Ngo Pa = เงาะป่า

Ngo Pa 81 Ô Strong and dignified was brave Som-Phla, Sturdy and muscular, manly in appearance. He was as bold as an elephant in rut, Displaying his prowess in the forest. Rai Ô The dart flew out, hitting the tigerûs eye, Causing the beast to roar loudly in pain. The tiger sprang up all of a sudden, Then dropped to the ground, lying full length, Both paws rubbing its eyes, ripping its face. Som-Phla bravely blew another dart at it, Hitting the tigerûs shoulder this time. It staggered and roared, and as swift as the wind The injured beast took a leap at Som-Phla, Trying to maul and tear him to pieces. The tiger chased Som-Phla around the big tree, And both dashed back and forth consecutively. Ô Som-Phla the brave was ever so agile, And was not daunted by the angry beast. The watchful lad then circled the big tree,

82 ‡ß“–ª“É ‡ÀπÁ ‰¥â∑à“‚¥¥√—¥°√–À«¥— §Õ ‚ºπ¢Èπ÷ À≈—ßæ≈π— ‡°“–¡Ë—π‰«â ‡ ◊Õ ≈¥— ‡∑à“„¥‰¡¬à πà ¬Õà ‡ ◊Õ°√–‚¥¥‚≈¥‰ª‰°≈æÕ °≈Õ°≈àÕÀ≈—߇∑à“‰√°Á‰¡àæ≈—¥ æ…‘ Õ‘‚ª–·≈πà ‰ª„π‚≈À‘µ À«— ¢«‘¥¬◊π‰¡à„§√∂à π¥— ‡®Á∫‡À≈◊Õ∑π®π√âÕß°âÕߪɓ™—Ø ∑–≈÷Ëß‚≈¥Àπ“â  –∫¥— ≈â¡∫√√≈¬— œ ˆ §” œ ‚Õ¥ Ô §√—πÈ ‡ √®Á  —ßÀ“√欗§¶“ ´¡æ≈“À“‰«â„®‰¡à ∂Õπª√“ߧ«“πæ≈π— ∑—π„¥ ¡„‘ Àâ∫“¥’¡æ’ …‘ ·≈«â °«—°‡√’¬° Õ߇ߓ–∑ß’Ë °‡ßËπ‘ „Àâ√’∫‡¥π‘ ‡¢“â ¡“Õ¬“à ߇∫◊Õπ∫¥‘ µ“‚°ä–πÈ’¡—𵓬«“¬™’«µ‘ °Ÿ‰¡à§¥‘ À≈Õ°À≈ÕπÕ¬à“√Õâ π„® œ Ù §” œ Ô øßí «à“  Õ߬—ß°ß— ¢“À“‡™Ë◊Õ‰¡à ¥Õ≈欰— °«°— ´È”‡√’¬°√Ë”‰√

Ngo Pa 83 Grabbing the tigerûs neck when chance allowed it. He then climbed up to mount the tigerûs back, The beast trying in vain to throw him off. No matter how far it ran and shook its body, Som-Phla managed to remain on its back. The poison spread through the tigerûs veins, Causing it to lurch forward unsteadily. Its roar of pain echoing through the forest, The tiger took one more leap and dropped dead. Ô Having finished off the ferocious beast, Som-Phla did not feel at ease about the deed. Its evil spirit needed to be pacified, A rite was then performed to keep it in check. He then beckoned the two shaking Sakai To come to him without further delay, Telling them that the tiger was really dead, And that he was speaking only the truth. Ô Listening to Som-Phlaûs soothing words, The two boys did not wholeheartedly believe him. Som-Phla had to summon them once again,

84 ‡ß“–ª“É §Õà ¬¬Õà ߇¢“â ‰ª¢“ Ëπ— √—« ‡À¬¬’ ∫„∫‰¡°â √Õ∫°Á«ßË‘ °√“« √Õâ ß©“«‚©‰ª¡„‘ ™à™Ë«— ‡ÀπÁ ‡ ◊ÕπÕππß‘Ë ‰¡àµ‘ßµ—« §Õà ¬§≈“¬°≈—«¬Õà ߇¢“â ‰ª®π„°≈♥‘ ®–‡ÀÁπ·πà·À¬à¥Ÿ¥«â ¬ª≈“¬°≈Õâ ß ¡π— πßË‘ Õ¬¥àŸ ∑Ÿ ”πÕßµ“¬ π‘∑ π—ßË ≈ß·≈‡≈Á߇æàßæπ‘ ‘® ‡À‘¡®µ‘ ®∫— µÕâ ß≈Õ߇ª¥î µ“ œ ˆ §” œ ‡®√®“ °√“«√” Ô Õ“‡ÀÕ◊ Õ“‡ÀÕ◊ ‡ Õ◊ Õ⓬°–‚µ °≈È‘ß‚§à‚≈à‡æ√“–´¡æ≈“ À¬ÿ Œ“À¬ÿ ∂ÿ¬·¬°‡¢’Ȭ« ¥·’ µ‡à §¬È’ «§∂Ÿ Õ“â ¬°√“ Œà“À“Œà“À“µ“∂≈π Àπ“â ·¬°¬πà πˑ߉¬√“ ©–©©‘ “∑à“µ–°“¬ ‡≈Á∫¡÷ßÀ“¬§¡ƒÂÀ«“ ‚Õ䬂¬–‚Õ¬ä ·¬à·ºà·¥¥ ‰©π‰¡à·º¥‡ ¬’ ß„À⮓⠇æÕ◊Ë π‡Õ¬ã ‡æËÕ◊ π¡“™à«¬°Ÿ ‚Àà„À§â √ŸºŸâ·°≈â«°≈“â

Ngo Pa 85 Before they tiptoed towards him, legs shaking. The sound of their feet treading on dry leaves Caused them to run and scream out loudly. Upon seeing the tiger motionless, Their fear abated and they crept near it. Poking with the tips of their pipes to make sure, The tiger remained still as though quite dead. The boys then sat down and stared at the beast, Becoming bolder, they pried its eyes open. Krao-Ram Ô çHa, ha, you beastly bungling tiger, You are rolling over because of Som-Phla. It serves you right, you fang-baring tiger, All you did was to eat monkeyûs dung. Ha, ha, bulging-eyed, wrinkled-faced tiger, Why are you lying so quiet and still? Oh, oh, you seem to be clambering, Have your claws lost their sharpness already? Why are you lying prostrate like this, Without giving out an echoing roar? My dear friend, come here and join with me To give a big cheer to our brave teacher.

86 ‡ß“–ª“É √ªŸ °Á·°√àß·√ß°ÁÀπ°— „À°â Õ¥“√°— ®π‡ªπì ∫“â ‚ÀàŒ‘«È ‚ÀŒà ‘«È ‚Àà‡Àà „À â ¡§–‡πÕ⓬´¡æ≈“ √“à ¬ Ô ‡¡Õ◊Ë πÈ—π ´¡æ≈“‡°…¡ π— µÀå √√…“ ™°— ∫“‡¥–§¡§Ÿà™’«“ µ¥— ‡≈Á∫欧— ¶“∑—π„¥ ·≈â«™«π Õ߇ߓ–‡≈“–≈—¥ªÉ“ µ√ß¡“√‘¡∏“√∑’ÕË “»—¬ Õ“∫π”È ™”√–‡ÀßËÕ◊ ‰§≈  ”√“≠∫“π„®„π«“√’ œ Ù §” œ ≈ß √ß Ô §√È—π‡ √®Á  π“π –Õâ“π·≈â« ºÕà ß·ºâ«ª√¥’ ‘‡Ï ª√¡‡°…¡»√’ ™«π‡ß“–πâÕ¬πÕπ‡≈πà ‡¬πÁ ¥’ π°÷ ∑«‡’ ∑«»„π«≠‘ ≠“ œ Ú §” œ

Ngo Pa 87 Possessing both handsomeness and strength, May he attract girls to fall madly for him. Hooray! May Som-Phla have his heartûs desire. May all his wishes be duly fulfilled.é Rai Ô Upon hearing the two boys praising him, Som-Phla experienced a joyous feeling. Drawing out his handy dagger-shaped knife, He cut off the tigerûs sharp claws at once. Then he and the boys cut through the forest, Heading for the stream where they were resting. They then took a plunge in the water, Bathing and refreshing themselves with joy. Ô After their enjoyable dip in the stream, The three felt physically and mentally fresh. Som-Phla urged the boys to lie down for a nap, While he himself pondered in melancholy.

88 ‡ß“–ª“É æ√–¬“‚»° Ô ‚Õ≈â ”À∫— ®—∫Õ°¢Õ߇√¬’ ¡‡Õ㬠‰©π‡≈¬®–‰¥ â ¡ª√“√∂π“ ·µà«π— ‡ÀπÁ ‰¡à‡«πâ ∑ÿ°¢å∑ÿ°‡«≈“ ¡“µ‘¥µ“‡µÕ◊ π„®„À®â ”πß ∑√“∫«à“‡¢“¡§’ àŸ âÀŸ “â ¡À°— ¬ßË‘ √Õ◊È √—°„ΩÉ„®®π„À≈À≈ß ‡¡Õ◊Ë ¬“¡πÕπ∂Õπ„®‰¡Àà ≈—∫≈ß ®–ª≈¥ª≈߇ ’¬¥â«¬ß“¡‡æ√“–§«“¡√—° ®–§‘¥ºÕà πºπ— ©π— „¥ ®÷ß®–„À⇮“â ·®âß®√‘ߪ√–®—°…å ·¡πâ ‰¥â‰¡â‰ºà‡ªπì  ËÕ◊ ™°— ∑«à ß∑’¥’π—°®–‰¥°â “√ œ ˆ §” œ √à“¬ Ô §‘¥æ≈“ß∑“ß查°—∫‰¡â‰ºà ´—°‰´‡â √Ë◊Õß√“«°≈à“«∂ß÷ ∫“â π ·≈«â ∂“¡∂÷ß≈”À∫— ‡¬“«¡“≈¬å ∫—¥π’ȧ¥‘ Õà“πª√–°“√„¥ «à“Œ‡π“‡¢“¡“¢ÕµÕà æàÕ·¡à ®√‘߇™àππ—Èπ·πàƒÂ‰©π ·¡πâ °Ÿ√—°æÕâ ßµâÕß„® π“ß®–√—°¢“â ß„§√„§√à‡™¬™‘¥ œ Ù §” œ

Ngo Pa 89 Phraya-Soke Ô çDearest Lam-Hap, the love of my life, How can I have you as I have desired? Iûve suffered since I laid my eyes on you, Since your face is ever present in my mind. Knowing that you have been spoken for, I try not to think of you, to no avail. At bedtime I keep sighing, unable to sleep, I will certainly die of my love for you. How in the world can I solve my problem, And let you know my true feeling for you? If Mai-Phai were to be my go-between, My course of love should then run smoothly.é Rai Ô Resolved, Som-Phla then spoke to Mai-Phai, Asking about the goings-on in his household. He then asked about Lam-Hap, his beloved, What it was that she had been thinking. Was it true that Ha-Nao had asked her parents For her hand to be his wedded wife? If Som-Phla also fell in love with her, Who would she choose between the two of them?

90 ‡ß“–ª“É Ô ‡¡Ë◊ÕππÈ— ‰¡â‰ºµà Õ∫§«“¡‰ªµ“¡®‘µ Œ‡π“‡¢“Õ«¥Õ‘∑∏ƒ‘ ∑∏‘Ï æÕà °Ÿ·°§¥‘ ®–„Àâªπí ·µæà ’¢Ë “â π—Èπ¡—π‡©¬Õ¬àŸ ‡ÀπÁ ‰¡ à Ÿâ√—°„§√à„ΩΩÉ íπ ·µµà —«¢Õß°‡Ÿ Õßπ—Èπ ‰¡™à Õ∫°π— °—∫Œ‡π“‡¢“Õ«¥¥’ ·¡πâ Õ’≈”À—∫‰¥°â ∫— ¡ß÷ ®–æ÷ß„®° Ÿ È‘π∑Ë’ ‡ÕßÁ ‡°ßà π°‘ À«à“™“µ√’ ∑Èß— ‡ªπì §√°Ÿ πŸ °È’ Ÿπ°÷ √—° œ ˆ §” œ ‡®√®“ Ô øßí «à“ ´¡æ≈“À«— ‡√“–Õ¬Ÿà§—°§°— °Õ¥‰¡â‰ºà°≈¡™¡æ°— µ√å ·≈«â «“à ‡°ßà π°— ‡®’¬«πÕâ ߬“ «à“æ≈“ß∑“ß —Ëß Õß»√’ ®ßÕ¬πŸà Ë ’ °— ÀπÕà ¬§Õ¬∑à“ ®–‰ª‡°Á∫¡“≈’¡‘„À♓⠷≈â«≈’≈“·≈≈Õ¥ Õ¥¥Ÿ œ Ù §” œ ‡™¥‘ ©ßË‘

Ngo Pa 91 Ô Listening to Som-Phlaûs pleading query, Mai-Phai answered as he himself thought fit. Ha-Nao had boastfully displayed his prowess, And his father seemed inclined towards the lad. But Lam-Hap seemed to be indifferent, Expressing no feeling for Ha-Nao. Mai-Phai himself did not like Ha-Nao much, For he was such an arrogant person. If Lam-Hap were to be married to Som-Phla, He, Mai-Phai, would be ever so happy. Not only was Som-Phla manly and strong, But he also was his beloved teacher. Ô Being very pleased with Mai-Phaiûs answer, Som-Phla gave out a contented laugh. Embracing the young boy tightly, He praised him whole heartedly. Som-Phla then told the two boys To remain there and wait for him. While he went out to pick some flowers. Then he boldly set out on his quest.

92 ‡ß“–ª“É ‡™‘¥©ßË‘ Ô ‡¥π‘ °√“¬√à“¬‡√“–‡ “–À“ ¥Õ°®”ªŸπª“É ‰¥â∑Èß— §Ÿà Õ°’ ¥Õ°Œ“ªÕßß“¡µ√Ÿ ®–Ω“°‰ª„À√â â«Ÿ à“√—°π“ß ·≈«â ‡Õ“‡≈∫Á ‡ Õ◊ ∑’µË ¥— „À¡à ‡Àπ∫Á ‰«â„π™Õà ¥Õ°‰¡∫â â“ß À«—߇ªìπª√‘»π“∫Õ°∑“à ∑“ß «à“·¡âπ„§√¢¥— ¢«“ß®–µÕà µ’ ‡¥¥Á „∫‰°‡à ∂◊ËÕππ—Èπ¡“ÀÕà «à“·¡æà Õà ‰¡à„Àâ®–æ“Àπ’ §√È—π‡ √Á® ¡∂«‘≈¬π‘ ¥’ °≈—∫¡“¬—ß∑∑’Ë —ßÈ  Õßæ≈—π œ ˆ §” œ ‡ ¡Õ √“à ¬ Ô ·≈«â ®÷ßË ÀÕà „Àâ‰¡â‰ºà ‡ÕßÁ ®ß‡Õ“‰ª¢¡¢’ ¡—π „À·â °≈à ”À—∫æË’¡ß÷ ππÈ— ∫Õ°∑°ÿ  ‘ËßÕπ— „Àâ·®ßâ „® œ Ú §” œ

Ngo Pa 93 Chert-Ching Ô Som-Phla walked around in search of flowers. He found some wild jampun along the way, And also some beautiful red flowers, For his lady as a token of love. The tigerûs claws he had cut off before, He stuck into the bouquet of flowers, As a sign to show that he would fight One who dared come between him and his love. The flowers were wrapped up in a leaf, Meaning heûd take her by stealth, if thwarted By her parents. Having accomplished his task, Som-Phla returned to the two waiting boys. Rai Ô Then he handed the bouquet to Mai-Phai, Telling the boy to make a hasty journey And proffer it to his sister Lam-Hap, Informing her of his feelings for her.

94 ‡ß“–ª“É Ô øíß«“à ‰¡â‰ºÕà “ “«“à §ß‰¥â µ–«—π‡¬πÁ ·≈â«¢“â ®–≈“‰ª ™«π§πß— §√√‰≈¡‘‰¥™â “â œ Ú §” œ ‡™¥‘ ¡Õ≠‚¬π¥“∫ Ô ‡¡Ë◊ÕπÈπ— ´¡æ≈“‡°…¡ —πµÀå √√…“ ·≈µ“¡‰¡â‰ºà‰ª≈∫— µ“ µ√µ‘ √“√”æß÷ §–πß÷ „π ∂Õâ ¬¬”È §”¡—Ëπ —≠≠“ ‡ÀπÁ ‰¡‡à  ¬’ «“®“‰¡â‰ºà ·≈â«À«ππ°÷ Õπ“∂À«“¥„® °≈«— ®–‰¡ à ¡∂«≈‘ ®‘𥓠¥«â ¬Œ‡π“‡¢“°«â“ߢâ“ß™“«∫“â π ®–§‘¥Õ“à π™«à ¬°—ππ—Èππ°— Àπ“ ∂÷ß≈”À∫— √∫—  «“∑ ¡«‘≠≠“≥å ‰Àπ®–°≈â“¢¥— ºâŸ„À≠à∑’Ë„Àªâ íπ œ ˆ §” œ µ“¡°«“ß Ô Õπ‘®®“‚Õâ«“à µ—«°Ÿ ®– âŸ‡¢“‰¥â∑’ˉÀππË—π

Ngo Pa 95 Ô Listening to his teacherûs bidding, Mai-Phai agreed to do as he was told. He took his leave since it was nearly dark, And with Kha-Nang set off for his home. Mon-Yone-Dap Ô His plan seemed to be running smoothly, Som-Phla was ever so delighted. He kept watching till Mai-Phai went out of sight, All the while contemplating by himself. The pledge he had prompted Mai-Phai to make, He hoped that the boy would certainly keep. Then Som-Phla became quite worried, Fearing that he would be disappointed, Since Ha-Nao was very influential, With many supporters to back him up. Even though Lam-Hap herself loved him, She would not dare go against her parents. Tam-Kwang Ô çDear me! What a pitiful state I am in! How can I ever compete with Ha-Nao?

96 ‡ß“–ª“É ·¡πâ ‡¢“‰¥â‰ª°ÕÁ “¬§√—π ∂ß÷ ®–¡â«¬™’«π— °Á‰¡§à ¥‘ ®”®–‰ª„πªÉ“‡ “–À“∑Ë’ §ÀŸ “≈—∫≈È’„Àâ π‘∑ ®–‰ª¡“∑“à ∑“ß¡‘¥™¥‘ ‡¡◊ËÕ ÿ¥ƒ∑∏Ï‘·≈«â ®–≈°— æ“°—π‰ª œ Ù §” œ √“à ¬ Ô µ√‘‡ √®Á √–‡À®Á ‡¢â“‰æ√ ≥±å · «ßÀ“µ”∫≈∑Ë’Õ“»—¬ ∑«Ë— ∑ÿ°∂È”∏“√∑Ë’„π‰æ√ ®¥— ∑’Ëæ°— ‰«¥â ß— ®‘𥓠œ Ú §” œ ‡™‘¥ ‡æ≈߇√«Á ‡æ≈ß©Ë‘ß ®π’ √—« ®’π√”楗 Ô ™Ëπ◊ „® ∑Ë’‡ß“‰¡√â “∫√¡à ≈¡æ¥— ©‘« ÀÕ¡°√–∂‘π°≈πË‘ ‰°≈„®√È«‘ √‘È« ƒÂ„§√≈Ë‘«≈¡·©≈∫¡“·Õ∫¡Õß ‚≈°π’¡È Õ’ –‰√∑’ˉ¡§à àŸ ‰¥â‡ÀπÁ Õ¬Ÿà∑Ë«— ∂â«π≈â«π‡ªìπ Õß ¥«ß®—π∑√åπÈ—π¬—ß¡’Õ“∑‘µ¬åªÕß ‡¥‘πæ∫æÕâ ß∫“ߧ√“«‡¡ËÕ◊ ‡™“â ‡¬Áπ

Ngo Pa 97 If he gets Lam-Hap, I would be so shamed. I would not be afraid even of death itself. It would be better for me to enter the forest, And search for a very secluded cave, Whose ingress and egress are not well-known. Should sudden need arise, Iûll take her there.é Rai Ô Resolved, Som-Phla went into the forest To look high and low all over the place For such a secluded cave as he had in mind. Finding one, he arranged it as he saw fit. Chin-Ram-Phat Ô çHow pleasant it is to be under the shade Of a tree with a cool breeze blowing through! The fragrance of wattle drifts from afar, Making my heart quiver. Is someone snooping? In this world is there anything existing alone? Whatever exists, always exists in pairs. The moon has the sun as its counterpart, And sometimes they meet morning and evening.

98 ‡ß“–ª“É µ«— ‡√“‡Àß“Õ¬àŸ„π‚æ√߉¡â æ√–‰æ√¡’Õ¬Ÿà‰¡à√Ÿâ‡ÀπÁ ¬≈·µΩà ߟ  µ— «Àå ≈“¬‰¡«à “¬‡«â𠇪πì ‡æÕ◊Ë π‡≈πà æÕ ∫“¬§≈“¬°ß— «≈ √–¡“¥‰¡àÕ¬“°Àπ“¡À√◊Õ¬“¡π’È ¡“¬«π¬√’ ”√∫— °π—  ∫—  π πÕâ ¬ƒÂπ—Ëπ Õ߇ ◊Õ°Á‡∫◊ËÕ§π À¡À’ ¬¥ÿ §âπºß÷È √«ß‰¡àÀ«à ß„¬ ‡®“â °«“ß∑ÕßππÈ— ‰¡àªÕߺ≈¡–≈Ë◊π ≈Õ߇™‘ß™Ë◊π™¡°π— Õ¬ÀàŸ «πË— ‰À« ∂÷߇√“‡¥¬’ «°Á‰¡‡à ª≈¬’Ë «¥«ßƒ∑—¬ Õ¬àŸ„π°≈“ß ¡πÿ ∑’˧πâÿ ‡§¬ œ Ò §” œ ‡æ≈ß©Ëß‘ ‡™‘¥ µπâ ‡æ≈ß©ßË‘ Ô ‡¡ÕË◊ π—Èπ π“ß≈”À∫— ‡¬“«¬Õ¥‡ πÀ“ ·µà‰¡â‰º¡à “·∂≈ß·®âß°®‘ ®“ «“à ´¡æ≈“ªÕß®–„§√à‡ªπì ‰¡µ√’ π“ßπ÷°À«“¥À«πË— æ√—Ëπ„® §√È—ß®–‚µâµÕ∫‰©π°„Á ™à∑Ë’ ®–‡≈¬≈ÿ°≈“¡‰ª‰¡à¥’ ¡“√»√’¡‘‰¥®â ”π√√®“ œ Ù §” œ

Ngo Pa 99 Why am I all alone in the hollow of a tree? Why donût I see the God of the Forest? I see only wild animals as my companions, To ease my mind in my melancholy state. Rhinoceros, donût you want to eat thorns? Why are you flocking together like this? Those two tigers seem to be fed up with man. The bears are not seeking honey from beehives. Golden deer do not want to eat wild almonds, But vie with one another instead. I myself, though alone, am not lonely, Since I am among my boon companions.é Ton-Phleng-Ching Ô As for Lam-Hap the beautiful lass, With whom Som-Phla fell madly in love, Ever since Mai-Phai told her that Som-Phla Had an amorous interest in her, She became very frightened indeed. Thinking that it would be unwise to answer, As things might go too far than proper, She kept her silence, saying nothing.

100 ‡ß“–ª“É ®”ª“∑Õ߇∑» Ô πßË— ‡ÀπÕ◊ ·ºàπº“∑Ë’Àπâ“∂È” ‡∑â“√“πÈ”‡ÕπÕß‘ æ‘ß惰…“ µ–«π— ™“¬©“¬π”È Õ√à“¡µ“ µ°µ“¡´Õ°»≈‘ “´“à °√–®“¬ ∑’πË È”Õ∫— ≈—∫™àÕß¡Õ߇ÀÁπæπÈ◊ ª≈“πÕâ ¬πâÕ¬≈Õ¬¥Ë◊π¥·Ÿ À≈àÀ≈“¬ æπà π”È ø‡Ÿ ªìπ≈–ÕÕßµÕâ ß·¡≈ßµ“¬ µ°‡√¬Ë’ √“¬‡ªìπ¿°— …“π“à ‡ÕπÁ ¥Ÿ ¬“¡≈¡µ°π°√âÕß´âÕß·´à‡ ’¬ß ‡ π“–‡æ¬’ ß≈”𔇩ËÕ◊ ¬©Ë”ÀŸ ≈”¥«π¥ß ßà °≈πË‘ ª√–∑‘Ëπ™Ÿ π“ß‚©¡µ√øŸ ßí ‡æ≈ß«ß— ‡«ß„® ª√–®ß®—∫®–‡¢âªÉ“¡“≈Õ߇ ¬’ ß ¥’¥ ”‡π’¬ß‰æ‡√“–‡ π“–„  ·≈â«∫√√‡≈ß≈”𔧔§¡„π ‡ß“–‰¡â‰º à ¥∫— ‡ ¬’ ßπ˗߇լ’ ß§Õ œ ¯ §” œ ®π’ ·  Ô ¡®— ©“ ™“à ß©≈“¥‡ “–À“Õ“À“√ÀπÕ

Ngo Pa 101 Jampa-Thong-Thet Ô Lam-Hap sat on a rock in front of the cave, Leaning against a tree, feet paddling the water. The evening sun shone beautifully on the water Which splashed against the rocky crevices. The riverbed could be seen in the stagnant water, Where schools of small fish swarmed in plenty, Spitting sprays of water at insects, Which fell down dead to become their food. When the wind was still, birds sang in chorus. Their song was melodious to the ear. The fragrance of wild lamduan3 drifted by. Listening to the birds, Lam-Hap felt melancholy. She picked up a wild zither and tuned it, Playing a sweet melody upon the instrument. While Lam-Hap sang in accompaniment, Mai-Phai sat listening, head tilted to one side. Chin-Sae Ô çThe fish, Said to be clever in looking for food, 3 flower of the Annonaceae family lamduan:

102 ‡ß“–ª“É ‰©π‰¡ªà √™’ “°≈“⠇撬ßæÕ ¡“≈àÕª“°ªí°…“∑’Ë∂“≈ß  °ÿ≥“µ“¥’©–π·’È ≈â« ¬ß— ‰¡·à §≈â«∫Õ‡≈“‡®â“™à“ßÀ≈ß Õπ— ¡π…ÿ ¬ å ¥ÿ ©≈“¥∑ß—È Õ“®Õß Õ¬“à ß«¬ßß„Àâ‡À¡◊Õπ µ— «å∫—¥ ’‡Õ¬ œ Ù §” œ √à“¬ Ô ‰¡â‰ºàøíߧ”∑’√Ë Ë”¢—∫ ™à“߇æ√“–®—∫„® «“∑©≈“¥‡©≈¬ ´àÕπ‡ßÕË◊ πߔՔ‰«â‰¡æà ‘‡ª√¬ ‡ · √â߇Õଂ¥¬Õÿ∫“¬¬“â ¬ ”‡π“ ‡¡Ë◊Õ«“ππÈ∑’ ’Ë„π‰æ√πâÕ߉ª‡ÀÁπ µπâ ‰¡â‡ªπì ¥Õ°¢“«√“«°∫—  «π ‰¥âµ—ßÈ „®‰«â«“à ®–¡“™«π ¢“â ‡ÀπÁ §«√‰ª‡°Á∫‡≈πà „À‡â ¬Áπ„® œ Ù §” œ Ô ‡¡ÕË◊ ππÈ— π“ß≈”À∫— ‡™◊ËÕ π∑‘ ‰¡à§¥‘ ‰À« ®ß÷Ë «“à π– ß—Ë ‰«â„Àæ⠒ˉª ¢ÿ¥¡—πÀ—«„À≠∑à ˬ’ —ߧ“â ß Õ¬àŸ·∂«‡¥¬’ «°∫— ∑¡Ë’ ’∫ªÿ º“

Ngo Pa 103 Are still not clever and brave enough, And thus become easy prey to swooping birds. The birds, possessing sharp eyes as they do, Cannot escape from the piercing darts. Man, who is so intelligent and brave, Must not be like them to bring shame on himself.é Rai Ô Mai-Phai listened appreciatively, Touched by his sisterûs melodious tune. Then in a tongue-in-cheek manner, He feigned an address to trick the girl. çYesterday I went to the forest wild, And saw white blossoms as if in a garden. So now I intend to ask you to go with me, And pick the flowers to your heartûs desire.é Ô Lam-Hap, taken in by her brotherûs words, Did not doubt his sincerity, She then remembered her motherûs bidding That she dig up some big roots of yam, Which grew near where the flowers were.

104 ‡ß“–ª“É §ß®– ¡ª√“√∂π“∑—ßÈ  ÕßÕ¬à“ß æ√ÿàßπ‡È’ ™â“‡®â“¡“‰ª‡ªπì ‡æ◊ÕË π∑“ß «à“·≈«â π“߇¢“â ‰ª„π∑∫— À∫— „∫∫“π œ Ù §” œ Ô ‡¡ËÕ◊ π—Èπ ‰¡â‰ºà„®§ÕÀ“â «À“≠  ¡®µ‘ §‘¥‰«‡â ÀÁπ‰¥°â “√ °Á√’∫√πâ ≈π≈“π«‘Ë߉ª œ Ú §” œ ‡™‘¥ Ô §√ß—È ∂ß÷ ®ßË÷ ·®ßâ ·°´à ¡æ≈“ ∫—¥π’®È –¡“∫Õ°≈“¿„À≠à æ√ßÿà π’æÈ ¢’Ë “â ®–‡¢“â ‰æ√ ‡®â“¡“§ß‰¥âæ∫楟 °π— œ Ú §” œ Ô ‡¡Ë◊ÕπÈπ— ´¡æ≈“ª√¥’ ‡‘Ï ª√¡‡°…¡ π— µå ®÷ßË «à“¢“â ®–™«π§πß— πÈπ— „À¡â —π‰ª¥«â ¬™«à ¬¥Ÿ§π °Ÿ®–‰ª´Õà π´ÿà¡æàÿ¡ŒÕπ‡µ“

Ngo Pa 105 It would be nice to do both jobs at one time. çMai-Phai, tomorrow come and fetch me here.é Then she entered the hut, closing the door shut. Ô Mai-Phai the stout-hearted boy, Perceiving that his plan was succeeding, Ran contentedly along the path, To inform Som-Phla of the good news. Ô Approaching his valiant teacher, Mai-Phai told him that luck was on his side. As his sister would go to the forest in the morn, Som-Phla would have a chance to speak to her. Ô Listening to the boyûs good tidings, Som-Phla was overwhelmed with joy. He would ask Kha-Nang to accompany him, And be on the lookout for any passer-by. He himself would hide behind a satue4 bush, 4 satue: plant of the Leguminosae family

106 ‡ß“–ª“É ™«ππ“߇¢“â ‰ª„Àâ„°≈âµπâ °Ÿ¢Õ∫„®‡ÕÁ߇ªìπ≈πâ æπâ ®–√—°°π— ‰ª®π ‘πÈ ™’«“ œ Ù §” œ Ô ‡¡◊ËÕππ—È ‰¡â‰º¥à „’ ®‡ªìππ—°Àπ“ √∫— √Õß∂âÕ¬§”·≈«â Õ”≈“ °≈∫— ¡“∑Ë’Õ¬Ÿà¡‰‘ ¥âπ“π œ Ú §” œ ‡™‘¥ æ¡“à ‡Àà Ô ‡¡◊ËÕπ—Èπ ´¡æ≈“°≈“â ·°≈«â Õ“®À“≠ ¬π‘ ¥ª’ √’¥“‡À≈◊Õª√–¡“≥ µ√‘°“√∑’®Ë –‰ª„°≈âÕ√ÿ≥ ª¥î ª√–µ¢Ÿ —¥°≈ÕππÕπ„π∑—∫ ‰¡àÀ≈∫— ®‘µ„®„Àâ«“â «ÿπà · ßª√–¬ß≈ßµ“¡„∫‰¡æâ √ÿπ ¢¬∫— À¡ÿ𩫬∫Õ‡≈“®–‡¢“â ¥ß ÕÕ°πÕ°∑—∫°≈—∫‡ÀπÁ ¬—ß√“µ√’ ª«É πƒ¥’¥“≈®‘µæ‘»«ß ‡¡ËÕ◊ ‰√®–√ßàÿ ·®ßâ · ß √ÿ ‘¬ß µ–≈ß÷ À≈ß¡‘‰¥âÀ≈—∫°—∫‰ ¬“ œ ˆ §” œ

Ngo Pa 107 Mai-Phai should entice Lam-Hap to go there. Som-Phla then thanked the boy wholeheartedly, And told him he would love him all his life. Ô Hearing Som-Phlaûs pleasing words, Young Mai-Phai was filled with joy. Assuring the youth that he would play his part, He took his leave, and returned to his abode. Phama-He Ô Som-Phla the brave was greatly satisfied. He watched the boy till heûs gone from view, And mused alone in utter contentment Over the preparations for the morning trip. Latching his door, he went into the hut, But, being worried, could not sleep all night. Seeing the moon shining through the leaves, He grasped his blowpipe to go to the forest. Outside, perceiving that it was still night, He was bewildered at his misunderstanding. Waiting impatiently for dawn to break, Som-Phla was restless, unable to sleep.

108 ‡ß“–ª“É µ«ßæ√–∏“µÿ Ô ¥«ßª–¬ß≈ßÕ—∫≈—∫‰»≈ Õ√ÿ≥‰¢¢“«°√–®à“ß°≈“߇«≈“ Õÿ∑¬—  Õà ß· ß∑Õß√Õ߇√Õ◊ ßµ“ ªí°…“·´à√âÕß®“°√—߇√¬’ ß ¡“πÿ§‰æ√‰¢¢π—  πË—π°Õâ ß ¥‡ÿ À«à“√âÕ߉æ‡√“–‡ π“–‡ ’¬ß ‡√‰√À¡¿àŸ ·Ÿà ¡≈ßÀ«¡’Ë ’ ”‡π¬’ ß ‡ π“–‡æ’¬ß¢—∫¢“π∫√√ “πæ≥‘ œ Ù §” œ ≈ß √ß¡Õ≠ Ô ®Ëß÷ ™”√– √– π“π ”√“≠Õ“µ¡å ∑Ë√’ “ßæ“¥¡“·µ∏à “√≈–À“πÀπ‘ «“√‰’ À≈„  –Õ“¥ª√“»¡≈∑π‘ √–§π°≈πË‘ ‡° √¢®√°√–®“¬ ‡≈“–‡µ¬’È –·µßà ·∫ßà ‰«™â “¬Àπâ“À≈—ß ™°— °≈’∫∫—ߢ“¡‘¥ π‘∑À“¬ §“¥¡π— π ÷ “¬·π∫¥·Ÿ ¬∫§“¬ ®—∫∫Õ‡≈“°√’¥°√“¬‡¥π‘ ÕÕ°¡“ œ Ù §” œ ‡ ¡Õ

Ngo Pa 109 Tuang-Phra-That Ô The moon had already set behind the rocks, Dawn had made the sky bright and clear, The sunûs golden rays dazzled the eyes. Birds made boisterous noises from their nests, Wild fowlsû noisy cries rang through the forest, While blackbirds sang their songs melodiously. Cicadas and bumblebees buzzed in concert, As if in accompaniment to a harp. Long-Song-Mon Ô Som-Phla then took to the task of bathing, In water coming from a stream through pipes. The water was crystal clear and untainted, Permeated with fragrance of flowers. He put on his loincloth, with one end in front, The other falling behind, covering his thighs, The dart holder he tightly fastened to his body. With blowpipe in hand, he emerged from the hut.

110 ‡ß“–ªÉ“ √“à ¬ Ô ‡ÀÁπ§πß— π—ßË §Õ¬Õ¬àÀŸ π“â ∑∫— °ÁµâÕπ√∫— 楟 °—πµ“à ßÀ√√…“ ·≈â«™«π‡¥‘π¥π—È ¥¥— ≈¥— «π“ ‰ª§Õ¬√ÿ°¢©“¬“µ“¡π—¥‰«â œ Ú §” œ ‡™¥‘  √Õâ ¬ πµ¥— Ô ‡¡◊ËÕπ—πÈ π«≈π“ß≈”À—∫滑 ¡—¬ §√π—È √ßàÿ √“ß “à ß· ßÕ‚≥∑¬— ∑√“¡«—¬·µàßµ«— ‰¡¡à «— ¡Õ¡  «¡¡–°≈Ë”°”‰≈ “¬ √âÕ¬ µ¡âÿ ÀæŸ «ßÀâÕ¬¥Õ°‰¡Àâ Õ¡ À«’‰¡â‰ºà∫√√®ß‡ªπì «ß§Õâ ¡ ≈â«π≈“¬¬âÕ¡‡Àπ∫Á ª√–¥∫— √—∫¡«¬ œ Ù §” œ √à“¬ Ô ·≈«â ®∫— ®Õߧ≈âÕ߉À≈à‰«â‡∫È◊ÕßÀ≈—ß ‰¡√à ßÿ √ß— ‡¢â“∑¥’ Ÿ¥ ’ «¬ ™«π‰¡â‰º≈à ‘≈“»π“¥π«¬ √Ëπ◊ √«¬‡¢“â „π¥ßæßæ’ œ Ú §” œ ‡æ≈߇√«Á

Ngo Pa 111 Rai Ô Seeing Kha-Nang waiting in front of the hut, Som-Phla enthusiastically greeted him. Together they cut through the forest wild, Waiting under the shade of a tree as planned. Soi-Son-Tat Ô As for Lam-Hap the beautiful maiden, When the first ray of sun lit the sky, She woke up from her slumber and rose To get herself dressed for the proposed trip. Beaded bracelets, necklace, earrings she wore, Fragrant flowers also dangled from her hair. For her bun ornament, a curved bamboo comb, Dyed and patterned with motifs, was used. Rai Ô Carrying her basket to one side So as not to let it get in the way, She prevailed on Mai-Phai to go along And accompany her to the forest.

112 ‡ß“–ª“É Ô §√ßÈ— ∂÷ß´ß÷Ë ∑’Ë¡’∫ÿªº“ ¥«ß ¥ÿ “ª√’¥Ï‘‡ª√¡‡°…¡»√’ °√¥’ ‡≈Á∫‡°Á∫æ«ß ÿ¡“≈’ π“√’¢∫— ‡æ≈ß«ß— ‡«ß„® œ Ú §” œ  ¡‘ß∑Õß Ô ¬“¡‡™“â Õÿ√–‡√“™π◊Ë ·™¡à ·®à¡„   Ÿâ∫ÿ°ªÉ“¡“¥¡™¡¥Õ°‰¡â ¢“â ¢Õ∫„®¡“≈’∑’‡Ë ∫‘°∫“π ≈«â πÕ“√¡’ ‘„Àâ‡√“¡“‡°âÕ ‡º¬‡º¬Õ°≈∫’ ª√–∑π‘Ë °≈πË‘ ÀÕ¡À«“π  “¬À¬¥ÿ ¥°¬âÕ¬ÀâÕ¬æ«ß¬“π °≈πË‘ ´“∫´“à ππ“ “¥Õ°π“à ‡™¬ ¡–≈«‘ —≈¬åæπ— °Õ惰…“¥“¥ ‡À¡◊Õπºâ“≈“¥¢“«≈ÕÕÀπÕπÕâ ߇Õ㬠√ §π∏å¢π÷È ‡ªìπ¥ßÕ¬“à À≈߇≈¬ °”≈ß— ‡º¬°≈’∫‡° √ ≈Õπ™Ÿ ‚ππà ·πàÕÿ¬ä  “√¿‰’ ¡¡à ’„∫

Ngo Pa 113 Ô Arriving at the place where the flowers were, Lam-Hap was ever so delighted. She began daintily to pick the flowers, All the while singing in melancholy. Sming-Thong Ô çIt is a very pleasant morning, And my heart is full of joy. It is worthwhile, my trip through the forest To see you, flowers; thanks for blooming, And not letting me come here in vain. You are all in bloom with such sweet fragrance. Sai-yut5 are hanging down in bunches, Petals slightly parted, exuding a sweet smell. Blooming jasmine entwine round the bushes, Looking like a white sheet covering them. Rotsukhon6 grow in a thick cluster, All revealing the pollen inside. The yellow saraphi7 with no leaves to be seen, 5 sai-yut: flower of the Annonaceae family, fragrant in the morning only 6 rotsukhon: a sweet-scented wild plant 7 saraphi: flowering tree of the Guttiferae family

114 ‡ß“–ª“É ‡À¡Õ◊ πµâπ‰¡â∑Õßµ—ÈßÕ¬∑àŸ ßÈ— §Ÿà ·¡≈ß≈Õâ ¡µÕ¡«Õà π‡ ’¬ßÀ«Ë’«Ÿ ‰¡¡à ’ºŸâ™«à ¬ Õ¬πâÕ¬„®‡Õ¬ œ ¯ §” œ ·¢°¡Õ≠∫“ß™â“ß Ô ¡“≈’ ¥Õ°¥—ß ∫’ “π‡¬Áπ‡ÀπÁ ƒÂ‰¡à º’‡ ÕÈ◊ √àÕπ«Õà πÕ¬¥àŸ Ÿ«‰‘ ≈ ß“¡°√–‰√ÀπÕº‡’  ◊ÈÕ™“à ߇À≈Õ◊ ß“¡ °‘πÕ–‰√‡°¥‘ ∑Ë’‰Àπº’‡ ◊ÕÈ ‡Õ¬ã Õ¬“à ∫¥‘ ‡≈¬µÕ∫µÕà ∑¢Ë’ âÕ∂“¡ πÕâ ß®–‰¥â‰ª‡°‘¥‰ª°‘πµ“¡ „ÀâÕ√à“¡‡À¡Õ◊ πº’‡ ◊ÈÕ‡À≈Õ◊  «¬‡Õ¬ œ Ú §” œ √à“¬ Ô ‰¡â‰ºàøíߥ—ßÀπË÷ß®–¬◊πÀ≈—∫ µ°„®«—∫«“∫®µ‘ §¥‘ ‡¢‘π¢«¬ ´∫æ≈“·Õ∫‰¡™â ¡âÕ¬æ≈Õ¬ßßß«¬ ®–„§√à™«à ¬™“¬‰ª„Àâ„°≈πâ “ß ¢¬Èπ— ¬—ßÈ øí߇æ√“–‡ π“–≈È” ‡ ¬’ ߇À¡◊ÕππÈ”‡æ™√√µ— π®√— °√–®à“ß  ¡√ªŸ ∑√ßπßπÿ™ ¥ÿ  ”Õ“ß

Ngo Pa 115 Bloom like two golden trees placed side by side. Insects are buzzing around the flowers. A pity no oneûs here to help me pick them.é Khaek-Mon-Bang-Chang Ô çDo you see the deep pink flowers yonder? I wonder what kind of flowers they are. Butterflies are flying from flower to flower, How beautiful you are, dear butterflies! What do you eat and where were you born? Give your answer and hide nothing from me. Iûd be born the same way and eat the same food, To be beautiful like you, butterflies.é Rai Ô Mai-Phai, listening to his sisterûs song, Was so rapt that he nearly fell into a trance. Regaining his poise, he became quite embarrassed. Som-Phla, hiding behind the bush, was also dazed. He would like to go near her, but moved not, For her voice, as clear as a sparkling diamond, Was a sweet voice that so suited her beauty

116 ‡ß“–ª“É ‰¡§à «√¢«“߬“¡¢—∫®—∫«≠‘ ≠“ °√–À¬¡‘Ë ¡Õß®Õâ ߇¢¡ßÁ µ“‰¡æà √∫‘ ¥—ß≈Õ¬≈‘∫Õ¬Ÿà„π°≈“ßÀ«“à ߇«À“ ‡¥°Á §π—ßπ—ßË ™¡Õâ ¬æ≈Õ¬À≈∫— µ“ ∑ßÈ—  Õß√“µ–≈ß÷ ‰ª‰¡à‰À«µß‘ œ ˆ §” œ  √Õâ ¬ π Ô π“ß≈”À—∫®∫— ‡¥¥Á ¥«ß∫ÿªº“ ‡∑¬Ë’ «´Õ°´Õπ‡ “–À“ª√– “À≠ß‘ ‰¡â‰ºà Õ¬≈Õ¬À≈àπ≈ß¡“°®√ß‘ ™«à ¬‚πâ¡°‘ßË ™àÕ„À≠à„Àâ„°≈πâ “ß · π ”√“≠∫“π°√–¡≈®πÀ≈߉À≈ ‡Àπ’ˬ«°‘Ë߉¡â‰¡§à ‘¥®µ‘ ¢π“ß ®∫— µâÕßß®Ÿ ≈àŸ ß∑’˵√ß°≈“ß ∑—ÈßÀ—«À“ß°√–À«¥— √¥— ·¢πæπ— œ Ù §” œ √à“¬ Ô π“ßµ°„®√âÕß°√’¥À«¥’ º«“ À¡“¬«“à ™«’ “¡«â ¬Õ“ ≠— ≈â¡≈߬ߗ æπÈ◊ ·ºàπ¥‘πæ≈π— ‰¡â‰ººà —πº‘π√Õâ ß°Õâ ßæ߉æ√ ´¡æ≈“«Ëß‘ ∂≈“‡¢“â ¡“∂ß÷

Ngo Pa 117 That he dared not interrupt her strain. He sat happily, staring at the girl, In rapture as if he were floating on air. Kha-Nang also sat with his eyes closed, Both of them stunned, listening to the song. Soi-Son Ô Lam-Hap started to pick the flowers, Selecting them as girls are wont to do. Mai-Phai picked many for his sister, Helping to bend down a big bough near her. The girl was enjoying herself so much, That she pulled at a branch without looking, And caught the middle of a snakeûs body. The serpent proceeded to encircle her arm. Rai Ô Frightened, Lam-Hap gave out a loud shriek, Thinking that she was going to die, And falling down to the ground at once. Mai-Phai, turning left and right, shouted loudly. Som-Phla swiftly ran out from behind the tree,

118 ‡ß“–ª“É ‡Õ“¡◊Õ¥÷ßß°Ÿ √–™“°≈“°ÕÕ°‰¥â ¢«“â ß≈ß·≈«â ∑∫ÿ ¥«â ¬∑àÕπ‰¡â ªπÉ ‰ª°∫— ∑¡Ë’ ‘‰¥âπ“π ‡À≈¬’ «‡ÀπÁ ≈”À—∫À≈—∫µ“πËß‘ π÷°«à“µ“¬®√ß‘ · π ß “√ ‡¢“â ™Õâ ππ“ß«“ßµ°— µ–≈µ’ –≈“π  «¡°Õ¥‡¬“«¡“≈¬å‡¢â“‚»°“ œ ˆ §” œ ‚Õ¥ §≈◊πË °√–∑∫Ωßíò Ô §√πÈ— æ‘π‘®æ‘»¥Ÿ∑Ë—«°“¬ ‰¡à¡’√Õ¬√–§“¬°ÀÁ √√…“ √«Ÿâ à“π“߉¡¡à «â ¬™’«“ °—≈¬“≈¡®—∫¥â«¬µ°„® ®ß÷  Ëß— „À§â π—߉ªÀ“πÈ” ∑Ë’„π≈”∏“√π—πÈ ¡“„Àâ ª√–æ√¡≈∫Ÿ ∑—«Ë µ—«∑√“¡«¬— ‰¡â‰ºà‚∫°ª¥í æ—¥«’ œ Ù §” œ Ô ‡¡◊ÕË π—Èπ π“ß≈”À∫— ¬Õ¥¡Ëß‘ ¡“√»√’ µâÕßπ”È ©”Ë ™πË◊ Õ‘π∑√¬’ å °§Á ߧ◊π ¡ª√–¥¡’ ’¡“

Ngo Pa 119 And pulled the snake away from his beloved. Flinging it down, he beat it with a stick, And smashed it to death in no time at all. Turning to see Lam-Hap very still, eyes closed, He thought that the poor girl was really dead. So he hurriedly placed her on his lap, And, crying, put his arms around his love. Khluen-Krathop-Fang Ô After examining the girl all over, And finding no trace of a wound anywhere, Som-Phla was glad to learn that she survived, But only fainted because of her fright. He sent Kha-Nang off to fetch some water From the stream nearby to freshen her up By sprinkling it all over her body. Mai-Phai kept her cool by fanning her. Ô Frightened by the snake, poor Lam-Hap Fell in a swoon and lost consciousness. Freshened by the cool, soothing water, She came to and regained her senses.

120 ‡ß“–ª“É ‡ÀÁπ´¡æ≈“¡“πË—ß°Õ¥ª√–∑—∫ „Àπâ °÷ Õ∫— Õ“¬„®‡ªπì π—°Àπ“ ‡≈ÕË◊ π®“°µ—°æ≈π— ¡∑‘ —π™â“ °â¡ÀπⓉ¡‡à À≈Õ◊ ∫·≈‰ª œ Ù §” œ Ô ‡¡Õ◊Ë πÈπ— ´¡æ≈“¬‘ßË §¥‘ 滑 ¡¬— ®÷߇≈â“‚≈¡∂“¡∑√“¡«¬— ‡ªπì „¥®ß÷Ë  π‘È  ¡ª√–¥’ ∫¥— π’¡È ’Õ“°“√‡ªπì ‰©π ƒÂ§àÕ¬§≈“¬„®¡“√»√’ ·¡πâ ‡®“â ¡Õ¥¡â«¬™’«’ Õπ— µ«— æπË’ È’®–µ“¬µ“¡ œ Ù §” œ Ô ‡¡ÕË◊ πÈ—π π“ß≈”À∫— π∫πÕ∫µÕ∫§”∂“¡ ¢“â ‰¡à∑π— √⟵«— ¡«— ‡À¡Õ◊ π§√“¡ °Á πÈ‘ §«“¡√Ÿ â ÷° ¡ª√–¥’ ´Ëß÷ ‡¡µµ“¡“™«à ¬™«’ ‘µ‰«â ¡„‘ À¡â Õ¥¡â«¬‡ªπì º’ ®–§¥‘ §ÿ≥∑ÿ°‡«≈“√“µ√’ µ√“∫ πÈ‘ ™’«’«“¬ª√“≥

Ngo Pa 121 Seeing herself in Som-Phlaûs arms, Lam-Hap became so embarrassed. Sliding away from the young manûs lap, She sat with her face down, not eyeing him. Ô Som-Phla the brave was glad to see her well. The more he looked at her, the more he loved her. He then asked her in a soothing way, How she came to lose consciousness, And how she was feeling at the moment. Was her condition getting better? If Lam-Hap were to breathe her last breath, Som-Phla himself would follow her suit. Ô Demure and shy, Lam-Hap paid her respects, And answered his question truthfully. çUnexpectedly I was in a haze, And lost consciousness all of a sudden. That you have been so kind to save me From the clutch of death, I thank you. I will be grateful to you day and night, Until the day I perish from this life.

122 ‡ß“–ª“É ·µ¢à âÕ∑Ë«’ “à ®–µ“¬µ“¡ ¢ÕÀ“â ¡Õ¬à“„Àâ¡“°≈“à «¢“π ‰¡¡à ¢’ âÕ§«√‡ÀÁπ‡°π‘ °“√ ¢Õª√–∑“π‚∑…∑Ë∑’ ¥— ¢—¥‰«â œ ˆ §” œ ™“µ√’ Ô ‡¡◊ËÕππÈ— ´¡æ≈“¬¡È‘ ·¬¡â ·®¡à „  ®Ë÷ß«à“¡‘‰¥â·°≈ßâ · √âß„ à‰§≈â ‰¡â‰ºà√‡âŸ ÀπÁ ‡ªìπ欓π Õπ— §«“¡√—°°Áª√–®°— …å·°à„®‡®“â ·µπà ߇¬“«å‰¡‡à ¡µµ“®Ëß÷ «“à ¢“π ™–≈à“„®‡æ√“–‰¥â‡ÀπÁ ‡Àµÿ∫π— ¥“≈ „À⇮“â æ“πæ∫‡§√“–À‡å ©æ“–‡ªπì ™–√Õ¬ƒ∑∏Ï‘π“߉¡â‰æ√惰…“ ·ª≈߇ªπì ߟ®Ÿà¡“¡„‘ À‡â ÀÁπ ‰¡à∑”√⓬À¡“¬æ¶‘ “µ¡“¥≈”‡§Á≠ ®–™È‡’ ™πà æÕ„Àâ√Ÿâ«à“§àπŸ “ß ‡æ√“–©–π’Èæ®’Ë ÷ß°≈â“«“à ‡µÁ¡ª“° ®–¢ÕΩ“°√°— πÕâ ßÕ¬à“À¡ÕßÀ¡“ß ‡®â“®ß„§√§à √«≠§‘¥Õ¬à“®‘µ®“ß æ’Ë¢Õ«“ß™æ’ ‰«â„π°—≈¬“ œ ¯ §” œ

Ngo Pa 123 As for your wanting to die with me, Pray do not utter such dreadful words. I think it would be most improper, Forgive me for advising against it.é Chatri Ô Som-Phla smiled contentedly, And answered his beloved right away. çI am not feigning my feeling, Mai-Phai can bear witness to my words. That I love you, you know it in your heart, But pitying me not, you say harsh words. I dare express my love because of this incident, That led you to meet with an unlucky fate. It must have been a powerful tree nymph Who took the guise of a slithering snake, Not having a malicious intent to kill, Just showing you that I am your lover. Thus I can truthfully express myself, And tell you of my true love for you. Pray take my love into consideration, I will put my entire life in your hand.é

124 ‡ß“–ªÉ“ √à“¬ Ô ‡¡Õ◊Ë πÈ—π ‰¡à‰ºà‰««àÕߧ≈àÕßπ°— Àπ“ ·®ßâ „®„π∑¡’ ’Õ—™¨“ ™«π§π—ßÕÕ°¡“∑’µË âπ∑“ß §Õ¬‡¥π‘ °√“¬µ√«®¥ºŸ âŸ§π ®–‡¥π‘ ¥πâ ‡≈“–≈¥— ¡“¢¥— ¢«“ß ‡≈àπ ‘≈Õ≈Õà À“°—π‰ªæ≈“ß «ßË‘ «“ßÀ¡Õ∫¡ÕßÕ¬“à ß«Õà ߉« œ Ù §” œ Ô ‡¡ÕË◊ π—πÈ π«≈π“ß≈”À—∫æ ‘ ¡¬—  πÕߧ”´¡æ≈“ª√–À¡à“„® ¥â«¬µ√µ‘ √÷°π°÷ „π„Àâ‡ÀπÁ ®√‘ß ·µ·à  · √âß·°≈âß°≈à“««“®“ ™“à ß«“à ©–πÈ’‰¥â‰¡àπ°÷ °√‘ßË ·¡πâ ‡∑«“«à“§§àŸ «√·Õ∫Õß‘ ‰¬®÷ßπËß‘ „ÀâŒ‡π“‡¢“¢Õ√Õâ ß ®π∫‘¥“¬°„À≥âπ¥— ß“π æ÷ßË ´¡´“π¡“π”∑”„ÀâÀ¡Õß ‡ªπì ®π„®‰¡à√Ÿâ∑®’Ë –ª√ÕߥÕß Õ¬à“‰¥¢â Õâ ߇§’¬ß¢—¥Õ∏— ¬“ œ ˆ §” œ

Ngo Pa 125 Rai Ô Mai-Phai the agile and lithesome boy, Perceiving that both Som-Phla and his sister Would like to be left alone undisturbed, Asked Kha-Nang to come away with him, And watch out for ones who chanced to come by, So that they might intercept them first. The two played hide-and-seek in the meantime, Running and crouching in watch agilely. Ô Lam-Hap listened to Som-Phla attentively. She thought that he was telling the truth, And that his words were sincere in nature. But being coy and confused at heart, She feigned to utter the following words. çHow could you speak such incongruity! If you were really my godsend lover, Why remained silent when Ha-Nao proposed? Now that my parents set the wedding date, You just speak up, causing me pain and grief. I am at my witsû end how to comply with you, I implore you, pray do not be offended.é

126 ‡ß“–ªÉ“ ‚Õâ‚≈¡ Ô · π©≈“¥ ™à“ßµ—¥¢“¥´Õ°´Õπ§àÕπ«“à ®–«“à ‰ª‰¬‡≈“à ∂÷߇∑«“ ‡¡Ë◊Õ‰¡‡à ÀÁπ·°àµ“ª√“°Ø¡’ ·µà§«“¡√—°πÈπ— ª√–®°— …å„π¥«ß®µ‘ πË¡‘  π‘∑®ß‡™ËÕ◊ π”È „®æ’Ë ®–¬“°‡¬πÁ ‡ªπì µ“¬√“â ¬ƒÂ¥’ ‰¡∑à Õ¥∑‘Èß¡“√»√®’ –µ‘¥µ“¡ ·¡πâ  ¢àŸ ÕæÕà ·¡à‰¡¬à Õ¡„Àâ ®–≈—°‰ª‡¥π‘ ª“É æπ“Àπ“¡ ®ßµÕ∫√∫—  °— π¥‘ Õ¬“à ª¥î §«“¡ ‰¡≈à «π≈“¡„Àπâ âÕ߉¥Àâ ¡Õß¡—« œ ˆ §” œ √à“¬ Ô ®π®‘µ ¢â“‰¡‡à §¬§¥‘ ®–¡’º—« Ω“É ¬Œ‡π“‡¢“°Á‰¡à‰¥â„°≈⵫— ®–¥™’ —Ë«©—π„¥°Á‰¡√à Ÿâ ∂ß÷ µ«— ‡®“â ‡≈à“°Á‰¡à‰¥âπ÷°√—° ‰¡â‰ºà™°— 𔇩≈¬°Á‡©¬Õ¬Ÿà πË’‡®“â °√√¡π”„Àâ¡“æ∫ߟ ‡®â“®÷Ëß®√Ÿà °— ‡¢“â ¡“«“à „Àπâ à“Õ“¬

Ngo Pa 127 O-Lome Ô çHow clever of you to remonstrate so! Why are you cutting me off like this? Why should you put the blame on the gods, Since you do not see that they exist? But my love is evident in your heart, So you should put your faith in me. No matter how circumstances may be, I will never forsake you, my dear. If your parents deny me your hand, I will carry you off to the forest wild. Just tell me that you hold a love for me. I will not tarnish your name with my touch.é Rai Ô Lam-Hap gave her answer meekly, çIûve never thought of taking a husband. As for Ha-Nao, I am not familiar with him, So I know not whether he is good or bad. Even you yourself, I love you not. I kept silent when Mai-Phai spoke of your love. It was fate that led the snake to me, So you came in to make a claim on me.

128 ‡ß“–ª“É §‘¥∂ß÷ ∫≠ÿ §≥ÿ ¡’™à«¬™’«‘µ ®–®ß®µ‘ √—°‡®“â ‰¡à®“ßÀ“¬ ‡ªπì  —®®“°«à“™«’ µ‘ ®–«Õ¥«“¬ ¢“â ∫√√¬“¬µÕ∫‡ √Á®®ß‡¡µµ“ œ ˆ §” œ  √âÕ¬‡æ≈ß Ô ‡¡ËÕ◊ πÈ—π ´¡æ≈“‡ÀÁπ ¡ª√“√∂π“ ®÷߇ª≈Õ◊È ßæ«ßπ“§æµ∑º’Ë Ÿ°¡“ „À°â —≈¬“ «¡‰«â‰¥°â —πߟ ·≈«â ª≈Õ∫‡ª≈ÈÕ◊ ß¡–°≈Ë”°”‰≈ ∑Ë’π“ß «¡„ ¢à âÕ¡◊ÕÕ¬àŸ ¢Õ‰ª™¡æ≈“ßµà“ß‚©¡µ√Ÿ §‘¥∂ß÷ ‡®â“®–‰¥â™¢Ÿ ÷Èπ™¡‡™¬ œ Ù §” œ ∫À≈‘Ë¡ Ô ·≈«â ™à«¬°π— °√¥’ ‡≈Á∫‡°∫Á ∫ªÿ º“ µ°‡ ’¬‡ªìππ—°Àπ“·πàπâÕ¬‡Õ¬ã ‡°∫Á ‡ ’¬„À¡à¢Õ߇°à“Õ¬“à ‡Õ“‡≈¬ °≈Ë‘π√–‡À¬™Õ°™È”√–¬”‡¬π‘ ·∂«‚ππâ ·πà·¡™â àÕ™à“ßπà“√°— æ®’Ë –À—°„À∑â Èß— °‘ßË Õ¬à“πß‘Ë ‡¢π‘

Ngo Pa 129 Youûve saved my life, for that I am grateful, And will love you with an unabating love, I will keep my pledge until the day I die. I have given my answer, so pray be kind to me.é Soi-Phleng Ô Seeing that he was getting his heartûs desire, Som-Phla was mighty glad indeed. Taking off his Nagaphot necklace, He made her wear it as a charm against snakes. He then asked her for the bead bracelet That she was wearing on her wrist, As a souvenir to remember her by. Should he miss her, he could admire it instead. Balim Ô Both of them joined in gathering flowers, Which blossomed in great abundance. He told her to pick some more fresh blooms, As the fallen ones were bruised, the odor faded. Yonder there was a big bunch of flowers, He would break off the whole bough for her,

130 ‡ß“–ª“É Õ–‰√‡≈à“‡ΩÑ“·µ∑à ”‡¡¬’ ߇¡‘π µà“߇æ≈¥‘ æ≈π‘ ¬«π¬ª’ √’¥“ œ Ù §” œ ‡æ≈ß©ßË‘ ‡¢¡√¢Õ∑“π Ô ¡“®–°≈à“«∫∑‰ª ∂÷ßµ“«“ß´Õ߇ߓ–ªÉ“ ·µ«à “à ߇«πâ ‡ªìπ¡à“¬À≈“¬ª¡ï “ Õ“¬Àÿ ° ‘∫À⓬ߗ «Õà ߉« ‡√√«πªÉ«πªíπò °√– —𮵑 ‡Ω“Ñ §¥‘ ®–¡‡’ ¡’¬„À¡à µ“®Õß≈ÕßÀ«— ≈â“π«à“∫√√≈¬— π“ß∂ˑ߇¡¬’ ‰¡ à â·Ÿ °àπ—° Õ“¬ÿ√“« —°À“â  ‘∫ ’Ë ∑«à ß∑§’ ¡ π— øπí æËß÷ À—° ‰¥‡â °’¬È «æ“√“ ∑’ ’®–√°— ·µ≈à °Ÿ À≈“π§≈°ÿ §≈—°‰¡™à Õ∫°≈ œ ˆ §” œ √“à ¬ Ô π—¥°π— «à“®–‰ªæŸ¥ª√°÷ …“ ∑Ë’‰√à¡π— °≈“ߪ“É æπ“ ≥±å §√ß—È √ßÿà ·®âß· ß»√ ’ ÿ√¬‘ π °Á™«π°—π Õߧπ‡¥π‘ ‡¢â“‰æ√ œ Ú §” œ ‡™‘¥