Then he gave Command to build a castle in the wood. And all the workers came, and built it there, With ramparts three. As if by magic then A golden palace rose. The outer gate Was iron, loaded down with arms, and held By demons and by Ethiopians. These were the keepers of the gates, with steeds Untamed. With swords unsheathed they stood alert And waited for the King's commands. Of brass All chiselled was the second gate, supplied With cannons and with powder, guarded safe By beings supernatural. The third Was silver, such as may be seen in far Eirak. The beauty of the castle was Beyond compare! From far it seemed to be As double, like an elephant with two White ivory tusks. Where may its like be found? Three diamonds pure reflected all the light, Big as a melon. Now the castle built, The King a plaisance beautiful desired With gay pavilions, and all kinds of plants. The middle booth nine spacious rooms displayed, One for the royal audiences, adorned And pleasant as a bed of flowers.
The King A festival maintained for forty days, With games and sports and dances to divert. And never was such animation seen! All ate and drank to sound of music sweet. They passed the loving-cup and drank to each In turn.
For forty days resounded there The gongs and _gendarangs_, and joyous tones Of gay _serouni_ and _nefiri_ glad. "How beautiful is Bidasari!" all Exclaimed; "a thousand times more lovely than The Queen. Thrice happy are the merchant now And his good wife; by marriage they're allied To our great King, though strangers to the land. We count it strange that Bidasari's face In naught is like the merchant nor his wife. Who knoweth but that she, in mortal shape, An angel fair may be? Full many slaves The merchant hath, but never children own." "He found her when a babe, upon the shore," Another said, "and brought her up."
The King Heard all their words. He thought: "It is the truth And this I take as proof of her high birth. She certainly is noble or come down From heaven."
When four days had fled, the wives Of _mantris_ dressed the beauteous girl. They clad Her form in satins soft of Egypt, shot With gold, adorned with precious stones inset And many gems. Her beauty was enhanced The more, till she a radiant angel seemed. She wore a tunic, crimson and pomegranate, With buttons shaped like butterflies. She was Adorned with _padaka_ of five quaint clasps, And belt called _naga souma_. Ear-rings rich She had, of diamonds set in gold, and wrought Most wondrously, as bright as daylight's gleam; A ring most marvellous and rare she wore Called _astakouna_, and another named _Gland kana_, and a third from far Ceylon, Studded with precious stones. Her eyes were like The stars of orient skies. Her teeth were black, Her face like water shone. Her chiselled nose Was prominent and Mike a flower fresh culled. When she was dressed, upon a couch of pearls Her mother put her. Supple was her form, And white, as she reclined, by many maids Surrounded. In his royal garb the prince Was clad, and dazzling to the eyes of all Who saw. He wore a kingly crown which shone With diamonds bright and lucent amethysts And many stones, and all majestic seemed. Then rice was brought. The King with pleasure ate And what was left he gave the _mantris'_ wives. When all had finished he perfumed himself And gazed upon his lovely wife. Her face And form were charming. Her soft tresses curled In grace. Her eyes still kept the trace of tears, Which made her lovelier. The silken folds Of soft Egyptian curtains fell. They were alone. "Awake, my darling," said the prince at dawn, "Crown of my life, awake, my pretty one." Then Bidasari waked and said, with tears: "My friend, I had all sorts of wondrous dreams. I saw a palm-tree tall with tufted limbs, And fruits all ripe." When three days more had fled And all the people saw and loud acclaimed, Then Bidasari took the rank of Queen. The King o'erloaded her with gifts and loved Her tenderly. "Oh, let us live and die Together, dear, and, as the days go by, Think more of one another, and our love Preserve, as in the hollow of the hand Oil is upheld, nor falls a single drop." So spake the King.