ÿ √—°Àπ—°®‘µ§‘¥√”§“≠ But I am worried about my father,
∂÷ß¿Ÿ∫“≈∫‘µ√ÿ “™‰¡à§≈“¥§≈“¬ Thinking of him the whole time.

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ª√–™«√π—Èπ©—π„¥¡‘‰¥â‡ÀÁπ çHow ill is he, I have not seen him

‡ ’¬·√߇ªìπÀπàÕ‡π◊ÈÕ„π‡™◊ÈÕ “¬ Although I am his own son.
¡“∂÷ß«—߬—ß¡‘‰¥â‡¢â“„°≈â°√“¬ Reaching his palace, I canût approach him.é
æ≈“ßøŸ¡ø“¬™≈π“‚»°“≈—¬œ He wept hot tears and felt dejected.

Ô π“ß°…—µ√‘¬µå √— ª≈Õ∫„Àâ™Õ∫™◊πË The queen consoled him to brighten him up,

‡¡◊ËÕ«“π´◊π·¡à‰¡à‡ÀÁπ‡ªìπ‰©π çThe day before yesterday I hadnût seen you.
‡¥’ά«π’È¡“À“·¡à·πà„π„® Now you come to see me, I am sure
§ß®–‰¥â√°— …“欓∫“≈ Youûll be able to nurse him back to health.

®ß√Õ√—ßÈ æÕ ß∫∑’√Ë ∫√—∫ çPlease wait till the war is over.

„Àâ°Õß∑—æÕÕ°‰ª‰°≈ ∂“π Let the troops leave far from the city.
‡¥’ά«π’ȇ≈à“‡¢“°Á≈âÕ¡ªÑÕ¡ª√“°“√ Now they still besiege our fortress,
®–§‘¥Õà“π™‘ß™—¬©—π„¥¥’œ What should we do to subdue them?é

Ô æ√–ÀπàÕ‰∑‰¥â ¥—∫Õ¿‘«“∑ Hearing this, the prince paid obeisance

¢Õ√Õß∫“∑∫ß°™∫∑»√’ And said, çI will serve Your Majesty.
·µàæ«°æâÕߢÕߢ⓮–√“«’ My men will assail the enemy
„Àâ‰æ√’¬àÕ¬¬—∫∑ÿ°∑—æ™—¬ Till each of their armies is destroyed.

‡™‘≠æ√–Õߧå®ß°≈—∫‰ª¬—∫¬—ßÈ çMay it please Your Majesty to return

Õ¬Ÿà„π«—ßÕ¬à“‰¥âæ√—Ëπª√–À«—Ëπ‰À« And wait in the palace without fear.é
·≈â«°√“∫°√“π¡“√¥“≈“§√√‰≈ Then the prince bowed down to Mother and went
¡“µ√«®‰æ√àæ≈√∫¬—ߧ√∫§√—π To inspect his troop which was intact.

¢÷πÈ ∑√ßπ—ßË À≈—ß¡â“„Àâ§≈“‡§≈◊ÕË π He mounted his horse and bade the army go.
‚Àà –‡∑◊ÕÈ π –∑â“π∑—«Ë ∑—ßÈ ‰Õ»«√√¬å The sound of war cries echoed to heaven.
‡ÀÁπ‰æ√’µ‡’ ¡◊Õ߬‘ßË ‡§◊Õߧ√—π Enraged to see the foe raiding the city,
‡√àß°√–™—πÈ æ≈π‘°√‡¢â“√Õπ√“≠ The prince hastened his men to fight.

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æ«°‚¬∏“°“√–‡«°‡Õ°√– The army of Karawek City which

‡§¬™π–∑—æ«‘≈“ ¥â«¬Õ“®À“≠ Had once bravely beaten Wilatûs army
‡¢â“À—°‚À¡‚√¡√—πª√–®—≠∫“π Rushed to engage in a fierce battle
„§√‰¡à∑“π·∑ßøíπ°√–™—πÈ ™‘¥ And none could withstand their close attacks.

Ω√—Ëß√—∫ —ª√–¬ÿ∑∏åÕ“«ÿ∏ —Èπ The white men who fought with short weapons

∑—ßÈ ·∑ßøíπ°Á‰¡à∂°Ÿ ≈Ÿ°Àπ‘¥Àπ‘¥ Could neither pierce nor hit the children.
¡—πª≈‘πÈ ª≈âÕπ√Õπ√“≠º≈“≠™’«µ‘ The latter tricked them and killed them
√Õ‰¡àµ¥‘ ·µ°æà“¬°√–®“¬‰ªœ Till they were all routed and scattered.

Ô ‡®â“¡–Àÿßà °√ÿ߇µπ°ÿ‡«π≈«“¥ Kings of Mahung, Krung Ten, Kuwen, Lawat

‡ÀÁπª√–À≈“¥≈Ÿ°‡≈Á°‡¥Á°∑’‰Ë Àπ Wondered from where the children came.
‡ªìπÀ≈“¬√âÕ¬æ≈Õ¬«‘Ëß¡“™‘ß™—¬ Several hundred ran to battle
®÷ߢ—¥„®«‘ßË  ¡∑∫‡¢â“√∫√—∫ Which made the whites angry and fight back.

æ«°‚¬∏’ ’ˇ¡◊Õß¡“‡π◊Õß·πàπ The troops from the four cities were swarming,

 —° ‘∫· πÀâÕ¡Àÿ¡â √ÿ¡°—π®—∫ Counting some ten hundred thousand fighters.
æ≈°ÿ¡“√µâ“πµ’∑ß—È  ’∑Ë æ— The childrenûs army attacked the four forces,
¥Ÿ°≈Õ°°≈—∫°≈“ß·ª≈ß∫â“ß·∑ßøíπ Tricking them in the field, some thrust, some struck.

‡¥Á°πâÕ¬πâÕ¬æ≈Õ¬√∫µ≈∫‰≈à The tots fought and chased them around,

º≈“≠ºŸ„â À≠à‚¬∏“„ÀâÕ“ —≠ Killing adults in the opposing forces.
¬‘ßË ¶à“µ“¬π“¬µâÕπ‡¢â“√Õπ√—π The more were killed, the more were pushed to fight.
‚®πª√–®—≠®—∫°ÿ¡µ–≈ÿ¡∫Õπœ Both sides faced each other, taking hostages.

Ô æ√–ÀπàÕπ“∂Õ“®Õß∑√ß ‘π∏æ The brave prince rode the dragon horse

§«∫‡¢â“√∫π“¬∑À“√™“≠ ¡√ To fight with well-skilled officers.
‰¡â‡∑â“ø“¥¢“¥ –∫—πÈ ¥—ßøíπøÕπ His magic staff cut them up like a sword,
¡â“¡—ß°√°—¥µ“¬≈ß°à“¬°Õß The dragon horse bit them dead in great numbers.

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„§√¢«“ß°’¥¥’¥º“߇Փ§“ß‚¢° Who hindered him, the horse hit with his chin,
 –∫—¥‚∫°À“ßÀ—πº—πº¬Õß Waving his tail, prancing proudly about.
·µà‚¬∏’ ‡’Ë ¡◊Õß¡“‡π◊ÕßπÕß But the troops from four cities rushed in more,
‡¢â“·´à´âÕß —ª√–¬ÿ∑∏å¬ÿ∑∏π“œ Shouting and joining in the battle.

Ô ΩÉ“¬Õߧåæ√–¡‡À ’Õ¬Ÿà∑’˪ÑÕ¡ The queen staying on the fortress

‡ÀÁπ»÷°≈âÕ¡≈Ÿ°√—°‡ªìπÀπ—°Àπ“ Saw the numerous foe surround her dear son.
„ÀâÕ”¡“µ¬å¶“µ¶âÕß°≈Õß —≠≠“ She bade her officers beat the gongs
¬°‚¬∏“ÕÕ°™à«¬√∫ ¡∑∫∑—æ Signalling her troop to reinforce him.

∫â“ß√”∑«π «π·∑ß·º≈ß°”´“∫ Some danced with spears and hurled poisoned spikes.

∑—ßÈ ¥—ßÈ ¥“∫‚¥¥ø“¥‡ ’¬ß©“¥©—∫ The sharp sound of sword-fighting filled the air.
Ω√—ßË ·¢°·¬°°—πª√–®—≠√—∫ Both white men and Indians fought separately,
µ’ ”∑—∫√∫√ÿ¡µ–≈ÿ¡∫Õπœ Striking and storming the princeûs troop.

Ô ΩÉ“¬æ«°‡ß“–‡°“–«≈” ”ª–À≈—ß The troops of Ngo, Walam Isle and Sampalang

´÷ßË ·µ°æ—ßæà“¬·æ≪·µà°Õà π That were formerly defeated,
µà“ß¡—«Ë  ÿ¡§ÿ¡æÀ≈æ≈π‘°√ Each raised more men for fighting
·≈⫬°¬âÕπ∑“ß¡“∂÷ß∏“π’ And came back to Phaluek City.

‡ÀÁπ™“«‡¡◊Õ߇§◊Õß·§âπ·≈àπµ≈∫ Seeing the city folk, they felt vengeful

‡¢â“√ÿ¡√∫∑—ææ√–¡‡À ’ And joined the attack against the queenûs troop.
∑—ßÈ ´â“¬¢«“Àπâ“À≈—ߪ√–¥—ßµ’ Left, right, front, back they assailed
™“«∫ÿ√·’ µ°æ≈—¥°√–®—¥°√–®“¬ Till the city men were scattered.

·µà¢πÿ æ≈¡πµ√’‡ π’„À≠à But the generals and chief officers

¬—ߧÿ¡‰æ√àµÕà µ’‰¡àÀπ’À“¬ Were still in command and did not flee.
¢â“ßΩÉ“¬À≠‘߬‘ß∏πŸ™«à ¬ºŸ™â “¬ Woman soldiers shot arrows, helping the men fight,
Õ¬Ÿ‡à √’¬ß√“¬√Õ∫√∂∑—ßÈ Õ¥∑π And stood undaunted round the queenûs chariot.

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∫â“ß∂Ÿ°ßâ“«À≈“«·À≈π· π “À—  Some were hit by lances and spears so hard

®π‡≈◊Õ¥À¬—¥À¬¥™ÿ¡à ∑ÿ°¢ÿ¡¢π That blood covered their whole bodies.
‰¡à∑ß‘È ‡®â“§√“«∑—æ∂÷ßÕ—∫®π They never deserted their queen in distress
 ŸÕâ ¥∑π·∑ßøíπª√–®—≠∫“π But fought doggedly with spears and swords.

æÕ∑—æ∑â“«‡®â“«≈”∂≈”‰≈à When King Walamûs troop drove forward

‡¢â“¡“„°≈â√∂∑⓵√ßÀπâ“©“π Near the queenûs chariot, challenging her,
π“ß‚©¡¬ß°àß»√‡¢â“√Õπ√“≠ She raised her bow and arrow,
·≈â«πâ“«º≈“≠·º≈ßÀ¡“¬π“¬‚¬∏’ Then aimed and shot at the commander.

æÕ≈—πË ≈Ÿ°∂Ÿ°∑â“«‡®â“«≈” The first arrow hit King Walam.

‰¡à∑π— ´È”‡ π“¡—πæ“Àπ’ Ere the second shot, his men led him away.
‚¬∏“∑—æ°≈—∫°≈ÿ¡â ‡¢â“√ÿ¡µ’ His troop turned to surround hers.
µâÕß√“«’Õ¬Ÿ„à πÀ«à“ß°≈“ߠߧ√“¡œ The queenûs force had to fight amidst the foe.

Ô ΩÉ“¬‚¬∏“°“√–‡«°‡Õ°Õ”¡“µ¬å As for Karawekûs troop, the generals

°—∫ÀπàÕπ“∂™‘ß™—¬„π π“¡ Together with the prince were fighting.
‡ÀÁπ∑—ææ√–¡‡À ’ÕÕ°µ’µ“¡ Seeing the queenûs troop chasing the foe
æÕ∑—æ “¡‡¡◊Õßæ√âÕ¡‡¢â“≈âÕ¡√∫ And being besieged by three foreign troops,

æ√–µ°„®„Àâ°≈—∫∑—æ∑À“√ Sudsakhon was alarmed and ordered his men

À—πÕÕ°¥â“ππ“ß¡“≈’µµ’ ≈∫ To turn to help the queenûs troop fight.
∑—æ¡–Àÿßà °√ÿ߇µπ‡°≥±å ¡∑∫ Mahungûs and Krung Tenûs armies joined each other
‡¢â“°≈ÿ¡â °≈∫°≈“¥∑“ß∑’°Ë ≈“ß·ª≈ß To battle against Sudsakhonûs troop.

‡ ’¬ß∑À“√µàÕ∑À“√∑–¬“π¬ÿ∑∏å The soldiers were fighting noisily,

·°«àßÕ“«ÿ∏ÀÕ°¥“∫«–«“∫· ß Brandishing their flashing spears and swords.
∫â“ß√—∫√ÕߪÑÕß°—π∫â“ßøíπ·∑ß Some defended themselves, others cut and thrust,
∫â“߬‘ß·¬â߇¬’¬¥¬—¥ °—¥∑“ß Some fired shots and obstructed the foeûs paths.

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·µàÀπàÕπ“∂Õ“®Õß∑√ß ‘π∏æ Only the brave prince rode his horse

‡¢â“‰≈à¢∫‚¢°¥’¥§π°’¥¢«“ß That chased, bit, knocked and kicked, blocking men.
Ω√—ßË ·¢°·¬°¬â“¬∫â“ß«“¬«“ß The whites and Indians scattered or died.
æÕ·À«°∑“ßÕÕ°¡“‰¥â¡π— ‰≈൓¡ As the prince broke his way out, they followed him.

·µàÕ”¡“µ¬å¡À“¥‡≈Á°‡¥Á°ºŸ„â À≠à But officers and pages, big and small,

ÕÕ°‰¡à‰¥â¥«â ¬«à“§ππ—πÈ ≈âπÀ≈“¡ Could not break through the thick ranks.
°ÿ¡“√“°≈â“À“≠™“≠ ß§√“¡ The valiant prince skilled in battle
„§√µ‘¥µ“¡µ’µ“¬≈ß°à“¬°—π Beat those who chased him dead by thousands.

æÕ‡ÀÁπæ√–¡‡À ’‡ ’¬∑’∑—æ Seeing the queen losing ground,

√’∫§«∫¢—∫¡â“∑’πË ß—Ë ¥—ß°—ßÀ—π The prince galloped his horse as fast as a windmill
‡¢â“≈ÿ¬‰≈à‰æ√’∑ß—È µ’√π— To chase the foe and beat them down,
§Õ¬ªÑÕß°—ππ“ßæ√–¬“Õ¬ŸÀà πâ“√∂ Protecting the queen in front of her chariot.

æ«°¢â“»÷°Œ÷°‚À¡‡¢â“‚®¡®—∫ The enemy rushed boldly to catch him.

æ√–√∫√—∫µ’·¬°·µ°‰ªÀ¡¥ He fought back and beat them away.
‰≈࢓â ßÀπâ“¡“¢â“ßÀ≈—߇À¡◊Õπ¥—ß¡¥ The front chased out, more came like ants from behind.
µâÕߢ—∫√∂√—∫æ≈“ßÕ¬Ÿ°à ≈“ß∑—æœ The prince drove the chariot, fighting amidst the foe.

Ô ΩÉ“¬æ’πË Õâ ß Õß°ÿ¡“√Õ¬Ÿ¥à “à π ¡ÿ∑√ The royal siblings at the ocean front

·µà§Õ¬ ÿ¥ “§√πÕπ‰¡àÀ≈—∫ Waited for Sudsakhon and could not sleep.
®π√ÿßà ‡™â“‡ΩÑ“™–·ßâ¬ß‘Ë ·≈≈—∫ Dawn came but they did not see him.
‰¡à‡ÀÁπ°≈—∫§◊π¡“¬‘ßË Õ“«√≥å They were anxious as he had not returned.

®÷ß®—¥æ≈§π≈–À¡◊πË Àâ“√âÕ¬∂â«π They raised forces ten thousand five hundred each,
∂◊Õ·µà≈«â π¥—ßÈ ¥“∫°”´“∫»√ All holding shields, swords and poisoned arrows.
æ√–æ’πË Õâ ß Õß°…—µ√‘¬∑å √ßÕ— ¥√ The two royal siblings mounted their steeds,
·≈â«√’∫√âÕπ¬°¡“¬—ß∏“π’ Then rushed their armies to the city.

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‡ÀÁπ ¡∑∫√∫√—∫°—π§—∫§—ßË They saw so many forces fighting,

¥Ÿ·πàπ∑—ßÈ ∑âÕß∑ÿßà √‘¡°√ÿß»√’ Filling the field near the city,
¢â“ßΩ√—ßË æ√—ßË æ√âÕ¡‡¢â“≈âÕ¡µ’ The white side was more numerous,
¢â“ßæ√–æ’‡Ë §«âߢ«“ßÕ¬Ÿ°à ≈“ß∑—æ Sudsakhonûs army was in their midst.

µà“ßµ°„®„Àâ∑À“√‡¢â“√“≠√∫ Each was alarmed, ordering the men to fight,

µ’ ¡∑∫·∑ßøíπª√–®—≠®—∫ Joining forces to attack the enemy.
Ω√—ßË ·¢°·¬°¬â“¬≈⡵“¬¬—∫ The whites and Indians were scattered, dead.
æÕæ∫∑—æ∑’¢Ë π÷È ¡“·µà√“µ√’ When the two royals found the night troop,

∂“¡∂÷ßÕߧå∑√߇¥™æ√–‡™…∞“ They asked about their royal brother.

‡¢“∑Ÿ≈«à“‰ª™à«¬æ√–¡‡À ’ And were told he went to aid the queen.
∑—ßÈ æ’πË Õâ ß√âÕ߇√àߢÿπ‡ π’ The siblings shouted to officers to quickly
„Àâ‚®¡µ’µ¥— ∑“߉ª°≈“ßæ≈ Assail right through amidst the foeûs troops.

‡ªìπ “¡∑—槗∫§—ßË ∑—ßÈ ¥—ßÈ ¥“∫ Forming three troops with shields and swords,
¬‘ß°”´“∫ “µ√“¥—ßÀà“Ωπ They fired poisoned arrows like rain showers.
æ«°‰æ√’Àπ’æ≈à“π‰¡à∑“π∑π The foe fled away, unable to fight.
µà“߬àÕ¬àπ·¬°¬â“¬°√–®“¬‰ªœ Fearful, they scattered in all directions.

Ô ‡®â“¡–Àÿßà °√ÿ߇µπ°ÿ‡«π≈«“¥ Kings of Mahung, Krung Ten, Kuwen, Lawat

µâÕ𵫓¥æ≈¢—π∏几’¬ßÀ«—πË ‰À« Drove their troops, chiding them loudly,
„ÀâÀπ— °≈—∫√—∫√∫ ¡∑∫‰«â To turn back and face the battle.
·≈â«·≈‰ª‡ÀÁπæ’πË Õâ ß Õß°ÿ¡“√ Then they saw the two royal siblings.

π÷°¥Ÿ«“à ≈Ÿ°„§√∑’‰Ë Àπ‡≈à“ They wondered whose children they were,

‡≈Á° —°‡∑à“µÿ°ä µ“∑”°≈â“À“≠ As tiny as dolls, showing bravery;
∂â“·¡â«“à ¶à“𓬄Àâ«“¬ª√“≥ If they killed off the commanders,
æ«°∑À“√°Á®–·¬°·µ°°√–®“¬ The soldiers would surely disperse.

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ª√÷°…“æ≈“ßµà“ßÕߧå∑√ß ‘π∏æ Consulting between them, the foreign kings rode

§«∫‡¢â“√∫ÀπàÕπ“∂ª√–¡“∑À¡“¬ Carelessly to fight with the royal children.
°ÿ¡“√’æπ’Ë “ߢ«“ßπâÕß™“¬ The elder sister in front of her brother,
µà“ß≈—πË  “¬»√´È”¥â«¬™”π“≠ Both shot arrows repeatedly with skill.

∂Ÿ°æ√–™ß¶åÕߧå∑“â «‡®â“¡–Àÿßà Her arrow hit King Mahungûs shin.

µ°¡â“º≈ÿߺ≈ÿπ«‘ßË ∑‘ßÈ ∑À“√ He fell from his horse and fled from his troop.
‡®â“°√ÿ߇µπ‡ºàπ‚ºπ‚®π∑–¬“π King Krung Ten galloped his horse forward
‡¢â“µ’µ“â 𵑥æ—π‰¡à∑π— ¬‘ß So close that she had no time to shoot.

π“ß·∑ß°—°™—°°√‘™‚≈À‘µ©’¥ She pierced him with a kris and drew it back.

º«“À«’¥‡«∑π“ª√– “À≠‘ß The blood gushing out made her jump and scream
æ«°Ω√—ßË ∑—ßÈ ª«ß∫â“ß™à«ß™‘ß Like a girl. The whites rescued their king,
·∫°‡®â“«‘ßË ‡≈’¬È «≈—¥‡∑’¬Ë «æ≈—¥·æ≈ß Carried him and ran away, zigzagging.

·µàÕߧå∑“â «‡®â“≈«“¥ª√–¡“∑‡¥Á° But King Lawat disdained the children.

∂◊ÕÀ≈“«‡À≈Á°¢â“ß≈–‡≈ࡥ⫬‡¢â¡·¢Áß Holding in each hand an iron lance,
¢—∫Õ“™“∂“‚∂¡‡¢â“‚®¡·∑ß He rushed mightily to hit them,
°Áæ≈“¥·æ≈ßæ≈—ßÈ æ≈—¥µ°Õ— ¥√ Yet failed and fell off his horse.

ÀπàÕ°…—µ√‘¬Àå  — ‰™¬°Á‰≈à´È” Prince Hatsachai chased after King Lawat,

‚¥¥≈ߪ≈È”‡®â“≈«“¥ø“¥¥â«¬»√ Wrestled with him and hit him with his bow.
¥â«¬ƒ∑∏‘·Ï °â«·««µ“°≈â“√“≠√Õπ By the power of the magic eyeball,
®—∫ºŸâ„¥„ÀâÕàÕπ∑—ÈßÕ‘π∑√’¬å The princeûs touch made everyone weak.

æÕ«“ß¡◊Õ√◊ÕÈ ·√ßµ–·§ßº≈ÿ¥ When he let go, the king turned on his side,
∑–≈÷ßË À≈ÿ¥·≈àπ‚≈¥°√–‚¥¥Àπ’ Got up, slipped off, then jumped away.
æ√–¢÷Èπ¡â“擉æ√à‡¢â“‰≈൒ The prince mounted his horse and led his troop
æ«°‚¬∏’·µ°µ“¬°√–®“¬‰ªœ To rout the kingûs army, killing the men.

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Ô Õߧåæ√– ÿ¥ “§√‡¢â“√Õπ√∫ Prince Sudsakhon launched an attack,

µ’µ≈∫À≈’°ÕÕ°¢â“ßπÕ°‰¥â Fighting his way out of the siege,
æ“¡“√¥“≈à“‡≈’¬Ë ߇¢â“‡«’¬ß™—¬ Taking the queen into the city.
æÕ·≈‰ª‡ÀÁπæ’πË Õâ ß Õß°ÿ¡“√ Then he saw his brother and sister.

°«—°æ√–À—µ∂åµ√— ‡√’¬°¡“√‘¡√∂ He beckoned them to come close to the carriage.

µà“ߪ√–≥µæ√âÕ¡æ√—ßË ∑—ßÈ ∑À“√ The royal siblings and soldiers paid respect.
æ√–πâÕ߬“«à“Ω√—ßË ¡—π®—ß±“≈ The brother said, çThose white men were wicked.
©—π√Õπ√“≠√∫√ÿ° πÿ°„®œ I had fun fighting with the foe.é

Ô ΩÉ“¬‚©¡¬ßÕߧå¡ß‘Ë ¡‡À ’ The beauteous queen of Phaluek,

‡¡◊ËÕ‰æ√’√ÿ¡®—∫√—∫‰¡à‰À« While overwhelmed by the enemy,
∂Ÿ°‡°“∑—≥±å°≈—πÈ ·°≈âß·¢Áßæ√–∑—¬ Was hit by an arrow but steeled herself
‡Õ“ ‰∫æ—π∑—∫„Àâ≈∫— µ“ To bind and hide the wound with her body scarf.

µà“ßÀ¬ÿ¥√∂≈¥Õߧ奔√ßπ—ßË She halted the carriage and sat down.

‚≈À‘µÀ≈—ßË ‰À≈´“∫Õ“∫Õ—ß “ Blood flowed over her shoulder.
„À⇠’¬«´“∫Õ“∫®‘µ¥â«¬æ‘…¬“ She felt darting pain because of poison,
¬—ßÕÿµ à“Àå ß—Ë §«“¡ “¡°ÿ¡“√ Yet managed to tell the three princes,

·¡àπ∂’È °Ÿ ≈Ÿ°∏πŸÕ¬Ÿ‰à ¡à‰¥â çI am hit with an arrow and cannot stay.

®–‰ª„ à¬“·°â·º≈ ¡“π Iûm going to put medicine on the wound.
 —°§√ŸÀà π÷ßË ®÷ß®–¡“‰¡à™“â π“π Iûll be back in a while, not so long,
æàՙ૬µâ“πµ—ßÈ ¡—πË °—πæ“√“ Please help defend the city.é

·≈⫇Ւ¬ß‰À≈à„Àâ·≈¥Ÿ·º≈‡®Á∫ Then she leaned her shoulder for them to see,

¬—߇¡◊ÕË ¬‡ÀπÁ∫®π°√–∑—ßË ∂÷ßÕ—ß “ Still aching right through the joint.
 ÿ¥ “§√∂Õπ –Õ◊πÈ °≈◊ππÈ”µ“ Sudsakhon sobbed and swallowed his tears,
·≈â««—π∑“∑Ÿ≈Õߧåπ“ßπߧ√“≠ Folded his palms and said to the queen,

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æ√–¡“√¥“Õ¬à“æ–«ß∑√ß«‘µ° çDear Mother, be not worried,

≈Ÿ°®–¬°∑—扪‰≈à ß— À“√ Iûll lead my troop to chase away the foe,
¡‘„À⇢“‡¢â“≈âÕ¡ªÑÕ¡ª√“°“√ Not letting them besiege the fortress.
‡™‘≠æ√–¡“√¥“‰ªÕ¬Ÿà„π«—ß Please go and stay in the palace.

„ÀâÀ¡Õ·°â·º≈»√∂Õπ¬“æ‘… çLet the doctor cure the arrow wound,

„Àâ π‘∑À“¬·º≈‡À¡◊Õπ·µàÀ≈—ß Taking out the poison and healing it.é
æÕ‡ ’¬ß‚Àà‚¬∏“ª√–¥“¥—ß When the clamour of war cries was heard,
‡ÀÁπ∑—æ∑—ßÈ ‡®Á¥‡¡◊Õß¡“‡π◊ÕßπÕß And seven big armies came into view,

®÷ß∑Ÿ≈≈“æ√–πâÕß Õß°…—µ√‘¬å Sudsakhon took leave of the royal siblings

¡“∑√ßÕ—»«√“™º“¥º¬Õß To ride on his vigorous horse.
µà“ߧÿ¡æ≈§π≈–∑—æÕÕ°√—∫√Õß Each commanded an army to battle,
„Àâµ’¶âÕß·¢àßÀπⓇ¢â“√“«’œ Ordering men to beat the gongs and fight.

Ô ΩÉ“¬æ«°‡ß“–‡°“–«≈” ”ª–À≈—ß The troops of Ngo, Walam Isle, Sampalang,

°ÿ‡«π∑—ßÈ «‘≈¬“™«“©«’ Kuwen, Wilaya, Java, Chawi,
‡ªìπ‡®Á¥∑—槗∫§—ßË ª√–¥—ßµ’ All seven of them, teeming with soldiers,
æ«°‚¬∏’·∑ßøíπª√–®—≠∫“π Made an attack with spears and swords.

∫â“ß·°«àßßâ“«À≈“«·À≈π‚≈à·æπ‚ºπ Some swung lances, spears and shields forward,

‡¥Á°¡—π‚®π®—∫»’√…–©–¥â«¬¢«“π The children grabbed their heads and axed them off.
∫â“ßµ“¬°≈‘ßÈ «‘ßË ´ÿ°∫â“ߧ≈ÿ°§≈“π Some fell dead, others ran or crawled to hide
æ≈°ÿ¡“√¡’·√߉≈à·∑ßøíπ While the young troopers chased and stabbed them.

 ÿ¥ “§√°√πâ“«‰¡â‡∑â“À«¥ Sudsakhon whacked them with his magic staff,

¥Ÿ‡√Á«√«¥·√ߥ—ß«à“°—ßÀ—π Faster than a windmillûs blades.
æ≈π‘°“¬π“¬∑—æ√—∫‰¡à∑π— The foe, men and masters, couldnût stave off
∫â“ßÀ—°√—π≈⡵“¬≈ß°à“¬°Õß The blows. Great numbers were smashed and killed.

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‡®â“«≈” ”ª–À≈—ߪ√–¥—ß√—∫ Kings of Walam and Sampalang rushed to fight,

æ√–À«¥æ—∫≈ß°—∫¥‘π ‘πÈ ∑—ßÈ  Õß The prince whacked them down, the two were dead.
‡®â“‡¡◊Õ߇ߓ–°√–‡¥“–ª“°≈“°°√–∫Õß The King of Ngo clucked and lugged his club,
°—∫æ«°æâÕ߇ߓ–ªÉ“‡¢â“√“«’ Leading his Ngo tribesmen to battle.

Õ—πÕߧåæ√–°π‘…∞“πÿ™“‡≈Á° Seeing them, the young prince and princess,

°—∫æ«°‡¥Á°°≈—«‡ß“–≈–‡≈“–Àπ’ Together with the children, feared them and ran.
·µà‡™…∞“°≈â“°≈—∫¢—∫æ“™’ But the brave prince Sudsakhon rode his horse
‡¢â“‚®¡µ’‡ß“–µ“¬°√–®“¬‰ª To attack and scattered the Ngo troop.

∑—æ©«’«≈‘ ¬“™«“·¢° The troops of Chawi, Wilaya, Java

°Áæ≈Õ¬·µ°µàÕµâ“π∑“π‰¡à‰À« Were also routed and couldnût resist him.
µà“ß«ÿπà «‘ßË ∑‘ßÈ Õ“«ÿ∏∑ÿ°∑—æ™—¬ They ran about, dropping their weapons.
°ÿ¡“√‰≈൵’ “¡∑—ßÈ  “¡∑—æ The young prince chased after the three troops.

∫â“ß‚∂¡∑—πøíπ·∑ߥ⫬·√߇√’¬Ë « Some rushed to cut and stab with strength,

∫â“ß≈¥‡≈’¬È «‰≈à≈¥—  °—¥®—∫ Some made a detour to catch them.
æ«°‰æ√’Àπ’À≈∫‰¡à√∫√—∫ The foe fled and avoided the fight,
µà“ß≈à“∑—æ∂Õ¬À≈—ߢâ“ߧߧ“ All retreated towards the sea.

æ√–ÀπàÕ‰∑‰≈à√∫®πæ≈∫§Ë” Sudsakhon pursued them till dusk.

‡ÀÁπÀ¡Õ°§≈È”§≈ÿ¡â ∑–‡≈æ√–‡«À“ Seeing dark fog covering sea and sky,
·≈â«À¬ÿ¥∑—欗∫¬—ßÈ  —ßË ‚¬∏“ He halted his troop and gave order
„Àâµ√«®µ√“æ√âÕ¡∑—«Ë ∑ÿ°µ—«§π To everyone to survey the site.

·≈⫬—∫¬—ßÈ µ—ßÈ √“¬Õ¬Ÿªà ≈“¬∑ÿßà Then he stationed his troop at the fieldûs end,
§Õ¬√∫æÿßà ªî¥∑“߉«â°≈“ßÀπ Blocking the midway to the city.
Õ—π¢â“«πÈ”≈”‡≈’¬ß‡ ∫’¬ßæ≈ As for food and drinks for the soldiers,
«‘‡ ∑¢π‡Õ“‰ª‡≈’Ȭ߷µà‡«’¬ß™—¬œ The royal cooks brought them from Karawek.

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Ô ΩÉ“¬∑—æ∑â“«‡®â“«≈“™«“©«’ The troops of Kings of Walam, Java, Chawi

æÕ√“µ√’µ√ß¡“™≈“‰À≈ Came straight to the sea in the night.
„Àâµß—È §à“¬√“¬‡√’¬ß‡§’¬ß°—π‰ª The kings ordered men to set up camps
§Õ¬√—∫‰æ√àæ≈π‘°√„ÀâºàÕπæ—° For the soldiers to take their rest.

∑—ßÈ ∫°‡√◊Õ‡À≈◊Õµ“¬¬—ßÀ≈“¬· π Some hundred thousands of land and sea forces

®–·°â·§â𧑥°“√‡¢â“À“≠À—° Still survived and bent on revenge
∑’∫Ë Õ∫™È”≈”∫“°¬—ß¡“°π—° Many, wounded and suffering,
„ÀâÀ¡Õ√—°…“∑—«Ë ∑ÿ°µ—«§π Were tended by doctors each and all.

∫â“ߪ“∑“πÈ”¡—π “¡«—πÀ“¬ Some were healed in three days with ointment.

∑’‡Ë ®â“µ“¬µà“ß°≈—∫‰ª —∫ π Those whose kings were dead returned in confusion.
∑’µË ß—È Õ¬Ÿ à √Ÿâ ∫ ¡∑∫æ≈ Those who remained to fight gathered their men.
µà“ߧ‘¥°≈°“√»÷°¬—ßµ√÷°µ√“œ Each thought out strategies for battle.

Ô ΩÉ“¬ ÿ«√√≥¡“≈’»√’ «— ¥‘Ï Meanwhile Queen Suwannamali

∂÷ߪ√“ߧå√µ— πå√“â «√«¥ª«¥Õ—ß “ Reached her gemmed palace, her shoulder aching.
„ÀâÀ¡Õ·°â·º≈°”´“∫´÷ßË Õ“∫¬“ A doctor was called to heal the poisoned wound.
‡Õ“¡’¥ºà“¢Ÿ¥°√–¥Ÿ°∑’∂Ë °Ÿ æ‘… He cut it open, scraping the venom from the bone.

‡ªÉ“πÈ”¡—π°—π·°âµ√ß·º≈‡®Á∫ He sprayed oil on the painful wound,

‡Õ“‡¢Á¡‡¬Á∫¬ÿ¥µ√÷ߢ’ºÈ ÷Èßªî¥ Sewed it up and applied ointment.
∑—ßÈ ¢â“ßπÕ°æÕ°¬“ ÿ√“¡ƒµ He put on herbal patch mixed with spirits
„Àâ∂Õπæ‘…ºàÕπª√πæÕ∑π∑“πœ To draw out the poison and lighten the pain.

Ô ®–°≈à“«»√’ «ÿ √√≥«ß»å∑√ß «— ¥‘Ï Now we turn to Sisuwan the glorious king

Õ¬Ÿ°à √ÿß√—µπæ“√“¡À“ ∂“π Who was in the grand City of Rattana.
§√—πÈ ‡√◊Õ„™â‰ª·∂≈ß„Àâ·®âß°“√ When he heard the news through a messenger boat,
æ“°ÿ¡“√ ‘π ¡ÿ∑√’∫√ÿ¥¡“ He took off quickly with Sinsamut.

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·«–‡¢â“ àßÕߧåÕ√ÿ≥∑’Ë√¡®—°√ Landing to leave Arunrasmi at Rommachak,

æÕºàÕπæ—°æ∫æß»åæ√–«ß»“ He rested just long enough to meet his royal kin.
·≈â«√—∫æ√“À¡≥å “¡π“¬∫à“¬π“«“ Then he took the three Brahmins with him,
ÕÕ°·≈àπ¡“µ“¡§≈◊πË ∑ÿ°§◊π«—π Sailing his fleet over the waves night and day.

æÕ®«π‡¬Áπ‡ªìπ擬ÿ欗∫Ωπ As evening approached, storms and rain appeared.

„Àâ¡«— ¡π¡◊¥ ‘πÈ ¥‘π «√√§å Earth and sky were dimmed and darkened.
§≈◊πË √–¥¡≈¡°≈â“ ≈“µ—π Waves were high and winds were powerful,
µ’°”ªíπò ´—¥‰ª‡ªìπÀ≈“¬§◊π Lashing at the ships for many nights.

§√—πÈ ≈¡À“¬ “¬· ß·®âß°√–®à“ß When the winds died down and light was bright,
‡ÀÁπ‡°“–°≈“ß ¡ÿ∑√‰∑„À≠à∑–¡◊πË They saw a huge island amidst the sea.
∑Õ¥ ¡Õ√Õ√“ —≠≠“ªóπ Casting anchor and after gun signals,
¢÷πÈ À“øóπÀ“πÈ”∑—«Ë ≈”‡√◊Õ The men landed to look for fuel and water.

æÕ ‘ß‚µ‚Œà‚Œ°°√–‚™°‰≈à A lion roared and chased the men.

∑—ßÈ  Ÿß„À≠à¡À‘¡“¬‘ßË °«à“‡ ◊Õ It was taller and bigger than a tiger,
µ“∂≈π¢πÀÿ¡â ¥Ÿ§≈ÿ¡‡§√◊Õ Eyes protruding, long hair on its body.
∑À“√‡√◊Õ√∫ ‘ßÀå¬ß‘ ¥â«¬ªóπ The marines fought it with guns.

‡ ’¬ß¥—ßµ÷ߪñß∂Ÿ°≈Ÿ°≈Ÿ√à Õà π The bangs of bullets couldnût hurt it.

¡—π∂’∫∂Õπ‚∂¡∂≈“‰≈àΩ“É Ωóπ It kicked away and jumped at the men.
§”√“¡√âÕß°âÕß°÷°‡ ’¬ß§√÷°§√◊πÈ Its roars made such a clamour
∑À“√µ◊πË ·µ°«‘ßË ‡ªìπ ‘ߧ≈’ That the soldiers scattered and ran wildly.

¡—π‰≈৓∫¥“∫ÀÕ°°√–∫Õ°πÈ” The lion chased and snapped at swords, spears,

¢∫¢¬È”¬àÕ¬¬—∫¥—ß —∫ ’ Water containers, crushing them into bits.
‡ÀÁπºŸ§â πæ≈‰æ√à‰≈৖¬’ Seeing many men, it ran to attack them.
∑À“√Àπ’ ß‘ ‚µ‚º≈ßπÈ” The soldiers fled and jumped into the water.

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¡—π‚¥¥µ“¡À«“¡«à“¬ “¬ ¡ÿ∑√ It leapt after the men, swam in the sea,

‡ÀÁπ§πºÿ¥‚ºπµ∫¢∫¢¬È” Seeing men bobbing, it jumped and bit.
æ«°‚¬∏’√æ’È ≈‡∑’¬Ë «¥âπ¥” The troopers dived down, fleeing the beast
®π∂÷ß°”ªíπò „À≠à„π§ß§“ Till they reached the main barque on the sea.

 ‘π ¡ÿ∑ºÿ¥≈ÿ°¢÷πÈ ·≈‡ÀÁπ Sinsamut stood up and saw

 ‘ß‚µ‡ºàπ‚ºπ‰≈à‰«Àπ—°Àπ“ The lion jump and chase so fast.
¡‘∑π— ‡ª≈◊ÕÈ ß‡§√◊ÕË ß∑√ßÕ≈ß°“√å Still dressed and adorned
‚≈¥∂≈“≈ß„ππÈ”ª≈È” ‘ß‚µ He plunged into the water and wrestled it.

¡—π√—∫√∫¢∫°—¥æ√–øí¥ø“¥ The beast fought and bit while he hit it.

æ√–©«¬æ≈“¥æ≈‘«È ‚®π°≈—∫‚ºπ‚º He grabbed and missed, then leapt forward,
¢÷πÈ ¢’ÀË ≈—ßπ—ßË ¬Õ߬Õß√âÕß‚¬‚¬ Jumped on its back and shouted loud.
Õ⓬ ‘ß‚µµ—«©≈“¥¢÷πÈ À“¥∑√“¬ The clever lion ran up the beach.

‚≈¥ ≈—¥æ≈—¥µ°æ√–À°≈â¡ It jumped and shook till he fell down.

¡—π°—¥°≈¡°≈‘ßÈ §«Ë”§–¡”Àß“¬ It bit him, wrestling over and under him.
∑—ßÈ ‡≈Á∫‡¢’¬È «‡§’¬È «¢¬È”®ππÈ”≈“¬ Both claws and fangs it used till its saliva
≈ß‚´¡°“¬°Õ¥ª≈È”¥â«¬°”≈—ß Soaked his body. It clung to him with might.

æ√–¥‘πÈ À≈ÿ¥©ÿ¥À“߉¡à«“ßÀ—µ∂å The prince wriggled free and held fast its tail,
°Õ¥∂𗥇Àπ’¬Ë «¢π¢÷πÈ ∫πÀ≈—ß Grasped its body by the mane to get on its back.
 ‘ß‚µ√âÕß°âÕ߇ ’¬ß ”‡π’¬ß¥—ß The lion roared and growled loudly
∑—ßÈ ≈Ÿ°∑—ßÈ ‡¡’¬ ‘ßÀå¡π— «‘ßË ¡“ That both its mate and cubs ran to it.

‡¢¬à߇µâπ‡ºàπ‚ºπ®–‚®π°—¥ It leapt up, trying to bite him.

ÀπàÕ°…—µ√‘¬Àå ≈∫‚≈¥‚¥¥∂≈“ The prince moved away and jumped
≈ß„ππÈ”¥”‰≈à®∫— ‰¥âª≈“ Into the sea, chased and caught a fish.
°≈—∫¢÷πÈ ¡“‡ °∑‘ßÈ „Àâ ß‘ ‚µ Back, he put a spell on the fish and fed the beast.

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¡—π°‘πÀ¡¥√ √◊πË §àÕ¬™◊πË ®‘µ It ate the fish and became gentle,

¡‘‰¥â§¥‘ ∑”√⓬À“¬‚¡‚À No longer wishing harm, no more anger.
æ√–‡ªÉ“¡πµåª√– ¡®‘µÕ‘»‚√ The prince chanted a holy mantra,
‡√’¬° ‘ß‚µ‡µâπ‡¢â“¡“À“∑ÿ°µ—« Calling every lion to come to him.

®÷߇ °πÈ”´È”ª√–»’√…–„Àâ He springled magic water over their heads,

·≈â«≈Ÿ∫‰≈â √√æ“ߧå∑ß—È À“ßÀ—« Stroking each of them from head to tail.
¡—π≈“¡‡≈’¬‡§≈’¬‡§≈ⓥ⫬‡¡“¡—« The lions licked him and nuzzled him with love.
·µà≈–µ—«µ“™à«ß¥—ߥ«ß¥“« Each lion had eyes like shining stars.

≈Ÿ°∑—ßÈ §Ÿºà ‡Ÿâ ¡’¬‡µ’¬È µÿ∫À≈ÿ∫ The two cubs, male and female, were small.
¡“À¡Õ∫øÿ∫øÕ° ’≈”≈’¢“« They came to lie down, like white cotton balls.
µ—«æàÕ·¡à·≈≈“¬¥Ÿæ√“¬æ√“« The father and mother had glowing fur,
≈â«π‡≈Á∫¬“«‡ªìπ∑Õß·¥ß¬‘ßË ·√ߧ√—π Long copper claws so strong they had.

∑—ßÈ ‡¢’¬È « ÿ°∑ÿ°µ—« ≈—«‡À≈◊Õß Their fangs shone glimmering yellow.

‡Õ“‰ª‡¡◊Õß®–‰¥â¢’Ë¥’¢¬—π Wishing to take them to ride in the city,
·≈â«®Ÿß≈ߧߧ“¡“¥â«¬°—π He led them into water with him
¢÷È𰔪íòπ‰ª‡ΩÑ“æ√–‡®â“Õ“ And got on the barque to see his uncle.

©—π‰¥â ß‘ Àå¬ß‘ øíπ¡—π‰¡à‡¢â“ çI have lions that guns and swords canût harm.
®–擇Փ‰ª∫ÿ√¥’ À’ π—°Àπ“ Itûll be good to take them to our city.é
»√’ «ÿ √√≥ √√‡ √‘≠æ√–π—¥¥“ Sisuwan praised his nephewûs might.
æÕ‡«≈“≈¡¥’„Àâ§≈’„Ë ∫ When the wind was good, they hoisted sail.

ÕÕ°°”ªíòπæ—π√âÕ¬‡∑’ˬ«≈Õ¬·≈àπ The ten thousand ships started out,

‰ªµ“¡·ºπ∑’∑Ë “ßÀ«à“߉»≈ Following the map, amidst mountains.
∑ÿ°‡™â“‡¬Áπ‡ÀÁπ·µàø“Ñ ™≈“≈—¬ Morn and evening they saw just sky and sea,
°”Àπ¥‰¥â‡®Á¥‡¥◊Õπ‰¡à‡§≈◊ÕË π§≈“ Till seven months had passed and gone.

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‡¢â“‡¢µ§ÿßâ °√ÿߺ≈÷°‡ ’¬ß§√÷°§√◊πÈ They approached Phaluekûs inlet and heard the din,
¬—ߥ÷°¥◊πË ¥ŸΩßíò °Á°ß— ¢“ Still night time the shore looked suspicious.
¢â“»÷°µ‘¥∑‘»„µâ™“¬™≈“ The foe was in the south by the sea.
‡ÀÁπ ’ø“Ñ ‡º◊Õ¥·¥ß¥—ß· ß‰ø The sky were red like fire light.

∂÷ߪ“°Õà“«‡™â“µ√Ÿ°à √Á ‡Ÿâ √◊ÕË ß Reaching the gulf at dawn they learned

æ«°™“«‡¡◊ÕßÕÕ°¡“·®âß·∂≈߉¢ From city folk who came and informed
«à“»÷°¬—ßµ—ßÈ ª√–™‘¥µ‘¥‡«’¬ß™—¬ That the foe still surrounded the capital.
æ√–µ°„®√’∫¡“∂÷ß∏“π’ Alarmed, Sisuwan hurried to the city.

À¬ÿ¥ª√–∑—∫¬—∫¬—ßÈ Õ¬Ÿ¢à “â ßÀπâ“ He halted in front of it and

·®âß°‘®®“‰ª∂÷ßæ√–¡‡À ’ Sent his message to the queen.
„Àâ √ÿ “ߧåπ“ß°”π—≈‰ªÕ—≠™≈’ She ordered her ladies to greet him
‡™‘≠¡“∑’ªË √“ß√—µπå°…—µ√“ And invite him to her gemmed palace.

»√’ «ÿ √√≥π—πÈ §”π—∫π“ß√—∫À—µ∂å Sisuwan bowed to her who bowed back.

ÀπàÕ°…—µ√‘¬∫å ß— §¡°â¡‡°»“ He bent his head over folded palms.
π“߇≈à“§«“¡µ“¡‡√◊ÕË ß‡¡◊Õß≈—ß°“ She told him the story of the Lankans,
·µà¬°¡“∑” ß§√“¡∂÷ß “¡§√—ßÈ How they had come to make war thrice.

Õ—π§√“«π’È¡‘√Ÿâ®– Ÿâ√∫ çThis time I know not how to fight,

»÷°µ≈∫´â“¬¢«“∑—ßÈ Àπâ“À≈—ß They attack left, right, front and rear.
æ√–ªîπò ªí°π—§‡√»π‘‡«»πå«ß— The king who rules the city and palace
°Á§≈ÿ¡â §≈—ßË ‡§≈â“°√–¥“…‰¡à¢“¥«—π Is deranged, all day caressing a picture.

¢â“ÕÕ°√∫æ∫∑—æ —ª√–¬ÿ∑∏å çI went out to fight the enemy,

µâÕßÕ“«ÿ∏∑’ÕË ß—  “·∑∫Õ“ —≠ Was wounded in the shoulder, nearly dead.
À“°‚Õ√ ¬»¬ß¢Õß∑√ß∏√√¡å But the kingûs son, brave and glorious,
™à«¬ªÑÕß°—πµ—«¢â“‡¢â“∏“π’ Defended and took me to the city.é

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·≈⫇≈à“§«“¡µ“¡ ÿ¥ “§√‡≈à“ Then she told him what Sudsakhon had said.

®–¢Õ‡ΩÑ“ª√–≥µ∫∑»√’ The latter wanted an audience with the king.
‡¥’¬Î «π’¬È ß— µ—ßÈ ∑—æ√—∫‰æ√’ At the moment he was still fighting
Õ¬Ÿ¢à “â ß∑’∑Ë Õâ ß∑ÿßà πÕ°°√ÿ߉°√œ In the field outside the city.

Ô  ‘π ¡ÿ∑ ÿ¥√—°æ√–Õ—§‡√» Sinsamut who dearly loved the queen

™≈‡πµ√´÷¡‚´¡™‚≈¡‰À≈ Had tears brimming and flowing from his eyes.
·≈â«∑Ÿ≈«à“¢â“æ√–∫“∑ª√–¡“∑„® He said, çIûve been unmindful,
À¡“¬«à“‰¡à¡»’ µ— √Ÿ®ß÷ Õ¬Ÿπà “π Thinking there was no foe, I was away so long

®πæ√–Õߧå ß§√“¡∂÷ß “¡§√—ßÈ çThat you had to fight three wars

·≈⫵âÕß∑—ßÈ »— µ√“πà“ ß “√ And was wounded pitifully.é
°—π· ßæ≈“ßπ“ßæ√–¬“∫—≠™“°“√ Weeping, the queen gave orders,
™«π°ÿ¡“√°—∫æ√–πâÕ߇¢â“ÀâÕß„π And called the boy and Sisuwan inside.

‡ÀÁπ∑√ß∏√√¡å∫√√∑¡™¡·µà√ªŸ They saw the king in bed, eyeing the picture

®π´’¥´Ÿ∫‡»√â“À¡Õ߉¡àºÕà ß„  Till he became pale, thin and cheerless.
‡¢â“À¡Õ∫‡¡’¬ß‡§’¬ß∫—≈≈—ß°å°√–∑—ßË ‰Õ They crouched near his couch and coughed.
æ√–Õ¿—¬‡À≈’¬«¡“‡ÀÁπÀπâ“πâÕß King Aphai turned round and saw his brother

°—∫≈Ÿ°√—°Õ—§‡√» —߇°µ·πà With his dear son and his queen clearly

·µà·≈·≈À¡°¡ÿπà „Àâ¢πÿà À¡Õß But looking at them, he became indignant.
°≈—∫‡§≈‘¡È ‡ÀÁπ‡ªìπ«à“æ“°—π¡“¡Õß Believing they were staring at him,
æ‘‚√∏√âÕ߇√’¬° “«„™â„À≠§Õœ He got enraged and called maids to chase them out.

Ô »√’ «ÿ √√≥§√—πÈ ‡ÀÁπæ’«Ë ª‘ √‘µ When Sisuwan saw his brother crazed,
¥—ߧ¡°√‘™°√’¥ø“¥„À⢓¥»Õ He felt as if a dagger chopped his neck.
æ√–™≈π—¬πå‰À≈À≈—ßË ≈ߧ—ßË §≈Õ Tears flowed from his royal eyes.
√–∑¥∑âÕ∑ÿ°¢å„®¥—߉ø°“≈ He was depressed and grieved as if burnt.

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»‘‚√√“∫°√“∫°â¡∫—ߧ¡∫“∑ Bowing his head at the kingûs feet,

‡¢â“·Õ∫Õ“ πåÕÕâ π«Õπ¥â«¬ÕàÕπÀ«“π He went close to the couch to plead gently,
πâÕß≈—∫‡πµ√‡™…∞“‰ª™â“π“π çI was away from you for so long.
®÷ßæ“À≈“π°≈—∫¡“∂÷ß∏“π’ Now I bring back my nephew to the city.

‚Õ≩π‰¬Õߧåæ√–∑√߬» çAlas! Your Majesty! Why do you

≈◊¡‚Õ√ ≈◊¡πâÕß∑—ßÈ  Õß»√’ Forget both your son and your brother?
‡ΩÑ“‚≈¡≈Ÿ∫√Ÿªπ“ßÕ¬ŸÕà ¬à“ßπ’È You keep caressing a ladyûs picture.
¡‘√∑Ÿâ §’Ë ¥‘ Õà“πª√–°“√„¥ I know not what to do to help you.

‚Õâæ√–Õߧå∑√߇¥™‡°»°…—µ√‘¬å çAlas! Your Majesty the King!

‡«√«‘∫µ— ∫‘ “ª √â“ß·µàª“߉Àπ What bad karma and sin have we committed!
‡¡◊ÕË ¬—߇¬“«å‡≈à“°Áæ√“°®“°°—π‰ª In our youth we were separated.
‰¡à∫√√≈—¬°Á‰¥â¡“‡ÀÁπÀπâ“°—π Not dead, we see each other again.

·µà§√—ßÈ π’«È ª‘ √‘µº‘¥ —߇°µ çBut this time youûre not your own self.
æ√–∑√߇¥™‰¡à√®Ÿâ °— æ—°µ√åÀ¡àÕ¡©—π You no longer recognize me.é
æ√–§√«≠§√Ë”√Ë”«à“ “√æ—π Sisuwan lamented endlessly,
 –Õ◊ÈπÕ—ÈπÕ“√¡≥剡ࠡª√–¥’œ Sobbing uncontrollably, he fainted.

Ô  ‘π ¡ÿ∑ ÿ¥· π·§âπ°√–¥“… Sinsamut was most furious with the paper.

‡¢â“°√“∫∫“∑∫ß°™∫∑»√’ He bowed down at the kingûs feet,
 –Õ◊ÈπÕâÕπ«Õπ«à“ΩÉ“∏ÿ≈’ Sobbing. He pleaded, çYour Majesty
®–¶à“µ’°Á‰¡àÀ“â ¡µ“¡æ√–∑—¬ Can kill or beat me as you wish,é

·µà√ªŸ π“ßÕ¬à“ßπ’«È ª‘ √‘µ çBut this ladyûs picture is devilish.

‡Õ“‰«â™¥‘ °—∫æ√–Õߧå®ß÷ À≈ß„À≈ Keeping it near you makes you crazy.
≈Ÿ°·§âππ—°®—°‡Õ“‡¢â“‡º“‰ø Iûm so enraged that I want to burn it.é
æÕ©«¬‰¥âæ√–∫‘¥“°Á§«â“™‘ß He grabbed the picture but Papa snatched it back.

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·≈â«™’πÈ «‘È °√‘«È °√“¥µ«“¥«à“ The king pointed a finger at his son,
πâÕ¬À√◊Õ¡“∂Ÿ°µâÕß·¡àπÕâ ßÀ≠‘ß Chiding harshly, çHow dare you touch my lady.é
æ≈“ߺ≈—°æ≈—¥ªí®∂√≥å©«¬À¡ÕπÕ‘ß He pushed his mattress, picked a pillow
‰≈à∑¡ÿà ∑‘ßÈ ∑ÿ∫æ—≈«—π‰ª And threw it at his son, hit him many times.

¡‡À ’Àπ’ÕÕ°πÕ°ª√“ “∑ The queen fled out of the palace

∑—ßÈ ÀπàÕπ“∂πâÕ߬“Õ—™¨“ —¬ With Sinsamut and Sisuwan
µà“ßÀ¬ÿ¥¬—ßÈ π—ßË  –∑âÕπ∂Õπƒ∑—¬ Each stopped and sat down, sighing.
π“ßπ÷°‰¥â®ß÷ ·∂≈ß·®âß°‘®®“ She then recalled and said to him,

‚À√‡¢“¥Ÿ¿Ÿ«‰π¬«à“‰¡à¡â«¬ çThe seer foretold that he wouldnût die

®–√Õ¥¥â«¬‡ºà“æß»åæ√–«ß»“ Because his royal line would save him.
Õ—πÕߧ堥ÿ  “§√∑’®Ë √¡“ Sudsakhon who came to the city
°Á∫Õ°«à“‡ªìπ‚Õ√»¬»‰°√ Said that he was the kingûs son.

™à«¬√∫ Ÿâ°Ÿâ‡¡◊Õ߇¡◊ËÕ‡§◊Õ߇¢Á≠ çHeûs helped me save the city at war.

‡ÀÁπ®–‡ªìπÀπàÕ‡π◊ÈÕ„π‡™◊ÈÕ‰¢ He may be the kingûs offspring
·µà«ß»å«“π¡“√¥√π§√„¥ But I donût know who his mother is,
‰¡à·®âß„®®÷߬—ß„Àâ√ß—È √“œ So I told him to delay his visit.é

Ô »√’ «ÿ √√≥π—πÈ ‰¡à·®â߬—ß·§≈ß®‘µ Sisuwan knew not the facts and was doubtful.
µ–≈÷ߧ‘¥§«“¡À≈—ß„Àâ°ß— ¢“ He was surprised and wondered what happened.
æ√–ÀπàÕπâÕ¬æ≈Õ¬π÷°π—ßË µ√÷°µ√“ Sinsamut also sat and recalled,
·≈â«∑Ÿ≈«à“∑√“∫∫â“ß·µàÕ¬à“ßπ’È Then said he knew a little thus:

‡¡◊ËÕÕ¬Ÿ‡à °“–æ‘ ¥“√æ√–ºà“π‡°≈â“ çWhile living at the Crystal Isle, Papa was

‰ª§≈÷߇§≈â“π“ß¡—®©“∑’æË “Àπ’ Intimate with a mermaid who helped him flee.
‰¥â√°— „§√à‰ª¡“Õ¬Ÿ°à «à“ªï They were very close for more than a year
®ππ“ß¡’§√√¿å·≈â«®÷ß·§≈â«¡“ Till she became pregnant, then he left her.

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®–‰ª∂“¡§«“¡¥Ÿ„Àâ√·Ÿâ πà çIûll go and ask him to make sure.

·¡â≈°Ÿ ·¡à·πà™¥— π“ß¡—®©“ If he is truly the mermaidûs son,
®–¡’∏”¡√ߧå§√ÿ±∫ÿ…√“ Heûll have the garuda ring with topaz
°—∫®ÿ±“¡≥’∑ª’Ë √–∑“πœ And the hairpin given by Papa.é

Ô  Õß°…—µ√‘¬µå √— µÕ∫«à“™Õ∫·≈â« The two royals approved his plan and said
·¡âπÕâ ß·°â«°Á®ßæ“¡“ ∂“π He should bring his true brother to them.
‚Õ√ √—∫°≈—∫ÕÕ°¡“Àπâ“æ√–≈“π The prince agreed and went to the palace front.
π“¬∑«“√°√“∫°â¡∫—ߧ¡§—≈ The gate-keeper paid him respect.

æ√–æ√“¬·æ√àß·®âߧ«“¡µ“¡√—∫ —ßË He told them the royal command,

·≈â«¢÷πÈ π—ßË √“™√∂æ√–°≈¥°≈—πÈ Then rode the royal carriage with umbrella
µ—ßÈ ·Àà·Àπ·∑πÕߧåæ√–∑√ß∏√√¡å In a procession on behalf of the king,
®√®√—≈®“°°√ÿßÕÕ°∑ÿßà π“ Leaving the city to the field outside.

„Àâ¡“â „™â‰ª·∂≈ß„Àâ·®âß°àÕπ He sent a horseman to give news first.

 ÿ¥ “§√·®â߇Àµÿ«“à ‡™…∞“ When Sudsakhon heard his brother came,
§«“¡¥’„®‰ª√—∫∑’æË ≈—∫æ≈“ Gladly he went in front of the pavilion
‡ÀÁπ‡™…∞“≈ß®“°√∂∫∑®√ And saw his brother dismount from the carriage.

 ¡ —߇°µ‡πµ√·¥ß¥—ß· ß§√—ßË Noticing his eyes red as lac,

¡’‡¢’¬È «ª≈—ßË ‡ª≈àß®”√— ª√–¿—  √ Bright fangs glittering like early sunlight,
‡À¡◊Õ𧔪Ÿ¥É ·Ÿ ≈‡ÀÁπ·πàπÕπ Just as Grandfather had told him,
 ÿ¥ “§√‡™‘≠æ√–æ’„Ë Àâ≈≈’ “œ Sudsakhon invited his brother in.

Ô ÀπàÕπ√‘π∑√å π‘  ¡ÿ∑‡ÀÁππÿ™πâÕß As Prince Sinsamut saw his young brother

æ√–æ—°µ√åºÕà ߺ‘«Õ¬à“ßπ“ß¡—®©“ With face and skin glowing like the mermaid,
®÷ßÀ¬ÿ¥¬—ßÈ π—ßË ª√–∑—∫∑’æË ≈—∫æ≈“ He halted and sat in the pavilion.
æ√–πâÕ߬“πÕ∫§”π—∫Õ¿‘«—π∑å The younger brother paid him obeisance.

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 ‘π ¡ÿ∑ ÿ¥ «“∑¥â«¬™“µ‘‡™◊ÕÈ Sinsamut adored his younger brother,

‡À¡◊ÕπÀπ÷Ë߇π◊ÈÕ·≈⫬àÕ¡∂πÕ¡¢«—≠ Being of the same blood, they loved each other.
∑—ßÈ ‡ÀÁπ·À«π·¡à𬔇ªì𠔧—≠ Recognizing the ring, he was certain,
¬‘ßË ·¡àπ¡—πË ¡‘‰¥âÀ¡“ß√–§“ß·§≈ß Having no doubt whatsoever.

‡¢â“ «¡ Õ¥°Õ¥πâÕߪ√–§ÕßÀ—µ∂å He embraced his younger brother, holding hands.

ÀπàÕ°…—µ√‘¬ å ÕßÕߧå∑√ß°—π· ß The two princes began to weep.
æ√–‡™…∞“«à“æàÕ¥’¡‘‡ ’¬·√ß The elder praised the younger for striving
™à«¬µàÕ·¬â߉æ√’®πæ’Ë¡“ To help fight the foe till he came.

·≈⫪√“»√—¬‰µà∂“¡°—πµ“¡´◊ÕË Then he talked and asked for the truth,

æàÕ·≈â«À√◊Õ≈Ÿ°·¡à ÿ«√√≥¡—®©“ çAre you Mother Mermaidûs son?é
πâÕߧ”π—∫√—∫√ æ®π“ When the younger brother answered yes,
æ√–‡™…∞“´È”∂“¡‡π◊ÈÕ§«“¡‰ª The elder asked again for details

Õ—π‡ π’√æ’È ≈æÀ≈∑À“√ Where those officers and soldiers

°—∫°ÿ¡“√ Õß√“Õ¬ŸÀà “‰Àπ Together with the two young ones were from.
æ√–πâÕßπâÕ¬§àÕ¬§àÕ¬‡≈à“„À⇢Ⓞ® Sudsakhon gently explained to him
·≈â«∂“¡‰∂à∂ß÷ ∫‘¥“ “√æ—πœ And asked many things about his father.

Ô  ‘π ¡ÿ∑ ÿ¥ π‘∑‰¡àª¥î ªÑÕß Sinsamut intimately revealed all,

∫Õ°æ√–πâÕßµ“¡®√‘ß∑ÿ° ‘ßË  √√æå Telling his younger brother the whole truth,
º’ºÀŸâ ≠‘ß ‘ßÕߧåæ√–∑√ß∏√√¡å çA female spirit is haunting the king
„Àâª«É πªíπò ‡ªìπ∫â“∂÷ßπ“√’ So that he is crazy about her.

‰¥â°√–¥“…«“¥√Ÿª¡“®Ÿ∫°Õ¥ çHe embraces her picture drawn on paper,

·≈â«À≈ßæ≈Õ¥‡æ≈‘𮑵¥â«¬ƒ∑∏‘ºÏ ’ Enjoying chatter with it due to its power.
æ’™Ë ß‘ Õߧå∑√ß∏√√¡å¡“«—ππ’È I snatched the paper from the king today
©’°¢¬’È¡‘Õ¬“°¢“¥ª√–À≈“¥„®œ But could not tear it up. I wonder why.é

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Ô Õπÿ™“«à“°√–π—ÈπÕ¬à“À«—ËπÀ«“¥ The younger brother said, çFear not.

·¡âª»ï “® ‘ß·∑â®–·°â‰¢ I can chase the spirit that haunts Papa
¥â«¬‰¡â‡∑Ⓡ®â“µ“„Àâ¡“‰«â With Grandpaûs magic staff given me
 ”À√—∫‰≈ຠ’ “ߪ–√“ߧ«“π For exorcising evil spirits.

·µàº¥’ ∫‘  ‘∫‚°Ø‘¬ß— ‚¥¥«‘ßË çEven ten billion vampires fled away.

º’ºŸâÀ≠‘ßÀ√◊Õ®–Õ¬Ÿà ŸâÀ¡àÕ¡©“π A female ghost wonût dare resist me.
·µà§Õ¬øíß√—ßÈ √“Õ¬Ÿ™à “â π“π Iûve been waiting here for so long,
‰¡à·®âß°“√‡≈¬«à“‡ªìπ∂÷߇™àππ’œÈ Not realizing what has happened.é

Ô  ‘π ¡ÿ∑¬ÿ¥¡◊Õ®√‘ßÀ√◊Õ®ä– Sinsamut took his brotherûs hand and said,

°√–π—Èπæ√–πâÕ߇¢â“‰ª™à«¬‰≈ຒ çReally? Then you must go chase away the ghost.
∑—Èß®–ª–æ√–‡®â“Õ“„π∏“π’ Youûll also see Uncle in the city.
æ√âÕ¡Õ¬Ÿ∑à ª’Ë √“ “∑∑—ßÈ ¡“µÿ√ߧå All are in the palace with Mama.é

ÀπàÕπ√‘π∑√å¬π‘ ¥’™≈’Àµ— ∂å The glad young prince folded his palms in respect.
™«π°…—µ√‘¬∑å ß—È  Õ߇¢â“ÀâÕß √ß He called the other two princes to bathe.
ª√–¥—∫‡§√◊ÕË ß‡√◊ÕßÕ√à“¡∑—ßÈ  “¡Õߧå All three wore garments with bright ornaments.
§√—πÈ ‡ √Á®∑√ß∂◊Õ‰¡â‡∑â“¢Õ߇®â“µ“ Ready, Sudsakhon held the hermitûs staff.

æ√–™«ππâÕß Õß»√’§Õà ¬≈’≈“» He called his brother and sister to go

¡“‡ΩÑ“∫“∑∫∑‡√»æ√–‡™…∞“ To pay respect to his elder brother.
 ‘π ¡ÿ∑ ÿ¥ «“∑π“∂πâÕ߬“ Sinsamut and the younger princes
æ“°—π¡“¢÷πÈ √∂∫∑®√ Mounted the carriage and set off.

æ«°‡ π“°“√–‡«°‡Õ°Õ”¡“µ¬å The officers and chiefs from Karawek,

∑—ßÈ ¡À“¥‡≈Á°µ“¡À≈“¡ ≈Õπ As well as pages marched behind.
æ«°¢ÿππ“ß·≈ ≈â“ß°≈“ßπ§√ The nobles looked splendid amid the city,
æ≈π‘°√µ√ß¡“Àπâ“æ√–≈“π The troopers came to the palace front.

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∂÷ß∑’‡Ë °¬‡§¬ª√–∑—∫°Á¬∫— ¬—ßÈ They stopped at the royal elephant platform.

æ√–≈߬—ß™“π™≈“∑’ÀË πâ“©“π Sinsamut got off in front of the palace.
‡ªìπ°“√¥à«π™«πæ√–πâÕß Õß°ÿ¡“√ He called the princes to go quickly,
‡≈’¬È «æ√–≈“π≈—¥∑“߉ªª√“ߧå∑Õß Turning from the front court to the gold palace.

‡ÀÁπ· π “«™“«·¡àÕ¬Ÿà·ÕÕ—¥ Seeing so many maids and ladies

°—∫°…—µ√‘¬æå √âÕ¡æ√—ßË °—π∑—ßÈ  Õß With the king and queen both present,
 ‘π ¡ÿ∑π”Àπâ“æ“æ√–πâÕß Sinsamut led his younger brother
‡¢â“„πÀâÕߪ√“ߧ塓»ª√“ “∑™—¬ Into the royal chamber in the palace.

ª√–≥µπ—ßË ∫—ߧ¡°â¡»‘‚√µ¡å He sat and bowed in obeisance

¥â«¬¡“‚π™≠åÀπàÕπ√“Õ—™¨“ —¬ Together with the other princes.
π“ß√—∫¢«—≠ √√‡ √‘≠‡®√‘≠„® The queen kissed them and admired them,
·≈â« Õπ„Àâ°â¡‡°≈â“æ√–‡®â“Õ“ Then told them to pay respect to their uncle.

»√’ «ÿ √√≥π—πÈ ‡ÀÁπÀ≈“π ß “√π—° Seeing his nephew, Sisuwan was very moved.
‰¡àº¥‘ æ—°µ√å¿«Ÿ ‡√»æ√–‡™…∞“ The boy looked just like his royal brother.
°Õ¥ª√–∑—∫√—∫¢«—≠°≈—πÈ πÈ”µ“ He embraced the boy, holding back tears,
·≈â««à“Õ“π’ȉ¡à√Ÿâ¥â«¬Õ¬Ÿà‰°≈ Said, çBeing far away, I knew not what had happened.

æàÕ¡“∂÷ß®÷߉¥â‡ÀÁπ«à“‡ªìπÀ≈“π çNow youûre here, I know youûre my nephew.

π—πË °ÿ¡“√ Õß√“¡“·µà‰Àπ Those two children where are they from?
‡ªìπ≈Ÿ°‡µâ“∑â“«æ√–¬“æ“√“„¥ Offspring of what king and what city?é
æ√–ÀπàÕ‰∑∑Ÿ≈©≈Õß«à“πâÕß√—° The prince said they were his brother and sister.

·≈⫇≈à“§«“¡µ“¡¡“‡¡◊Õß°“√–‡«° Then he described how he came to Karawek,

‰¥â‡ªìπ‡Õ°‚Õ√ ¡’¬»»—°¥‘Ï Was adopted by the king as royal son.
æ√–πâÕßπâÕ¬ ÿ®√‘µ π‘∑π—° The younger princes were so attached to him
 “æ‘¿°— ¥‘µÏ “¡¡“∂÷ß∏“π’ That they followed him to this city.

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ÀπàÕπ√‘π∑√å π‘  ¡ÿ∑‡ÀÁπ查™â“ Prince Sinsamut finding the talk too long

®÷ß«—π∑“∑Ÿ≈æ√–¡‡À ’ Paid obeisance and said to the queen,
æ√–πâÕß√—°»—°¥“«‘™“¥’ çMy dear brave brother has good knowledge.
®–‰≈ຒ¡‘„ÀâÕ¬Ÿà∑’Ë¿Ÿ«‰π¬ Heûll drive away the ghost from the king.é

π“ßæ√–¬“«à“°√–π—πÈ ¢¬—ππ—° The queen said, çIf youûre keen to do it,

‡™‘≠≈Ÿ°√—°¢Õß·¡à™à«¬·°â‰¢ Come, my dear child, please cure Papa.
‡§√◊ÕË ßÀ¬Ÿ°¬“À“∫â“ßÀ√◊ÕÕ¬à“߉√ Do you need any medicine?é
æ√–ÀπàÕ‰∑∑Ÿ≈«à“¢Õ߉¡àµÕâ ß°“√ The prince said he needed none.

®–¢Õµ’∑’Ë°√–¥“…ªï»“®Õ¬Ÿà He wished to hit the haunted paper.

¥â«¬§«“¡√Ÿ√â “«°—∫‰øª√–≈—¬º≈“≠ With his knowledge like burning fire,
∂÷߬—°…’º ’ “ߪ–√“ߧ«“π He could exorcise any demon and ghost.
¢Õª√–∑“π·µà°√–¥“…√Ÿª«“¥¡“ He only wanted the paper portrait.

π“ߥ’„®„™â π‘  ¡ÿ∑πâÕ¬ Pleased, she ordered young Sinsamut

„À≪§Õ¬≈—°°√–¥“…¥—ߪ√“√∂π“ To wait and steal the desired picture.
ÀπàÕπ√‘π∑√å¬π‘ ¥’™≈’≈“ Happy Sinsamut paid respect and left,
·≈â«·Ωß¡“‡¡’¬ß¡Õß∑’ÀË âÕß„π Creeping and peering in the inner chamber.

‡ÀÁπÀ≈—∫≈Õ∫À¡Õ∫‡¡’¬ß‡¢â“‡§’¬ßÕ“ πå Seeing the king asleep, he crept near the couch,

≈—°°√–¥“…‡≈¢“‡Õ“¡“‰¥â Succeeding in stealing the drawing.
·≈⫧≈’°Ë ≈“ߪ√“ߧåª√“ “∑ª√–À≈“¥„® Amazed, he unfolded it amidst the palace.
æ√–ÀπàÕ‰∑¿“«π“¡À“¡πµå Sudsakhon chanted his holy mantra

‡ °‰¡â‡∑â“¥“«∫ ®¥°√–¥“… And placed the hermitûs staff on the paper.

‡ ’¬ß√Ÿª«“¥À«’¥√âÕß ¬Õߢπ The scream from the portrait was hair-raising.
·≈â«´È”µ’º√’ “â ¬°Á«“¬™π¡å He hit again and the evil ghost expired,
°√–¥“…ªÉπ‡ªìπª√–°“¬«Ÿ∫À“¬‰ª The paper became glowing dust and vanished.

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 Õß°…—µ√‘¬∑å »— π“‡ÀÁπª√“°Ø The two royals saw the happening

§ß®–ª≈¥‡ª≈◊ÕÈ ß«‘∫µ— ª‘ ∂í ‰À¡ And believed the evil spell was lifted.
π“ßæ√–¬“æ“æ√–πâÕß°—∫ÀπàÕ‰∑ The queen led Sisuwan and Sudsakhon
‡¢â“ÀâÕß„ππ—ËߥŸæ√–¿Ÿ∏√œ Into the inner chamber to see the king.

Ô ΩÉ“¬Õߧåæ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’π“∂ Phra Aphai Mani, Protector of the Land,

‡¡◊ÕË ªï»“® √à“ß®‘µÕ¥‘»√ When the evil spirit left his mind,
‡§≈‘È¡æ√–∑—¬‰À«À«‘«À‘«À“«πÕπ Was dreamy, shaky and sleepy.
 –∑âÕπ∂Õπƒ∑—¬∑—ßÈ ‰ ¬“ He yawned and sighed while sleeping.

®π¬“¡§Ë”©Ë”™◊πË √–√◊πË √  Till night came with the cool fresh air,
¡–≈‘ ¥·∑√°°ÿÀ≈“∫Õ“∫π“ “ He could smell fresh jasmins mixed with roses
‡ ’¬ß∑À“√¢“π‚Àà‡ªìπ‚°≈“ And hear the din of soldiersû shouting.
°Áº«“À«“¥øóπô µ◊πË ∫√√∑¡ Startled, he woke up from his sleep.

√Ÿ â °÷ Õߧå∑√ßπ—ßË °”≈—ßπâÕ¬ He became conscious, sat up, but still weak.
‡πµ√™¡âÕ¬‰¡à‡ÀÁπ‡À≈à“ “« π¡ Glancing around, he saw not the ladies.
‡ÀÁπ≈Ÿ°√—°Õ—§‡√»√à«¡Õ“√¡≥å He perceived his dear son and beloved wife,
¡“∫—ߧ¡æ√âÕ¡æ√—ßË ∑—ßÈ Õπÿ™“ Also his younger brother bowing to him.

‡¢¡âπ¥Ÿ°¡ÿ “√‚Õ√ √“™ Gazing at the boy who was his own son,
‡ÀÁπºÿ¥º“¥º‘«Õ¬à“ßπ“ß¡—®©“ Seeing his skin as fair as the mermaid,
À«π√”≈÷°π÷° –Õ◊πÈ °≈◊ππÈ”µ“ He recalled her and wept, swallowing tears.
®÷ß∫—≠™“∂“¡Õߧåπ“ßπß≈—°…≥å Then he questioned Suwannamali:

 “¡°ÿ¡“√À≈“π≈Ÿ°ºŸ„â ¥¡—ßË çThe three children, who are their parents?

¡“πâÕ¡π—Ëßπà“‡ÕÁπ¥Ÿ‰¡à√Ÿâ®—° Theyûre so cute sitting here, I donût know them.é
π“ß∑Ÿ≈§«“¡µ“¡‡√◊ÕË ßæ√–≈Ÿ°√—° The queen related his sonûs story
„Àâ∑√ß»—°¥‘∑Ï √“∫ ‘πÈ ¥â«¬¬‘π¥’ To him who learned of it with gladness.

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æ√–‡√’¬°∫ÿµ√ ÿ¥ «“∑¢÷πÈ Õ“ πå√µ— πå He called his dear son to sit on the gemmed couch.
ÀπàÕ°…—µ√‘¬πå Õ∫π∫´∫‡°»’ The young boy bowed down his head.
æ√–‚≈¡≈Ÿ∫®Ÿ∫‡°≈â“æ√–‡¡“≈’ The king patted him and kissed his top-knot,
æ≈“ßæ“∑’‰µà∂“¡µ“¡Õ“≈—¬ Asking the boy what he longed to learn:

π“ß ÿ«√√≥¡—®©“¡“√¥“‡®â“ çSuwannamatcha, your dear mother,

°” √¥‡»√Ⓡ§◊Õ߇¢Á≠‡ªìπ‰©π Does she suffer grief and hardship
À√◊ÕÕ¬Ÿ¥à »’ √’ «— ¥‘°Ï ”®—¥¿—¬ Or live happily, well and safe?
æàÕ‡≈à“„Àâ∫µ‘ ‡ÿ √»·®â߇Àµÿ°“√≥åœ Please tell Papa how she fares.é

Ô  ÿ¥ “§√√âÕ𮑵§‘¥∂÷ß·¡à Sudsakhon was worried, missing his mother,

¡“‡ÀÁπ·µà∫µ‘ √ÿ ߧåπ“à  ß “√ The poor boy could now see just Papa.
∑√ß°—π· ß·®â߇√◊ÕË ß‡§◊Õß√”§“≠ He wept and related the plight
Õ—πæ√–¡“√¥“®πæâπªí≠≠“ How his mother was much in need.

§√—πÈ √ÿßà ‡™â“‡≈à“°Á‰ª°‘π‰§≈πÈ” çAt dawn she went to eat water weed,
µàÕ‡¬Áπ§Ë”®÷ß¡“Õ¬Ÿ„à π§ŸÀ“ Only evenings she returned to her cave,
„Àâ°π‘ π¡™¡≈Ÿ°∑ÿ°‡«≈“ Giving me milk and tending me always
µ“¡ª√– “¬“°®π¢Õß™ππ’ As a poor mother could only do.

·µà ¡â  Ÿ°≈Ÿ°πâÕ¬∑’ Ë Õ¬‰¥â çBut oranges and other fruit I picked,

°Á·∫àß„Àâ·¡à¡®— ©“µ“ƒÂ…’ I shared with Mother and Grandpa Hermit.
®π≈Ÿ°¬“Õ“¬ÿ‰¥â “¡ªï When I was three years of age,
æ√–™ππ’·π–§«“¡„Àⵓ¡¡“ Mother advised me to seek you out.é

·≈⫇≈à“‡√◊ÕË ß‡¡◊ÕßπâÕß Õß°…—µ√‘¬å Then he told them of the two childrenûs city,

æŸπ «— ¥‘ÀÏ «—ßæ√–Õߧå‡À¡◊Õπ«ß»“ How the ruler regarded him as his son,
™à«¬™ÿ∫‡≈’¬È ߇∑’¬Ë ß∏√√¡å°√ÿ≥“ Raised him up justly and kindly
®÷߉¥â¡“Õ¿‘«“∑∫“∑¬ÿ§≈ Until he came to bow at Phra Aphaiûs feet.

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 ß “√·µà·¡à¡®— ©“π‘®®“‡Õ㬠çI pity only my mermaid mama.

≈Ÿ°Õ¬Ÿ‡à §¬À—°À“º≈“º≈ I used to find and pick fruit
‰ª„Àâ∑“π¡“√¥“ª√– “®π To give to mother as a poor boy would.
‡ªìπ Õߧπ§Ë”‡™â“‰¥â‡§≈ⓧ≈÷ß The two of us night and morn were close.

≈Ÿ°®“°¡“πà“∑’®Ë –«‘µ° çAfter I left she must be worried.

¥â«¬‡ª≈’¬Ë «Õ°‡ª≈à“„®Õ“≈—¬∂÷ß Her lonely heart must long for me.
®–ßà«ß‡Àß“‡»√â“®‘µ§‘¥§–π÷ß She must be sad, missing her son,
· π√”æ÷ß∂÷ß≈Ÿ°ºŸ°Õ“≈—¬ Thinking always of me with yearning.

·≈â« —ßË ¡“«à“·¡âπæ∫æ√–¿Ÿ«π“∂ çShe bade me if I found you

„Àâ°√“∫∫“∑∑Ÿ≈·®âß·∂≈߉¢ To let you know her message
«à“™“µ‘π¡’È ‰‘ ¥â¡“‡ªìπ¢â“‰∑ That in this life she could not serve you
·µà¡„’ ®§‘¥∂÷ßÕߧåæ√–∑√ß∏√√¡å But her heart would be with you always.

Õ—πªîπò ∑ÕߢÕߪ√–∑“π¢Õߺà“π‡°≈â“ çYour golden hairpin that you gave her,

æ√–·¡à‡®â“¡Õ∫‰«â„ÀâÀ¡àÕ¡©—π My dear mother kindly gave to me.
‚Õâ ß “√π“π·≈â«·µà·§≈â«°—π I pity her, not seeing me for so long.
®–π—∫«—π‡«≈“µ—ßÈ µ“§Õ¬œ Sheûll count the days to see me again.é

Ô æ√–øíߧ”√Ë”«à“πà“ —߇«™ Hearing these words, the king said how pitiful.

™≈‡πµ√À¬¥‡À¬“–‡º“–‡º“–ºÁÕ¬ Tears fell drop by drop from his eyes.
‡À≈◊ÕÕ“≈—¬„𧔇ß◊Õ°πÈ”πâÕ¬ He was so touched by the little Mermaidûs words
„À⇻√â“ √âÕ¬ «¡ Õ¥°Õ¥°ÿ¡“√ That he turned sad and embraced his young son.

ª√–‚≈¡≈Ÿ°ºŸ°®‘µ§‘¥∂÷ß·¡à Caressing son, he thought of the mother.

¡“Àà“ß·À‡ÀÁπ·µà∫µÿ √ ÿ¥ ß “√ Being apart and seeing only her dear son,
 –Õ◊πÈ ÕâÕπ∂Õπƒ∑—¬Õ“≈—¬≈“π He sobbed and sighed with yearning.
æ√–«ß»å«“π„À≠àπÕâ ¬æ≈Õ¬‚»°’ Other royals big and small also wept.

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§√—πÈ ‚»° √à“ß∑“ߥ”√— µ√— ª√–¿“… When sorrow subsided, the king spoke.

‡√’¬°ÀπàÕπ“∂æ’πË Õâ ß∑—ßÈ  Õß»√’ He called the brother and sister to come
¡“π—ßË µ—°´—°∂“¡∂÷߇¥◊Õπªï Sit on his lap, asked their year and month of birth.
°ÿ¡“√’æ≈Õ¥√—∫Õ¿‘«π— ∑å The sister paid obeisance and answered:

©—π°—∫æ’˪’¬«°—π‡®’¬«®ä– çSudsakhon and I are of the same age

·µàÕߧåæ√–Õπÿ™“ÕàÕπ°«à“©—π But Hatsachai is younger than I am.
æ√–‡™…∞“π—πÈ ‡ªìπ≈Ÿ°‰¥âº°Ÿ æ—π As Brother Sudsakhon is your son,
°√–À¡àÕ¡©—π®–‡ªìπ¥â«¬™à«¬‡¡µµ“ I wish to be your daughter too.é

æ√–®Ÿ∫°Õ¥‡æ≈‘¥‡æ≈‘π‡®√‘≠®‘µ He kissed and hugged the child happily,

· π π‘∑π÷°√—°π—πÈ Àπ—°Àπ“ Feeling so close and loving her dearly.
æ√–≈Ÿ°πâÕ¬ √âÕ¬ ÿ«√√≥®—π∑√å ¥ÿ “ His daughters Soisuwan and Chansuda
æ’‡Ë ≈’¬È ßæ“¡“ª√–≥µ∫∑¡“≈¬å Were led by nurses to pay obeisance.

æ√– Õπ„Àâ‰À«âæ’Ë °’Ë …—µ√‘¬å He taught them to wai the four elders.

µà“ß°Õ¥√—¥æŸ¥®“πà“ ß “√ They embraced and chatted adorably.
π“߇ “«§π∏å∫πà «à“πà“√”§“≠ Saowakhon grumbled that she was annoyed
‡™àππ’©È “π¥Ÿ‡øóÕπ™à“߇À¡◊Õπ°—π As they looked so much alike.

æ√–πâÕßπ“ßµà“ß«à“©—πΩ“·Ω¥ The two sisters said they were twins.

°…—µ√‘¬·å ª¥Õߧ噫π°—π √«≈ —πµå The eight royals laughed merrily.
‡ ’¬ß®ã“®ä–§–¢“®π “¬—≥Àå The children were heard prattling till evening came.
 à«π∑√ß∏√√¡åµ√— ∂“¡§«“¡·ºàπ¥‘π Then the king asked about the welfare of his realm.

π“ß∑Ÿ≈«à“Ω√—ßË ¬—ßµ—ßÈ §à“¬ The queen said the whites were still encamped
Õ¬Ÿ‡à √’¬ß√“¬µ“¡¡À“™≈“ ‘π∏ÿå Along the shoreline by the sea,
∑—È߬°‡æ‘Ë¡‡µ‘¡¡“„π«“√‘π Their fleet arrived more and more in the ocean.
‰¡à√Ÿâ ‘Èπ»÷°‡ ◊Õ‡À≈◊Õ√–Õ“ She was worried seeing no end of war.

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·µà≈–∑—æπ—∫· π¡“·πàπ‡π◊Õß Each army of a hundred thousand men

≈â«π‡®â“‡¡◊Õß„À≠àπâÕ¬√âÕ¬¿“…“ Led by big and small rulers of hundred tongues
·¡â§√—ßÈ π’¡È ‰‘ ¥â ¥ÿ  “§√¡“ If Sudsakhon hadnût come and fought the foe,
®–‡ªìπ¢â“·¢°Ω√—Ë߇ ’¬∑—È߇¡◊Õßœ The whole city would be enslaved by the whites.

Ô æ√–øíߧ”√Ë”‡≈à“‡»√â“ ≈¥ Hearing her words, the king was grief-stricken.

¬“¡√–∑¥∑ÿ°¢åµ√Õ¡¬—ߺա‡À≈◊Õß While he suffered anguish, looking thin and pale,
 ŸΩâ πó ·√ß·¢Áßæ√–∑—¬„Àâª√–‡∑◊Õß He steeled himself to cheer up his spirit,
µ√— ‡√’¬°‡§√◊ÕË ßæ√–°√–¬“¡“‡À¡◊Õπ‡§¬ Calling for food to be served.

™«ππâÕß√—°Õ—§‡√»‚Õ√ √“™ He called his dear brother, queen and sons

√à«¡æ√–¿“™π–∑ÕߢÕ߇ «¬ To share his meal in golden dishes.
√ √–√◊Ëπ™◊ËπÕ“√¡≥å¥â«¬π¡‡π¬ The food was tasty with milk and butter,
‡À¡◊ÕπÕ¬à“߇§¬§“«À«“π ”√“≠„® The usual meat and sweets that they enjoyed.

§√—πÈ Õ‘¡Ë Àπ” ”‡√Á®‡ ¥Á®ÕÕ° When the king finished his meal, he left for
æ√–‚√ßπÕ°πæ√—µπå®”√— ‰¢ The audience hall shining with nine gems,
 ∂‘µ·∑àπ·«àπøÑ“‡ π“„π Sat on his grand throne while officials
µà“ߥ’„®°√“∫°â¡∫—ߧ¡§—≈ Were glad and bowed down in obeisance.

æ√–ª√÷°…“¢â“‡ΩÑ“‡À≈à“∑À“√ He consulted nobles, officials, soldiers

»÷°¡“µâ“πµàÕ·¬âߥ⫬·¢Áߢ—π How to fight forcefully against the foe:
®ß‡√àß√—¥®—¥∑—æ ≈—∫°—π çArrange the troops quickly in alternate rows.
„À⇪ìπªí≠®‡ π“ ßà“ß“¡ To form the grand Five Forces pattern.

æ√ÿàßπ’ȇ™â“‡√“®–¬°ÕÕ°¬ß¬ÿ∑∏å çTomorrow morn weûll lead the troops to battle

„Àâ π‘È  ÿ¥»÷°‡µ’¬π∑’‡Ë  ’¬È πÀπ“¡ To wipe out the foes that are like thorns.é
 —ßË °”™—∫ √√懠√Á® ”‡√Á®§«“¡ Finishing his order, he stressed that they obeyed.
æլ˔¬“¡‡¬◊ÕÈ ß¬à“ߢ÷πÈ ª√“ߧå∑Õßœ The first evening hour he entered his gold abode.

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Ô ΩÉ“¬‡ π“¢â“‡ΩÑ“‡À≈à“∑À“√ Officials, nobles and soldiers came

¡“‡°≥±å°“√°—π·µà¥°÷ ‡ ’¬ß°÷°°âÕß To get set, making din when it was still dark.
∫â“ßµ√«®µ√“Àπâ“∑’∫Ë “â ßµ’¶Õâ ß Some inspected their posts, others beat gongs,
‡ ’¬ß®ÕßÀßàÕß®ÕßÀßàÕߪÉÕߪÉÕߥ—ß Making repeated sounds of bong, bong, bong.

»√’ «ÿ √√≥π—πÈ ‡°≥±å‡ªìπ°ÕßÀπâ“ Sisuwan was assigned in the vanguard,

≈â«π‚¬∏“√¡®—°√§÷°§—°§—ßË With Rommachak troops in great numbers.
æ≈∑¡‘à‘π ¡ÿ∑¡“À¬ÿ¥¬—ßÈ Sinsamut with Tamil forces stationed
Õ¬Ÿæà √âÕ¡æ√—ßË ªï°¢«“ ßà“ß“¡ Ready and grand on the right wing.

æ«°‚¬∏“°“√–‡«°‡ªìπªï°´â“¬ Karawek troops were on the left wing,

∑—ßÈ ‰æ√àπ“¬≈â«π™”π“≠°“√ π“¡ Both soldiers and officers were well-skilled,
‡®â“«‘‡™’¬√‚¡√“ “ππæ√“À¡≥å Brahmins Wichian, Mora and Sanon
‡ªìπ°ÕßÀ≈—ßµ—ßÈ µ“¡æ¬ÿÀ∑å æ— Commanded the rear troops as pre-planned.

æ«°æÀ≈æ≈º≈÷°‡ªìπ°ÕßÀ≈«ß The Phaluek troop was the main army.

‡«≈“≈à«ßµ’ ∫‘ ‡ÕÁ¥æÕ‡ √Á® √√æ At eleven at night all were ready.
∫â“ß·°«àß°≈Õ°ÀÕ°¥“∫¥Ÿ«“∫«—∫ Some swung flashing spears and swords,
¡“‡µ√’¬¡√—∫‡√’¬ßÀ≈“¡Õ¬Ÿµà “¡∑“ßœ Getting set to greet their commanders.

Ô ΩÉ“¬Õߧåæ√–Õ¿—¬µ◊πË ‰ ¬“ πå King Aphai got up from his bed,

™«πÀπàÕπ“∂πÿ™πâÕß¡“ÀâÕߢ«“ß Called the queen to the antechamber,
µà“ß®—¥·®ß·µàßÕߧå∑√ß ”Õ“ß Both got dressed in grand attire.
§√—πÈ ‡ √Á®¬à“߇¬◊ÕÈ ß¡“Àπâ“æ√–≈“π When ready, they came to the palace front.

√∂¡â“‡∑’¬∫‡√’¬∫√—∫Õ¬Ÿà§—∫§—Ëß Horse carriages were waiting for them.

∑—ßÈ Àπâ“À≈—ß·≈≈â«π∑«π∏ß©“π Front and back were royal flags.
æÕƒ°…奵’ ¶’ Õâ ß°âÕß°—ß«“π At the auspicious hour they beat the gongs,
∑À“√¢“π‚ÀàŒ°÷ ‡ ’¬ß§√÷°‚§√¡ Soldiers shouted war cries clamourously.

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»√’ «ÿ √√≥π—πÈ ¢÷πÈ ∑√ß√∂∑’πË ß—Ë Sisuwan mounted his royal carriage.
µ—ßÈ ·µ√ —ߢ凴Áß·´à‡ ’¬ß·Àà‚À¡ Trumpets and conches resounded in the march,
‡¥‘π∏ß∑‘«ª≈‘« ≈â“ß°≈“߂次 Flags fluttered high amidst the sky,
°≈Õߪ√–‚§¡‡§’¬ß√∂∫∑®√ Drums were beaten beside his chariot.

 ‘π ¡ÿ∑À¬ÿ¥¬—ßÈ „Àâµß—È ‚Àà Sinsumut halted his troop to shout war cries.
¢’ Ë ß‘ ‚µµ—«√⓬ –擬»√ He rode his fierce lion, bow across shoulder.
¢â“ߪﰴ⓬ΩÉ“¬πÿ™“ ÿ¥ “§√ On the left wing young Sudsakhon
∑√ß¡—ß°√°ÿ¡‰¡â‡∑â“¢Õ߇®â“µ“ Rode his dragon horse, holding the hermitûs staff.

æ√–æ’πË Õâ ß Õß∑—梗∫∑À“√ The two brothers pushed forth the two armies
Õ≈À¡à“π¡“°¡“¬∑—ßÈ ´â“¬¢«“ Of innumerable men left and right.
‡ ’¬ß¶âÕß°≈Õß°âÕß –∑â“π –‡∑◊ÕÈ π ÿ∏“ Echoes of gongs and drums shook the earth,
µà“߇ŒŒ“‚Àà√Õâ ß´âÕß ”‡π’¬ß All shouted and cheered full chorus.

§√—πÈ ‡ √Á® √√æ∑—æÀ≈«ß≈à«ß≈’≈“» Ready, the main royal troop advanced.

æ√–∑√ß√“™√∂∑Õß°÷°°âÕ߇ ’¬ß The king rode on his roaring gold chariot,
·≈â«°ÕßÀ≈—ß∑—ßÈ  “¡æ√“À¡≥åæ‡’Ë ≈’¬È ß Followed by rear troops of the three Brahmins
¢’¡Ë “â ‡§’¬ß¢—∫æ≈ °≈‰°√ Who rode together, urging on their men.

ÕÕ°®“°°√ÿß∑ÿßà °«â“߇ªìπ∑“ß∑—æ From the city to the vast field, troops lined up:
·≈ ≈—∫∏ß∑‘«ª≈‘«‰ « Flags of various colours waved in the wind,
∫â“ß≈“°ªóπ§√◊πÈ §√—πË  π—πË ‰ª Some pulled cannons, causing loud clangs,
®π¡“„°≈â§“à ¬Ω√—ßË „Àâµß—È ∑—æ Till they came near the whitesû camps and paused.

∑—ßÈ ´â“¬¢«“Àπâ“À≈—߬—∫¬—ßÈ À¬ÿ¥ Left, right, front and rear troops halted
µ—ßÈ ‡ªìπ§√ÿ±°√–∫«ππ“¡µ“¡µ”√—∫ And formed garuda pattern by the book,
‡ÀÁπ‚¬∏“æ«°Ω√—ßË ÕÕ°§—ßË §—∫ Seeing the white troops numerous,
‡ªì𷪥∑—æ∑—ßÈ ‡¥‘¡·≈‡µ‘¡¡“ Counting eight in all, old and new.

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≈â«π¡’∏ß≈ßÀπ—ß ◊Õ™◊ÕË ª√–‡∑» Each troop had flags with its countryûs name:
‡¡◊Õß≈–‡¡¥¡≈‘°π—  ”ªíπÀπ“ Lamet City, Malikan, Sampanna,
°√ÿß°«‘π®’πµ—ßΠ՗ߧÿ≈“ Krung Kawin, Chin Tang, Ankhula
∑’¬Ë °¡“∑“ß∫°Õ’°À°∑—æ Came by land, six new troops in number.

∑’ÕË ¬Ÿ‡à °à“‡®â“≈¬“™«“©«’ The old troops of Wilaya, Java, Chawi,

·µà≈«â πµ’‡¡◊Õ߉¡à‰¥â°‰Á ¡à°≈—∫ Though couldnût conquer the city, returned not.
µà“ߢ’¡Ë “â æ“∑À“√ÕÕ°µâ“π√—∫ They rode steeds leading their men to attack,
ª–∑–∑—楟∑°’ √‘ ¬‘ “œ Waiting to see the reaction.

Ô ΩÉ“¬Õߧåæ√–Õ¿—¬«‘‰≈≈—°…≥å Phra Aphai, the handsome sovereign,

‡ÀÁπ»÷°Àπ—°π—∫· π¥Ÿ·πàπÀπ“ Seeing a big battle, with many hundred thousand,
®–‡ªÉ“ªï¡ò „‘ Àâ ¥Ÿâ »Ÿ °— ¥“ Might play the pipe so there would be no fight,
°Á‡ÀÁπ«à“®–‰¡à≈◊Õ√–∫◊Õ¬» Yet feared his fame would not resound.

Àπ÷Ëßæ«°‡√“‡≈à“°Á√«¡Õ¬Ÿàæ√âÕ¡æ√—Ëß çAs all of us are here and ready,

·µà≈«â π√—߇√’¬π«‘™“‰¥âª√“°Ø Each learned in martial knowledge,
®–¥Ÿ¥æ’ π’Ë Õâ ß Õß‚Õ√  It will look fine if brothers and sons
„À⡬’ »‡°’¬√µ‘‰«â„π‰µ√¿æ Earn their renown in the three worlds.

®÷ßµ√— „™â„Àâ∑µŸ ‰ªæŸ¥π—¥ He ordered his emissary to say

Õ¬à“ß°…—µ√‘¬ å ߧ√“¡µ“¡¢π∫ That after the royal custom of war,
§√—Èπ®–„Àâ‰æ√àæ≈‡¢â“√≥√∫ If all the soldiers fought for their masters,
®–µ“¬∑∫∑—∫¬—∫‡ ’¬π—∫æ—π They would be killed in thousands.

´÷Ëß®–™π–®–·æâ‡æ√“–·¡à∑—æ Victory or defeat was due to commanders.

ÕÕ°µàÕ√—∫√∫ Ÿâ‡ªìπ§Ÿà¢—π They should come out and fight a duel.
„§√º≈“≠‡√“‡®â“∫ÿ√π‘ ∑√å π‘È ™’«π— Whoever killed the King of Phaluek
§◊Õ§ππ—πÈ ‰¥â≈°Ÿ  “«‡®â“≈—ß°“œ Would win the Lankan daughterûs hand.

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Ô ∑—ßÈ ‡°â“∑—æ√—∫°—π‡ªìπ∏√√¡å¬∑ÿ ∏å The nine armies agreed that it was fair.

√”Õ“«ÿ∏‡√’¬ß√“¬∑—ßÈ ´â“¬¢«“ They danced with their weapons left and right
·µà¡“â ∑√ßÕߧå∑“â «‡®â“§ÿ≈“ But King Khulaûs steed came forward
ÕÕ°¬◊πÀπâ“π“¬∑À“√∂◊Õ¢«“π§≈’ Ahead of officers, holding axe and stick.

∫—Èπ‡Õ«ºŸ°≈ÿ°¢≈ÿ∫·≈⫧≈ÿ¡‡ ◊ÈÕ Polo balls tied to his waist covered with a coat,

¥Ÿ¥ß— ‡ ◊ÕÈ ‚§√àߧ√Ë”¥”À¡‘¥À¡’ He looked like a tiger, his skin so black.
∑“ß√âÕß∑â“«à“„§√ºŸ„â ¥¥’ He challenged asking who was good enough
¡“µàÕµ’µ“¡æπ—π‡À¡◊Õπ —≠≠“ To fight with him as was agreed.

 ‘π ¡ÿ∑∫ÿµ√¬—°…å¡°— ‚¡‚À Sinsamut, the ogressû son, was furious.

¢—∫ ‘ß‚µ√”∑«π «π∂≈“ He rode his lion and wielded his lance
‡¢â“√∫√—∫∑—æ∑â“«‡®â“§ÿ≈“ To meet the onslaught of the Khula King.
ª–∑–∑à“·∑ßøíπª√–®—≠∫“π They clashed, thrust, and struck each other.

À≈“¬°√–∫«π∑«π∑∫µ≈∫‡≈’¬Ë ß They used various styles of lance dueling.

æÕ·∑߇æ≈’¬Ë ßæ≈‘«È À—πøíπ¥â«¬¢«“π Missing the foe, Khula chopped with his axe
∂Ÿ°ÀπàÕπ“∂©“¥©—∫°≈—∫∑–¬“π At Sinsamut who jumped up and tried
‡¢â“™‘ߢ«“π‰¢«à§«â“√∫√“«’ To grab the axe from his enemy.

‡®â“§ÿ≈“°≈â“À“≠«“ߢ«“π„Àâ Brave Khula left the axe to him.

‡ÀÁπ‚∂¡‰≈à‡≈’¬È «¡“∑”≈à“Àπ’ Seeing him chasing, Khula feigned to flee.
™”‡≈◊Õ߇À≈◊Õ∫‡°◊Õ∫„°≈â‡ÀÁπ‰¥â∑’ The king glanced and saw him close enough,
∑‘ßÈ ≈Ÿ°§≈’∂°Ÿ Õÿ√–æ√–°ÿ¡“√ Swung a ball at the princeûs chest.

æ≈—¥µ° ‘ßÀå°≈‘ßÈ ´∫ ≈∫À≈—∫ Sinsamut fell unconscious from the lion.

¡—π®–´È” —∫‡Õ“‡≈◊Õ¥¥—߇™◊Õ¥Ω“π The foe wanted to chop him up.
 ÿ¥ “§√§«∫¡â“∂“∑–¬“π Sudsakhon galloped his steed forward
‡¢â“µàÕµâ“πµÕ∫µ’™«à ¬æ’™Ë “¬ To fight the enemy and save his brother.

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≈◊¡√–«—ßæ≈—ßÈ ‡æ≈’¬Ë ß¡—π‡À«’¬Ë ߢ≈ÿ∫ Forgetting to be careful, the foe hit him
∂Ÿ°Õ°Õÿ∫®ÿ°Õ—¥¢—¥‰¡àÀ“¬ In the chest so he was breathless.
æÕæ√–Õ“¡“∑—π‡¢â“°—𰓬 The uncle came in time to protect him,
™à«¬À≈“𙓬™‘ß™—¬‰«°√–∫Õß Helping his nephew fight with a staff.

¡—π√∫æ≈“ߢ«â“ߢ≈ÿ∫¥Ÿ«∫ÿ «—∫ Khula fought while throwing polo balls.

æ√–§«ß√—∫√Õπ√—πº—πº¬Õß Sisuwan swung his staff to ward them off.
∑‘ßÈ ‰¡à∂°Ÿ ≈Ÿ°°√–‡¥ÁπÕ¬Ÿ‡à ªìπ°Õß The balls missed him and piled up on the ground.
æ√–µ’µÕâ ߇®â“§ÿ≈“™’«“«“¬œ He struck King Khula to death.

Ô æÕæ’πË Õâ ß Õßøóπô µ◊πË µ–≈÷ß The two brothers revived and were amazed,
‡ª√’¬∫‡À¡◊ÕπÀπ÷ßË πÕπÀ≈—∫·≈â«°≈—∫À“¬ As though sleeping and then waking up.
‡®â“°«‘π∂‘πË ‡∂◊ÕË π‡ÀÁπ‡æ◊ÕË πµ“¬ King Kawin from the wild, seeing his friend dead,
°√–À«—¥ “¬°«‘π∑√߇¢â“¬ß¬ÿ∑∏å Swung Kawinûs chain to engage in the fight.

»√’ «ÿ √√≥À—πÀ«¥‡√Á«√«¥√—∫ Sisuwan turned to hit back quickly.

¡—π¢«â“ߢ«—∫‰¢«à§≈âÕß°√–∫ÕßÀ≈ÿ¥ Kawin threw the chain to snare the staff,
·≈â«´È”´—¥√—¥æ√–™ß¶åæÕÕߧå∑√ÿ¥ And bound his leg so he sank down.
 ‘π ¡ÿ∑‚ºπ¡“™à«¬Õ“∑—π Sinsamut sprang to his uncleûs aid in time.

∂Ÿ°°«‘πº‘πº—¥ ≈—¥À≈’° The prince missed Kawin who got away.

¡—π∑‘ßÈ Õ’°‚Õ∫°“¬ “¬°√– —π The latter threw the chain over his body.
 –∫—¥¢“¥º“¥‚ºπ‚®πª√–®—≠ He broke it and jumped at the foe,
‡Õ“¢«“πøíπ‡®â“°«‘π ‘Èπ™’«“œ Axing King Kawin and killing him.

Ô ΩÉ“¬Õߧå∑“â «‡®â“≈–‡¡¥«‘‡»… ÿ¥ The King of Lamet was the greatest,

∂◊ÕÕ“«ÿ∏°“¬ ‘∑∏‘ƒÏ ∑∏‘ÀÏ π—°Àπ“ Holding a magic iron weapon most powerful
™◊ËÕ¿ÿ¢—πøíπ„§√‡À¡◊Õπ‰øøÑ“ Called Phukhan. It struck like lighting,
¡√≥“‡π◊ÈÕ‡º◊Õ¥‡≈◊Õ¥‰¡à¡’ Causing death, leaving the flesh white and bloodless.

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§√—πÈ ‡ÀÁπ∑â“«‡®â“°«‘π ‘πÈ ™’«µ‘ When he saw that King Kawin was dead,
‡¢â“µàÕƒ∑∏‘√Ï ∫— √∫‰¡àÀ≈∫Àπ’ He came to combat, no thought of fleeing.
 ‘π ¡ÿ∑¬ÿ¥æ≈“¥¡—πø“¥µ’ Sinsamut grabbed at him but missed, he struck
∂Ÿ°Õ‘π∑√’¬´å «π´∫ ≈∫‰ªœ His body so he swayed and fell unconscious.

Ô »√’ «ÿ √√≥°—∫À≈“π∑–¬“π¬ÿ∑∏å Sisuwan and Sudsakhon fought Lamet.

ƒ∑∏‘√∑ÿ √√∫°—π‡ ’¬ßÀ«—πË ‰À« Each was mighty and struck loudly.
‡À≈Á°°√–∫ÕßµâÕß¿ÿ¢π—  –∫—πÈ ‰ª The iron staff was broken, hit by Phukhan.
æ√–µ°„®‚®πÀπ’¡π— µ’µ“¡ Alarmed, Sisuwan fled, Lamet pursued.

 ÿ¥ “§√°√∑√߉¡â‡∑â“‚∂¡ Sudsakhon held his magic staff rushing

‡¢â“√ÿ°‚√¡√”§«â“ßÕ¬Ÿ°à ≈“ß π“¡ Amidst the battlefield, whirling his weapon.
‡À≈Á°¿ÿ¢—πøíπ„§√‡ªìπ‰ø«“¡ He knew Phukhan iron struck glowing fire,
‡Àµÿ¥«â ¬§«“¡√Ÿƒâ ∑∏‘æÏ √– ‘∑∏“ For he learned its power from the hermit.

æÕ‰¥â∑µ’ ∑’ “â «‡®â“≈–‡¡¥ At the right moment he struck Lamet

∂Ÿ°æ√–‡°»¢“¥¥‘πÈ  ‘πÈ  —ߢ“√å On the head which was cut off, causing death.
‡À≈Á°¿ÿ¢π— π—πÈ °Á‡°Á∫‡ÀπÁ∫‡Õ“¡“ Sudsakhon tucked Phukhan iron at his waist.
æÕ‡™…∞“øóô𰓬§àÕ¬§≈“¬„®œ When his brother revived, he felt relieved.

Ô ΩÉ“¬Õߧå∑“â «®’πµ—ßÎ π—πÈ Ωí߇æ™√ King Chin Tang embedded diamonds on his body.
‰¡à¢“¡‡¢Á¥§ß°√–æ—πøíπ‰¡à‰À« He feared none, being invulnerable.
∑—ßÈ  Õß¡◊Õ∂◊Õ∑ÿ√π— πÈ”¡—π‰ø Holding Thuran, pots of fiery oil in both hands.
ø“¥ºŸ„â ¥‰øæ‘…µ‘¥‡µÁ¡°“¬ One hit with these would burst in flames.

§«∫Õ“™“¡â“∑√߇¢â“¬ß¬ÿ∑∏å He galloped his horse to attack his foe.

 ‘π ¡ÿ∑µàÕµ’‰¡àÀπ’À“¬ Sinsamut fought back fearlessly
™‘ß∑ÿ√π— ¡—πø“¥ª√“¥ª√–°“¬ And tried to grab Thuran pots but was hit.
‡ªìπ‡æ≈‘ß√⓬æ√“«∑—«Ë ∑—ßÈ µ—«µπ The flames covered his whole body.

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 ‘π ¡ÿ∑À¬ÿ¥≈Ÿ∫¬‘ßË «Ÿ∫«“∫ The more Sinsamut slapped the flames,

‡ªìπ‡ª≈«ª≈“∫ª«¥·ª≈∫· ∫‡ âπ¢π The more they flared and scorched his skin,
µ‘¥·¢π¢“ºâ“‡ ◊ÕÈ ®π‡À≈◊Õ∑π Burning his arms, legs, clothes, unbearable
‡À¡◊Õπ‡æ≈‘ß≈π≈â¡´∫ ≈∫‰ª Like being baked. He fell unconscious.

∑â“«∑¡‘î’πµ—ßÎ ¢÷πÈ À≈—ß¡â“ Chin Tang, King of Tamils, mounted his steed.
æÕ ÿ¥ “§√∂÷ß∑–≈÷ßË ‰≈à When Sudsakhon jumped to grasp
°√–‚®π®—∫°≈—∫æ≈“¥¡—πø“¥‰ø But missed him, the latter struck with fire.
∂Ÿ°°“¬‰À¡â¡«â π´∫ ≈∫≈ß Sudsakhon got burnt and fainted.

¡—π¢÷πÈ ¡â“∑â“∑“¬‡À«¬π“¬∑—æ Chin Tang rode his horse and challenged his enemy,
®ß‡√àß√—∫·æⵓ¡§«“¡ª√– ß§å çCommander, admit your defeat as I wish.é
»√’ «ÿ √√≥À—π°√–∫Õß∑’√Ë Õß∑√ß Sisuwan turned his spare staff towards the foe,
‡¢â“√≥√ߧå√∫∑â“«‡®â“®’πµ—ßÎ Engaging in battle with Chin Tang.

‰¥â∑«à ß∑’µÕ’ °æ≈—¥µ°¡â“ Getting the chance, he hit the foeûs chest.
≈ÿ°∂≈“‰≈à√∫µ≈∫À≈—ß Falling down, Chin Tang got up and turned around.
®–ø“¥‰ø‰¡àµÕâ ß°√–∫Õß∫—ß He tried to hit but the staff was in the way.
æ√–µ’¥ß— º≈ÿߺ≈ÿß°√–∑ÿßâ ·∑ß Sisuwan hit and thrust his body loudly.

¥â«¬ƒ∑∏‘χæ™√‡¡Á¥„À≠à‰¡à‰À«À«“¥ The power of big diamonds protected him.

¡—π°≈—∫ø“¥‰øæ√“¬°√–®“¬· ß He struck the flaming pots at his foe.
∂Ÿ°π‘«È ¡◊Õ∂◊Õ°√–∫Õß°ÁæÕß·¥ß They hit and burnt the hands that held the staff.
æ√–ÕàÕπ·√ß√Õ√∫∂Õ¬À≈∫¡“œ Sisuwan was weakened and had to retreat.

Ô æÕæ’πË Õâ ß Õß°…—µ√‘¬ å °—¥°—πÈ When royal siblings blocked him, shooting arrows,
¬‘߇°“∑—≥±å∂°Ÿ °√–¥Õπ¥—ß°âÕπº“ They bounced as if hitting a rock.
¡—πø“¥‰ø‰¡àµÕâ ß∑—ßÈ  Õß√“ The foe struck with fiery pots but missed the two,
¥â«¬ƒ∑∏‘·Ï °â«·««µ“√—°…“°“¬ Due to the power of the crystal eye-balls.

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∂Ÿ°·µà¡“â ºà“‚ºπ‚®π –∫—¥ The steeds were hit. They jumped and shook.
°ÿ¡“√æ≈—¥·æ≈ßµ°ºß°Àß“¬ The prince lost control and fell off.
°ÿ¡“√’æ§’Ë ≈àÕß°«à“πâÕß™“¬ The princess, more skilful than her brother,
°√–À«—¥ “¬»√≈—πË ‰ª∑—π∑’ Pulled the bow string and shot him at once.

®”‡æ“–∂Ÿ°≈Ÿ°µ“¢â“ߢ«“¢«—∫ The arrow hit the foeûs right eye.

µ°¡â“º≈—∫‚ºπ‚≈¥°√–‚¥¥Àπ’ He fell from his horse and leapt away.
æÕ‚æ≈â‡æ≈⇫≈“®–√“µ√’ As twilight came and night was near,
®’πµ—ßÎ µ’°≈Õß —≠≠“‡ªìπÀ¬à“∑—æœ Chin Tang beat drums as signal to stop fighting.

Ô ΩÉ“¬æ«°∫à“«‡®â“µ“¬æÕ«“¬√∫ Those whose kings died, when the battle ceased,

√—∫·µà»æ„ à°”ªíπò æ“°—π°≈—∫ Took the corpses into their galleons and left.
·µà®π’ µ—ßÎ  —ßË „À≪°”™—∫ Only Chin Tang gave his strict order
∫√√¥“∑—æÕ¬ŸàÕ¬à“‡æàÕ√“«’ To his forces to remain but not to fight:

‡√“√∫§â“ß√â“߉«â¬ß— ‰¡à∑ß‘È çWe havenût finished the war, we wonût leave.

„§√Õ¬à“™‘ß√∫æÿßà ‡Õ“°√ÿß»√’ None should capture the city before me.é
·≈⫪«¥µ“¡“„π§à“¬‰¡à ¡ª√–¥’ His eye in pain, he went to camp unconscious,
„Àâ‡ÀÁπº’‡ ◊ÕÈ  “ߪ–√“ߧ«“π Seeing butterfly ghosts fluttering.

®’π· ‡¢â“‡ªÉ“¬“π—¬π嵓·µ° The doctor blew medicine into his broken eye,

πÈ”¡—π·∑√°„ à·°â·º≈ ¡“π Putting oil on to salve the wound.
∑—ßÈ ÀⓇ¡◊Õ߇π◊Õß¡“∂“¡Õ“°“√ Five city rulers came to ask how he fared,
欓∫“≈∫Õ°¬“√—°…“°—πœ Offering cures and prescriptions of drugs.

Ô  ß “√æ√–Õ¿—¬ƒ∑—¬√–∑¥ Pity poor Phra Aphai who was dejected,

°≈—«‚Õ√  Õß√“®–Õ“ —≠ Fearing his two sons would die.
‰¡à‡ÀÁπøóôπ¢÷πÈ ∫â“߇À¡◊Õπ°≈“ß«—π Not seeing them alive as during the day,
æ√–∑√ß°—π· ßª√–§Õß Õß‚Õ√  He wept and carried the two offspring.

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»√’ «ÿ √√≥π—πÈ °ÁæÕß∑—ßÈ  ÕßÀ—µ∂å Sisuwan had both hands swollen.

 Õß°…—µ√‘¬ å √ÿ ¬‘ «å ß»å∑√ß°” √¥ The king and queen were filled with grief,
‡√àß„ÀâÀ“¡“ÕÕ° Õ∑—ßÈ À¡Õ¡¥ Hastening to find both doctors and healers.
∫“ßæ«°∫¥¬“™‚≈¡‚´¡πÈ”¡—π Some ground herbs to rub the wounds with oil.

∂÷ßæ√¡æ√”πÈ”øí°‰¡à¬°— øóπô Sprinkling with squash juice didnût help.

®π‡∑’¬Ë ߧ◊π¶âÕßµ√«®°—π°«¥¢—π Midnight gong beat, they strictly made inspection.
¢÷ߺⓢ“«√“«°—∫§à“¬‡ªìπÀ≈“¬™—πÈ White cloth was stretched around like many camps.
°”°—∫°—πµ’¶Õâ ß°ÕßÕ—§§’ They oversaw the gong beating and the firelight.

µ”√«®µ—ßÈ À≈—ߧ“‡Õ“ºâ“¢÷ß The guards put up a roof of cloth

‡ª√’¬∫‡À¡◊ÕπÀπ÷ßË æ≈—∫æ≈“À≈—ߧ“ ’ Like a pavilion with coloured roof,
ªŸº“â ¢“«√“«°—∫‡ ◊ÕË ≈â«π‡π◊ÕÈ ¥’ Using fine white cloth as mat.
æ«°‡ π’π“¬À¡«¥µ√«®µ√–‡«πœ High and lower officers inspected the place.

Ô  Õß°…—µ√‘¬¢å µ— µ‘¬«å ß»å∑√ß°—π· ß The king and queen wept so much

®π‚√¬·√߇√Õ≈¡¥¡æ‘¡‡ π That they felt faint and sniffed at camphor.
¥â«¬À“À¡¥¡¥À¡Õ„π∫√‘‡«≥ All the doctors and healers sought locally
‡ÀÁπ ‘πÈ ‡°≥±å·°â‰¢°Á‰¡àøπóô Were at a loss to revive them.

æ√–ª√–§Õß Õß∫ÿµ√ ÿ¥∑’√Ë °— The king lifted his two sons gently

¢÷πÈ «“ßµ—°¢â“ß≈–Õߧå∑√ß –Õ◊πÈ And placed them both on his lap, sobbing:
‚Õ⇬Áπ©Ë”πÈ”§â“ß„π°≈“ߧ◊π çAlas! So cool with dew of the night,
‡®â“‰¡àøóôπ¢÷Èπ¡“ —ËßæàÕ∫â“߇≈¬ Why donût you revive and speak to Papa?

ª√–À≈“¥‡À≈◊Õ‡π◊ÈÕ≈–¡ÿπ¬—ßÕÿàπÕàÕπ çHow strange your fine skin is still warm and soft,
 ‘π ¡ÿ∑ ÿ¥ “§√¢ÕßæàÕ‡Õ㬠My dear Sinsamut and Sudsakhon,
‡§¬°≈—∫‡ªìπ°Á‰¡à‡ÀÁπ‡À¡◊Õπ‡™àπ‡§¬ You used to come back to life, why not now?
°√–‰√‡≈¬·πàπß‘Ë ‰¡àµß‘ °“¬ Why are you lying so still?é

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æ√–§√«≠§√Ë”√Ë”√—°‚Õ√ √“™ He lamented over his beloved sons,

„®®–¢“¥§‘¥‰ª°Á„®À“¬ Feeling heartache and despair.
æ√–™≈π—¬πå‰À≈À≈—ßË ≈ßæ√—ßË æ√“¬ Tears streamed down profusely from his eyes.
∑—ßÈ ¢«“´â“¬°Õ¥»æ ≈∫≈ßœ He hugged the corpses left and right, then fainted.

Ô »√’ «ÿ √√≥°—π· ß ß “√æ’Ë Sisuwan wept, pitying his brother.

°ÿ¡“√’√Õâ ߇√’¬°®π‡ ’¬ßÀ≈ß The princess called her brother frantically.
∑—ßÈ πâÕß™“¬À¡“¬À¡¥«à“ª≈¥ª≈ß The younger prince also thought him dead,
µà“ß°Õ¥Õߧåæ¬’Ë “ ÿ¥ “§√ Both embracing their brother Sudsakhon.

°π‘…∞“«à“æ√–æ’Ë¡“Àπ’πâÕß The sister said, çYou left your young sister.

„§√®–§√Õߧÿ¡¢—ߙ૬ —Ëß Õπ Who will protect and teach us now?
¬—ß·µàπÕâ ß Õß√“Õπ“∑√ Only we two are left here to grief.é
π“ß∑ÿ°¢å√Õâ π√Ë”«à“πÈ”µ“°√–‡¥Áπ Suffering, she lamented tearfully,

®–°≈—∫‡≈à“‡ª≈à“®‘µ§‘¥∂÷ßæ’Ë çIf we return to our city, weûll miss you.

Õ¬Ÿà∑’Ëπ’ËæàÕ·¡à‰¡à·≈‡ÀÁπ Being here, our parents see us not.
‚Õâ·µàπæ’È ‡’Ë ®â“∑ÿ°‡™â“‡¬Áπ From now on, morn and evening, Brother
¡‘‰¥â‡≈àπ°—π°—∫πâÕß∑—ßÈ  Õß√“ Will no longer play with us two.é

‡√’¬°‡∑à“‰√‰¡àøóôπ –Õ◊ÈπÕ—Èπ As the call failed to stir him, the princes sobbed.

µà“ߪ≈ÿ° —πË ‚»°’æ√–æ’®Ë “ã Both shook their brother to wake him, crying.
¬‘ßË ‡√’¬°π‘ßË ¬‘ßË  –Õ◊πÈ °≈◊ππÈ”µ“ As Sudsakhon kept still, they wailed.
°ÿ¡“√“·√ßπâÕ¬≈⡺ÁÕ¬‰ª Having little strength, the princes fell unconscious.

æ«°¢â“‡ΩÑ“‡¢â“ª√–§Õß Õß°…—µ√‘¬å Nobles rushed to support the two royals.

‰¡àÕÕ°Õ√√∂‡´Áß·´à‡¢â“·°â‰¢ Not speaking too loud, they nursed them;
∫â“ß𫥇§≈âπ‡ âπæ√–»Õ ÕßÀπàÕ‰∑ Some massaged their royal necks
°Á°≈—∫‰¥â ¡ª√–¥’§Õà ¬¡’¡“œ Till they slowly came to consciousness.

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Ô ΩÉ“¬Ω√—ßË µ—ßÈ √“¬Õ¬ŸÀà ≈“¬§à“¬ The white foe who set up several camps
«‘ ¬— ™“¬™‘ß™Ÿ§â ÕŸà ®‘ ©“ Were envious men, wishing to win the lady.
µà“߉µà∂“¡‰æ√à∑√ÿ π— ®”π√√®“ They asked Chin Tangûs men about the Thuran.
§√—πÈ √Ÿ¬â “¬“¡¥÷°π—ßË µ√÷°§«“¡ Learning the cure, at night they thought,

‡®â“®’πµ—ßÎ §√—ßÈ π’ÕÈ Õ°µ’∑æ— çChin Tang won the fight this time,
™“«‡¡◊Õß√—∫æà“¬æ—߉ª∑—ßÈ  “¡ Beating three leaders from the city.
‡¢“¡’™—¬‰¥â‡¡’¬‡√“‡ ’¬ß“¡ If he wins and gets the lady, we lose.é
®÷ߧ‘¥§«“¡¬Õ°¬âÕπ´Õ°´âÕπ°≈ So they planned to play a trick on him.

§àÕ¬≈Õ∫„™â„Àâ∫à“«∫Õ°™“«∑—æ They secretly sent their men to tell the troopers

«à“®–¥—∫æ‘…‰ø‰¥â·µàΩπ That rain would douse the fiery poison.
™“«∫ÿ√¥’ „’ ®∑—ßÈ ‰æ√àæ≈ The city folk and soldiers were glad.
·®â߬ÿ∫≈∫Õ°¢à“«∑Ÿ≈‡®â“𓬠They went to give the news to their king.

æ√–Õ¿—¬„Àâ‡∑’¬Ë «À“‡ªìπÀπâ“·≈âß Phra Aphai sent men to look for rain water.
∑ÿ°Àπ·Ààß¡‘‰¥â ¡Õ“√¡≥åÀ¡“¬ In the dry season, nowhere to be found.
æÕπ÷°‰¥â„ÀâÀ“æ√“À¡≥å∑ß—È  “¡π“¬ Then he recalled and sent for the three Brahmins,
æ’‡Ë ≈’¬È ßΩÉ“¬Õπÿ™“™◊ÕË  “ππ His brotherûs aides, the one named Sanon.

∑”æ‘∏æ’ ≈’∫«ß √«ßæ√–‡«∑ He performed a sacrifice, chanting the Vedas.

»—°¥“‡¥™¥‘πøÑ“‚°≈“À≈ The ritual power affected greatly earth and sky,
æ‘√≥
ÿ √âÕß°âÕß°√–À÷¡Ë §√÷¡È §”√π The rain god roared, the sky was overcast,
‡ªì𠓬ΩπøÿßÑ øÑ“≈ß¡“¥‘π Bringing torrents of rain from sky to earth.

„Àâª√–§Õß ÕßÕߧåÕÕ° √ßπÈ” The two sons were carried to bathe in the rain.

§àÕ¬™◊πË ©Ë”™’«“µ¡å¥«â ¬∏“µÿ π‘ ∏ÿå They were refreshed by the watery element
∂ÕππÈ”¡—πÕ—π‡ªìπ°√¥À¡¥¡≈∑‘π Which rid them of the deadly acid oil.
ÀπàÕπ√‘π∑√å√ Ÿâ °÷ ≈ÿ°§÷°§—° The princes came to and got up excitedly.

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§‘¥«à“ ŸâÕ¬Ÿà°—∫·¢°®–·À«°ÕÕ° They thought they were still fighting with Indians.

æÕ‡¢“∫Õ°¡ÕߥŸ®÷ß√Ÿâ®—° When told what happened, they saw and knew.
ΩÉ“¬∫‘¥“æ“∫ÿµ√¡“À¬ÿ¥æ—° The father took his sons to rest
∑’ Ë ”π—°°≈“ß∑—æ‡À¡◊Õπæ≈—∫æ≈“ Amidst the troops in a tent-like hall.

·≈⫇≈à“§«“¡µ“¡√∫ ≈∫À≈—∫ The king told them how they fought and fainted.
æ≈“ß°”™—∫≈Ÿ°√—°π—πÈ Àπ—°Àπ“ Then he warned his sons to be careful
™“µ‘Ω√—ßË Õ—ß°ƒ…‡ªìπÕ‘»√“ As Englishmen were mighty,
¡’ “µ√“ ”À√—∫µ—«∑—«Ë ∑ÿ°§π Each possessing deadly weapons.

∂÷ß™π–®–®—∫®ß¬—∫¬—ßÈ Even when winning one should wait

§Õ¬√–«—ß —߇°µ¥Ÿ‡Àµÿº≈ And observe carefully, reason well.
‚Õ√ √—∫°≈—∫π÷°√Ÿ â °÷  °π∏å The sons took his advice and felt whole.
∑—ßÈ  Õߧπ·§âπ„®®–„§√à√∫ Both were vengeful and ready to fight.

®÷ß∑Ÿ≈«à“¢â“¢Õµ’·µàæπ’Ë Õâ ß They told him just they two would attack

„Àâæ«°æâÕßæ≈∑¡‘õ◊πË µ≈∫ All the Tamils till they feared and fled.
æ√–∫‘¥“«à“Ω√—ßË µ—ßÈ  ¡∑∫ The father said the whites would join them,
®–√ÿ¡√∫‡√“πâÕ¬∂Õ¬°”≈—ß çAll will assail us till we are weakened.

§Õ¬√—∫·µà·¡à∑—æ„À⬗∫¬àÕ¬ çYou must vie with the leader and kill him.
æ≈°Áæ≈Õ¬æà“¬·æâ‡À¡◊Õπ·µàÀ≈—ß Then his men will retreat as before.
Õ¬à“Õ“®À“≠°“√≥√ߧå®ß√Õ√—ßÈ Donût hasten to fight, but hold back.é
æ√– Õπ —ßË  ‘πÈ ‡ √Á®¥â«¬‡¡µµ“œ Thus the king taught them with kindness.

Ô ΩÉ“¬ “ππ¡πµå‡«∑«‘‡»…™–ß—¥ Sanon, the Brahmin with magic mantras,

‰¥âøßí µ√— °√“∫§”π—∫√—∫Õ“ “ Heard the king, bowed down and volunteered
®–‡√’¬°Ωπªπ≈¡√–¥¡¡“ To call the rain and wind together
„Àâæ«°¢â“»÷°Àπ“«∑—ßÈ ∫à“«π“¬ And make the foe freeze, both men and masters :

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‡√“·¬°¬°«°ÕâÕ¡ÕÕ°æ√âÕ¡æ√—° çIf we divide our troops and encircle the foe,

‡¢â“‚À¡À—°‡ÀÁπ®–‰¥â¥ß— „®À¡“¬ Attacking them at the same time, weûll win.
·¡âπ≈–‰«â‰¡à°”®—¥„Àâæ≈—¥æ√“¬ If we delay and destroy them not,
®–¡“°¡“¬¡“ ¡∑∫‡ΩÑ“√∫°«π More will come to join and harass us.é

æ√–øíߧ«“¡æ√“À¡≥姥‘ ¥â«¬«‘∑¬å‡«∑ Hearing how the Brahmin thought of using

Õ“»—¬‡ÀµÿΩπ≈¡√–¥¡À«π His Vedas to bring rain and wind to the attack,
®÷ßµ√— µÕ∫¢Õ∫®‘µ«à“§‘¥§«√ The king thanked him and approved his plan,
°√–π—πÈ  à«πµ—«∑à“π®ßÕà“π¡πµå çFor your part, recite your mantras.

‡√“®–¢—∫∑—æ„À≠àÕÕ°‰≈à´È” çWeûll lead the main troop to attack them

‡ÀÁπ‡æ≈’¬Ë ßæ≈È”æ≈Õ¬√–¥¡¥â«¬≈¡Ωπ After being pounded by wind and rain.é
·≈â« —ßË ΩÉ“¬π“¬À¡«¥‡√àßµ√«®æ≈ Then he ordered officers to inspect the troop,
®–ª≈Õ¡ª≈âπ§à“¬·¢°„Àâ·µ°·µπ Hoping to raid the Indian camp and crush it.

∑—Èß‚¬∏“°“√–‡«°‡¡◊Õß√¡®—°√ Both troops from Karawek and Rommachak

‡ ’¬ß§÷°§—°§—ßË §—∫Õ¬Ÿπà ∫— · π Resounded with shouts of hundred thousand men.
∫â“ß∂◊Õªóπ¬◊π –æ√—ßË ∑—ßÈ ‚≈à·æπ Some stood holding guns and shields in rows,
¥â«¬§‘¥·§âπ·¢°Ω√—ßË ∑—ßÈ ·ºàπ¥‘πœ Wanting revenge against Indians and whites.

Ô ΩÉ“¬¡À“ “ππæ√–¡πµå¢≈—ß Sanon, Brahmin with magic mantras,

‡√’¬°°”≈—ß≈¡ª√– “ ∑—ßÈ ∏“µÿ π‘ ∏ÿå Called on the power of wind and water.
«≈“À°µ°„®‰¢‡¡¶‘π Clouds were frightened and let go
‡ªìπ«“√‘π√à«ß‚√¬Õ¬Ÿ‚à °√¬°√“« Rainwater pounding down noisily.

∑—ßÈ ‡∑«“¡“√ÿµ°Áº¥ÿ æÿßà The wind gods, Maruts, sprang up

‡ªì𧫗πæ≈ÿßà ‚æ≈ß «à“ߢ÷πÈ °≈“ßÀ“« Like smoke pushing bright into heaven.
‡ ’¬ß§√÷°§√◊πÈ æ◊πÈ ·ºàπ¥‘π∑—ßÈ ·¥π¥“« Clamours were heard from earth and sky.
Õ“°“»√“«°—∫®–æ—ß°”≈—ß¡πµåœ Heaven seemed broken by the mantras.

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Ô ΩÉ“¬∑¡‘î’πµ—ßÎ Ω√—ßË √⓬ King Chin Tang, the vicious foreigner,

‡ÀÁπ«ÿà𫓬‡«À“‡ªìπøÑ“Ωπ Saw chaos in the sky filled with rain.
∑—ßÈ À𓫇ÀπÁ∫‡®Á∫µ“Õÿµ à“Àå∑π Being frozen and suffering eyeache,
ÕÕ°µ√«®æ≈∂â«π∑—«Ë ∑ÿ°µ—«π“¬ He inspected his force and officers.

®–°àÕ‰ø‰¡àµ¥‘ º‘¥ª√–À≈“¥ The fire would not light, it was eerie.

∑—ßÈ Ωπ “¥≈Ÿ°‡ÀÁ∫‡®Á∫„®À“¬ It rained and hailed on them, causing great pain.
∂Ÿ°æ≈—∫æ≈“Ω√—ßË æ—ß∑≈“¬ Hailstones smashed the pavilions of the whites,
∑—ßÈ ¢Õ∫§à“¬≈Ÿ≈à ¡â ¥â«¬≈¡·√ßœ Campsû fences were flattened by the strong wind.

Ô æ√–Õ¿—¬‰¥â∑„’ À⵶’ Õâ ß Phra Aphai seized the chance to sound the gongs,
·≈⫬°°Õß∑—æ∑À“√™“≠°”·Àß Signaling the brave force to mobilize.
‡¢â“À—°‚À¡‚√¡√—π‰≈àøπí ·∑ß The men rushed to strike and thrust the foe,
∫â“ßπâ“«·º≈߇°“∑—≥±å∫“â ß≈—πË ªóπ Some shot arrows, others fired guns.

æ≈Ω√—ßË Õ—ß°ƒ…‰¡à§¥‘ √∫ Englishmen didnût think of fighting,

·µ°µ≈∫≈ß™≈“‰¡àΩ“É Ωóπ They fled into the water meekly.
∫â“ß≈⡵“¬«“¬«“ß„π°≈“ߧ◊π Some of them died during the night,
∫â“ß«‘ßË µ◊πË ·µ°ªÉ«πÕ¬Ÿ√à «π‡√ Others ran about in great panic.

∫â“ß≈߇√◊Õ‡À≈◊Õµ“¬∑—ßÈ π“¬‰æ√à Survivors went on board, masters and servants.

擬ÿ„À≠àªíòπªÉ«π„ÀâÀ«π‡À Big storms stirred the ocean and the fleet,
∫â“ß·µ°≈à¡≈¡æ—¥‡∑’¬Ë «´—¥‡´ Some ships were wrecked, sunk, some blown away.
®«π∂÷߇«≈“√ÿßà √∫æÿßà °—πœ Until near dawn, they were fighting.

Ô æ√–Õ¿—¬‰¥â™π–‡æ√“–æ√–‡«∑ Phra Aphai won because of the Vedas,

· π«‘‡»… “ππ§π¢¬—π Great magic known by active Sanon.
Ω√—ßË ·¢°·µ°µ“¬‡ ’¬À≈“¬æ—π The whites, Indians scattered and died in thousands,
∑’‡Ë À≈◊Õπ—πÈ ®—∫‰¥â∑ß—È ‰æ√à𓬠The rest were captured, servants and masters.

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„Àâ‡≈‘°∑—æ°≈—∫À≈—߇¢â“«—ßÀ≈«ß He disbanded troops and returned to the palace,

§àÕ¬ √à“ß∑√«ß‡ √Á®»÷°‡À¡◊Õππ÷°À¡“¬ Relieved that the war was over as desired.
‡ π“„π„À≠àπÕâ ¬æ≈Õ¬ ∫“¬ Officers high and low also found solace,
∑—ßÈ À≠‘ß™“¬™“«∫ÿ√π‘ ∑√å°¬Á π‘ ¥’œ Both city men and women were jubilant.

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µÕπ∑’Ë Û Episode 30
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’µ‡’ ¡◊Õß„À¡à Phra Aphai Mani Launches a New Attack
Translated by Khunying Kullasap Gesmankit

Ô ΩÉ“¬Õߧåæ√–Õ¿—¬‡®â“‰µ√®—°√ Phra Aphai, the great King

®÷ß —ßË Õ—§√™“¬“¡“√»√’ Told his Queen Suwannamali
‡®â“¬°∑—梗∫∑À“√ÕÕ°µâ“πµ’ çAs you led the army to fight the enemy,
ºŸâ„¥¡’§«“¡™Õ∫ª√–°Õ∫°“√ You should know who did a good job,

®ß√“ß«—≈™—πÈ ·µà‰æ√à„À≥â∂«â π çAll should be rewarded from the lowest

æÕ ¡§«√¬»»—°¥‘ÕÏ §— √∞“π With suitable rank and wealth.
∑’«Ë “¬«“ß°≈“ß≥√ߧå„Àâ«ß»å«“π All relatives of those killed in the battle
√—∫ª√–∑“π∂â«π∑—«Ë ∑ÿ°µ—«§πœ Be as well rewarded.é

Ô ΩÉ“¬‚©¡¬ßÕߧå¡ß‘Ë ¡‡À ’ The gracious Queen Suwannamali,

∑”∫“≠™’‰«â·µàÀ≈—߬—ß©ßπ Puzzled whether the list had been made up.
„Àâ “«„™â‰¢µŸâÕ¬Ÿà™—Èπ∫π She had her maid unlock the cupboard and bring her
∫“≠™’§π¡“∂«“¬®¥À¡“¬‰«â The list of officers from the top shelf.

æ√–∑√ßÕà“π∫“≠™’¬π‘ ¥’Àπ—° Phra Aphai delightedly read through the list.

¥â«¬πß≈—°…≥å· πªí≠≠“Õ—™¨“ —¬ Thinking of her tremendous talent,
‚ ¡π— µ√— ≈âÕÕ√‰∑ He jovially teased her.
π’ÀË “°‰¥â¬Õ¥∑À“√º≈“≠‰æ√’ çI got a super fighter to crush the enemy,

 Ÿ√â ∫√—∫∑—æ∑â“«‡°â“ª√–‡∑» çWho fought with the nine princes,

‰¡à‡ ’¬‡¢µ¢Õ∫·¢°°≈—∫·µ°Àπ’ Until the enemy fled and no land was lost.
∂Ÿ°∏πŸ ∑Ÿâ π‡ªìπ§π¥’ Hit by an arrow, you were really tough.
°Á‰¡à¡¢’ Õߪ√–∑“πæ“≈Õ“¿—æ But I still ran out of the reward for you.é

π“ß·¬â¡¬‘¡È æ√‘¡È æ√“¬ ∫“¬®‘µ Queen Suwannamali smiled happily.

·≈â«∑√ߧ‘¥¢Õß∫”‡ÀπÁ®„À⇠√Á® √√æ She arranged complete sets of rewards
À“‡ π“¡“æ√âÕ¡πâÕ¡§”π—∫ And on all officers in audience
ª√–∑“π∑√—æ¬å‡ ◊ÕÈ ºâ“‡ß‘πµ√“°√“«œ She bestowed coins and clothes.

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Ô ΩÉ“¬∑À“√æ≈‡√◊Õπ‰¥â‡≈◊ÕË π∑’Ë Military and civil officers were promoted

‡®’¬¥°√–∫’¬Ë »»—°¥‘‡Ï §√◊ÕË ßªí°¢“« With swords of rank and white embroidered clothes.
‡ß‘π¿“…’ª≈ï –· π∑—ßÈ ·¥π¥“« Hundred thousands worth of taxes through the country
„À⬰§√“«‡¡◊ÕË »÷°¡“∂÷ß∏“π’ Were given exemption as reward for service.

∂÷ß‚¬∏“°“√–‡«°‡¡◊Õß√¡®—°√ Those men from Karawek and the City of Rommachak

‰¥â‡ß‘π∑ÕߢÕß√—°‡ªìπ»—°¥‘»Ï √’ Were also granted rewards of gold and lovely things.
æ≈∑¡‘à‘π ¡ÿ∑Ωï¡Õ◊ ¥’ Skillful Sinsamutûs high and low rank men
‰¥â¢Õß∑’˵âÕß„®∑—È߉æ√à𓬠œ Were pleased with rewards they received.

Ô ΩÉ“¬‡ π“°“√–‡«°‡Õ°Õ”¡“µ¬å As for the Chief officer of Karawek,

‡™‘ß©≈“¥§“¥°“√ª√–¡“≥À¡“¬ Being clever at making judgment,
 —߇°µ¥Ÿ¿«Ÿ ‰π¬æ√–∑—¬ ∫“¬ Observing Phra Aphai in a good mood,
®÷ß∂«“¬∫—ߧ¡∑Ÿ≈¡Ÿ≈§«“¡ They told Phra Aphai of the matter.

æ√–ªîπò ªí°π—§√“°“√–‡«° çHis Majesty the King of Karawek

§‘¥∂÷߇հ‚Õ√ À¡¥∑—ßÈ  “¡ Missed all of his three children
«“ßæ√–∑—¬„Àâ¢â“欓¬“¡ He has trusted me to try
‡∑’¬Ë «µ‘¥µ“¡°«à“®–ª–°—∫æ√–Õߧå And look for you until we meet.

·≈â«„À⢓â ΩÉ“≈–ÕÕß©≈Õßæ√–∫“∑ çAnd as his servant, I was asked

∂«“¬√“™‰¡µ√’∑ª’Ë √– ß§å To convey to Your Majesty his friendship,
∫—ߧ¡¢ÕÀπàÕπ“∂∫“∑∫ß ÿå And ask you to kindly permit
„Àâ ∫◊ æ߻库à π ¡∫—µ°‘ …—µ√“ Your son Sudsakhon to accept his throne.

ª√–°“√Àπ÷ßË ´÷ßË æ√–Õߧåª√– ß§å π‘∑ çThe King of Karawek respects you

∫“∑∫摵√¿Ÿ«‡√»‡À¡◊Õπ‡™…∞“ As if you were his elder brother.
·¡âπ∫Õ°‰ª‰¥â§«“¡®–µ“¡¡“ Once the good news reaches him, heûll come
√à«¡ ÿ∏“ —π∑¡‘µ√ π‘∑„πœ To pay you a visit as a close friend.é

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Ô æ√–øíߧ”Õ”¡“µ¬å©≈“¥·À≈¡ Hearing the officerûs clever words

®÷߬‘È¡·¬â¡¬°¬àÕß πÕ߉¢ Phra Aphai smilingly answered,
‚Õ√ “¡“·∂≈ß„Àâ·®âß„® çMy son Sudsakhon told me clearly
«à“æ√–∑—¬∑√ß∏√√¡å°√ÿ≥“ That your King was kind to him.

‡√“¢Õ∫®‘µ§‘¥®–„§√à‰ª√Ÿâ®—° çThankfully, I wish to go and see him

∫”√ÿß√—°„πæ√–Õߧå‡À¡◊Õπ«ß»“ And Iûll treat him as my cousin.
®–∫Õ°‰ª„Àâæ√–πâÕßπ—ÈπµâÕß¡“ I dare not ask your King to come to me
¥Ÿ¥ß— «à“∂◊Õ¬»‰¡àߥߓ¡ Because that would be rather arrogant.

‡√“®–‰ª„Àâ∂÷ß®÷ß®–™Õ∫ çIt is right for me to pay him a visit

‡À¡◊Õπ√—°µÕ∫µ“¡ ÿ¿“扡àÀ¬“∫À¬“¡ Just to return his friendship politely.
®–À¬ÿ¥¬—ßÈ øíßß“π°“√ ß§√“¡ I will stay to clear up matters of war,
Õ’° —° “¡ ’‡Ë «≈“®÷ߧ≈“‰§≈œ And leave within a little time.é

Ô æÕª“°πÈ”π”ºŸ∂â Õ◊ Àπ—ß ◊Õ≈—∫ Then came a messenger from the river mouth

¡“§”π—∫∑Ÿ≈·®âß·∂≈߉¢ Who saluted and informed him of secret news
«à“∫ÿµ√∑â“«‡®â“æ“√“ ÿ≈“‰≈ Of King Sulalaiûs son, a Westerner,
Ω√—ßË „À≠ର¡“µ—ßÈ Õ¬Ÿ≈à ß— °“ Bringing his army to Lanka,

°—∫∫ÿµ√∑â“«‡®â“√–‡¥àππ—πÈ ‡ªìπ·¢° Also King Radenûs young son, a Javanese.

≈â«π√ÿπà ·√°√—°ºŸÀâ ≠‘ß™‘ßÕ“ “ Both were crazy for the woman.
®–√∫°—π¢—π Ÿ¥â »Ÿ °— ¥“ They volunteered to show their mightiness,
π“ß«—≥Ó≈«ß≈àÕ„ÀâæÕ„® For Wanlaûd lured them with her affection.

·¡âπ·≈âß≈ߧ߮–¡“‰¡à™“â π—° çThey may soon reach here in dry season.

„Àâ∑√ß»—°¥‘∑Ï √“∫°√–· §‘¥·°â‰¢ Please be informed and prepared to fight.é
æ√–øíß¢à“«ºà“«√âÕπ∂Õπƒ∑—¬ Hearing the news, Phra Aphai got anxious
π÷° ß —¬‰µà∂“¡æ√“À¡≥åæƒ≤“ And questioned all the Brahmins around.

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‡¡◊Õß∑¡‘Ã∂‘πË ª√–‡∑»∑ÿ°‡¢µ·§«âπ çI wish to know about the Tamil countries

„π¿Ÿ¡·‘ ºπ∑’¡Ë °’ ¿’Ë “…“ On the map, and how many languages they have?é
‰¥âøßí ∂“¡æ√“À¡≥å‡≤à“‡®â“µ”√“ Hearing the question, the old learned Brahmin,
®÷ß«—π∑“∑Ÿ≈§«“¡µ“¡‚∫√“≥ Prostrated to Phra Aphai and said,

Õ—π«‘ ¬— ‰µ√‡æ∑ª√–‡∑»∂‘πË çAccording to the three Vedas,

∫Ÿ√æ∑—°…‘≥ªí®©‘¡∑‘»·≈Õ‘ “π In the East, South, West and Northeast
·ºàπ¥‘πßÕ°ÕÕ°∑ÿ°«—π‡ªìπ —π¥“π Naturally, the land area grows every day.
‡¢“ √â“ß∫â“π √â“߇¡◊Õ߇π◊ÕË ß°—π‰ª People set up cities next to one another.

Õ—π·«à𷧫âπ·¥π¥‘π∂‘πË ¡πÿ…¬å çThe places where humans settle themselves

‰¡à√ Ÿâ ¥ÿ  ‘πÈ Õ¬à“ßµà“ß«‘ ¬— Are endlessly expanding, each one different.
‡ªìπÀ¡◊πË · π·ºπ∑’´Ë ß÷Ë ¡’‰«â In hundreds of thousands cities on the map,
®π∂÷ß„°≈⇢µ∂‘πË ‡¡◊Õß°‘π√“ Settlements extend up to the Kinara City.

¬—ßπÕ°π—πÈ µ–«—πµ°¬°¢÷πÈ ‡Àπ◊Õ çFrom the West the trail moves towards the North.
查‡À¡◊Õπ‡π◊ÕÈ π°§≈⓬À≈“¬¿“…“ Like fowls, people speak various languages.
·µàæ«°‡¢“‡À≈à“Ω√—ßË ¢â“ß≈—ß°“ But those Westerners and Lankans
‡§¬‰ª§â“¢“¬∂÷ß∑“ߧ√÷ßË ªï Spend half a year to travel for their trading.

∑’¬Ë ß— πÕ°ÕÕ°‰ªπ—πÈ À≈“¬‡æ» çBeyond those nations, there are

«à“‡¢µ‡ª√µÕ ÿ√°“¬·≈æ√“¬º’ Various monstrous beings and ghosts.
´÷ßË ∑√“∫§«“¡µ“¡Õà“πæ√–∫“≈’ I know about this from the Pali texts
„π§—¡¿’√å¿Ÿ¡‘ª√–‡∑»‡¢µ ÿ∏“œ Relating to the worldûs geography.é

Ô æ√–Õ¿—¬‰¥â ¥—∫°≈—∫«‘µ° Hearing this, Phra Aphai worried that

»÷°®–¬°¢â“¡‡¡◊Õ߇π◊ÕË ßÀπ—°Àπ“ The war might spread from town to town.
®÷ߪ√÷°…“¢â“‡ΩÑ“‡À≈à“‡ π“ He then consulted with his officers
π“ß«—≥Ó¬—߇ªìπ “« ‘∫‡°â“ªï çThat young Wanla of nineteen years

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®–‡™‘≠∑â“«¥â“«·¥π∑—ßÈ · π¿æ çMay invite men from various lands

¡“√ÿ¡√∫‡¡◊Õߺ≈÷°¥—ß»÷°º’ To converge in war on the City of Phaluek.
©«¬ª√–¡“∑æ≈“¥æ≈—ßÈ ‡À¡◊Õπ§√—ßÈ π’È If we are careless like this time
™“«∫ÿ√’√“…Æ√®–√âÕπ√π All the people will be put in trouble.

‡√“µ√Õßµ√÷°π÷°«à“πà“®–¢â“¡ çI think we ought to send the troop

‰ªª√“∫ª√“¡·«à𷧫âπ·¥π ‘ßÀ≈ To wipe out all the Singhala land,
≈âÕ¡≈—ß°“¶à“𓬄Àâ«“¬™π¡å Lay siege on Lanka and kill its leaders
‡À¡◊Õπµ—¥µâπ‡ ’¬·≈⫪≈“¬°Áµ“¬µ“¡ Like cutting down trees to make them die.

·µà‡ π“°“√–‡«°‡Õ°Õ”¡“µ¬å çFor the chief officer of Karawek,

®ßæ“√“™‚Õ√ À¡¥∑—ßÈ  “¡ You should escort the three children home
‰ªæ“√“∂â“ ”‡√Á®‡ √Á® ß§√“¡ If I succeed in battle
‡√“®–µ“¡‰ª‡À¡◊Õπ§”∑’√Ë ”æ—π I promise to follow you there.é

·≈â«„ÀâÀ“Õ“≈—°…≥å®”≈Õß “√ He then asked the court clerk to draft a letter

≈â«πÕàÕπÀ«“π‡æ√“–æ√‘ßÈ ∑ÿ° ‘ßË  √√æå On a golden palm leaf filled with sweet words.
„ à≈“π∑Õß°≈àÕß·°â«Õ—π·æ√«æ√√≥ It was put in a fair crystal case,
∑—ßÈ ‡§√◊ÕË ß∫√√≥“°“√ª√–∑“π‰ª And went together with the royal tributes.

·≈â« —ßË æ√–Õπÿ™“‡ π“º≈÷° Phra Aphai asked Sisuwan and Phaluekûs officers

≈â«π‡§¬»÷° ß§√“¡µ“¡«‘ ¬— Who were all skillful in battle
®ß‡µ√’¬¡§πæ≈√∫„Àâ§√∫‰«â To prepare enough men for the fight.
®–¢â“¡‰ª≈—ß°“‰¡à™“â °“√ The troop would reach Lanka without delay.

·≈â«™«π∫ÿµ√ ÿ¥ “§√∫«√π“∂ Phra Aphai then moved with his son Sudsakhon

¢÷πÈ ª√“ “∑· π«‘‚¬§‚»° ß “√ Of royal lineage to the royal pavilion.
 ∂‘µ·∑àπ·«àπøÑ“‚ÕÓÓ√ In grief, they sat on a magnificent dais.
°Õ¥°ÿ¡“√‚»°“¥â«¬Õ“≈—¬ Phra Aphai lingeringly hugged his son.

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‚Õâ≈°Ÿ ·°â«·««µ“∫‘¥“‡Õ㬠çOh, my dearest child,

‰¥â™¡‡™¬™◊πË ®‘µæ‘ ¡—¬ I love you and am happy to have you here.
®–·≈≈—∫°≈—∫‡ªìπ≈Ÿ°‡¢“Õ◊πË ‰ª Then you will depart and become the son of others.
‡À¡◊Õπ¥«ß„®æàÕπ’æÈ √“°‰ª®“°∑√«ß This is like pulling my heart out of my breast.

®–¢—¥¢«“ßÕ¬à“߉√°Á‰¡à™Õ∫ çI do not know how to refuse.

¥â«¬‡∏Õ¡Õ∫√—°„§√à¡“„À≠àÀ≈«ß The King of Karawek has given you lots of love.
¡‘„À≪‰æ√àæ≈§π∑—ßÈ ª«ß Failing to let you go to Karawek city,
®–≈“¡≈à«ßµ‘‚∑…«à“‚À¥‰√â People will blame me for my cruelty.

®÷ß®” àßÕߧ凮Ⓡæ√“–‡∑à“π—πÈ çThat is the sole reason for letting you go.

‚Õâ¡‘Ëߢ«—≠æàÕÕ¬à“À¡Õ߮ߺàÕß„  Oh, my darling, be joyful and donût get bitter.é
æ≈“ß «¡ Õ¥°Õ¥‚Õ√ √–∑¥„® With sadness, Phra Aphai hugged Sudsakon
 –Õ◊πÈ ‰ÀâÕ¬Ÿ∫à π∑’»Ë √’‰ ¬“œ And cried on his sleeping couch.

Ô  ÿ¥ “§√ÕàÕπÕߧå≈ßÕ¿‘«“∑ Bowing down to take leave of Phra Aphai,

®—∫æ√–∫“∑¿Ÿ«‰π¬„ à‡°»“ Sudsakhon placed his feet upon his head.
æ√–ªîπò ‡°≈Ⓡ®â“ª√–§ÿ≥°√ÿ≥“ çO my papa, you are so kind to me,
¡‘„™à«à“≈Ÿ°π’È®–≈◊¡§ÿ≥ Itûs not because I forget your mercy

·µàæÕà ‡≈’¬È ߇∑’¬Ë ß∏√√¡å‰¥âæπ— ºŸ° çBut my foster father is very fond of me
‡À¡◊ÕπæàÕ≈Ÿ°≈âπ‡À≈◊Õ∑’ˇ°◊ÈÕÀπÿπ As if we were real father and son.
Õ—πÀπ÷ßË πâÕß Õß√“°Á°“√ÿ≠ Besides, the two children are also kind to me.
‰¥â∑”∫ÿ≠√à«¡°—π¡“¡—πË §ß We must have surely shared in merit making.

≈Ÿ°¢Õ≈“ΩÉ“æ√–∫“∑∫‘µ‡ÿ √» çI wish to bid you farewell papa,

‰ª∑Ÿ≈‡Àµÿ¡≈Ÿ §«“¡µ“¡ª√– ß§å And will inform my foster father what you want.
·≈â«®–≈“æ“æ≈¡“√≥√ߧå Then I would take leave and return with troop
™à«¬æ√–Õߧå√∫æÿßà °√ÿß≈—ß°“œ To help you fight with Lanka.é

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Ô æ√–øíß∫ÿµ√ ÿ¥ «“∑©≈“¥©≈Õß Listening to his beloved sonûs clever words,

°√ª√–§Õß√—∫¢«—≠¥â«¬À√√…“ Phra Aphai embraced him with joy,
æ≈“ß°Õ¥®Ÿ∫≈Ÿ∫À≈—ßæ√–≈Ÿ°¬“ Hugging, kissing and caressing his back, he said,
æàÕÕ¬à“ª√“√¡¿å®µ‘ ∂÷ß∫‘¥√ çMy dear son, do not worry about me.

»÷°‡æ’¬ßπ’¡È  ‘ ¬Ÿâ “°≈”∫“°π—° çThis war is not too difficult

‡æ√“–æ√âÕ¡æ√—°π“¬∑À“√™“≠ ¡√ As our chief officers are valiant,
≈â«π‡√’¬π√Ÿâ§√Ÿª√– ‘∑∏‘σ∑∏‘√Õπ Well trained, and competent,
®–º—πºàÕπ‰¥â π‘È ¥—ß®‘𥓠They can succeed with ease.

‡®â“‰ªÕ¬Ÿà∫ÿ√’„Àâ¡’ ÿ¢ çYou can stay happily in Karawek city.

æàÕ¡’∑ÿ°¢å®÷ß®–„À⇢“‰ªÀ“ If troubled Iûll send word to call you.é
·≈â«°Á‡ª≈◊ÕÈ ß‡§√◊ÕË ß∑√ßÕ≈ß°“√å Phra Aphai then took his splendid dress
„Àâ≈°Ÿ ¬“ «¡∑√߇ªìπ¡ß§≈œ And put it on his son to bring him luck.é

Ô  ÿ¥ “§√´âÕππÕ°Àπ—߇ ◊Õ‡À≈◊Õß Sudsakhon wrapped it over his yellow tiger skin.

‡ªìπ “¡‡§√◊ËÕ߇√’¬∫√âÕ¬„ à √âÕ¬ π With three layers of cloth and chains,
·≈â«°√“∫∑Ÿ≈¡Ÿ≈§«“¡µ“¡¬ÿ∫≈ He then told Phra Aphai
‡À¡◊Õπ‡√◊ÕË ßµâπµ—ßÈ  —µ¬åªØ‘≠“≥ That he had earlier taken vows.

¡‘‰¥â°≈—∫Õ¿‘«“∑∫“∑¥“∫  çIf I havenût been back to honour the hermit,

πâÕ¡ª√–≥µ·¡à¡—®©“‡À¡◊Õπ«à“¢“π Nor to greet my mermaid mother,
°Á‰¡à‡ª≈◊ÈÕ߇§√◊ËÕߧ√ÕߢÕßÕ“®“√¬å Iûll not take off the yellow tiger skin dress.
¢Õª√–∑“π‚∑…“Õ¬à“√“§‘πœ So please excuse me.é Sudsakhon said.

Ô æ√–Õ¿—¬‰¥â ¥—∫°Á√∫— ¢«—≠ Hearing this, Phra Aphai boosted his morale.

‡ÀÁπ°µ—≠꟮‘µ§‘¥∂«‘≈ Seeing his expressed gratitude,
¬‘ßË √”æ÷ß∂÷ß¡—®©“¬ÿæ“æ‘π Phra Aphai recalled the mermaid whom
¡‘√ Ÿâ π‘È √—°„§√àÕ“≈—¬≈“π He greatly and incessantly missed.

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·≈â«®÷ß«à“∂â“·¡âæ∫°—∫·¡à‡®â“ çIf you happen to meet your mama,

®ß∫Õ°‡≈à“«à“æàÕ§‘¥æ‘…∞“π Tell her that my thoughts linger on
‰ª™“µ‘Àπâ“¢Õ„Àâæ∫¬ÿæ“æ“≈ Meeting her even in the next rebirth.
°—∫ª√–°“√Àπ÷ßË π—πÈ ∑ÿ°«—ππ’È Nowadays, I hope at all times

·¡âπ¡‘µ“¬À¡“¬„®®–‰¥âæ∫ çTo meet her again if death doesnût part us.

‰¡à≈“â ß≈∫≈◊¡¡—®©“¡“√»√’ I cannot wipe her out from my memory.é
 —ßË ‚Õ√ æ®π“„π√“µ√’ He spoke with his son the whole night
®π√«’«√√≥ «à“ß ”Õ“ßÕߧå Until dawn when he got dressed.

·≈â«®—¥‡§√◊ÕË ß‡√◊Õß√–¬—∫ª√–¥—∫‡æ™√ He prepared a set of shining diamonds

¡ß°ÿƇ°Á®‡°’¬È «°√–Àπ°«‘À§Àß å And a crown with bird and swan pattern.
∑—ßÈ ¿Ÿ…“§à“‡¡◊Õ߇§√◊ÕË ß≥√ߧå Precious garb and armoury
ª√–∑“πÕߧåæ√–æ’πË Õâ ß Õß°ÿ¡“√ To be given to the two children.

·≈â«‚≈¡≈Ÿ∫®Ÿ∫æ—°µ√å√°— ‡À¡◊Õπ∫ÿµ√ He caressed and kissed them as if they were his offspring.
≈â«π· π ÿ¥´◊ÕË µ√ßπà“ ß “√ çYou look honest and piteousé, Phra Aphai said,
‡¡◊ÕË ‡µ‘∫„À≠à‰Àπ°Á§ß‡ªìπ«ß»å«“π çWhen grown up you will be surely our lineage.é
°Õ¥°ÿ¡“√√—∫¢«—≠°≈—πÈ ‚»°“ Hugging the two, he had to withhold his tears.

·≈â« Õπ„Àâ‰À«âÕ“≈“æ√–æ’Ë He then taught them to pay respect to their uncle,

∑—ßÈ ™ππ’πß—Ë √“¬∑—ßÈ ´â“¬¢«“ Brother and mother who sat at left and right.
 “¡°ÿ¡“√π—ßË ‡√’¬ß‡§’¬ß°—π¡“ The three children were beside one another.
™≈’≈“Õ—§‡√»‡°» ÿ√“ß§åœ They bade Queen Suwannamali farewell.

Ô π“ß√—∫¢«—≠ √√‡ √‘≠‡®√‘≠√—° She gave them a boost to morale,

®ÿ¡æ‘µæ—°µ√åæπ’Ë Õâ ß·≈â«À¡ÕßÀ¡“ß Saddened, she kissed their faces
摉√√Ë”æ√Ë”«à“‚»°“æ≈“ß Keeping on weeping, then said,
‰ª‡À‘πÀà“ßÀâÕß·¡à®–·≈≈—∫ çLeaving me, you will be far away.

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π‘®®“‡Õ㬇§¬‡ÀÁπ∑ÿ°‡¬Áπ‡™â“ çSo sad, I used to meet you evening and dawn.

‡¡◊ËÕ‰√‡®â“ “¬„®®–‰¥â°≈—∫ Dearest, when will you be back?
‚ÕâÕπ“∂«“ π“·¡àÕ“¿—æ Oh, how unfortunate I am!
‰¥â≈°Ÿ ·°â«·≈â«®–°≈—∫§√√‰≈‰ª Once Iûve got you, then you have to depart.

 ÿ¥ “§√®√¡“À“·¡à¡ß—Ë çSudsakhon, please come to see me sometimes.

æàÕ‡À¡◊Õπ¥—ߥ«ß®‘µÕ¬à“§‘¥‰©π You are holding my heart.
·¡à√°— πâÕߢÕ߇®â“π—Èπ‡∑à“‰√ The more I love your younger sisters
°Á√°— „§√൫— ‡®â“π—πÈ ‡∑à“°—π The more I love you too.

¢ÕΩ“°πâÕß ÕßÀ≠‘ßÕ¬à“∑‘ßÈ ¢«â“ß çPlease take good care of your two sisters.

„Àâ‡À¡◊ÕπÕ¬à“ß√à«¡Õÿ∑√„ÀâºàÕπº—π Treat them as born from the same mother.é
ª√–¿“…æ≈“ßπ“ߪ√–∑“π —ß«“≈«√√≥ Having said that, she gave them necklaces.
„Àâ‡À¡◊Õπ°—π∑—ßÈ æ√–πâÕß Õß°ÿ¡“√œ The three children got just the same thing.

Ô ·≈⫧≈“π‡¢â“‡ΩÑ“Õ“¢Õ≈“°≈—∫ Then they moved to bid farewell to their uncle.

æ√–Õ“√—∫¢«—≠®Ÿ∫‚≈¡≈Ÿ∫À≈“π Sisuwan kissed and caressed them.
∏”¡√ߧå«ß≈–· π·À«π‚∫√“≥ He gave them ancient and precious rings
∂Õ¥ª√–∑“π„Àâ∑ß—È  “¡µ“¡Õ“≈—¬ Which he took off from his fingers.

·≈⫧≈“π¡“À“ ‘π ¡ÿ∑æ’Ë The children then moved to Sinsamut.

Õ—≠™≈’Õ”≈“πÈ”µ“‰À≈ They wept while prostrating to bid farewell.
 ‘π ¡ÿ∑ ÿ¥ «“∑‡æ’¬ß¢“¥„® Feeling so sad, Sinsamut said,
®÷ß«à“æ’Ëπ’ÈÕ–‰√°Á‰¡à¡’ çI have nothing else to give.

·µà®–ºŸ°≈Ÿ° ‘ß‚µ Õßµ—«π—πÈ çOnly a pair of lion cubs I will give

™à«¬∑”¢«—≠„Àâæ√–πâÕß∑—ßÈ  Õß»√’ To make it up to both of you.
¡—πÀπ—߇À𒬫‡¢’¬È «∑Õß·¥ß‡√’¬Ë «·√ߥ’ They have tough skin, copper fangs and are strong.
®–‰¥â¢‡’Ë ¢â“≥√ߧå∑” ß§√“¡ You can ride on them in battle.é

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 ÿ¥ “§√ Õπ„ÀâπÕâ ß Õߧ”π—∫ Sudsakhon asked the two to salute

‡§“√æ√—∫‡√’¬∫√“∫‰¡àÀ¬“∫À¬“¡ Gracefully in accepting the gifts.
®–§√«≠§√Ë”√Ë”«à“®–™â“§«“¡ He thought further talk might cause delay,
§√—πÈ ‡ √Á® “¡°ÿ¡“√“°Á§≈“‰§≈ So the three children started on their journey.

¡“≈ß≈”°”ªíπò  ÿ«√√≥¡“» They embarked on a golden galleon.

ÕÕ°‡°≈◊ÕË π°≈“¥µ“¡¡À“™≈“‰À≈ Their fleet was seen scattering at sea.
æÕ≈¡¥’§≈’ Ë “¬√–∫“¬‰ª When the wind blew the sails were hoisted
·≈àπ‰ª„π·¥ππÈ”∑ÿ°§Ë”§◊πœ And out they went over the water all night.

Ô æ√–Õ¿—¬„®À“¬‡ ’¬¥“¬∫ÿµ√ Phra Aphai regretted the loss of his son.

§‘¥∂÷ß ÿ¥ “§√∂Õπ –Õ◊πÈ Missing Sudsakhon, he kept on sobbing, but
·µà¢“à «∑—梗∫¢—πµâÕß°≈—πÈ °≈◊π The heavy war news kept him out of sorrow.
∑ÿ°«—π§◊𧑥°“√®–√“≠√Õπ He spent day and night planning for the fight.

‡µ√’¬¡‡√◊Õ√∫§√∫≈â«π°√–∫«π»÷° The fleet of warships was well prepared for battle.

¥Ÿæ≈‘ °÷ À≈“¬∑—æ ≈—∫ ≈Õπ In great numbers they were dazzling,
∑—ßÈ ´â“¬¢«“Àπâ“À≈—߇À¡◊Õπ¡—ß°√ Left, right, fore and aft they formed a dragon shape.
®–√“≠√Õπ√—∫√ÕߥŸ«àÕ߉« They were agile to handle in the fight.

„Àâ π‘  ¡ÿ∑°—∫æ√–πâÕ߇ªìπ°ÕßÀπâ“ Sinsamut and Sisuwan led the fore fleet.

¬°‚¬∏“∏ß∑‘«ª≈‘«‰ « The ships moved with waving flags.
æÕ·≈≈—∫∑—æÀ≈«ß≈à«ß§√√‰≈ The royal fleet commanded by Phra Aphai
æ√–Õ¿—¬§ÿ¡∑—æ°”°—∫¡“ Moved along after the front till out of sight.

æ√“À¡≥å«‘‡™’¬√‡√’¬π√Ÿâ∏πŸ·¡àπ Brahmin Wichian, being an expert archer,

§ÿ¡‡√◊Õ·≈àπ‡√’¬ßÀ≈’°‡ªìπªï°¢«“ Led the right wing fleet to line up.
¢â“ߪﰴ⓬ΩÉ“¬æ√“À¡≥åπ“¡‚¡√“ The left one was under Brahmin Mora
§ÿ¡‚¬∏“‡ ’¬¥¢â“¡‰ªµ“¡∑“ß Who would cut across the route.

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‡®â“ “ππ¡πµå¢≈—ßÕ¬Ÿ√à ß—È ∑⓬ Brahmin Sanon with magic spell took the rear.
‡√’¬°æ√–擬º“¥æ—¥‰¡à¢¥— ¢«“ß He could command the wind as he wished.
‰¥â≈¡§≈àÕß≈àÕßπÈ”ÕÕ°∑à“¡°≈“ß The whole fleet with good wind, departed
‰ªµ“¡∑“ß∂÷ß ‘∫Àâ“∑‘«“«—πœ Along the route for fifteen days.

Ô ΩÉ“¬Ω√—ßË ≈—ß°“√—°…“¥à“π The Lankans on duty at the border outpost,

 —߇°µ°“√≥å°Õß∑—æ‡ÀÁπ§—∫¢—π Realized it would be a critical situation,
®÷ß√’∫„™â„∫°≈—∫¡“©—∫æ≈—π And quickly raised the sail to reach the city
·≈â«æ“°—π¢÷πÈ ‰ª‡ΩÑ“∑Ÿ≈‡®â“𓬠And then went up to inform their master

‡ÀÁπ‡√◊Õ‡À≈à“™“«º≈÷°¡“§÷°§—° That they saw Phaluekûs fleet approaching

¡’∏ߪí°ÀπⓇ√◊Õ¥Ÿ‡À≈◊ÕÀ≈“¬ With flags flying from many ships,
¬—ß·≈À≈“¡¢â“¡‡§’¬ß¡“‡√’¬ß√“¬ Side by side in long array.
µ–«—π∫à“¬‡ÀÁπ®–¡“∂÷ßÀπⓇ¡◊Õß They would reach the town that afternoon.

Ô ΩÉ“¬≈Ÿ° “«‡®â“≈—ß°“«—≥ÓπâÕ¬ Young Wanla, King of Lankaûs daughter,

π“߇»√â“ √âÕ¬´Ÿ∫»√’©«’‡À≈◊Õß Looked pale, her complexion sallow,
·µà‡ ’¬∑â“«‡®â“≈¡“π√”§“≠‡§◊Õß Feeling frustrated at the death of King Laman
∑—ßÈ ‡ ’¬‡¡◊ÕßÕ◊πË ´È”√–¬”¬—∫ And the loss of her other cities, she pondered,

„§√¬°‰ª‰æ√’°µÁ ·’ µ° çAny forces sent would suffer the loss.

™à“߇À≈«·À≈°À≈“¬À¡◊πË ‰¡à§π◊ °≈—∫ Many ten thousand men never returning.
 ‘∫‡°â“‡¡◊Õ߇ª≈◊ÕÈ ßª≈¥°”Àπ¥π—∫ Nineteen cities failed in the battle.
‡¥’¬Î «π’∑È æ— ¢â“¡¡“∂÷ß∏“π’ Now the enemy has reached our city.

Õ—π‰æ√àπ“¬ΩÉ“¬‡¢“™“«º≈÷° çAll the men of Phaluekûs country

™”π“≠»÷° “¡“√∂¥—ß√“™ ’Àå Are war vigilant as lions.
‡√“™‘ß™—¬‰¡à π— ∑—¥‡ªìπ µ√’ Being women, we are not skillful at war.
®–µàÕµ’µ“â π∑“πª√–°“√„¥ How can we mount a resistance?é

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·≈â«π‘ßË π÷°µ√÷°µ√Õß«à“ Õß∑—æ ùPondering on the two princesû forces,

®–√∫√—∫À√◊Õ«à“®‘µ§‘¥‰©π Should they be on the defensive or otherwise?
¡“À÷ßÀ«ßÀπà«ßπ“π√”§“≠„® She felt annoyed at their prolonged jealousy
®–¬ÿ„Àâ ÕßÕߧåÕÕ° ß§√“¡ And would like to push both of them to war.

¥”√‘æ≈“ßπ“ß —ßË Ω√—ßË ‡»  So she asked the Frenchmen,

°—∫·¢°‡∑»æ«°√–‡¥àπ∑’‡Ë ªìπ≈à“¡ And the Javanese Radenûs interpretators
‰ª∑Ÿ≈ Õß°Õß∑—æ„Àâ∑√“∫§«“¡ To go and inform the two forces
«à“»÷°¢â“¡ø“°¡“∂÷ß∏“π’ Of the enemy heading directly to Lanka.

®–‡ÕÁπ¥ŸÕ¬Ÿà¥â«¬™à«¬°—π√∫ çAsk them if theyûll stay and help me fight

À√◊Õ®–À≈∫À≈’°‰©π°Á„ÀâÀπ’ Or if theyûll flee away. If so, hurry up to escape.
‡√“®–‰¥â„Àâ∑À“√ÕÕ°µâ“πµ’ I will get our men to resist the attack.
Õ¬Ÿà∑’Ëπ’Ë®–æ≈Õ¬¬àÕ¬¬—∫‰ª If they remain here they may be wiped out.é

·¢°Ω√—ßË øíßπ“ßµà“ߧ”π—∫ Listening to her pledge, the aliens saluted her.

¡“°Õß∑—æ∑’√Ë ¡‘ ∑à“™≈“‰À≈ They joined the army at the wharf,
∑Ÿ≈©≈Õß Õß‚Õ√ ¬»‰°√ And informed the two princes
‡À¡◊Õπ∑√“¡«—¬«à“¡“ “√æ—πœ All exactly as Wanla had said.

Ô ΩÉ“¬∫ÿµ√∑â“«‡®â“√–‡¥àπ™◊ÕË ‡´Áπ√–¥Ë” The son of King Raden was called Senradam

·ª≈‡ªì𧔉∑¬«à“‡®â“øÑ“ «√√§å Or in Thai, Prince of Heaven.
®–„§√à√∫µ∫æ√–À—µ∂å·≈⫵√— æ≈—π Deciding to fight, he clapped and said,
™–·¡à«—πÓ«à“‡ªìππà“Õ“¬ çHo!, Wanla, I am ashamed of your words.é

·πàÕ”¡“µ¬å™“µ‘‡√“‡À≈à“√–‡¥àπ çCertainly, we all Radenûs high ranking officials

∂÷ߪÉπ‡ªìπ¿— ¡å∏≈ÿ ‰’ ¡àÀπ’À“¬ Will never flee but fight until turned dust.
π’ÀË “°‡§√“–Àå‡æ√“–¡“æâÕß°—π Õß√“¬ Unfortunately two troops want to fight.
À“‰¡à𓬇 √Á®°“√·≈⫪ɓππ’È Otherwise we might have won already.é

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®–‡¢â“‰ª„π«—ßøíß„Àâ·πà çIûll go to the palace to confirm the news.

 ÿ¥·≈â«·µàæ√–∏‘¥“¡“√»√’ And leave the decision to Queen Wanla.
·¡âπ„Àâ‡√“‡¢â“Àπâ“®–√“«’ If she allows us to lead in the fighting,
„Àâ‰æ√’À“¬©‘∫„πæ√‘∫µ“ I will instantly wipe out the enemy.é

·≈â«·µàßÕߧå∑√߇§√◊ÕË ß‡√◊Õß®”√—  Dressing up with glittering adornment,

Àπÿ¡à °”¥—¥¥Ÿß“¡µ“¡¿“…“ Young Senradam looked sturdy and smart.
∑√߇ÀπÁ∫°√‘™ƒ∑∏‘‰°√·≈⫉§≈§≈“ Armed with powerful kris he left.
·¢°™«“«‘ßË µ“¡‰ªÀ≈“¡∑“ßœ Lots of Javanese officers escorted him along.

Ô ΩÉ“¬¡–Àÿ¥∫ÿµ√∑â“«‡®â“Ω√—ßË Mahut, the son of the Western King,

‡¡◊ÕË ‰¥âøßí Ω望°‡¢“∂“°∂“ß Listening to Wanlaûs sarcastic comment,
¬‘Ë߇À‘¡Œ÷°π÷°¡“π–‰¡à≈–«“ß Heightened his arrogance, he pondered,
‰©ππ“ß∑√ß —ßË ¡“¥—ßπ’È çWhy does Queen Wanla utter such words?

®–¬°‰ªÀ≈“¬§√—ßÈ Ω√—ßË Àâ“¡ çMany times I was forbidden to fight.

®π»÷°¢â“¡‡¢µ§ÿßâ ¡“°√ÿß»√’ Now the enemy are right here at the city.
®–µàÕ«à“∂â“¡‘„Àâ√∫‰æ√’ Iûll blame her if again she doesnût let me fight,
®–æ≈Õ¬µ’‡¡◊Õß≈—ß°“„Àâ “„® And will then join to attack Lanka instead.é

·≈â«·µàßÕߧå∑√߇ ◊ÕÈ ‡§√◊Õ°√–Àπ° He then dressed up in creeper patterned vest

À¡«°¢ππ°‡ÀπÁ∫·π¡·´¡‰ « And hat adorned with bobbing feather.
∂◊Õ°√–∫’≈Ë ≈’ “‡À≈à“¢â“‰∑ He carried a long sword and left,
∑—Èß𓬉æ√àæ√—Ëßæ√âÕ¡ÀâÕ¡≈âÕ¡¡“ With his men surrounding him along.

∂÷ß„π«—ß∑—ßÈ √–‡¥àπ‡´Áπ√–¥Ë” Mahut and Senradam arrived at the palace.

¢ÿππ“ßπ”‡¢â“‰ªµ÷°∑’ªË √÷°…“ Officers led them to the advisorûs building.
∑—ßÈ  Õߢâ“ßµà“ß∂÷ß∂≈÷ßµ“ Westerners and Javanese stared at each other.
æ«°‡ π“·≈¥Ÿ√∑Ÿâ ”πÕß Officers knew the way to welcome the two.

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‡™‘≠„Àâπß—Ë µ—ßÈ ∑’‡Ë °â“Õ’√È ∫— Mahut and Senradam were invited to take seats
¡’©“°≈—∫·≈∫—ßÕ¬Ÿ∑à ß—È  Õß Behind a screen to hide them.
π“ß “« «√√§åæπ—°ß“π‡™‘≠æ“π∑Õß The handmaids served them with tobacco pipes
∂«“¬°≈âÕ߇§√◊ÕË ßæ√–»√’∑π’Ë È”™“œ And tea sets on golden footed trays.

Ô ΩÉ“¬‚©¡¬ßÕߧå≈–‡«ß‡°√ß®–‚°√∏ Laweng was afraid they might be angry.

∑”¢Õ‚∑…∑Õ¥‡∑‡ πàÀ“ She begged excuse and acted coyly.
´÷ßË πâÕß„À≪∂“¡µ“¡ ß°“ çThe doubt prompted me to aské she said,
‡æ√“–‡ÀÁπ«à“¢÷È߇§’¬¥√—߇°’¬®„® çBecause I thought you were displeased with me.

ª√–‡¥’ά«π’È¡’∑—æ¡“§—∫§—Ëß çNow we are facing many troops.

πâÕß°ÁÀ«—ß®‘µ«à“®–Õ“»—¬ I anticipate my dependence on you.
·µà ÕßÕߧå∑√߃∑∏‘§Ï ¥‘ Õ¬à“߉√ What do you both think of that?
®ß‚ª√¥„Àâ∑√“∫§«“¡·µàµ“¡®√‘ß Please let me know your actual plan for fighting.

Õ—πµ—«πâÕߧ√Õß —µ¬å π— ∑—¥‡∑’¬Ë ß çI myself hold on to my integrity.

Õÿµ à“À几’¬Ë ß«“ π“ª√– “À≠‘ß I even take a risk in my womanish way.
·µà ÕßÕߧå∑√ß√–·«ß·§≈ߪ√–«‘ß If you both are suspicious and desert me
®–∑Õ¥∑‘ßÈ ‡ ’¬·≈â«πâÕß°ÁµÕâ ßÕ“¬ Iûll have to be shamed.é

ª√–¿“…æ≈“ß∑“ß™¡âÕ¬§Õ¬ —߇°µ Saying so with inviting glances,

„Àâ ∫‡πµ√ÀπàÕπ“∂‡À¡◊Õπ¡“¥À¡“¬ Her eyes met theirs intentionally.
æÕ·≈ ∫À≈∫‡≈’¬Ë ߇¡’¬ß™¡â“¬ As the two princes gazed she pretended to be shy
·°≈âߪ√–ª√“¬‚ª√¬„Àâ·µàπ¬— π“œ And again cast an eye on them.

Ô ΩÉ“¬Ω√—ßË ∑—ßÈ ·¢°≈â«π·√°√ÿπà Mahut and Senradam were youthful.

∑—ßÈ À¡°¡ÿπà ¡πµå‡≈àÀ√å ªŸ ‡≈¢“ Their minds were filled with the magic spells.
‰¥âøßí √ æ®¡“πÀ«“π«‘≠≠“≥å All sweet words heard inspired them.
¬‘ßË ª–µ“µà“ßµ–≈÷ߧ–π÷ß„π Exchange of glances even stunned them.

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®–‡°’¬È «π“ßµà“ß Õߢ÷πÈ æâÕ߇ ’¬ß The two were rivals to court her

 «π ”‡π’¬ß‰¡à√«Ÿâ “à ¿“…“‰Àπ In their different languages.
‡ ’¬ßΩ√—ßË ª√–¥—ß·¢°·∑√°¢÷πÈ ‰ª Western language was blended with Javanese.
‡À¡◊Õπ «¥¡“≈—¬√—∫«—¥ —π∑—¥°—π œ It was as if she listened to the Malai prayer1.

Ô ΩÉ“¬‚©¡¬ßÕߧå≈–‡«ß‡°√ß«‘«“∑ Laweng was cautious of its leading to a fight.

‡™‘ß©≈“¥·¬∫§“¬≈«ß™“¬¢¬—π To lure men in her clever way,
‡¢’¬π©≈“°≈ß„Àâ‡ÀÁπ‡ªì𠔧—≠ She cast lots for them to see,
·≈⫪π°—π„Àâ √ÿ “ߧ剪«“߉«â Mixed them and had a lady present them.

æ≈“ß —≠≠“«à“®–À¬‘∫°≈’∫≈”‡®’¬° She told them to pick a petal of Lamchiak.

®ß ”‡Àπ’¬°„πÀπ—ß ◊ÕÕ¬à“∂◊Õ‰©π And look at the clue in the lot.
„§√‰¥â°Õà πºàÕπ°—πÕߧåππ—È ‰ª He who got the first would be the one to go.
·¡âª≈ß„®®÷ߧàÕ¬À¬‘∫°≈’∫º°“ œ If they agreed with this then picked a petal.

Ô  Õß°…—µ√‘¬µå √— µÕ∫«à“™Õ∫·≈â« The two princes agreed to this.

µà“ߺàÕß·ºâ«¬‘¡È À¬‘∫°≈’∫∫ÿªº“ Smiling happily, they each picked a petal.
Ω√—ßË „À≠à‰¥âÀπ—ß ◊Õ‡À¡◊Õπ∂◊Õµ√“ The Westerner fetched the note of the winner.
À—«√àÕ√à“√âÕß«à“·πà·≈â«·¡à§ÿ≥ He burst out laughing and said,

∑”‰¡°—∫∑—æº≈÷°»÷°‡∑à“π’È çNo matter with this battle with Phaluek.

‡À¡◊Õπ·¡≈ßÀ«’Ë‚«â‡«â‡¥√©ÿπ It is so small a fight, like a little insect.
®–¢¬’È∫’ȇ≈àπ„À⇪ìπ®ÿ≥ I will totally mill it to powder
‡ª√’¬∫‡À¡◊ÕπΩÿÉπΩÕ¬‰À¡â„π‰ø°“à Like burning dust in a conflagration.é

·≈â«≈“¡“∑à“πÈ”≈ß°”ªíπò He left for the wharf to embark on the ship.

 —ßË „Àâ≈π—Ë ªóπ —≠≠“‚¬∏“À“≠ Cannon were fired to signal the fleet to start.
„Àâ‚Àà¿“…“Ω√—ßË ¥—ß –∑â“π Loud shouting in Western language was heard.
¬°ÕÕ°µâ“πµ—ßÈ ¡—πË ªÑÕß°—π‡¡◊Õß The forces moved up to defend Lanka city.

________________________________________
1Malai prayer is a kind of prayer the local people chanted at the funeral.

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Ô πà“ ß “√ΩÉ“¬√–‡¥àπ‡´Áπ√–¥Ë” Pity poor Raden Senradam

∑√«ß√–°”·°âÀπâ“¥ŸΩ“‡ΩóÕß Who was grieved at heart and disturbed.
·§âπ¡–Àÿ¥ ÿ¥· π®–·§âπ‡§◊Õß He nursed a deep hatred for Mahut,
·≈™”‡≈◊Õß≈“πÿ™æ√–∫ÿµ√’ Then casted a glance at Laweng and left.

·≈⫵√— «à“Ω√—ßË ‰ªµ—ßÈ √—∫ He said that Westerners were now in war

·¡â∂Õ¬°≈—∫∑«π∑∫µ≈∫Àπ’ If they were defeated and returned
‡¢â“¡“¬—ßΩíßò πÈ”®–´È”µ’ To the shore he would then strike them
„Àâ “∑’∂Ë Õ◊ µ—«‰¡à°≈—«„§√ As served them right for their arrogance.

·≈â«≈ß¡“∑à“πÈ” —ßË µ”¡–Àßß He went to the wharf to order Tamma-ngong

„À⬰∏ß∑—晫“‚¬∏“‰ « To raise the Javanese army flags,
æ√âÕ¡æÀ≈æ≈√∫ ß∫‰«â Ready the troop and keep calm.
∑—ßÈ π“¬‰æ√àæ√âÕ¡æ√—ßË √‘¡Ωíßò ™≈œ All masters and men waited at the shore.

Ô ΩÉ“¬≈Ÿ° “«‡®â“≈—ß°“«—≥ÓÀ≠‘ß Queen Wanla, the King of Lankaûs daughter,

¬—߇°√ß°√‘ßË ‡°≈◊Õ°«‘∫µ— ®‘ –¢—¥ π Worried that things might get worse.
„Àâµ√«®µ√“Àπâ“∑’µË Õâ π√’æÈ ≈ She asked for troop inspection and put men
¢÷ÈπÕ¬Ÿà∫πªÑÕ¡√Õ∫¢Õ∫∫ÿ√’ On the fortresses around the city.

·≈â«™«π‡À≈à“ “« ÿ√“ߧåπ“ßπâÕ¬πâÕ¬ She then took young court ladies

¢÷πÈ µ÷°≈Õ¬≈àÕßøÑ“À≈—ߧ“ ’ Up the tower under the coloured roof,
‡§¬π—ßË ‡≈àπ‡ÀÁπ∂π—¥∂÷ßπ∑’ The place for sighting further out to the sea.
®–¥ŸΩï¡◊Õ∑À“√∑’Ë√“≠√Õπœ To observe the brave soldiersû fight.

Ô ΩÉ“¬æ√–ÀπàÕ∫摵√ƒ∑∏‘√∑ÿ √ Sinsamut, the mighty prince,

 ‘π ¡ÿ∑∑—æÀπâ“π“«“ ≈Õπ Led the fore fleet contingent.
æÕ®«π‡¬Áπ‡ÀÁ𰔪íòπ‡∑’ˬ« —≠®√ In the evening he saw naval ships
‡ªìπµÕπµÕπµ—Èß°√–∫«π®– «π√∫ Plying around in batches, ready to attack.

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‰¡à√Õ√—ßÈ  —ßË ∑À“√„À⢓π‚Àà Without delay, he ordered the attack

‰≈à‡√◊Õ‚≈⇢⓪√–®—≠À—πµ≈∫ And pushed ahead to strike in full force,
·≈⫵’¶Õâ ß°≈Õß√–¥¡‡√àß ¡∑∫ Also with the banging of drums and gongs.
‡¢â“√ÿ¡√∫‡√◊ÕΩ√—Ë߇¡◊Õß≈—ß°“ œ All converged to strike the Lankan man-of-wars.

Ô ΩÉ“¬¡–Àÿ¥∫ÿµ√∑â“«‡®â“Ω√—ßË Mahut, the son of the Western King

µ’√–¶—ߢ“π√—∫∑—æ´â“¬¢«“ Chimed the bell to fight back left and right.
·≈⫵—ßÈ ‚Àà‚≈âÀ≈’°‡ªìπªï°°“ With hurray they moved the ships into wing shape
µ“¡ —≠≠“¬‘ߪóπ‡ ’¬ß§√’πÈ §√÷° Amidst the thunderous noise of cannonade.

√–¥¡¥—ßµ—ßµ÷ß°÷ß°÷ß°âÕß Boom, boom....they made loud noises.

∑—ßÈ ªî¥ªÑÕߪóπ√—∫∑—æº≈÷° Firing to ward off the Phaluek attack.
‚Àà°√–À÷¡Ë §√÷¡§√—πË ≈—πË æ‘≈°÷ Noisy cheers were sounded
Õ÷°∑÷°∂Ÿ°≈à¡∂≈à¡∑≈“¬ While ships were sunk in total disarray.

∑—ßÈ æ«°æ≈§π¬—∫≈ßπ—∫À¡◊πË Tens of thousands men were downed

¥â«¬«à“ªóπªÑÕß°—π¡—π‰¡àÀ“¬ As they could not withstand the cannon attack.
 ÿ¥·µà≈°Ÿ ∂Ÿ°„§√∑—ßÈ ‰æ√à𓬠Cannonballs were hitting all over.
§ππ—πÈ µ“¬µ—∫ªÕ¥µ≈Õ¥‰ª The whole line of men was falling.

·µà π‘  ¡ÿ∑ ÿ¥°≈â“ÕÕ°Àπâ“∑—æ Sinsamut the brave warrior who led the army,
À¡“¬®–®—∫Ω√—Ë߬—߉¡à„°≈â Aimed at capturing the Westerner from afar.
æÕ≈Ÿ°∑â“«‡®â“æ“√“ ÿ≈“≈—¬ Mahut, the son of King Sulalai then appeared,
∑√ߪóπ„À≠à¬ß‘ À¡“¬‡Õ“π“¬æ≈ And fired the cannon aiming to kill him.

‡ ’¬ßµ÷ß≈Ÿ°∂Ÿ° ‘π ¡ÿ∑º≈ÿß Boom, the ball hit Sinsamutûs belly.

®”‡æ“–æÿߺ÷ß°√–‡¥Áπ‰¡à‡ÀÁπÀπ He was blown aside, unseen.
µ°„ππÈ” ”≈—°ª√–¥—°™≈ Falling in the sea he swallowed water,
®¡≈ß®π∂÷ߥ‘π ‘πÈ °”≈—ß Sank to the bottom and lost consciousness.

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æÕπ“¬À“¬ΩÉ“¬‰æ√൰„®√âÕß Once the master gone, men cried with fear.

µ≈∫≈àÕß·≈àπÀ“¢â“ßÀπâ“À≈—ß They moved the ships around to search for Sinsamut.
Ω√—ßË „À≠à‰¥â∑µ’ ª’ √–¥—ß The Western chief saw his chance and pushed ahead.
‡ ’¬ßµ÷ßµ—ßµ‘¥µ“¡·≈àπÀ≈“¡¡“œ Many ships converged noisily in close pursuit.

Ô »√’ «ÿ √√≥°—π∑—æ„Àâ√∫— √∫ Sisuwan ordered his men out to fight.

‡√◊Õµ≈∫·≈àπ√“¬∑—ßÈ ´â“¬¢«“ His ships turned back and spread left and right.
æÕ¡◊¥§Ë”§≈È”≈ß„π§ß§“ When dusk descended on the water.
¥â«¬≈¡°≈â“°≈“ߧ◊π‡ªìπ§≈◊πË µ’ Strong night wind and waves strucked the ships.

ª–∑–∑—æ —∫ πÕ≈À¡à“π Facing the enemyûs fleet in great confusion,

Ω√—ßË µâ“πµàÕ√∫‰¡àÀ≈∫Àπ’ The Westerners boldly resisted without fleeing.
√–¥¡ªóπ§√◊πÈ §√—πË °—π‰æ√’ They shelled thunderously to ward off attackers.
·µà≈¡µ’‡¢â“Ωíßò ¢â“ß≈—ß°“ But the wind blew the bullet back to Lanka.

æ√–Õ¿—¬‰¥â≈¡‡√àß ¡∑∫ Backed by good wind, Phra Aphaiûs ships rode in.

≈â«π‡√◊Õ√∫‡√’¬ß·≈àπ‡¢â“·πàπÀπ“ His ships made a massive attack.
ΩÉ“¬Ω√—ßË µ—ßÈ ‚Àà‡ªìπ‚°≈“ The Westerners shouted with noisy cheers.
¬‘ߪóπÀπⓇ√◊Õ≈—Ëπ π—Ëπ¥—ß œ Their shipûs front cannon fired thunderously.

Ô ΩÉ“¬√–‡¥àπ‡´Áπ√–¥Ë”‡ÀÁπ§Ë”æ≈∫ As dusk fell, Raden Senradam

‡Õ“‡√◊Õ√∫√“¬∑“ßÕÕ°¢â“ßÀ≈—ß Led his fleet lining out to the rear.
¥â«¬‚°√∏¢÷ßÈ À÷ߺŸÀâ ≠‘ߧ‘¥™‘ß™—ß With jealousy and hatred he fired
¬‘ßΩ√—ßË ‡√◊Õ·µ°µâÕß·¬°√—∫ To smash and separate the Westernersû fleet,

æ«°°ÕßÀπÿπ«ÿπà «“¬ΩÉ“¬°ÕßÀπâ“ Rear and fore contingents were confused

°Áæ–«â“æ–«—ß∂Õ¬À≈—ß°≈—∫ So hopelessly that they retreated.
»√’ «ÿ √√≥≈—πË ¶âÕ߇√àß°Õß∑—æ Sisuwan then sounded the gong to urge his men
‡¢â“§—ßË §—∫¢÷πÈ °”ªíπò ‰≈àøπí ·∑ß To climb aboard and attack the enemy.

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Ω√—ßË µ“¬¬â“¬·¬°·¢°ÕÕ°√∫ Westerners fallen, Javanese started their attack,

≈â«π·°«àߧ∫ÀÕ°¥“∫°”´“∫·º≈ß Swaying torches, powerful swords and lances.
 ≈ÿ∫ ≈—¥ °—¥∑“߉«â°≈“ß·ª≈ß Their ships blocked up the man-of-wars afar
·µà√∫— ·√߇√◊Õ°√–∑∫À≈∫‰¡à∑π— But they could not avoid the blow in time.

‡¢â“∂÷ßΩíßò ∑—ßÈ ·¢°æ≈Õ¬·µ°´È” The Javanese were forced back to the shore.
∫â“ß≈ßπÈ”¢÷πÈ µ≈‘ßË «‘ßË ∂≈—π Some were in the water and some on land.
‡À≈à“∑—æ·µ°·¢°Ω√—ßË ≈â«π™—ß°—π All Westerners and Javanese detested each other.
‡¢â“·∑ßøíπ‡ΩÑ“·µà´È”°—π√Ë”‰ª They repeatedly cut and stabbed their preys.

æ«°æÀ≈º≈º≈÷°¬‘ßË Œ÷°‚Àà Phaluek men sent out loud cheers.

°÷°°âÕß‚°≈“≈—πË ‡ ’¬ßÀ«—πË ‰À« Thunderous noises going around,
‡¢â“∂÷ßΩíßò ¬—ßÈ À¬ÿ¥‡∑’¬Ë «®ÿ¥‰ø They reached the shore and set fire,
‡æ≈‘ß°Á‰À¡â‡√◊ÕΩ√—ßË æ≈ÿßà æ≈—ßË ‚æ≈ß Setting the Westernerûs fleet ablaze.

µ‘¥ ≈ÿ∫«ÿ∫µ÷ß∂÷ß∑—æ·¢° Fire reached the sloops and spread to the Javanese fleet.
µÿ¡à ¥‘π·µ°µ÷ß≈—πË §«—π‚¢¡ß Powder jars exploded sending out smoke,
‡≈¬≈ÿ°‰À¡â„∫‡æ≈“‡ “°√–‚¥ß The fire spread to the sails and the masts.
¬‘ßË æ≈ÿßà ‚æ≈߇æ≈‘ß «à“ߥ—ß°≈“ß«—π œ Light from the fire shone like daylight.

Ô ΩÉ“¬≈Ÿ° “«‡®â“≈—ß°“‡ÀÁπ¢â“»÷° Wanla saw several Phaluek contingents

æ≈º≈÷°À≈“¬∑—楟§∫— ¢—π Coming in to make the situation critical.
Ω√—ßË ·¢°·µ°¬—∫∑∫∑—∫°—π Westerners and Javanese suffered total defeat.
∫“ßæ«°‡¢â“‡º“°”ªíπò ‡ ’¬ß§√—πË §√◊πÈ Some Phaluek men set fire to ships.

„Àâ§√â“¡®‘µ§‘¥®–≈à“‚¬∏“∑—æ Fearfully, Wanla thought of retreat

·≈â«π÷°°≈—∫°≈—πÈ ·°≈âß∑”·¢Áߢ◊π But she had to pretend to be brave.
‡√’¬°Ω√—Ëßæ√—Ëßæ√âÕ¡¢÷ÈπªÑÕ¡ªóπ She called for Westerners to man the forts,
¥Ÿ¥“…¥◊πË ‡¥‘π‰¢«à°π— ‰ª¡“ Rushing about in confusion.

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¬°°√–∫—µ√À— ‡°πµ√–‡«πµ√«® Military storemen were inspecting

∑ÿ°À¡ŸÀà ¡«¥¡ÿ≈π“¬∑—ßÈ ´â“¬¢«“ All contingents left and right.
¢â“ßΩíßò πÈ” ”§—≠π“ß«—≥Ó Wanla thought that the shore was a strategic point,
„À€∏“¢÷πÈ  ¡∑∫∫√√®∫°—π So she ordered men to join up over there.

·≈â«„ÀâÀ“¢â“‡ΩÑ“‡À≈à“∑À“√ She called up all her soldiers

¡“§‘¥°“√·°â‰¢‰Õ»«√√¬å To mastermind the defence.
‡¡◊Õߺ≈÷°Œ÷°‚À¡‡¢â“‚√¡√—π çPhaluek forces attacked us in high spirit.
®–ªÑÕß°—π·°â‰¢©—π„¥¥’ œ How can we cope with them?é she asked.

Ô ΩÉ“¬‡ π“Ω√—ËßÕ¬Ÿàæ√—Ëßæ√âÕ¡ Western officers assembled in full force.

ª√–≥µπâÕ¡π“ß«—≥Ó¡“√»√’ Saluting Queen Wanla, they said,
µà“ß∑Ÿ≈«à“¢â“懮â“Õ¬Ÿ‡à À≈à“π’È çAll of us Westerners here
§ßµàÕµ’°«à“™’«π— ®–∫√√≈—¬ Will fight to the end of our lives.

·µà»°÷ ‡ ◊Õ‡À≈◊Õ°”≈—ßΩ√—ßË ·¢° çBut the battle is beyond the ability of

°Áµπ◊Ë ·µ°µà“ßµâ“π∑“π‰¡à‰À« All Westerners and Javanese so we must retreat.
‡√“√Õ√—Èßµ—Èß¡—Ëπª√–®—≠‰«â We should therefore halt and wait
·µàæÕ„Àâ√ßÿà ·®âß· ßµ–«—π For the dawn to come with sunlight.

‡ÀÁπ™π–®–‡¢â“√∫ ¡∑∫∑—æ çIf the two troops happen to win,

 °—¥®—∫‡¢àπ¶à“„ÀâÕ“ —≠ We then intercept and kill the enemy.
∂Ⓣæ√’¡°’ ”≈—ßµ—ßÈ ª√–®—≠ But if they are able to confront us,
®÷ߺàÕπº—π∂à“¬‡∑¥â«¬‡≈àÀ°å ≈ We then use tricks to solve the problem.

¢Õ∫ÿ≠≠“∫“√¡’»√’ «— ¥‘Ï çWe beg you for your mightiness

‡ªìπ™—πÈ ©—µ√™“¬À≠‘ß™“« ‘ßÀ≈ To protect all the Sinhalese,
™à«¬‚ª√¥‡°≈ⓇÀ≈à“Õ“≥“ª√–™“™π May Your Majesty be kind to your subjects
§‘¥ºàÕπª√πª√“∫»÷°∑√ßµ√÷°°“√œ And consider how to direct the battle.é

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Ô π“ßøíߧ”Õ”¡“µ¬å„ÀâÀ«“¥À«—πË Listening to the officers, Wanla trembled.

·µà·°≈âß°≈—πÈ °≈—∫«à“‡À¡◊Õπ°≈â“À“≠ But she had to pretend to be brave,
„À⪰ªÑÕß°Õß≈–À¡◊πË ªóπ™”π“≠ Ordering ten thousands skillful gunners
‰ªµ—ßÈ µâ“πµàÕ≥√ߧå√¡‘ §ß§“ To man the resistance at the shore.

®–‰¥â√∫— ∑—æ·µ°·¢°Ω√—ßË çIf the retreating Westerners and Javanese

∑’ÕË ¬ŸΩà ßíò ΩÉ“¬‡√“§ß‡¢â“À“ Are able to reach our shore,
√—∫·µà‰æ√à‰«â∫”√ÿß°√ÿß≈—ß°“ Accept only soldiers to secure Lanka City,
·µàµ«— π“¬¢“¬Àπâ“Õ¬à“‡Õ“‰«â Do not let the shameful officers come in.é

§√—πÈ  —ßË ‡ √Á®‡ ¥Á®¡“Õ¬ŸÀà π⓪ÑÕ¡ Wanla then went in front of the fortress.
¢â“À≈«ß≈âÕ¡·µà≈«â πªóπ¬◊π‰ « Palace officers surrounded her with guns.
æ«°°ÕßπÕ°ÕÕ°‰ªµ—ßÈ √–«—ß¿—¬ The front contingent went out to guard the place.
∑—ßÈ π“¬‰æ√àæ√âÕ¡æ√—ßË √‘¡Ωíßò ™≈œ Men and masters were packing the shore.

Ô ΩÉ“¬¡–Àÿ¥∫ÿµ√∑â“«‡®â“Ω√—ßË As for Mahut, son of the Western King,

‡√◊Õ∑’πË ß—Ë Õ—∫ª“ß≈ß°≈“ßÀπ Whose ship was wrecked at sea,
∑À“√·¢°·∫°≈à“¡¡“À≈“¬§π Javanese men carried him on their backs,
æ“¢÷πÈ ∫πø“°Ωíßò ¢â“ß≈ß°“ And landed him on the Lankan beach.

æÕ‡ÀÁπ‰ø‰À¡â°”ªíπò §«—πµ≈∫ Sighting fire consuming the ships with smoke,

‰¡àæ“πæ∫æ«°§π‡∑’¬Ë «§âπÀ“ They could find no one, in their search
¥â«¬°≈“ߧ◊πµ◊πË ·µ°·ª≈°‚¬∏“ In the dark night and confusion.
‰¡à√«Ÿâ “à Õ¬ŸÀà πµ”∫≈„¥ They did not even know where they were.

·µà∑æ— ∫°¬°ÕÕ°µ—ßÈ Ω√—ßË ·¢° In the army came the Javanese and Westerners
‡∑’¬Ë «µ◊πË ·µ°µà“ß¡“‡¢â“Õ“»—¬ Who fled to take refuge there.
·µà∫µÿ √∑â“«‡®â“æ“√“ ÿ≈“≈—¬ But Mahut, son of King Sulalai, went straight
À≈’°‡¢â“‰ªµ√ßæ≈—∫æ≈“ÀπⓇ™‘߇∑‘π To the pavilion in front of the rampart.

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‡ÀÁπ‚©¡¬ßÕߧå≈–‡«ß¥Ÿ‡ª≈àߪ≈—ßË He saw radiant Laweng Wanla

¢¬—Èπ¬—È߬◊π™–‡ßâÕ‰¡à‡°âÕ‡¢‘π Unembarassed, standing and looking.
™à“ߢ“«ºàÕß Õß·°â¡·®à¡‡®√‘≠ Her two cheeks were brightly white.
„Àâ‡æ≈‘¥‡æ≈‘πæ≈“߬‘¡È ∑”æ√‘¡È ‡æ√“ Being fascinated, he beamed with smiles.

‡ÀÁπ‰æ√àæ≈§πµ◊πË ‡ ’¬ß§√◊πÈ §√÷° Mahut saw all men noisily excited.

°≈—∫√Ÿ â °÷ ‡ ’¬„®¥—߉ø‡º“ He turned sad as if consumed by fire,
µ–‚°π°âÕß√âÕß«à“Õߧ巡àπ߇¬“«å Loudly he shouted, çDear Wanla,
™à«¬„À⇢“‡ªî¥√—∫æ’Ë©—∫‰«œ Please tell them now to open the gate for me.é

Ô π“ß≈–‡«ß‡æàßæ—°µ√å√®Ÿâ °— ·®âß Seeing his face, Wanla recognized Mahut

¥â«¬«à“· ß‡æ≈‘ß°√–®à“ß «à“߉ « With the brightness from the flame.
„Àâ “« √√§å™π—È πÕ°µ–§Õ°‰ª She asked her outer handmaids to shout at him,
«à“æ«°‰Õâª»ï “®©°“®®√‘ß çYou, the brutal devil,

‡¢“¶à“µ“¬√⓬√âÕߧ–πÕßÀ≈Õ° çHaving been killed yet you are haunting

¡“‡√’¬°ÕÕ°Õ◊ÈÕÕ÷ß®–æ÷ËßÀ≠‘ß And noisily begging women for help.é
·≈â«¢Ÿà¢—∫®—∫ªóπ®–¬◊π¬‘ß They then threatened him lifting their guns.
¡–Àÿ¥«‘ßË ≈â¡≈ÿ°µ–§≈ÿ°§≈“πœ Mahut ran away and crawled.

Ô ΩÉ“¬√–‡¥àπ‡´Áπ√–¥Ë”°—∫µ”¡–Àßß As for Raden Senradam and Tamma-ngong,

‡∑’ˬ«‡«’¬π«ß«‘ËßÀ“‚¬∏“∏“≠ They ran in circles to find their men.
æÕ‡æ≈‘ߌ◊Õ√◊ÕÈ Àπ’µ–≈’µ–≈“π When the flames went up they fled with alarm
‰¡àµÕà µâ“π·µ°¡“∂÷ßÀπâ“«—ß And retreated towards the front of the palace.

‡ÀÁπ≈Ÿ° “«‡®â“≈—ß°“Õ¬ŸÀà π⓪ÑÕ¡ Seeing Lankaûs daughter in front of the fort,

ß“¡≈–¡àÕ¡·¡à§ÿ≥‡ªìπ∫ÿ≠À≈—ß He pondered, çMy past merit lets me see your beauty.
‰¥â‡ÀÁπÀπâ“æ“æ’¡Ë °’ ”≈—ß Your face gives me lots of strength.
™à“߇ª≈àߪ≈—ßË ª≈¥‡ª≈◊ÕÈ ß‡À≈◊Õß≈ÕÕ How fascinating your charm and beauty are!é

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π«≈≈–ÕÕß Õß·°â¡¥Ÿ·¬â¡¬‘È¡ çYour two cheeks are full of smiles.é

™–‰¥â™¡‘ ‡™¬™‘¥ —°π‘¥ÀπÕ I wish I could touch them a little.é
°√–·Õ¡‰Õ„À⇠’¬ß ”‡π’¬ß§Õ He made a slight cough from his throat.
‡¢“À—«√àÕ√Ÿ â °÷ π÷°√”§“≠ Hearing people laugh at him, he felt annoyed.

„Àâæ«°æâÕß√âÕß«à“‡´Áπ√–¥Ë” He asked his men to shout, çSenradam,

°—∫∑—ßÈ µ”¡–ÀßßΩÉ“¬π“¬∑À“√ With Tamma-ngong and senior warriors,
®–¢Õ‡¢â“æ÷ßË Õߧåπ“ßπߧ√“≠ Want to come to Queen Wanla for help.
‡ªî¥∑«“√‰«‰«Õ¬à“‰¥â™“â œ So please be quick to open the gate.é

Ô π“ß≈–‡«ß‡°√ß„®„™â·µà≈“à ¡ Laweng, lest she might offend, answered

„ÀâµÕ∫µ“¡§”·¢°·ª≈°¿“…“ Through an interpretor in response to the aliens.
«à“√–‡¥àπ‡ªìπº’Àπ’‡¢â“¡“ çRaden is an escaping ghost,
¬—ßÀ≈ÕπÀ≈Õ°°≈Õ°Àπâ“∑”µ“«“« Haunting around with glistening eyes and grimaces.

®–∂◊Õ∫«™µ√«®πÈ”∑”π∫’ çI will fast and pour holy water

‰ª∂÷ߺ’∑æ— ·¢°·µ°µ“¢“« To dedicate merits to the Javanese ghosts,
‡ÀÁπ»÷°¡“µ“‡À¡’¬Ë ««‘ßË ‡°√’¬«°√“« Who, seeing the fight, ran away cowardly.
 ‘πÈ ∑—ßÈ ∫à“«∑—ßÈ π“¬µ“¬‰¡à¥’ œ All men and masters therefore died suffering.é

Ô ΩÉ“¬√–‡¥àπ‡ÀÁπ‡¢“·§≈ß®÷ß·°≈âß√âÕß Raden, moved by their doubt, shouted,

‚Õâ·¡àπÕâ ß«—≥Óº‘πÀπâ“Àπ’ çOh, Sister Wanla, why turn your face away.
¢ÕÀ¬ÿ¥¬—ßÈ µ—ßÈ √—∫∑—悬∏’ Please remain here to help the retreating soldiers.
‰¡à„™àº¥’ Õ°√–‡¥àπ‰¥â‡ÕÁπ¥Ÿ œ I am Raden not a ghost, I beg for your mercy.é

Ô  “« ÿ√“ߧ嵓à ß°≈—∫¢—∫µ–§Õ° Court ladies instead yelled at them.

¬—ßÀ≈ÕπÀ≈Õ°·≈∫≈‘πÈ ®–°‘πÀ¡Ÿ çHaunting us and putting your tongue out for pork.
Õ⓬º’·¢°·¬°‡¢’Ȭ«¡“‡°’Ȭ«™Ÿâ You Javanese ghost still court by baring your teeth
‡ΩÑ“·≈¥Ÿæ√–∏‘¥“∑”µ“‚æ≈ß And watch the Queen with glistening eyes.é

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æ≈“ß®âÕߪóπ¬◊π¢¬—∫·≈â«¢—∫‰≈à They pointed the guns to drive Raden away.

‰¡à∂Õ¬‰ªÀ√◊Õ®–µâÕ߇ªìπ Õß‚Àß çGo away or die a second time!é
∑À“√‡ÀÁπ‡ºàπ‚ºπ‚®πµ–‚æß Seeing that, Radenûs men jumped out.
ÕÕ°«‘ßË ‚∑ß∑‘ßÈ π“¬æ≈—¥æ√“¬‰ª Scatteringly, they left their master behind.

·µà√–‡¥àπ‡´Áπ√–¥Ë”≈–≈Ë”≈–≈—° Senradam, gabbling and in exasperation,

¥â«¬§«“¡√—°‡À≈◊Õ√—° Ÿµâ °— …—¬ For his fondest love he could fight to death,
‡ÀÁπ≈Ÿ° “«‡®â“≈—ß°“µ—¥Õ“≈—¬ But seeing her disinterest in his love,
√Ë”√âÕ߉Àâ‚Œ‚Œ¬◊π‚´‡´ He wept loudly and staggered.

 –Õ◊πÈ æ≈“ß∑“ß«à“¶à“‡ ’¬‡∂‘¥ He sobbed and said, çKill me, please,

§ß®–‡°‘¥°Õ¥π“߉¡àÀ“à ߇À So that I can be reborn to hug you.
∂÷ß™“µ‘π¡’È ‰‘ ¥â™¡ ¡§–‡π If I fail to fondle you in this life
‰ª‡ªìπ‡∑«¥“®–¡“‡™¬ I would become a deva to caress you.é

·≈â«≈◊¡ÕߧåÀ≈߬‘È¡®‘È¡≈‘È¡‡À≈◊Õ Forgetting himself, he smiled and admired

‡ªìππ«≈‡π◊ÈÕ‡À≈◊Õ≈–¡ÿπ·¡à§ÿ≥‡Õ㬠Her soft and velvety skin.
‡¢“∂“°∂“ßÕ¬à“߉√‰¡à‰ª‡≈¬ Their harsh words could not drive him away.
‡ΩÑ“·Àßπ‡ß¬¥Ÿπ“߉¡à«“ßµ“œ He gazed without moving his eyes from her.

Ô ΩÉ“¬Õߧåæ√–Õ¿—¬‰¥â™π– Phra Aphai gained victory

·µà‡ ’¬æ√–≈Ÿ°πâÕ¬≈–ÀâÕ¬À“ But regretted the loss of Sinsamut.
„Àâ∑Õ¥ ŸÕâ ¬Ÿ√à ¡‘ Ωíßò µ—ßÈ ª√–¥“ He had his fleet fighting near the beach.
µâÕπ‚¬∏“≈ß„ππÈ”π—πÈ §≈Ë”‰ª His men were driven into the sea

‡∑’ˬ«§âπ§«â“À“»æ‰¡àæ∫ª– To search for the body of his son in vain.

 ß “√æ√–≈Ÿ°¬“πÈ”µ“‰À≈ His tears streamed with pity for Sinsamut.
∑—ßÈ Õߧåæ√–Õπÿ™“‡ π“„π Also Sisuwan, his brother and his men
µà“ß√âÕ߉ÀâÀ“æ≈“ß„π°≈“ߧ◊π Were weeping while searching at night.

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‰¡à‡ÀÁπÕߧå∑√߬»‚Õ√ √“™ No sign of his sonûs body,

µà“ßÕπ“∂π‘ßË π÷° –Õ÷° –Õ◊πÈ They all were miserable and sobbed.
·µà°Õà 𵓬À≈“¬§√—ßÈ °Á¬ß— øóπô çHe died many times but then returned alive,
π’∂Ë °Ÿ ªóπ„À≠à¬∫— ‰¡à°≈—∫‡ªìπ But not for this time, having been hit by the cannon.é

æ√–Õ¿—¬„®À“¬‡ ’¬¥“¬∫ÿµ√ Phra Aphai suffered for the loss of his son.

„ÀâÀ“ ÿ¥ “¬°√–· ‰¡à·≈‡ÀÁπ Searching all the currents, nothing could be found.
æ√–∑—¬À“¬µ“¬·πàµß—È ·µà‡¬Áπ çMy son might have perished since dusk,
·¡âπ°≈—∫‡ªìπ¥÷°¥◊πË §ß§◊π¡“ Or else he would be back alive late at night.é

¬‘ßË ‡»√â“À¡Õßµ√Õßµ√÷° –Õ÷° –Õ◊πÈ Filled with grief, pondering and sobbing,

®π¥÷°¥◊πË ‡¥◊Õπ§≈âÕ¬‡ΩÑ“§Õ¬À“ He was waiting for his son the whole night.
·≈â« ß —¬‰µà∂“¡æ√“À¡≥å‚À√“ Phra Aphai questioned a Brahmin astrologer
æ√–≈Ÿ°¬“¬—ß®–√Õ¥À√◊Õ«Õ¥«“¬œ Whether his son was still alive or perished.

Ô ‚À√“√—∫®—∫¬“¡µ“¡ —߇°µ The astrologer calculated from his views

摇§√“–Àå‡ÀµÿÀ“√§Ÿ≥‰¡à ≠
Ÿ À“¬ Which showed that Sinsamut had not passed away.
®÷ß∑Ÿ≈§«“¡µ“¡µ”√—∫‰¡à°≈—∫°≈“¬ He told Phra Aphai based on his text,
¬—߉¡àµ“¬·µà«“à ¬“°≈”∫“°§√—π çThe prince is still alive but in great trouble.

µâÕßµ°‰ª‰°≈∑’∂Ë ß÷  ’‚Ë ¬™πå çHe was taken away four leagues from here.
‡¥’¬Ë « —π‚¥…¥—ß™’«“®–Õ“ —≠ He was alone and miserably facing death.
µàÕ‡™â“µ√Ÿ à √ÿ ¬‘ ©å “¬¢÷πÈ æ√“¬æ√√≥ Up till dawn, when the sun rises,
æ√–æÿ∑∏π—πÈ ∂÷ßæƒÀ—  «— ¥’ Itûs a good time when Mercury reaches Jupiter.

®–‰¥â≈“¿ª√“∫»÷°„Àâ°°÷ °âÕß çThen he will fortunately win the battle

‰¥â ß‘Ë ¢Õß¡“ª√–≥µ∫∑»√’ And will bring treasures to you.
„π Õß‚¡ß§ß®–¡“‰¡à™“â ∑’ Heûll return not later than two oûclock.
ª√–‡¥’ά«π’Ȭ—ßÕ¬Ÿ„à π„µâ§ß§“ But now he is still down on the ocean bed.é

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·≈â«æ√“À¡≥å‡≤à“‡≈à“∂«“¬«à“ “¬ ¡ÿ∑√ The old Brahmin then informed Phra Aphai,

æ‘≈°÷  ÿ¥ “¬™≈«πÀπ—°Àπ“ çThe ocean currents swirl violently in
¢â“߇Àπ◊Õ„µâΩ“É ¬°≈“ßÀ«à“ߧߧ“ The North, South and the midst of the ocean
„πµ”√“‡√’¬°™◊ÕË  –¥◊Õ∑–‡≈ Known in the textbook as the Sea Navel.

∑—ßÈ  “¡·À≈àß·ÕàßÕà“«‡À≈à“ ‘ßÀ≈ çIn the three bays where live the Sinhalese.
πÈ”π—πÈ «π‡«’¬π°”ªíπò „ÀâÀπ— ‡À There the eddies throw the junks in turmoil.
®–∑Õ¥∑‘ßÈ ¥‘ßË  “¬À¡“¬§–‡π Even if the plumb line was sent down
«à“∑–‡≈≈÷°≈È”πÈ”‡æ’¬ß‰√ To estimate the depth of the ocean,

·µà “¬π—πÈ æ—π«“ ‘∫ÀⓇ âπ çLong as a thousand fathoms and fifteen furlongs,

‡™â“®π‡¬ÁπÀ¬àÕπ≈ߥ⫬ ß —¬ Released from dawn till dusk,
‰¡à∂ß÷ ¥‘π ‘πÈ  ÿ¥ ¡ÿ∑√‰∑ It cannot reach the bed of the ocean.
Õ¬Ÿ‡à Àπ◊Õ„µâ„°≈âΩßíò ¢â“ß≈—ß°“ Those currents are close to Lankaûs north and south shores.

·µà«π°≈“ßÀà“ßµ≈‘ßË ¢â“ß ‘ßÀ≈ çThe middle is far from the Sinhalese coast.

µ√ßµ”∫≈ª“°πÈ” ”ªíππ“ It is at the mouth of Sampanna bay.
‡¥’ά«π’ȇ√“‡¢â“„πÕà“«·µà‡™â“¡“ We now entered the bay from the morning.
 “¬§ß§“‡¢µ«π™≈∏’ And are in the zone of whirlpool.

§√—πÈ πÈ”≈ßµ√ßÕÕ°‰ªπÕ°Õà“« çYour son will be out of the bay with ebb tide.
‡«≈“‡™â“πÈ”¢÷πÈ ®–§◊π∑’Ë And return with the rising tide in the morning.
§ß¡“‰¥â„π√ÿßà «—πæ√ÿßà π’È Hopefully, heûll be back by early tomorrow.
∂â“·¡âπ¡‘‡À¡◊Õπ —≠≠“„Àâ¶à“øíπ I give you my life if this is not so.é

æ√–øíߧ«“¡æ√“À¡≥å∑“¬§àÕ¬§≈“¬®‘µ Listening to the Brahminûs prediction,

∑—ßÈ ∑√ߧ‘¥‡ÀÁπ®√‘ß∑ÿ° ‘ßË  √√æå Phra Aphai, feeling relaxed and in agreement,
 —ßË æ√–πâÕß°ÕßÀπ⓴⓬¢«“π—πÈ Asked Sisuwan to order left and right contingents
„ÀâªÕÑ ß°—πµ√«®µ√“„π√“µ√’ œ To safeguard and inspect at night.

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Ô ΩÉ“¬æ√–ÀπàÕ∫¥‘π∑√å π‘  ¡ÿ∑ Prince Sinsamut, Phra Aphaiûs royal lineage,

¥â«¬‡ªìπ∫ÿµ√π“ß¡“√À≈“πƒÂ…’ Who was the ogressûs son and hermitûs nephew,
∂◊Õæ√–¡πµå∑π§ß∑√ßÕ‘π∑√’¬å Was endowed with a mantra which preserved life.
∂Õ¥™’«‰’ «â∑„’Ë π‰µ√‚≈°“ His life was placed in the Trai Loka2.

∂÷ßµ—«µ“¬ “¬∏“µÿ‰¡à¢“¥ ‘πÈ Bodily death didnût cut his elements of life.

§◊Õ∏“µÿ¥π‘ ∏“µÿπÈ”√Ë”√—°…“ Both earth and water acted as protectors.
∂â“≈¡·¥¥·º¥ àÕßµâÕß°“¬“ If wind and sunlight reached his body
®–·°≈â«°≈â“°≈—∫‡ªìπ‡À¡◊Õπ‡™àπ°—π They would revitalize him and life would resume.

‡¡◊ÕË µ°πÈ”§Ë”æ≈∫ ≈∫π‘ßË Falling into the water, unconscious at night,

®÷ß®¡¥‘ßË ¥‘ßË ‰ª®π‰°à¢π— Down he went deep until the cock crowed.
æÕπÈ”¢÷πÈ §≈◊πË §≈—ßË ª√–¥—ß°—π When the tide rose with rushing waves,
„Àâ°“¬π—πÈ ¢÷πÈ ¬—ßΩíßò §ß§“ His body was pushed back to shore.

‡¢â“‡°¬À“¥∏“µÿ≈¡√–¥¡µâÕß Wind wafted his body onto the beach

µ°∂÷ßÀâÕßπ“ ‘°æ≈‘°º«“ And blew into his nose, waking him up.
æÕ·¥¥∂Ÿ°ª≈ÿ°™’«µ‘ ¥â«¬ƒ∑∏“ He returned to life by the power of sunlight.
¬‘ßË ·°≈â«°≈â“°≈—∫øóπô ¢÷πÈ ¬◊π¥Ÿ He became well, revitalized and stood up.

‡ÀÁπ‡ª≈«‰ø‰À¡â°”ªíπò §«—πµ≈∫ Seeing flames burning the ship with smoke

æ≈√∫‚Àà≈π—Ë  π—πË ÀŸ And noisy cheers of soldiers piercing his ears,
°Õß∑—æ‡√“‡¢â“∂÷߉Àπ°Á‰¡à√Ÿâ Sinsamut didnût know where his army had gone.
®–„§√à¥∑Ÿ “ß∫°«‘ßË À°¡“ He quickly moved on land to have a look.

æÕ‡≈’Ȭ«À≈—ß«—ß„À¡à‡ÀÁπ‰æ√àæ√âÕ¡ At the back of the new palace, he saw the soldiers

°”·æߪÑÕ¡ªóπ√“¬∑—ßÈ ´â“¬¢«“ And the fortress left and right lined with guns.
æ«°∑—æ·µ°·¢°Ω√—ßË ‡¡◊Õß≈—ß°“ The Javanese and Western armies of Lanka
¬—ß«‘ßË À“°—πÕÕ°Õ÷ߧ–π÷߉ª Retreated in a mad and noisy manner.

________________________________________
2Trai Loka = The Three Realms : Heaven, Earth and Underworld.

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·≈â«·≈¥Ÿº§Ÿâ πæ≈º≈÷° Sinsamut turning his eyes to Phaluek army,

°√–À÷¡Œ÷°‚Àà≈π—Ë ‡ ’¬ßÀ«—πË ‰À« Saw them crazily cheering with noisy applause.
¬—ß√ÕÕ¬Ÿà√Ÿâ∑’«à“¡’™—¬ They were waiting which implied victory was theirs.
·°≈â߇≈’¬È «‰ª¥Ÿ√Õ∫¢Õ∫∫ÿ√’ He turned to look around the town outskirts.

æÕ·≈‡ÀÁπ‡´Áπ√–¥Ë”°—∫µ”¡–Àßß He then saw Senradam and Tamma-ngong

¬◊πÕ¬Ÿµà √ßæ≈—∫æ≈“À≈—ߧ“ ’ Standing at the coloured roof pavilion.
 —߇°µµ“«à“√–‡¥àπ‡ªìπºŸ¥â ’ To Sinsamutûs eyes Raden looked noble.
‰¥â∑«à ß∑’∑”‡ªìπ‡¡’¬ß‡§’¬ß‡¢â“¡“ He took opportunity to come close to him.

‡ÀÁπ –Õ◊Èπ¬◊π™–ÕâÕπ«ÕπºŸâÀ≠‘ß He saw Senradam sobbing and begging the women,

‡ΩÑ“ÕâÕ¬Õ‘ËßÕÕ°§«“¡µ“¡¿“…“ Also lingering and giving them sweet words.
¥Ÿ∫πªÑÕ¡æ√âÕ¡æ√—ßË æ«°≈—ß°“ Looking at the fortress, it was full of Lankans.
π“ß«—≥Óπ—ßË Õ¬Ÿ∑à ‡’Ë °â“Õ’∑È Õß He saw Wanla sitting on her golden chair.

‡À¡◊Õπ√Ÿª√à“ßπ“߇¢’¬π‰¡à‡æ’È¬πº‘¥ She looked exactly like her portrait.

¬‘Ë߇æàßæ‘»º‘«©«’‰¡à¡’ Õß The more he saw her, the finer was her skin.
°”¥—¥ß“¡∑√“¡ ß«ππ«≈≈–ÕÕß She looked young and beautiful.
¥Ÿº¥ÿ ºàÕßæ‘»‰ª„®√—≠®«π Her bright image stirred Sinsamutûs mind.

·¡âπ‰¥âπ“ßÕ¬à“ßπ’‡È ªìπ∑’√Ë °— çIf I could get her as my beloved,é he thought,

®–øŸ¡øí°‡ΩÑ“ª√–§ÕߢÕß ß«π çI will fondly caress and take good care of her,
π’ Ë “«„À≠à‰¥â·µà¥‰Ÿ ¡à§§Ÿà «√ Good looking but too old to suit me.é
„ÀâªíòπªÉ«π‡ªìπ‡æ√“–¡πµå‡¢â“¥≈„® He was stirred up by the mantra.

¥â«¬·ªÑß∑“µ“¡πÿ…¬å∫√ÿ …ÿ ‡ÀÁπ The powder Wanla used attracted menûs eyes

¡‘‰¥â‡«âπÀ«—ß®‘µæ‘ ¡—¬ And gave men no choice but to love.
·µà π‘  ¡ÿ∑ ÿ¥¥’π°’Ë √–‰√ But so good was Prince Sinsamut!
Õ“¬ÿ‰¥â∂ß÷  ‘∫‡°â“°Á‡ª≈à“¥“¬ At nineteen years he still loved no one.

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 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

‡¡◊ËÕÕ¬Ÿà«—߬—߉¡à√Ÿâ√—°™Ÿâ “« At the palace he knew not courting.

≈â«π≈Ÿ°∑â“«≈Ÿ°æ√–¬“‡Õ“¡“∂«“¬ Lots of noblesû daughters were offered to him.
‡¢“§Õ¬‡¢â“‡ΩÑ“·Àπ„Àâ· πÕ“¬ When they were in audience he was so shy
‰¡à„°≈â°√“¬·°≈âßÀπ’∑°ÿ «’«Ë π— That he tried to avoid seeing them.

∂Ⓡ √Á®»÷°π÷°®–∫«™®πÀπ«¥¢“« Ending the battle, he thought of entering monkhood.

∑’™Ë  Ÿâ “« ‘ßË ‰√‰¡à„ΩÉΩπí Until his beard grew white heûd have no love affairs.
‡ πàÀ“¡“∑–≈ÿª®í ®ÿ∫π— But now he was filled with lust for love.
„ÀâÕ¥— Õ—πÈ ÕÈ”Õ÷ßÈ µ–≈÷ßµ–‰≈œ He was utterly stunned.

Ô ΩÉ“¬¡–Àÿ¥∫ÿµ√∑â“«‡®â“Ω√—ßË Mahut, the son of the Western King,

‡∏Õ‡§≈‘¡È §≈—ßË ≈◊¡Õߧå„ÀâÀ≈ß„À≈ Was maddened with loveûs spell.
·µà‡™â“µ√Ÿ®à ¡Ÿà “¥â«¬Õ“≈—¬ He came forward early in the morning,
À¡“¬®–‰¥â¥≈Ÿ °Ÿ  “«‡®â“≈—ß°“ Expecting to see King of Lankaûs daughter.

æÕ·≈‡ÀÁπ‡´Áπ√–¥Ë”√”°√–∫’Ë Seeing Senradam doing the sabre dance

‡¢â“µàÕµ’µ“¡µ‘¥√‘…¬“ Mahut paced up jealously to attack him.
‡´Áπ√–¥Ë”√”°√‘™¥â«¬ƒ∑∏“ Senradam, showing his might in the Kris Dance,
ª–∑–∑à“·∑ßøíπª√–®—≠∫“πœ Stabbing and slashing the enemy in combat.

Ô ΩÉ“¬‚©¡¬ßÕߧå≈–‡«ß‡°√ß®–«ÿàπ Laweng, being afraid of further confusion,

®÷ß„™â¢πÿ π“ßπ“¬ΩÉ“¬∑À“√ Asked her army officers
‡ªî¥ª√–µŸæ√ŸÕÕ°πÕ°ª√“°“√ To open the fortress gate and set out
™à«¬«à“¢“π·¢°Ω√—ßË ‰¡àøßí °—π œ To chide the Javanese and Westerner in vain.

Ô  ‘π ¡ÿ∑À¬ÿ¥§‘¥æ‘π®‘ π÷° Sinsamut paused briefly and pondered.

¥â«¬‡°‘¥»÷°‡¢àπ¶à“°—πÕ“ —≠ çAs the cause of their bloody battle
‡æ√“–≈Ÿ° “«‡®â“≈—ß°“«‘≈“«—≥¬å Stems from the daughter of the Lankan King,
·¡âπ¶à“øíπ‡ ’¬„Àⵓ¬°ÁÀ“¬§«“¡ Killing her may put an end to conflict.é

163
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

§√—πÈ ·≈‡ÀÁπ‡ÕÁπ¥Ÿ«“à ºŸÀâ ≠‘ß Looking at her, Sinsamut was pleased

ß“¡®√‘ß®√‘ß®‘µ„®„Àâ‰À«À«“¡ With her femininity and touching grace.
®–¶à“π“ß«“ß«“¬‡ ’¬¥“¬ß“¡ çItûs a pity to kill her and lose her charm.
·µà ß§√“¡§√“«π’‰È ¥â∑π’ °— But this war offers us advantage.

∂⓪≈Õ¡∑—æ®—∫‡ªìπ‡ÀÁπ®–‰¥â çPossibly, we can disguise to capture her alive.

·µàæÕ„Àâª√“°Ø‡ªì𬻻—°¥‘Ï This is just to sustain our honour.
¥â«¬¬—ßÀâ“¡ª√“¡»÷°°—π§÷°§—° They are now stopping the two princes from fighting.
‡¢“‡ªî¥ª“°ª√–µŸ‰«â‡ÀÁπ‰¥â∑’ Opening the gate will give me a good chance.é

®÷ß«‘Ëߺ≈ÿπÀ¡ÿπ¡«¬æ«¬¢÷ÈπªÑÕ¡ He then ran in boxing posture to the turret.

‡ÀÁπ§π≈âÕ¡·µà≈«â π‡À≈à“π“ß “«»√’ Seeing Laweng encircled by court ladies,
∂÷ߪ–∑–°–‡°–ª–‡µ–µ’ Sinsamut launched the attack with boxing skill,
™‘ß°√–∫’øË πí µ“¬≈ß°à“¬°—π œ Snatching the sword and killing lots of men.

Ô ΩÉ“¬‚©¡¬ßÕߧå≈–‡«ß√Ÿ‡â æ≈ß√∫ Laweng was well versed in fighting.

‡≈’¬È «µ≈∫À≈’°≈—¥«‘ßË º—¥º—π She raced about and took evasive action
‡¢â“ªπ‡À≈à“ “« ÿ√“ߧåπ“ß°”π—≈ To mingle among her maids of honour,
æ—≈«—π‡«’¬πÕâÕ¡∫πªÑÕ¡ªóπ Then moved in detour on the turret.

¥â«¬∫ÿ≠≠“∫“√¡’‡ªìπ∑’ Ë ¥ÿ With the great might of her merit,

„Àâ π‘  ¡ÿ∑·≈‡ÀÁπ‡ªìπ§πÕ◊πË Sinsamut was lured to mistake her for another.
æ«°µ’πªÑÕ¡≈âÕ¡«—ß∫â“ßπ—ßË ¬◊π Some palace guards sat and some stood by.
µà“ß·µ°µ◊πË µ°„®∑—ßÈ ‰æ√àπ“¬œ All masters and men were greatly alarmed.

Ô π“ß≈–‡«ß‡°√ß°≈—«®πµ—« —πË Laweng was trembling and frightened.

‡ÀÁπ®«π∑—π ÿ¥∑’®Ë –Àπ’À“¬ Almost being caught, she found no way to escape.
¬—ß·µàµ√“√“ÀŸÕ¬Ÿ°à ∫— °“¬ She had to depend on her Rahu Seal.
°√–À«—¥ “¬∑√ß·°«à߇ªìπ· ß‰ø She waved its chain with fiery light.

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 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

ø“¥æ√–»ÕÀπàÕπ√‘π∑√å π‘  ¡ÿ∑ She smashed the seal on Sinsamutûs neck.

§«“¡‡®Á∫ ÿ¥´«π´∫ ≈∫‰ ≈ In great pain he lost consciousness.
‡¢“√ÿ¡®—∫°≈—∫øóπô µ◊πË µ°„® Being encircled for seizure, he awakened.
‡ÀÁπ‰ø≈âÕ¡≈Ÿ° “«‡®â“≈—ß°“ He saw the Lankan Kingûs daughter surrounded by flame.

≈ÿ°∑–≈÷ßË µ÷ßµ—ß∂Õ¬À≈—ß°≈—∫ Sinsamut jumped up and stepped back.

‰¡àÕ“®®—∫¥â«¬Õ”π“®«“ π“ Realizing her merit prevented him to seize her.
°√–‚¥¥ÕÕ°πÕ°°”·æß·º≈ß»—°¥“ He jumped over the wall to show his power
摶“µ¶à“§πµ“¬≈ß°à“¬°Õß And killed lots of people along the way.

·≈⫇≈’¬È «°≈—∫®—∫¡–Àÿ¥∫ÿµ√Ω√—ßË He then turned to seize Mahut, the Westernerûs son,

√«∫‰«â∑ß—È ·¢°√–‡¥àπ‰¥â‡ªìπ Õß And captured the second foe, Javanese Raden.
§π≈–¡◊Õ∂◊Õ‚≈¥‚¥¥§–πÕß With each arm holding each of them, he jumped.
‚∂¡≈ß∑âÕß ¡ÿ∑√‰∑‰ª‡¿µ√“ And leapt into the sea until he reached his junk.

æ«°°Õß∑—æ√—∫¢÷πÈ ‡√◊Õ∑’πË ß—Ë Men then dragged them on board the royal junk.
«“ßΩ√—ßË ·¢°„Àâ‰æ√à√°— …“ They placed both the Javanese and Westerner for treatment.
ΩÉ“¬«à“æ√–∫‘µÿ√ߧåÕߧåæ√–Õ“ His father and uncle then came around
‡ ¥Á®¡“‡¬’¬Ë ¡∂“¡µ“¡¬‘π¥’ To pay him a visit and gladly talk to him.

 ‘π ¡ÿ∑∑√ÿ¥´∫Õ¿‘«“∑ Sinsamut lowered himself to pay them respect.

·∑∫æ√–∫“∑∫ß°™∫∑»√’ He prostrated at his fatherûs feet
·≈â«∑Ÿ≈§«“¡µ“¡µ“¬«“¬™’«’ And related the story from his death
®π¡“µ’‡¡◊Õß„À¡à‰¥â»µ— √Ÿ Up till his new attack on the town of the enemy.

·≈â«∑Ÿ≈«à“µ√“ ”§—≠À¡àÕ¡©—π‡ÀÁπ He told him about Wanlaûs seal he saw.

‡¢“·°–‡ªìπ¥«ßÀπâ“æ√–√“ÀŸ çIt was engraved with the image of Rahu.
§√—πÈ ‡¢â“™‘¥ƒ∑∏‘‰°√‡ªìπ‰øøŸ It turned to fire when I approached it.
π“ß∂◊ÕÕ¬Ÿ°à ∫— °“¬¡’ “¬æ—π She tied it to her body with a chain.

165
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı
‡¡◊ÕË À«¥∂Ÿ°≈Ÿ°¬“‡À¡◊ÕπøÑ“ø“¥
‡®’¬π®–¢“¥™’«“∂÷ßÕ“ —≠
®–®—∫π“ߢ«“ߢ—¥‡ªìπÕ—»®√√¬å
À“‰¡à«—ππ’È°Á‡ √Á® ”‡√Á®°“√ œ
Ô  Õßæ√–Õߧå∑√ßæ√– √«≈«à“¥à«π‰¥â Phra Aphai and Sisuwan laughed and said,
‰¡à∫Õ°„Àâ√·Ÿâ ®âß·µàß∑À“√
¢÷Èπ‰ª¥â«¬™à«¬°—πª√–®—≠∫“π
π’∑Ë ”°“√‡°‘π°”≈—ß®÷ߥ—ßπ—πÈ
‡æ√“–π“ßπ’¡È §’ ≥
ÿ °“√ÿ≠√“…Æ√å
¬—߉¡à¢“¥™—π…“∂÷ßÕ“ —≠
∂◊Õ¥«ßµ√“√“ÀŸ§™Ÿà «’ π—
ª√–°Õ∫°—π®÷߉¥âª≈Õ¥√Õ¥¿—¬æ“≈
´÷Ëßµ—«‡®â“‡¢â“‰ª®—∫„ÀâÕ—ª¬»
°Áª√“°Øƒ∑∏“∑’°Ë ≈â“À“≠
·µà‡æ’¬ßπ’¥È ≈’ πâ æâπª√–¡“≥
®–∑”°“√°≈»÷°§àÕ¬µ√÷°µ√Õß
·≈â«·≈¥ŸÀπâ“Ω√—ßË °—∫∑—ßÈ ·¢°
≈â«π√ÿπà ·√°√“«‚Õ√ À¡¥∑—ßÈ  Õß
¡“™‘ß™Ÿ â »Ÿâ °÷ π÷°§–πÕß
®πµ—«µâÕßµ‘¥‚´à‡æ√“–‚≈°’¬å
™–√Ÿª√à“ßπ“ß≈–‡«ß«—≥Ó‡Õã¬
°√–‰√‡≈¬≈àÕ™“¬µ“¬‡ªìπº’
·µà‡√“¬—ߧ≈—ßË ∂÷߇ªìπ§√÷ßË ªï
Àπÿ¡à ‡™àππ’·È ≈â«°Á¡«— ®πµ—«µ“¬
166
çWhen I was smashed by it, I felt as if
Crushed by thunder and almost died.
To seize her, strange obstructions occurred.
Otherwise I might have finished the job today.é
çYouûre impatient not to tell us
To send men to help you in close combat.
You failed because you worked beyond your power.
çHer merit for being kind to her people
May have saved her from death
And her personal Rahu insignia
Protected her from all dangers.
çWhat you did in shaming her
Showed your undaunted might.
So what youûve done is more than enough.
However, you must think it over before the fight.é
Phra Aphai looked at both Javanese and Western foes.
He thought they were youths of his sonûs age.
They ran wild to combat for their love
And were trapped in chains of sexual desire.
çO, how attractive Wanla is!é, he pondered.
çMen are lured to death by her,
I myself even indulged in her for half a year.
Youths like them, were bound to die.é
 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

æ≈“ßµ√— ∂“¡µ“¡¿“…“™«“·¢° Phra Aphai asked them in Javanese language.

«à“·µà·√°√—°Õ¬à“߉√®÷߉¡àÀ“¬ çWhen you first fell in love why did love not whither?é
‡´Áπ√–¥Ë”´È”·§âπ¥â«¬· πÕ“¬ Senradam felt both angered and shy.
∂à¡πÈ”≈“¬·≈â«°Á°≈—∫π—ßË À≈—∫µ“ He spat and closed his eyes while sitting up.

æ√–‡ · √âß·°≈âß∂“¡§«“¡Ω√—ßË Phra Aphai then asked the Westerner,

‡¢“™‘ß™—߉¬®÷ß√—°‡¢“Àπ—°Àπ“ çShe hates you, so why you are crazy for her?é
¡–Àÿ¥øíߧ—ßË ·§âπ·πàπÕÿ√“ Listening to this, anger filled up Mahutûs heart,
∂≈÷ßµ“‡µÁ¡Õ¥ –°¥„® He glared and suppressed his temper.

æ√–√Ÿâ‡∑à“‡´â“´’È∑’®–«ÿàπ Realizing his insistence would cause confusion,

®÷ß —ßË ¢ÿπ‡ π“Õ—™¨“ —¬ Phra Aphai asked his men to be gentle with them.
®ß§ÿ¡¢—ß∑—ßÈ  ÕßÕ¬ŸÀà Õâ ß„π He ordered that both be detained in the ward
·µà«“à „Àâ°π‘ Õ¬Ÿ¥à √Ÿ –«—ß But their living and eating be taken good care of.

·¡âπ∫‘¥“¡“ßâÕ¢Õ‚Õ√  çIf their fathers come to ask my favour

®–‡ª≈◊ÈÕߪ≈¥ª≈àÕ¬‰ª‡À¡◊Õπ„®À«—ß I will release them both as desired.
¥â«¬‡ªìπ‡§√“–Àå‡æ√“–ºŸÀâ ≠‘ß„™à™ß‘ ™—ß They suffer from female craziness.é
æ√–√Ë” —ßË ‡ π“¥â«¬ª√“π’ œ Phra Aphai mercifully told his men.

Ô  ‘π ¡ÿ∑ ÿ¥´◊ÕË √◊ÕÈ °”™—∫ Innocently Sinsamut pledged to be cautious,

®–¬°∑—æ√∫æÿßà ‡Õ“°√ÿß»√’ çTo head our army to attack Wanlaûs city,
√⓬°«à“‡ ◊Õ‡À≈◊Õ√Ÿ â  Ÿâ µ√’ Know that women are more dangerous than tigers.
°“√‚≈°’¬æå √–°Á√ÕŸâ ¬Ÿ·à µà‰√ Youûre well versed on the nature of love affairs.

·¡âπ¢÷πÈ √∫æ∫ºŸÀâ ≠‘ß™“« ‘ßÀ≈ çIf you are to fight with the Sinhalese women,
Õ¬à“·ª¥ªπ∑”‡ªìπ¡‘µ√æ‘ ¡—¬ Never be friendly and fall in love with them
®–¡—«‡¡’¬‡ ’¬°“√√”§“≠„® Or you will be led to uneasiness.
„§√‡ÀÁπ„Àⶓà øíπ‡ ’¬∑—π∑’ œ So anyone coming up to you must be killed.é

167
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

Ô »√’ «ÿ √√≥°≈—πÈ ¬‘¡È æ√‘¡È æ√–æ—°µ√å Putting on his smile, Sisuwan said,
‡ÀÁπÀπ—°π—°‰ª·≈â««à“πà“∫—¥ ’ çI think youûve gone too extreme and shameful
À√◊Õ‰ª‡ÀÁπ‡ªìπ·°àµ«— µâÕß°≈—«µ’ Or you fear what youûve experienced yourself.
®–‡≈◊Õ°∑’‡Ë ªìπ¥Õ°∫Õ°®√‘ß®√‘ß I must say I will do only what should be done.

¡‘„™à„§√‰¡à‡§¬‡ªìπ∫ÿ√ÿ… çNo one denies passing through manhood.

¡—π®–¬ÿ¥„§√Õ¬Ÿà°—∫ºŸâÀ≠‘ß No one can resist the company of girls.
·µà‡°“–µ‘¥™‘¥ª“°‡À¡◊Õπ∑“°ª≈‘ß But they may get hold of you like leeches.
¬‘ßË ª≈‘¥∑‘ßÈ ‰ª‡ ’¬‰¥â°√–‰√‡≈¬œ It will be hard to remove them.é

Ô æ√–Õ¿—¬„Àâ —≠≠“«à“¢â“π’È Phra Aphai said, çI promise,

√Ÿ∑â «à ß∑’°π— ‡ ’¬·≈â«≈Ÿ°·°â«‡Õ㬠My boy, even you see through my trick.
·µàπ’ȉª‰¡à‡ªìπ‡À¡◊Õπ‡™àπ‡§¬ From now on I wonût behave as I used to.
Õ¬à“§‘¥‡≈¬≈Ÿ°πâÕ¬®ß§Õ¬¥Ÿ Think not and see what I do.é

∂â“®—∫‰¥â‰«â∫¥‘ “®–ºà“Õ° çCould I seize her I would cut open her breast.
À≠‘ß‚°À°‡ÀÁπ欻‰¡àÕ¥ Ÿ With no shame as she is a liar and untruthful.
·µà√πÿà √“« “«πâÕ¬ —°√âÕ¬™Ÿâ Hundreds of men used to be after her in her teens.
‰¡à§«√§Ÿ§à ∫À“¢“¬ÀπⓇ√“ Shamefully, it is not worth dealing with her!é

®–¢÷πÈ ∫°¬°¬Ë”§Ë”«—ππ’È çI plan to make a landing by dusk today.

√–¥¡µ’‡¡◊Õß„À¡à‡Õ“‰ø‡º“ We will converge to ransack the new city with fire.
°”™—∫‰æ√à„Àâ√ÕŸâ ¬à“¥Ÿ‡∫“ Be sure to tell your men not to look down on them
§Õ¬µ“¡‡®â“ ‘π ¡ÿ∑§Õ¬®ÿ¥‰ø And escort you, Sinsamut, to set fire.é

¢â“‡ΩÑ“øíß∫—ߧ¡∫√¡π“∂ Officers, listening to the command,

ÕÕ°‡°≈◊ÕË π°≈“¥°≈—∫¡“∑’ÕË “»—¬ All of them went back to barracks.
 —ßË „Àâ§πæ≈√∫ ¡∑∫‰«â They told their men to be ready to join the fight.
∑—ßÈ π“¬‰æ√àæ√âÕ¡æ√—ßË √–«—ß°“√œ Both masters and men were on full alert.

168
 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

Ô ΩÉ“¬‚©¡¬ßÕߧå≈–‡«ß«—≥Ó√“™ Laweng Wanla was afraid and pondered

§‘¥¢¬“¥Õ¬Ÿ¥à «â ¬»÷°‡ÀÁπŒ÷°À“≠ That the enemy was so valiant,
¡“À—°‚À¡‚®¡®—∫„ÀâÕ—ª√–¡“≥ Determined to catch and shame her,
¡—π∑π∑“π·∑ßøíπ‰¡à∫√√≈—¬ Being invincible and sword resistant.

·≈â«·≈¥ŸÀµŸ “¥—ß∑“™“¥ çLooking at him, his ears and eyes are red.
™à“ßÕßÕ“®Õ⓬§ππ’ÕÈ ¬Ÿà∑‰’Ë Àπ Where does this valiant fellow come from?
·≈â«¡‘Àπ”´È”®—∫·¡à∑æ— ‰ª He also seizes our war general.é
‡ ’¬πÈ”„®„Àâ –Õ◊πÈ °≈◊ππÈ”µ“ Sad and choking with sobs, she withheld her tears.

·µà§π‡¥’¬«‡®’¬«¬—ß∑”„Àâ™È”®‘µ çOnly one of them could hurt us.

ªí®®“¡‘µ√‡À¡◊ÕπÀπ÷Ë߉ø‰À¡â‡«À“ It seems the enemy set fire to the sky.é
‡À≈◊Õ°”≈—ßπ—ßË π÷°π‘ßË µ√÷°µ√“ At her witsû end, she sat still and recalled
µ“¡µ”√“‡√’¬π√Ë”„π§—¡¿’√å The war tactics in the textbooks she had studied.

æÕ§‘¥‰¥â„πÕÿ∫“¬æ√–∫“∑À≈«ß She recalled the tricks told by the Bishop.

„Àâ≈Õà ≈«ß≈â“ß»÷°Õ¬à“π÷°Àπ’ Not to flee from but to lure and wipe them out.
Õ—π°≈À¡Ÿ ‡Ÿâ  ◊Õπ—πÈ ‡À≈◊Õ¥’ It was the trick of the boar fighting the tiger.
‰¡àµÕà µ’µÕâ π à߇¢â“°√ßµ√÷ß No need to confront but drive them to the cage.

·≈⫵√Õßµ√÷°ª√÷°…“æ«°¢â“‡ΩÑ“ Wanla consulted her courtiers, she said,

‡¥’ά«π’ȇ√“°Á‰¡à¡’∑’Ë®–æ÷Ëß çAs we have no one to depend on,
®–ºàÕπª√π°≈»÷°„Àâ≈°÷ ´÷ßÈ We must deploy profound war tricks
√∫„Àâ∂ß÷ ·æâ™π–ª–∑–∑—æ To tackle the enemy till we win.

¥â«¬‡ÀÁπ«à“¢â“»÷°¡“Œ÷°‚À¡ çI think they will rush for a strong attack.

®–®Ÿà‚®¡®ÿ¥‰ø‡¢â“‰≈à®—∫ They will set fire in order to seize us.
‡À¡◊Õπ‰øªÉ“¡“„°≈â®ÿ¥‰ø√—∫ They are like an approaching forest fire.
®÷ß®–¥—∫‡æ≈‘߉¥â¥ß— „®π÷° We must set fire to resist them.

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„À€∏’µ‡’ À≈Á°µ“√“ß≈âÕ¡ çLet soldiers forge iron grids

∑ÿ°∑’ªË ÕÑ ¡§πÕ¬Ÿªà √–µŸµ°÷ On the towers and gates where men are on duty
∑”°≈‰°„§√‡¢â“À—π„Àâ≈π—Ë §÷° And put up the machines to trap those coming in.
¢—ߢ⓻÷°‡ ’¬„Àâ‰ø¡—π‰À¡âµ“¬ Let the enemy be rounded off to death by fire.

∑”√∂∑√ß°ß°≈∂ⓧπ¢÷πÈ çMake royal chariots tricky as a trap.

„ÀâÀ—°§√◊π§√Õ∫‰«â‡À¡◊Õπ„®À¡“¬ They will collapse and plummet once mounted.
∑”√Ÿª√à“ßÕ¬à“߇√“‡ªìπ‡®â“𓬠Figure of myself is modelled as a commander
¢÷πÈ √∂√“¬‰ª∑ÿ°∑—æ°”°—∫æ≈ Sitting on each war chariot of the forces.

Õ⓬µ—«°≈â“¡“‡ÀÁπ®–‡ºàπ®—∫ çOnce seeing it, the valiant one will rush to capture.
§ßµ‘¥°—∫√“¬∑“ßÕ¬Ÿ°à ≈“ßÀπ He will be trapped by the machine on the way.
‡¢“‡º“‡√“‡√“‡º“∫â“߮ߠ—ßË æ≈ They gave us fire, then fire will be returned to them.é
‡√àß„Àâ¢πøóπµÕß¡“°Õ߉«â œ Wanla then ordered wood to be piled up.

Ô æ«°¢ÿππ“ßµà“ß∫—ߧ¡™¡©≈“¥ All officers prostrated and praised her wisdom

´÷ßË ∑√ߧ“¥§‘¥¥’®–¡’‰Àπ On her good plan for lining up the battle front.
·≈â«∑Ÿ≈≈“¡“®—¥‡À¡◊Õπµ√— „™â They all left to prepare as ordered.
°”°—∫‰æ√àµ√«®µ√“®π√“µ√’ They assigned men to inspect the forces all night.

π“ß‚©¡¬ß∑√߇§√◊ÕË ßæ‘™¬— ¬ÿ∑∏å Wanla then put on her battle array,

‡ÀπÁ∫Õ“«ÿ∏√Õ∫°“¬“¡“√»√’ Weapons were fixed around her body.
¢÷ÈπÕ¬ŸàªÑÕ¡æ√âÕ¡∫√√¥“ΩŸßπ“√’ She then went up the fortress with her female team,
§Õ¬¥Ÿ∑∑’ æ— º≈÷°π—ßË µ√÷°µ√“ œ And sat observing the movement of Phaluekûs forces.

Ô ΩÉ“¬Õߧåæ√–Õ¿—¬‡®â“‰µ√¿æ Phra Aphai, King of the Three Realms,

æէ˔æ≈∫‚æ≈â‡æ≈â„π‡«À“ At nightfall, when the sky became dusky,
„Àâ¬ß‘ ªóπ§√◊πÈ §√—πË ‡ªìπ —≠≠“ Asked his men to open fire as a signal.
‡®â“æ√“À¡≥å “ππÕà“π‚Õß°“√¡πµå Brahmin Sanon recited his mantra.

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√âÕ߇√’¬°≈¡ ¡∑∫®∫®—ßÀ«—¥ Calling all the winds which blew in that space

„Àâ°≈—∫æ—¥‡¢â“µ≈‘ßË ¢â“ß ‘ßÀ≈ To divert to the shore of Sinhala,
‡ ’¬ß§√÷°§√÷°§√◊πÈ ‚§√¡‚次∫π Making bustling noises in the sky.
„Àâæ«°æ≈‚Àà π—πË ‡ªìπ —≠≠“ Loud cheers were signaled by his men.

‡§≈◊ÕË π‡√◊Õ√∫§√∫∂â«π°√–∫«π∑—æ The fleet of naval convoys moved to order.

¥Ÿ§ß—Ë §—∫§÷°§—°°—πÀπ—°Àπ“ They were crowding the sea all over.
∑’ÀË πÿπÀ≈—߬—ßÀ≈“¡µ“¡°—π¡“ Teeming, more of them were along the way.
¬‘ߪóπÀπⓇ√◊Õ√–¥¡µ“¡≈¡Œ◊Õ œ They fired from the bow following the windûs direction.

Ô ΩÉ“¬Ω√—ßË µ—ßÈ √“¬Õ¬Ÿ™à “¬µ≈‘ßË The Western convoys were along the coast.
µà“ß·¬â߬‘ߪóπ≈âÕ≈Ÿ°À«ÕÀ«◊Õ They fired the wheeled canons and noisy bombs.
·µà≈¡À«πªÉ«πªí¥æ—¥°√–æ◊Õ Which were blown around by the strong wind.
¡—π¬—ߥ◊ÕÈ ¬‘ߪ√–¥—߉¡àøßí ªóπ They kept firing without noting the direction.

æÕ‡√◊Õ‡ ¬‡°¬µ≈‘Ëß«‘Ëߢ÷Èπ√∫ Once the ships reached the shore, men rushed up to fight.
≈â«π∂◊Õ§∫§—ßË §—∫§ππ—∫À¡◊πË With torches in hand counting by tens of thousands.
µà“ß‚Àà√Õâ ß°âÕß°÷°‡ ’¬ß§√÷°§√◊πÈ They shouted noisily with cheerful cries.
‰¡à¬ß‘ ªóπæ“°—π‰≈àøπí ·∑ß Not using guns, they stabbed with swords.

∑À“√¡â“Ω√—ßË ÕÕ°§—ßË §—∫ Cavalry of Westerners charged out in full force

ª–∑–∑—æ∂÷ß°—π≈â«π¢—π·¢Áß Clashing powerfully with Phra Aphaiûs army.
√∂ °—¥≈—¥∑“߉ª°≈“ß·ª≈ß War chariots were shifted to the battlefield.
µà“ßµàÕ·¬âß·∑ßøíπª√–®—≠∫“πœ They were in fierce and close combat.

Ô  ‘π ¡ÿ∑ ÿ¥°≈â“ÕÕ°Àπâ“∑—æ Most undaunted Sinsamut led the army.

Õ“°”°—∫¢÷πÈ ‰ª¥â«¬™à«¬∑À“√ His uncle supervised the move and guided the force.
‡¢â“µ’∑æ— ¬—∫¬àπ‰¡à∑π∑“π They subdued the enemy with unbearable blows,
Õ≈À¡à“π¡◊¥øÑ“ ÿ∏“¥≈ All tumultuous under darkened sky and land.

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æ√–Õ¿—¬„Àâ‡∑’¬∫‡√◊Õ∑’Ëπ—Ëß Phra Aphai had his ship anchored.

¬°¢÷πÈ Ωíßò §—ßË §—∫¥Ÿ ∫—  π He landed his men crowding ashore.
æ√“À¡≥嫇‘ ™’¬√‚¡√“‡®â“ “ππ Brahmins Wichian, Mora and Sanon
µà“߬°æ≈¢÷πÈ ∫°∑—ßÈ À°∑—æ Also led and landed the six armed forces.

≈â«π∂◊Õ§∫√∫Ω√—ßË ·≈Õ—ß°ƒ… Torches in hands, they fought English and Westerners

°√–™—πÈ ™‘¥©–ø“¥‡ ’¬ß©“¥©—∫ In close combat with loud noise of swords.
æ≈≈—ß°“√“√Õ§Õ¬≈àÕ√—∫ The Lankan army waited to resist.
„Àâ°Õß∑—浓¡µ‘¥™‘¥°”·æß They lured Phra Aphaiûs men to the foot of the wall.

æ“¡“∂÷ßµâπ∑“߉ª¢â“߇¢“ Reaching the starting point, they went along the hills,
®–§Õ¬‡º“∑—æ‡√◊Õ‡À¡◊Õπ‡ ◊Õ·Ωß Hoping to throw fire onto Phra Aphaiûs fleet.
ΩÉ“¬æ«°æ≈∫πÀÕ√∫®ÿ¥§∫·¥ß Men on the fortress lit red torches,
µà“ßµàÕ·¬â߬‘ß Ÿ¥â »Ÿ °— ¥“œ And all fought bravely with gunfire.

Ô ÀπàÕπ√‘π∑√å π‘  ¡ÿ∑‰¡àÀ¬ÿ¥¬—ßÈ Prince Sinsamut uninterruptedly

°—∫‰æ√àæ√—Ëßæ√Ÿæ√âÕ¡‡¢â“ªÑÕ¡¢«“ Rushed his men upon the right tower.
µà“߇ºàπ‚ºπ‚¬π‚´à «¡‡ ¡“ They hoisted the chains to the crenellations,
‚¬∑–°“‡°’¬Ë «ª√“°“√¢÷πÈ √“≠√Õπ Using grapnels to climb up for the fight.

Ω√—ßË ·∑ß·¬âßøíπ°—πÀπâ“∑’Ë Westerners on duty used their swords.

ÕÕ°µàÕµ’µ“â π√—∫ ≈—∫ ≈Õπ They gave resistance to the attack.
‡Õ“‰øø“¥ “¥πÈ”¡—π‡ªì𧫗π√âÕπ Throwing fire and oil in smoking hot.
∫â“ߪհªÕπªÉ«¬°“¬∫â“ß«“¬™π¡å Some were wounded, sick or died.

 ‘π ¡ÿ∑©ÿ¥‚´à‚º≈à∑–≈÷ßË Sinsamut, dragging the chain boldly rose up,

æ≈—¥µ°º÷ß‚ºπ°≈—∫¢÷πÈ  —∫ π Bumping back and forth in confusion.
¡—π√ÿ¡°—πøíπ·∑ß°Á·°≈âß∑π Being stabbed from all direction, he bore with it.
¢÷πÈ ∂÷ß∫π„∫‡ ¡“‰≈ඓà øíπ Up to the crenellations, he killed many.

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Ω√—ßË ·¢°·µ°«‘ßË ∑‘ßÈ Õ“«ÿ∏ Westerners and Javanese, defeated, threw down their weapons.
 ‘π ¡ÿ∑‡≈’¬È «≈—¥ °—¥º—π Zigzagging his way, Sinsamut blocked their passage.
¢÷Èπ®ÿ¥‰ø‰À¡âÀÕ√∫µ≈∫§«—π He went up to set fire to the tower,
»√’ «ÿ √√≥µâÕπ‰æ√à¢π÷È ‰ªµ“¡ Sisuwan followed up with his men after him.

‡ ’¬ßªñߪíßæ—ߪ√–µŸ‡¢â“æ√Ÿæ√—ßË Loud bangs were heard from breaking gates.

¥Ÿ§∫— §—ßË ºŸ§â πÕÕ°≈âπÀ≈“¡ Sisuwanûs men crowded the place.
‡∑’¬Ë «®ÿ¥‰ø‰À¡â‚¢¡ßæ≈ÿßà ‚æ≈ßæ≈“¡ They went around setting blazing fires.
°ÕßÀπÿπµ“¡°—π‡¢â“‰ª„π°”·æßœ Reserve troops swarmed onto the wall.

Ô ΩÉ“¬Ω√—ßË µ—ßÈ °Õß ‘∫ Õß∑—æ Westerners fought with twelve battalions.

¬‘ߪóπ√—∫ Ÿ°â π— ≈â«π¢—π·¢Áß They resisted with strong fire.
µà“߬°ÕÕ°πÕ°‡¡◊Õ߇¬◊ÕÈ ß∑·¬ß Coming out of the wall, they went obliquely,
·≈â«°≈—∫·°≈â߇≈’¬È «≈¥≈âÕ¡√∂°≈ Making false return to surround the magic chariot.

æ«°º≈÷°Œ÷°Œ—°‡¢â“À—°À“≠ Phaluekûs army, in indignant mood, rushed in

¢÷πÈ µâπ°«â“π‡°Á∫∑√—æ¬å¥ Ÿ ∫—  π And began to collect all the treasures.
ª√–µŸª¥î µ‘¥§ÿ°«‘ßË ´ÿ°´π The doors then closed, caged, they milled around.
®–¢÷πÈ ∫π≈ß≈à“ßµ“√“ß≈âÕ¡ Up or down they found themselves imprisoned.

»√’ «ÿ √√≥π—πÈ æ“‚¬∏“À“≠ Sisuwan took with him a valiant contingent,

™à«¬ÀπÿπÀ≈“π‰≈àæ≈¢÷Èπ∫πªÑÕ¡ Supporting his nephew to chase those on tower.
ª√–µŸª¥î µ‘¥¢—ßÕ¬Ÿæà √—ßË æ√âÕ¡ Behind the closed doors, all of them were locked in.
≈â«π‡À≈Á°≈âÕ¡∑ÿ°∑‘»µ‘¥µ“√“ß All sides encircled with iron bars.

®π‡æ≈‘߉À¡â„°≈â∂ß÷ ‡ ’¬ßÕ÷ßÕ◊ÕÈ The flames drawing near, they screamed out loud,
®–·¬à߬◊ÕÈ ¢ÿ¥§—¥°Á¢¥— ¢«“ß And pulled at the iron bars without success.
µ–‚°π√âÕßæ√âÕ߇æ√’¬°‡√’¬°°—πæ≈“ß They shouted for help among themselves.
§π¢â“ß≈à“ßÀ≈∫«‘ßË ‡ªìπ ‘ߧ≈’ œ Those below tried to escape in confusion.

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Ô  ‘π ¡ÿ∑®ÿ¥‰ø‰≈àΩ√—ßË Sinsamut lit the fire to force the Westerners out.

‡ÀÁπ√Ÿªπ—ßË Àπâ“æ≈—∫æ≈“‡À¡◊Õπ¡“√»√’ Seeing a figure before the pavilion like a lady.
‚≈¥∑–≈÷ßË ∂÷ߧ«â“√Ÿªπ“√’ He boldly seized the female model.
°≈‡°â“Õ’ÀÈ π— À°µ°„π°√ß The tricky chair then tumbled, throwing him in a cage.

‡À¡◊Õπµ√“µ√÷ßµ÷ßµ—«¥‘πÈ ¥—«È ‡¥’¬È Tightly bound, he jerked to free himself.

√Ÿ«â “à ‡ ’¬™—πÈ ‡™‘ß≈–‡≈‘ßÀ≈ß Realizing he had made a wrong move,
·µàæ≈‘°º≈—°À—°‡À◊ÕË ‚´¡‡ ◊ÕÈ ∑√ß He pushed hard, sweat soaking his shirt,
∑”≈“¬°√ß°Á‰¡àÀ≈ÿ¥ ÿ¥°”≈—ß œ Trying to smash the cage, in vain.

Ô ΩÉ“¬‡®â“æ√“À¡≥å “¡§π§ÿ¡æ≈æ√âÕ¡ The three Brahmins led the contingents,

·¬°°—πÕâÕ¡‚Õ∫∑“߉ª¢â“ßÀ≈—ß Separating themselves to divert to the rear.
‡ÀÁπ°Õß≈àÕ√Õ√∂æ√–°≈¥∫—ß They saw the magic chariot with the parasol.
√Ÿªπ“ßπ—ßË π÷°À¡“¬«à“π“¬æ≈ There sat the lady, looking like a commander.

‡®â“‚¡√“ΩÉ“øíπ°√–™—πÈ ™‘¥ Brahmin Mora was in a close fight,

‰≈൓¡µ‘¥µ’∑æ— ¡“ —∫ π Chasing in confusion the army.
∂÷ß√∂∑√ßµ√ß∂≈—π¢÷πÈ ™—πÈ ∫π Reaching the chariot, he jumped up to grab the lady.
æÕ√«∫§πÀ—«À°µ°µ–°“¬ Its head fell down and Mora tumbled into the trap.

‡¢â“µ‘¥°√ß°ß°”‡À¡◊Õπ ”∑—∫ Mora was also encaged.

Ω√—ßË °≈—∫≈âÕ¡‰≈à‰æ√à∑ß—È À≈“¬ The Westerners then encircled Phaluekûs men,
æ≈º≈÷°§√÷°§√◊πÈ µ◊πË °√–®“¬ Frightened, they dispersed all over
¥â«¬µ—«π“¬µ‘¥√∂À¡¥∑ÿ°§πœ As all the masters were trapped in the magic chariots.

Ô ∑—æΩ√—ßË ∑—ßÈ  ‘∫ Õß°Õß ¡∑∫ Twelve Western reserve contingents

µ’µ≈∫‰≈à≈“â ß¡“°≈“ßÀπ Chased Phaluekûs forces along the way.
ΩÉ“¬‡ ◊ժɓΩ√—ßË √‘¡Ωíßò ™≈ Also Western scout troops at the shore,
‡ÀÁπ∑—æ∫π∫°µ◊πË ‡ ’¬ß§√◊πÈ §√÷° Seeing men on land, shouted loud cheers.

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∫â“ß®ÿ¥§∫§√∫¡◊Õ∂◊Õ≈ßπÈ” Some lit torches and off they went to sea,

‡∑’¬Ë «‡º“≈”‡√◊Õ‡À≈à“™“«º≈÷° Setting fire to Phaluekûs ships.
æÕ‡æ≈‘߉À¡â‰ø°√–æ◊ÕŒ◊ÕŒ◊ÕŒ÷° As strong flames uproaring spread,
‡ ’¬ß§÷°§÷°§π«‘ßË ‡ªìπ ‘ߧ≈’ All men ran in chaos making loud noises.

‡À≈à“æ«°æ≈∫π‡√◊Õ∑’‡Ë À≈◊ÕÀ≈Õ Those Phaluekûs men remaining aboard the ships

µ—¥ ¡Õ„À≠àπÕâ ¬·≈â«∂Õ¬Àπ’ Raised the anchors and retreated.
Ω√—ßË ÀâÕ¡≈âÕ¡≈—¥ °—¥µ’ Westerners encircled and obstructed them,
ªí∂撇撬߮–≈à¡∂≈à¡æ—ß œ Making a noise like crumbling of the Earth.

Ô ΩÉ“¬Õߧåæ√–Õ¿—¬µ°„®«—∫ Phra Aphai in a flash, extremely frightened,

‡ÀÁπ»÷°°≈—∫‚Õ∫ÕâÕ¡‡¢â“≈âÕ¡À≈—ß Saw the fight reverse and enemy behind,
¢â“ßæ«°‡¢“‡º“‡√◊Õ‡À≈◊Õ°”≈—ß Also teeming enemy burning all the ships
ΩÉ“¬Ω√—ßË √∫√ÿ°¡“∑ÿ°∑’ And Westerners advancing to strike.

¥Ÿ∑æ— Àπâ“¢«“´â“¬À“¬‰ªÀ¡¥ Seeing the left and right vanguards gone,

‡¢“≈âÕ¡√∂∑√߉«â¡‘„ÀâÀπ’ His chariot was blocked from escaping.
µ°æ√–∑—¬„πÕ“√¡≥剡ࠡª√–¥’ Phra Aphai, being totally frightened,
®÷ß∑√ߪï‡ò ªÉ“Àâ“¡ª√“¡≥√ߧå Decided to play his pipe to stop the fight.

«‘‡«°À«’¥°√’¥‡ ’¬ß ”‡π’¬ß π—πË The tranquil tune, echoing louder,

§π¢¬—πÈ ¬◊π¢÷ßµ–≈÷ßÀ≈ß Stunned the audience to a standstill.
„ÀâÀ«‘««“∫´“∫∑√«ßµà“ßßà«ßßß Infatuated by the pipe sound, they all dozed off.
≈◊¡≥√ߧå√∫ Ÿ‡â ß’¬Ë ÀŸøßí Stopping the fight, they listened to the tune.

æ√–‚À¬À«π§√«≠‡æ≈ß«—߇«ß®‘µ Phra Aphai struck up a sentimental air,

„Àâ§π§‘¥∂÷ß∂‘πË ∂«‘≈À«—ß Diverting all to the fond memory of their lands.
«à“®“°‡√◊Õπ‡À¡◊Õππ°¡“®“°√—ß çWe left home as birds did to their nests.
Õ¬Ÿ¢à “â ßÀ≈—ß°Á®–·≈™–·ßâ§Õ¬ People at home must look forward to our return.

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æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

∂÷߬“¡§Ë”¬Ë”¶âÕß®–√âÕ߉Àâ çAt dusk, beaten gongs will make men weep,

√˔摉√√—≠®«πÀ«π≈–ÀâÕ¬ And lament with keen nostalgia.
‚Õ⬓¡¥÷°¥“«‡§≈◊ÕË π‡¥◊Õπ°Á§≈âÕ¬ Moon and stars float in the late night sky,
πÈ”§â“߬âÕ¬‡¬Áπ©Ë”∑’ÕË ¡— æ√ And dewdrops cool the night, dampening the air.

Àπ“«Õ“√¡≥å≈¡‡√◊ËÕ¬‡©◊ËÕ¬‡©◊ËÕ¬™◊Ëπ çSenses are cooled by the gentle breeze

√–√«¬√◊πË √‘π√‘π°≈‘πË ‡° √ Coming with exotic flower fragrance,
· π ß “√∫â“π‡√◊Õπ‡æ◊ÕË π∑’πË Õπ Pity the folk at home and bedfellows
®–Õ“«√≥åÕâ“ß«â“ßÕ¬Ÿà«—߇«ß Who were left behind, forlorn and desolate.é

«‘‡«°·«à«·®â«‡ ’¬ß ”‡π’¬ßªïò Tranquility restored by the tune of the pipe,

æ«°‚¬∏’∑ß‘È ∑«π™«π‡¢πß All armed men put down their weapons.
≈ßπ—ßË ‚¬°‚ß°Àß—∫∑—∫°—π‡Õß Sitting down, dozing off they lay upon one another.
‡ π“–‡æ≈߇æ≈‘πÀ≈—∫√–ß—∫‰ª The sweet song put them to deep sleep.

®—ßÀ√’¥À√‘ßË  ‘ß —µ«å ß—¥‡ß’¬∫ Crickets and other animals fell silent.

‡¬Áπ¬–‡¬’¬∫¬àÕ¡À≠â“惰…“‰ « The coolness spread over the turfs and leaves.
πÈ”§â“ßæ√¡≈¡ ß—¥‰¡à°«—¥‰°« Dewdrops and still air made leaves motionless.
∑—ßÈ ‡æ≈‘߉ø‚´¡´“∫‰¡à«“∫«Ÿ œ Fire was subdued and the blaze put out.

End of Part V

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 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

About the translators and the editor

Name : Khunying Kullasap Gesmankit

Educational Background :
B.A. from Chulalongkorn University

Dip. In Education from Chulalongkorn University
Honorary Ph.D. (Library Science) from Ramkhamhaeng University
Honorary Ph.D. (Thai Language) from Burapha University
Certificate of Competency as a Librarian from University of
New South Wales, Australia
Working Experience :
Director-General, Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Education
Director, National Library Thailand
Director, International Serials Data System Southeast Asia
Center (ISDS-SEA) Senator, Fellow of the Royal Institute,
Academy of Arts
Professional Associations :
P.E.N. International Thailand-Center, Founder, Committee
and Member; Thai Writers Association, Founder, Committee
and Member
Academic Works and Publications :
Textbook. 05 Reading (Versers)- Sukhothai Dhamatiraj
(no. 11, 13)
Using Library-Textbook for Secondary School, Ministry of
Education

177
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

Name : Professor Emeritus Srisurang Poolthupya

Educational Background :
B.A. from University of Dublin (TCD), Republic of Ireland
M.A. (Indian Studies) from University of Wisconsin, U.S.A.

Dip. DûEtudes Francaises from Institut de Touraine, France
Working Experience :
Teaching English and French at Suankularb College 1963-1965
Teaching History at Thammasat University 1965-1997
Director of India Studies Centre 1993-1997
Fellow of the Royal Institute, Academy of Arts since 1996
Chairperson, Academy of Arts, R.I. since 2006
President of P.E.N. International Thailand Centre 1998-2002
Professor Emeritus, Thammasat University since 1998
Professional Associations :
Historical Society of Thailand
P.E.N. International Thailand Centre
Thai-Bharat Cultural Lodge Association
Fulbright Thai Association
Academic Works and Publications:
Eastern Civilization, 1999.
Intellectual History of India, 2002.
Monkeys Great and Small, 2006.
çSocial Change As Seen in Modern Thai Literatureé
çThai Intellectual and Literary Lifeé
çRamayana and the Thai Monarchyé
çBrotherly Love in the Ramakiené
çSymbolism of the Heart Casket in the Ramakiené
çThai Literature as Source of Intellectual History of Thailandé
çThe Ramayana in Oral and Folk Traditions of Lop Burié
çThai Customs and Social Values in the Ramakiené
Translations :
Phra Chai Suriya by Sunthon Phu 1986
Yunus Emre (Poems) 1991
Phra Aphai Mani: Part I, II, III, IV 1999 - 2006
Ram Katha (by L.P. Vyas) 2007

178
 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

Name : Assoc. Professor Malithat Promathatavedi

Educational Background :
B.A. (Cum Laude), Miami University
M.A. (English), University of Wisconsin

Working Experience :
Lecturer, Chiang Mai University (1966-1971) ; Head, Department
of English & Linguistics, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs,
Faculty of Humanities, Ramkhamhaeng University (1972-2002);
Special lecturer : Assumption University, St. John College,
Chulalongkorn University, Phra Nakhon Teachers College,
Royal Thai Army Computer Institute, Royal Thai Air Force
Language Centre, King Mongkutûs Institute of Technology,
Lat Krabang Campus, Mahidol University, Salaya.
Professional Associations :
P.E.N. International Thailand-Centre
Pan Asia-Pacific Women Association
Chulalongkorn University Arts Alumni Association
Present Position:
Freelance writer, translator
Member of the committees under the National Identity Office
Associate Fellow of the Royal Institute, Academy of Arts
Academic Works and Publications:
EN 291 Mythological Background in Literature, EN 307
Appreciative Reading, EN 338 17th Century Literature, EN
467 Literary Criticism, Thai Etiquette
Translations:
His Majesty the King and Water Resources Management
(æ√–∫“∑ ¡‡¥Á®æ√–‡®â“Õ¬ŸÀà «— °—∫°“√®—¥°“√·À≈àßπÈ”), Thai Houses
(∫â“π‰∑¬), The War Between Right and Might (∏√√¡“∏√√¡– ß§√“¡),
The Monarch Who Is the Strength of the Land (æ√–¡À“°…—µ√‘¬å
ºŸ∑â √߇ªìπæ≈—ß·Ààß·ºàπ¥‘π), Ngo Pa (‡ß“–ªÉ“), Love and Politics
(°“√‡¡◊Õ߇√◊ÕË ß√—°), Lop Buri (≈æ∫ÿ√)’ , Phra Aphai Mani: Part I, II, III,
and IV, (æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’¿“§∑’Ë Ò, Ú, Û ·≈– Ù), Literary Splendor
(«√√≥«‘®µ‘ √), King Bhumibol : Strength of the Land (æ≈—ß·Ààß·ºàπ¥‘π
π«¡‘π∑√¡À“√“™“), and several articles and short stories.

179
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

Name : Mrs. Pensri Kiengsiri

Educational Background :
Senior Cambridge Certificate from The Convent of the Holy

Infant Jesus, Penang, Malaysia
B.A. (Physiotherapy) from Melbourne University, Victoria, Australia
Working Experience :
Ten years as a physiotherapist
Over forty years as a fiction and non fiction writer
Present Positions :
Freelance writer
Special, part - time lecturer to graduate students in
Communicative English at the Faculty of Humanities,
Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok
Professional Association :
Past President of Writersû Association of Thailand; International
Womanûs Club of Thailand; Childrenûs Support and Promotion
Association; International Communication Training, Bangkok,
Thailand; Advisor of Writerû Association of Thailand; Translatorsû
and Interpretersû Association of Thailand; Zonta International
Bangkok 2, Thailand
Academic Works and Publications :
In Thai : Forty hardcover novels, fifteen novelettes, five
collections of short stories and two children stories
In English : Poems from Thailand, Buddhist Ways to Overcome
Obstacles (Translation), Thailand-Revealing Perspectives (Essays
on Thai Culture), Love in the Fish Market (A novel)

180
 Phra Aphai Mani : Part V

Name : Mrs. Sudchit Phinyoying

Educational Background :
B.A. (Hons.) from Chulalongkorn University

M.A. (English) from University of the Philippines
Studied for 3 years in Ph.D. at London University
Working Experience :
Broadcaster, British Broadcasting Corporation International
Officer, United Nations Childrenûs Fund (UNICEF)
Senior writer/ columnist çBangkok Post and Dichan Magazineé
Present Position :
Freelance writer, translator, interpreter
Professional Associations:
University Women Association, Arts Alumni Association, Friends
of Womenûs World Banking association (FWUBT) of Thailand
Academic Works and Publications :
Lecturer in M.A. in Translation-Ramkamhaeng University
Lecturer in Post-Graduate Diploma in Translation-Thammasat
University
Lecturer in M.A. in Social Sciences-Mahidol University

181
æ√–Õ¿—¬¡≥’ ı

Name : Mr. Michael Wright

Present Position :
Advisor, Matichon Newspaper.

Academic Works and Publications:

In JSS, The Nation, Silpawathanatham
Editor-in-chief of Phra Aphai Mani I, II, III, and IV

182