Ngo Pa = เงาะป่า

Ngo Pa 131 So she should not act so coyly. The couple had a pleasant time together. Khamane-Khothan Ô We now proceed with our narration, And come to Wang-Song, an old Sakai, Who had been a widower for many years. At sixty-five, he was still full of vigor. Besieged with a lustful desire, He thought of taking a new spouse. He recalled that the bald Jong-Long had died, Leaving behind Thing, his not-so-old wife, Who was around fifty-four years of age, And quite comely, with teeth just falling out. If he wooed her, she might accept his love. One snag though, she had too many children. Rai Ô The couple planned to discuss their future, At a yam patch in the midst of the forest. At the first ray of sunlight in the morn, The pair entered the forest together.

132 ‡ß“–ª“É ‡æ≈ß°√–∫Õ° Ô ‡¥π‘ ¡“  Õߪ√¥’ “™◊πË ·™¡à ·®¡à „  ‡ÀπÁ ™∫“ªÉ“∫“πµ√–°“√„® ‡°∫Á „Àâπ“ß™¡¥¡∑—¥ æ∫¡–¡à«ß‡¢“â ‰§≈®—∫‰¡â Õ¬ ∂Ÿ°√ß— ¡¥µ–πÕ¬¡—πµÕà ¬°—¥ ¡Õ◊ ≈Ÿ∫¡¥≈àÕ¬§Õà ¬‡≈◊Õ°§¥— ‡∂“«≈— ¬å¡¥— æ«ß„À≠à ßà „ÀâπÕâ ß ∑à“𬓬√—∫®∫— æ«ß¡–¡«à ßÀ“à ¡ ≈Ÿ°ß“¡ß“¡°√–À¬¡‘Ë ¬¡‘È ¬Õà ß ¡¥¬ß— µ¥‘ µàÕ¬¬“¬µ–°“¬√âÕß µ“«“ß´Õßµ°„®°√–‰√‡≈¬ ‡¢“â ≈∫Ÿ ¡Õ◊ ∂◊Õ‰À≈ªà í¥‰ª∑Ë—« Õ“â ¬¡¥µ«— Õÿ∫“∑«å·∑Õâ ÿ·¡à‡Õ㬠π“ß«à“À¡¥·≈â«Õ¬à“§≈”∑”‡À¡Õ◊ π‡§¬ µ“à ß¿‘‡ª√¬ª√“»√¬— °—π‰ª¡“ œ ¯ §” œ √à“¬ Ô ‡¡◊ËÕππÈ—  Õ߇ߓ–‰¡Àà ¬¥ÿ À¬àÕπ‡≈πà ´àÕπÀ“ §π—ß´à¡ÿ ´ÿ¡â ‡ß“–‡∂“≈¥— ¥“ ‰¡â‰ºµà “·≈≈Õ¥‡∑¬’Ë « Õ¥¡Õß

Ngo Pa 133 Phleng-Krabok Ô The old couple walked along with pleasure, And enjoyed themselves in the forest. Seeing the wild hibiscus in bloom, Wang-Song picked one to put behind Thingûs ear. Trying to pick ripe mangoes with a long pole, He was bitten by a swarm of black ants. Hands wiping the ants away, he selected The mangoes, tying them in a bunch for Thing. She accepted the big bunch of mangoes, Smiling with content at their beauty. Bitten by the clinging ants, she yelled out, Scaring old Wang-Song out of his wits. Brushing her hands and shoulders all over, To get rid of the confounded insects, He fondled her until she made him stop. With the ants gone, they talked back and forth. Rai Ô The two young Sakai, Mai-Phai and Kha-Nang, Were still at their game of hide-and-seek. Kha-Nang hid behind a clump of creepers, While Mai-Phai was trying to find him.

134 ‡ß“–ª“É ·««à ‡ ’¬ßµ“°—∫¬“¬À¡“¬«“à À¡’ æ÷¡æ”Õ¬Ÿµà √ßπÈ’§àÕ¬¬à“߬àÕß „®∑°÷ ∑°÷ π÷°°≈«— ¢πÀ«— æÕß π˗߬Õ߬Õß¿“«π“«à“ÕÕ°‡≈◊Õπ œ Ù §” œ Ô ‡¡◊ËÕππÈ— µ“«“ß´Õß™◊πË „®„§√®–‡À¡Õ◊ 𠙫𬓬∂Ëß‘ ‡∑Ë’¬«ª“É æ“‡™Õ◊ π ¬‘È¡‡¬Õ◊È πÀ¬Õ°‡¬â“‡´“â ´È’ ‡∑’¬Ë «‡ “–À“ ¡ÿ ∑¡ÿ ∑’Ëæ¡ÿà ™‘¥ √à¡¡‘¥∫ß— · ß ÿ√‘¬»√’ ®–‰¥â‡√‘Ë¡ª√÷°…“æ“∑’ °√–®àŸ°√–®≈’Î «π≈“¡µ“¡ ∫“¬ œ Ù §” œ Ô ‡¡ËÕ◊ π—πÈ ‰¡â‰ºàµ°„®¬ß— ‰¡Àà “¬ æÕ‡À≈◊Õ∫‰ª‡ÀπÁ Àπ“â µ“°—∫¬“¬ °≈Èπ— À«— ‡°Õ◊ ∫µ“¬®πµ«— ‚°ß æÕ§≈Õâ ¬‰ª„ÀâÀ≈ß— ∫—ß°Õ‰ºà ¥„’ ®∑–≈÷Ëß‚≈¥‚¥¥‚À¬ß ‰ªæ∫Õ“â ¬§π—߬ߗ ‚°âß‚§âß ∂Ÿ°µ—«µâÕß√âÕß‚¬ß‡ ¬’ ß‚¥ßà ¥—ß

Ngo Pa 135 Hearing the old couple, bears they thought They heard mumbling; so they tiptoed softly, Hearts pounding, hair on their head standing. Squatting, they prayed incoherently in fright. Ô Old Wang-Song was happy beyond compare. He guided Thing around the vast forest To show her the beautiful scenery, Both of them smiling and teasing each other. They tried to find a secluded bush, That would give them protection from sunlight, So they could begin their consultation, And carry out their amorous tryst freely. Ô In hiding with his bosom friend Kha-Nang, Mai-Phai had not yet recovered from fright. Perceiving that it was the old couple, He suppressed a laugh until he bent over. When the pair had gone behind a bamboo grove, Mai-Phai sprang up and jumped with great joy. Finding that Kha-Nang was still squatting, And yelling out at being touched by him,

136 ‡ß“–ªÉ“ ‰¡â‰ºàª¥î ª“°°√–™“°©ÿ¥ ®ßπË‘ßÀ¬ÿ¥Õ¬“à ߇æ√‘¥√–‡ ‘¥√– —ß ‡≈“à ‡√Õ◊Ë ß√“«¢“à «¢—π„À‡â æÕË◊ πøíß ·≈«â µ“¡À≈—ß –°¥√Õ¬‰ª§Õ¬¡Õß œ ˆ §” œ Ô ‡¡Ë◊ÕπÈ—π ‡®â“™âŸºŸâ„À≠∑à ß—È  Õß ¬π‘ ¥’¡’„®ª√ÕߥÕß ¬à“߬àÕ߇¢“â ‰ª„π´¡âÿ ‰∑√ À—°„∫°≈«â ¬ª“É ¡“ªŸπËß— °≈ßÈ‘ ¢Õπ‰¡µâ È—ßµ“à ßÀ¡Õπ„À≠à µ“«“ß´Õ߇հ‡¢π°π—ßË æ‰‘ √ ‚Õ¿“ª√“»√—¬‡ªπì ‰¡µ√’ œ Ù §” œ ™“µ√’ Ô ∫ÿ≠™°— ‡®“⠮߷®ßâ ª√–®°— …πå ”È „®æ’Ë ™â“π“πª√–¡“≥ °—  ‘∫ ªË’ ï æ’ˉ¥¬â ≈¡“√»√∑’ Ë’¬–≈Õ „Àâ∫ß— ‡°‘¥°”À𗥪√–À«—¥À«—ß ‡®¬’ π®–§≈ß—Ë πÕπ‡Àß“‡ΩÑ“®Õπ®àÕ ‡®“â ¡’§ŸÕà ¬Ÿ§à √Õß®ß÷ µÕâ ß√Õ

Ngo Pa 137 He covered the boyûs mouth and pulled him out, Telling him to remain calm and not panic. Then he told his friend the funny incident, And stalked the old couple to spy on them. Ô As for the two elderly lovers, Being glad that they were of the same mind, They crept slowly into the banyan arbor, Their designated place of rendezvous. Placing the leaves of wild bananas as mats, They rolled a big log to be used as pillow. Wang-Song leaned against it and lazed about, Addressing his sweetheart with cordial words. Chatri Ô çOur merit has brought us here together, Please realize truly what is in my mind. It must have been about fourteen years ago When I first set eye on you in Yalaw. I felt so greatly enamored of you That I almost went mad with desire. Since you had a mate I had to wait,

138 ‡ß“–ª“É ‰¥∫â πµàÕµπâ °Õ¥—π·µàπÈ—π¡“ Õπ— π“߉¡â„®‡¬Áπ‡ÀÁπƒÂ‰¡à πß‘Ë ‡ ’¬‰¥â∂ß÷  ∫‘  ’æË –«–…“ ∂÷߇√¥‘ √â“ߧâ“ß√°— ·√¡Õ¬àŸ™“â ‰¡ à ÿ¥ π‘È ‡ πÀ“¬‘ßË ‡æ¡Ë‘ æπŸ æ®Ë’ –¢Õ√à«¡®µ‘ 滑 «“  ®π™’«“µ¡å«Õ¥«“¬∑”≈“¬ ≠Ÿ ™à«¬°π— ‡≈Ȭ’ ß≈°Ÿ ‡µ“â ‡º“à ª√–¬Ÿ√ Õπ°ÿ ≈Ÿ °π— ·≈°π— ®π«—𵓬 œ ¯ §” œ √à“¬ Ô ‡¡Ë◊Õπ—πÈ π“ß∂Ëß‘ ‡ß“–øßí §”√Ë”¢¬“¬ ¥¥— ®√‘µ«â“¬«ÿ⬵–°¬ÿ µ–°“¬ ™”‡≈Õ◊ ß™“¬µ“µÕ∫„À™â Õ∫∑’ œ Ú §” œ Ô ª“°À«“π ¢’È§√â“π‡§◊ÕßÀŸ®®âŸ ’È ·µà‡ÀÁ𠫬¡“‰¥â ‘∫ ªË’ ï

Ngo Pa 139 Pledging an offering to the sataw8 nymph, Who has been so calm and indifferent, And kept her silence for fourteen long years. That is why my love has been unfulfilled, But instead of abating, it has increased. I will love you, dear, with all my heart, Until the day my life extinguishes. We will raise our children together, And help each other till our dying days.é Rai Ô Upon hearing old Wang-Songûs pleading, Thing put on a coquettish manner. She feigned coy looks and gave out small shrieks, Glancing sideways at the old man all the while. Ô çI am so tired of listening to you, Your sweet words are raucous to my ears. You found me beautiful fourteen years ago, 8 sataw: plant of the Leguminosae family, with nutty seeds

140 ‡ß“–ª“É ∂ß÷ ªÉ“ππ’È¡—π°°Á ≈“¬À“¬ß“¡ ®π·°à‡≤“à ß°ß—πøíπÀ°— ¬—ß®–¡“º°Ÿ √—°„Àâ√àÿ¡√“à ¡ ‡®â“®–√°— ‰ª∂ß÷ ‰Àπ„Àâ§√—πË §√“â ¡ æ«°‡¥°Á Ê ¡—π®–À¬“¡„À≥Õâ “¬ ®ππ“߉¡â°Á‰¡Õà ¬“°‰¥â ‘π∫π ‡æ√“–∑à“π‰¡à‡™◊ËÕ§π®–∂«“¬ ¢â“µâÕ߉¡‡à ™Ë◊Õ∫â“ßÕ¬“à ß´—ßµ“¬ ∑”·¬∫§“¬§âÕ𧫰— ¬°— Àπ⓵“ œ ˆ §” œ Ô ‡¡◊ËÕπ—Èπ  Õ߇ߓ–·À«°¡Õß™Õà ß惰…“ π÷°§–πÕß≈Õ߇Փ≈Ÿ°‰¡ªâ “ æÕ‡ÀπÁ ∑“à  ∫‡À¡“–ª“‡ª“–‰ª œ Ú §” œ ‚≈¡πÕ° Ô ª“°®—¥ ‡Ω“Ñ  –∫‘Èß –∫¥— ‰ª∂÷߉Àπ √“à ¬ Ô Õ–‰√µ°πË’ÀπÕÕÕà ≈Ÿ°‰¡â ‡ÀÁπ®–‡ªìπæ√–‰∑√∑à“π·°≈ßâ ‡¬â“

Ngo Pa 141 Now my beauty is no longer present. I am old and my teeth have fallen out, Why should you still be courting me? Your love for me is so embarrassing, We would be the laughing stock of youngsters. Even the tree nymph would not heed your vow, As she did not believe youûd give her anything. So I should not believe your words myself.é She then coyly glanced sideways at him. Ô The two young boys, hiding behind the bush, Peeked at the old couple through the leaves. Being in a jolly mood, they picked up fruits And threw them at the pair to amuse themselves. Lome-Nok Ô çYou are so sharp-tongued, How long will you keep playing hard to get?é Rai Ô çWhat do we have here? Oh, they are fruits. The banyan tree spirit must be teasing us!é

142 ‡ß“–ªÉ“ ‚≈¡πÕ° Ô ‡®â“ª√–¡“∑πÈ”Àπâ“«à“π“߉¡â ‰¡à‡™Õ◊Ë æËπ’ ’ËÕ–‰√¥‡Ÿ ∂‘¥‡Õâ“  Ÿâ· √ßâ ª“≈Ÿ°‰¡â¡“„Àâ‡√“ √“à ¬ Ô ‡Õ–‡Õ“≈ß¡“Õ’°ƒÂÕ¬à“߉√ ‚≈¡πÕ° Ô ®ß‡°Á∫‰«â‡ªìπ欓π°“√ ”§≠— ‰¥‡â ∑«≠— ‡ªπì  —°¢’¡’∑Ë’‰Àπ ´Ëß÷ «“à øπí À—°®–‡ ¬’ ‰ª √“à ¬ Ô ¡“Õ°’ À≈“¬„∫‡™’¬«§√“«πÈ’ ≈Õß™¡‘ ≈¡‘È ¥ÀŸ «“πÕ¬àŸ·Œ– ‚≈¡πÕ° Ô „™®à –·§–§Õà π«à“¡“√»√’ °≈∫— Àπ“â µ“®¡È‘ ≈‘È¡®¡ÿã ®¡Î‘ ¥’ ‡¡Ë◊Õ°Õà π¡’‡À¬π‘ ßÕ°ÕÕ°‡ ’¬ß“¡ πÕâ ¬ƒÂπâÕßµâÕßµ—«‡Ω“Ñ  –¥ÿßâ

Ngo Pa 143 Lome-Nok Ô çIt is because you have blamed the tree nymph. Donût you believe me? See for yourself, The spirits are sending the fruits to us.é Rai Ô çMore fruits are being thrown down this way.é Lome-Nok Ô çYou should keep these fruits as mementos, That the spirits have borne witness to our love. It does not matter that youûve lost your teeth.é Rai Ô çThis time more fruits are coming our way, They are succulent and taste quite sweet!é Lome-Nok Ô çI do not mean to criticize you, dear, Now you look even more beautiful. Before your teeth protruded too much. Why do you keep starting when I touch you?é

144 ‡ß“–ªÉ“ √à“¬ Ô ‡Õ–¬ßàÿ ¡“ªñߪñßÀπË÷ß Õß “¡ π’‡Ë ∑«¥“‡ÀπÁ «à“‡√“µ–°√“¡ ‡≈¬À¬“∫À¬“¡·°≈âߪ“¡“√”Ë ‰ª ‚≈¡πÕ° Ô Õ—π∫√ÿ ÿ… µ√’π’‡Ë À¡Õ◊ π¡¥ ¡π— ‡À≈◊ÕÕ¥®–‰¡à™¡‘ ≈‘È¡À«“π‰¥â ®ß‚ÕπÕÕà πºàÕπÀ“¡Õ’ “≈—¬ √à“¬ Ô ‡Õ–ª“„À≠‡à  ¬’ ·≈â«æÕ≈–¢Õ√—∫ ‚≈¡πÕ° Ô «à“æ≈“ß∑“ßµ√–‚∫¡‚≈¡‡≈â“ √à“¬ Ô ‡Õ–‡Õ⓬ߗ ª“¡“ªí∫ªí∫ À—«ÀŸÀπÕ´”È √–¬”¬∫— Õ¬àŸ‰¡à‰¥â®–µÕâ ß°≈∫— ∑∫— ‡ ¬’ ∑’ «“à æ≈“ßµ“à ß≈°ÿ ¢÷Èπ‡°â°—ß „ÀâÀ≈—ß°≈—«®√‘ßÕÕ°«‘ßË ®’Î ®ß‰¥â‚ª√¥¬°‚∑…‡∂‘¥§√“«πÈ’ ‰¡¡à “∑”¬Ë”¬’®π«—𵓬 œ Òˆ §” œ

Ngo Pa 145 Rai Ô çOne, two, three, here they come banging again! The gods must be thinking we are gluttons, So they shower us with fruits out of spite.é Lome-Nok Ô çMan and woman are just like ants, In that they cannot resist something sweet. Thus, you should consent to my enticement.é Rai Ô çWhat! More fruits coming? This is enough!é Lome-Nok Ô Old Wang-Song then embraced and caressed Thing. Rai Ô çOuch! More bombardment? My head is quite sore now. Stay here no longer. Letûs return to our huts.é The couple then struggled to get up, And run with all their might in great fright. Begging the gods for forgiveness, they vowed Never to harass them till their dying days.

146 ‡ß“–ª“É Ô ‡¡Ë◊Õπ—πÈ §πß— °—∫‰¡â‰º°à „Á ®À“¬ æ√Ë—πµ«— °≈—«‡®Õ–µ“°—∫¬“¬ «ßË‘ µ–°“¬‡¢â“‰ªÕ¬Ÿà„π√° ´¡æ≈“≈”À—∫ ¥∫— ‡ ’¬ß ‡¢â“¬◊π‡¡¬’ ߉¡´â Õà π·≈«â ¢âÕπÕ° π°÷ «“à æàÕ¡“®∫— «ß‘Ë °≈∫— «°  –Õ“â π –∑°·≈àπ·¬°·µ°°—π‰ª œ Ù §” œ ‡™‘¥ Ô π“ß≈”À∫— °≈∫— ‡¢“â ¡“∑“ß∫“â π æÕ‰¥æâ ∫æ“π°—∫‰¡â‰ºà ™«π°—π¥È—πªÉ“§≈“‰§≈ √’∫‡¢â“‰ª∑∫— À—∫ÀÕâ ßπÕπ œ Ú §” œ ‡ ¡Õ Ω√ß—Ë µπâ Ô ‡ÕπÕß‘ æß‘ À¡ÕππÕπÕπ“∂ π°÷ À«—πË À«“¥‡ ’¬«∑√«ß –∑Õâ π∂Õπ ‚ÕâÕ°‡√“§√“«‡§√“–À‡å ©æ“–®√ ‡°Õ◊ ∫¡â«¬¡√≥·å ≈â«¡À‘ π”´”È ¡≈∑‘π ‡°‘¥‡ªìπÀ≠‘ß®√‘ß ”À√—∫√—∫Õ¥ Ÿ  ÿ¥®–°·âŸ °â°“¬„ÀÀâ “¬°≈πË‘ ·¡âπ‰¥â°—∫´¡æ≈“°Á√“§‘π

Ngo Pa 147 Ô As for Mai-Phai and Kha-Nang themselves, They were also in an agitated state. Afraid of running into the old couple, They ran to hide in the thicket. Som-Phla and Lam-Hap, hearing the boysû sounds, Hid behind a bush, pounding on their chests. Thinking Lam-Hapûs father had come upon them, They ran in fright and took flight separately. Ô Lam-Hap was heading straight for home, When she ran into her brother Mai-Phai. Together they cut their way through the forest, And the girl rushed into her sleeping quarters. Farang-Ton Ô Reclining in bed against her pillows, Lam-Hap was so frightened that her heart pounded. It must have been her own misfortune, That almost caused her death, and tarnished her. Being a girl, she was born to bear shame, Never be able to redeem her good name. If she were to marry Som-Phla, sheûd be shamed,

148 ‡ß“–ª“É ‡¢“√Ÿ â π‘È «à“§Ÿ§à √ÕߢÕߌ‡π“ ‰¥§â Ÿà‡°“à ‡≈“à °Á√“â ¬πà“Õ“¬‡À≈Õ◊ ‡¢“∂°Ÿ ‡πÈÕ◊ ®∫— µâÕ߇À¡◊Õπ¢Õ߇¢“ ¬ß— ‡Õ“ µ— ¬å√∫— ´È”°√√¡¢Õ߇√“ ®–√Ÿ‡â Õ“Àπ“â ·Ω߉«·â Àßà ‰√ °√√¡‡Õ¬ã °√√¡≈”À—∫Õ—ª√–¿“§ ™à“ß· π¬“°«“ß®µ‘ §‘¥‰©π ®–≈–√â“ߢ«â“ß°—ß«≈‰«Àâ π„¥ ®÷ß®–‰¥§â «“¡ ∫“¬À“¬√”§“≠ œ ¯ §” œ Ω√Ëß— §Ÿà Ô §‘¥‰ª„®Àπß÷Ë °πÁ ÷°¢—𠇪ìπ‰©πßæŸ π— ·≈⫉¡ºà ≈“≠ ƒÂÕ“√°— …å√·‘ ∂≈ß·°≈ßâ ∫π— ¥“≈ ®–„Àâæ“πæ∫ à§Ÿ ´Ÿà ¡æ≈“ ‰¡‡à §¬π÷°√°— „§√à„®¬—߇©¬ ®–®”‡§¬‡ ¬’ °√–¡ß— ™ß— π—°Àπ“ ®–™«¥ Õ¥µâÿ¡À∑Ÿ ’˵√µŸ “ ‡ ’¬¥“¬Àπâ“®– ‘Èπ„ ‰√¡â “≈’ §Õà ¬‡∑®Õß≈Õ߇≈Õ◊ °∫ÿªº“ÀÕ¡ ¥ß— ª√ßÿ ¬âÕ¡ √√æ π‘È ∑ß—È °≈Ëπ‘  ’ √ §π∏ªå π°≈π‘Ë  “√¿’ ™Õà „À≠πà ·È’ À≈–π—°Àπ“‡Ω“Ñ ¡“‡µÕ◊ π

Ngo Pa 149 For all knew that she was betrothed to Ha-Nao. Itûd be also shameful to marry the lad, Since, touched by Som-Phla, she belonged to him. Moreover, she had vowed to love Som-Phla, Now she did not know where to bear herself. It was her past deeds that made her suffer. She did not know what and how to think, And how to put aside her worry, In order to retain her peace of mind. Farang-Khu Ô A curious thought then came to her mind, Why the snake, encircling her, did not bite. Could it have been sent by a guardian angel To lead her to her destined mate, Som-Phla? In truth, she was indifferent to the lad, Now, she might have to give herself to him. She could no longer wear beautiful earrings, Her face would not be bright without flowers. She gently poured out the basketûs contents, Selecting the fragrant, multi-colored flowers. The odor of rotsukhon mixed with that of saraphi, The big bouquet reminded her of the one,

150 ‡ß“–ª“É „Àâ‡ÀπÁ ¡Õ◊ §πÀ°— ª√–®—°…å®—∫  ÿ¥®–§—∫·§πâ „®„§√®–‡À¡Õ◊ 𠉪‡ ¬’ ∫´àÕπ‡ ¬’ „À≰≈‰¥·â ≈‡≈◊Õπ π“ßøòπí ‡øÕó πß«à ߇Àß“‡»√â“Õ√ÿ “ œ ¯ §” œ À√ÿà¡ Ô ‡¡ÕË◊ π—Èπ ¬Õª“π‡ß“–ºŸâ„À≠à„®°≈“â ·µà¢Õ ≈Ÿà °Ÿ  “«µÕ߬‘∫¡“ ®–„À‡â ªπì ¿√√¬“π“¬Œ‡π“ „Àâπ°÷ ™◊πË ™¡ ¡À«—ß ®–‰¥âª≈Ÿ°Ωíß≈°Ÿ ‡µâ“ §¥‘ ®–∑”°“√„À≠à‰¡à‡∫“ „À‡â ¢“‡≈◊ÕË ß™◊ÕË ≈◊Õ™“ œ Ù §” œ √“à ¬ Ô µ√‘æ≈“ß∑“߇√¬’ °≈°Ÿ ™“¬ §Õ◊ π“¬√”·°«â ·°≈«â °≈â“ ∑—ÈߪÕß ÕߪÕß ÿ¥‡¢“â ¡“ ª√÷°…“À“√Õ◊ °–°“√ „À≪∫Õ°‡≤à“≠“∫º‡âŸ ªìπ„À≠à Õ¬àŸ„πæ«°‡ß“–∑ßÈ— À¡Ÿ∫à â“π

Ngo Pa 151 Whose hand had broken it off for her. Feeling a resentment surging all over, She hid it away so as not to see it again. Overwhelmed by melancholy, she grieved alone. Rum Ô Our tale moves on to deal with Yo-Pan, The valiant-hearted elderly Sakai. Since he had asked for Tong-Yipûs daughterûs hand In marriage to his bold son Ha-Nao, He felt mighty pleased in his heart That the young couple would soon be wedded. He planned to arrange a wedding so grand That people would talk about it far and wide. Rai Ô Resolved, he called to him his two sons, Ram-Kaew who was very stout-hearted, And Pong-Song-Pong-Sud his brother, To discuss the wedding plan with them. First they were to call on old Yap, The headman of their Sakai village.

152 ‡ß“–ª“É ∑ȗߧπ∑·Ë’ ≈°À“°π— ¡“π“π ≈â«π∑“à πºŸâ‡¡µµ“ª√“π’ §Õ◊ æàÕ ‘ππ¬âÿ ·≈–æÕà ‡«° µ«— ‡Õß¡ß—Ë §—Ëߥߗ ‡»√…∞’ Õ’°æÕà  ¡πÿ ¬°— …废â„À≠¥à ’ Õ’°æÕà ÕÕà πÕ“√¡’ ’„®√—° æàÕ·°â«æàÕ· ß·¡âπ·®ßâ °“√ §ß®–™«à ¬§¥‘ Õà“π‰¡Àà “≠À°—  à«πæ«°‡√“‡∑à“‰√Õ¬à“‰¥æâ —° ∫Õ°·®ßâ „Àªâ √–®°— …å°π— ∑°ÿ §π „Àµâ —¥‡µ¬µ¥— À«“¬‰ª·≈°¢Õß µ“¡µÕâ ß°“√Õ¬à“„À⢗¥ π ·≈«â ®—¥∑’Ë·µàßß“π°“√¡ß§≈ ∑Ë≈’ “πµâπµ–‡§¬’ π°«â“ßÕ¬à“ß‚∫√“≥ œ Ò §” œ √“à ¬ (Ô µ√‘æ≈“ß∑“߇√’¬°≈Ÿ°™“¬ §◊Õπ“¬√”·°â«·°≈«â °≈“â ) (∑ßÈ— ªÕß ÕߪÕß ÿ¥‡¢“â ¡“ ª√°÷ …“À“√Õ◊ °–°“√) œ Ú §” œ

Ngo Pa 153 Then they must inform the people Who had been trading with the Koi for so long. These kind people, Pho Sin-Nui and Pho Wek, Well-to-do they were, like most wealthy men. Pho Samun-Yak who was advanced in age, And Pho On who was benevolent. Pho Kaew and Pho Saeng, if informed, Would contribute some assistance. As for the villagers themselves, All were to be told of the coming event. They were to cut pandanus and rattan plants To barter for things needed for the wedding. The ground under the takhian9 must be cleared, For the traditional wedding ceremony. Rai Ô (Resolved, he called to him his two sons, Ram-Kaew who was very stout-hearted,)* (And Pong-Song-Pong-Sud his brother, To discuss the wedding plans with them.) 9 takhian: Malabar ironwood, a large tree used for making planks and for boat-building * the words in parentheses are dramatic text, to be used when staging the play

154 ‡ß“–ª“É Ô ‡¡Õ◊Ë πÈ—π  Õß∫ÿµ√øßí ∫‘¥“«“à ¢“𠬑𥒪√’¥“æâπª√–¡“≥ ÕÕ°¡“®—¥°“√∑ÿ° ß‘Ë Õ—π œ Ú §” œ ‡ ¡Õ Ô æ«°Àπ÷ËßπÈ—π‡¢“â ‰ª„πª“É µ—¥À«“¬µ–§â“‡ªìπ®“â ≈–À«—πË µ¥— ‡µ¬¡“¡¥— º°Ÿ æπ— æ“°π— ‰ª·≈°¢Õßπ“π“ æ«°ÀπË÷ßπÈπ— ‰ª‡∑¬’Ë «ª“É «√âÕß æ«°æâÕß„Àâ√∑⟠«—Ë Àπâ“ °”Àπ¥π¥— «—π ≠— ≠“ „Àâ¡“°‘π‡≈Ȭ’ ß„π«π— ß“π æ«°§√—«‡µ√’¬¡««— ·≈–§«“¬‰«â ‰¥âƒ°…‡å ¡Õ◊Ë „¥®– ß— À“√ ∑”¡®— ©¡ß—  “ √ÿ “∫“π æ√Õâ ¡∑ÿ°ª√–°“√¡∑‘ π— ™“â œ ˆ §” œ ‡®√®“ (Ô ‡¡ÕË◊ πÈ—π  Õß∫µÿ √øíß∫¥‘ “«“à ¢“π) (¬‘𥪒 √¥’ “æâπª√–¡“≥ ÕÕ°¡“®—¥°“√¡‘‰¥â™â“) œ Ú §” œ ‡ ¡Õ

Ngo Pa 155 Ô Listening to their fatherûs instructions, Yo-Panûs two sons were very pleased. They took leave of their elderly father, And set off to carry out his bidding. Ô One group of Sakai entered the forest To cut rattan plants and pandanus, Which were then tied into bunches, And traded for other commodities. The other group went around to announce The date of the wedding to everyone, So that they might keep it in mind, And come to attend the wedding feast. The cooks kept cows and buffaloes ready, To be killed at an auspicious moment. Fish, meat, and spirits were prepared, To be well stocked for the coming feast. Ô (Listening to their fatherûs instructions, Yo-Panûs two sons were very pleased.) (They took leave of their elderly father, And set off to carry out his bidding.)

156 ‡ß“–ª“É Ô Õπ— ∑Ë«’ ‘«“À¡ß§≈ ®¥— ‰«â„µµâ πâ µ–‡§¬’ πªÉ“ ‚§π‡µ∫‘ ·ª¥ÕÕâ ¡¡À¡‘ “ √¡à √ÿ°¢©“¬“‡ªπì ≈“π‡µ’¬π ™à«¬°—π∑∫ÿ ª√“∫√“∫√πË◊ ‚√¬∑√“¬√“¬æ◊Èπ„Àâ·≈‡≈¬Ë’ π ·µà߉¡√â Õ∫¢Õ∫‡¢µ·π∫‡π’¬π µ¥— ∑“ßÕâÕ¡‡«’¬π‰¡à«ß«π ∫â“ߪ≈Ÿ°·§√à·¡æà àÕ·≈∫“à « “« ‡°√’¬«°√“«¢π√—∫ ∫—  π ™«à ¬°π— ¡“°¡“¬À≈“¬ ∫‘ §π ∫¥— ¥≈°‡Á  √®Á ¥—ß®π‘ ¥“ œ ˆ §” œ Ô ‡¡◊ÕË ππÈ—  Õ߇ߓ–´ßË÷ ‡ªìπÀ«— Àπâ“ ‰ªÀ“æÕà ‡≈à“·∂≈ß·®âß°®‘ ®“ °“√ππ—È ¢â“®¥— æ√Õâ ¡æ√—° œ Ú §” œ (Ô Õ—π∑Ë’«‘«“À¡ß§≈ ®¥— ‰«â„µµâ âπµ–‡§’¬πª“É ) (°√–∫Õ◊ ‡º◊Õ°º≈‰¡âπ“π“ ∑È—ß √ÿ “‡¡√¬— ™—¬∫“π)

Ngo Pa 157 Ô The site for the wedding ceremony, Was prepared under a wild takhian tree, Whose trunk could be girded by eight men. Under the tree was a large open space, And the people joined forces to make it smooth, By beating it and strewing sand over it. The space was daintily bordered with shrubs, And a neat path was cut around it. Some made rattan dais for the bride and groom And their parents, amid din and confusion. Through the joint efforts of the villagers, All was ready in a moment as desired. Ô When their mission was accomplished, The two Sakai brothers in charge Went to inform their respected father Of the success of their undertakings. Ô (The site for the wedding ceremony, Was prepared under a wild takhian tree,) (Albino buffaloes, taro, and fruits, With spirits strong were all ready.)

158 ‡ß“–ª“É ( àß¢à“«‡≈à“∫Õ°∑—«Ë ∂÷ß ‡µ√’¬¡°π— ÕÈÕ◊ Õ÷ß∑—ßÈ À¡∫Ÿà “â π) (§√πÈ—  ”‡√®Á ‡ √®Á  √√æ¡‘∑—ππ“𠉪·®ßâ °“√∫‘¥“«à“æ√âÕ¡æ√—°) œ ˆ §” œ Ô ‡¡ËÕ◊ ππÈ— ¬Õª“πøßí ·∂≈ß·®ßâ ª√–®°— …å ¬π‘ ¥’ª√’¥“‡ªìπæπâ π°— ÕÕ°®“°∑Ë’æ°— ‰ª®¥— æ≈ œ Ú §” œ ‡ ¡Õ ¬“π’ Ô „ÀâÕ⓬‡ª¥ì §”πÈ—πÕÕ°Àπâ“ ‡Àπ∫Á æ√â“¡◊Õ∂◊Õ°‘ßË  π ¬ß— æ«° À“¬Õ’°À°§π ∂◊Õ∫“‡¥–√”«π‡«’¬π‰ª ‡æ◊ÕË πÕ’° ’˧ππ—πÈ „Àâ∂Õ◊ ÀÕ° ”À√∫— ¡Õ◊ ¬“«„À≠à ‡¥π‘ ‡§’¬ß Õߢ“â ߇®“â ∫“à «‰´√â πÕ°π—πÈ „À§â Õ¬‡¥‘πµ“¡ ≈â«π§“¥¡π— π÷∂◊Õ°≈âÕß æ«°æâÕßÀâÕ¡·Àà·≈À≈“¡

Ngo Pa 159 (Words were sent out everywhere, The whole village was in preparation.) (When everything was ready as desired, The brothers went to inform their father.) Ô Hearing of his sonsû accomplishments, Yo-Pan was pleased beyond compare. He then departed from his dwelling, To arrange the wedding procession. Yani Ô Ped-Kham, jungle knife attached, would lead The procession with a pine twig in hand. Six of his companions, carrying short knives, Would perform a dance in a circle. The other four of them, All carrying long handspears. Would be walking along, flanking the groom, The rest, all with dart holders strapped on And carrying blowpipes, would follow in tow. Friends and kinsfolk thronged together,

160 ‡ß“–ª“É ¬π◊ §Õ¬‡«≈“ƒ°…¬å “¡ „π π“¡Àπ“â ∑∫—  ∫—  π°π— œ ˆ §” œ ‡®√®“ √à“¬„π Ô ‡¡◊ËÕπ—πÈ ¬Õª“π‡√¬Ë’ «·√ß·¢ßÁ ¢—π ®Ëß÷  —Ëß≈°Ÿ ™“¬Œ‡π“π—πÈ „À·â µàßµ«— §¡ π— µ“¡∑”πÕß œ Ú §” œ ‚∑π Ô Õ“∫π”È ™”√– – “ß ≈“â ß≈–ÕÕß∏≈ÿ ’∑’˵‘¥µâÕß ·≈«â πàÿ߇≈“–‡µÍ¬’ –„¬¬Õß  ¥·¥ß· ß àÕ߇撬ß∫“¥µ“ ‰«â‰°æÁÕ°°Õ‡≈“–¥Ÿ‡À¡“–‡À¡ß ‡™ß‘ π—°‡≈ß°≈∫’ µ°ªÑÕߪ°¢“ ¡“≈¬— Œ“ªÕ߬“«√“« °— «“ °√–À«¥— ™“¬´“â ¬¢«“‡«Ë¬’ «ß §“¥¡π— π≈÷ “¬π“∫Õ“∫ ’ ‡ªìπ𓧒°√–Àπ°«‘À§Àß å ®∫— ∫Õ‡≈“‡À≈◊ÕßÕ√à“¡ß“¡∫√√®ß Õ“®Õ߬ÿ√¬“µ√π“¥°√“¬ œ ˆ §” œ

Ngo Pa 161 All waiting for the auspicious moment, Confusedly, in the yard in front of the hut. Rai-Nai Ô When all the arrangements were ready, The mighty Yo-Pan was satisfied. He then ordered his bold son Ha-Nao To adorn himself most handsomely. Thone Ô Ha-Nao then took a thorough bath To rid himself of all dirt and grime. He then put on a red loincloth so bright, That it quite dazzled the onlookersû eyes, With edges hanging down in front and back, Covering his legs in the manner of a rogue. A red flowery tassel two meters long Girded his neck, left and right ends dangling. His dart holder was tinted with designs, Depicting nagas, curved flames, birds, and swans. A beautiful yellow blowpipe in hand, Ha-Nao the bold strutted out pompously.

162 ‡ß“–ªÉ“ ©ÿ¬©“¬ Ô º“â ÀâÕ¬ª≈àÕ¬°√–®“¬ ·µà„®™“¬¬ß— √‘È«√«È‘ πÿàß‚¡√’ ·’ ¥ß©¥Ÿ ©“¥ ¢“«¡“â ‡¢¬’ «§“¥‡¢â“‰«âÕÕ°µ‘È« ≈¡æ—¥µ√–∫—¥µâÕßøÕÉ ßª≈«‘ À≠ß‘ ƒÂ®–‰¡à≈‘Ë«µ¥‘ §‘«È æ√Ÿ π«¬π“¥ Ô Õ°‰À≈ຓ¬ºß“¥ ÕßÕ“®‰¡¡à „’ §√§àŸ «“¥·¢π°√’¥°√“¬´â“¬¢«“ ∑—ßÈ ª“°∑—Èßµ“‡ªìπ‡™ß‘ ‡®“⠙⟠Àπÿà¡Àπÿà¡¥«â ¬°—π‰¡à¢—π âŸ ≈“À≈’°≈àŸÀ≈∫≈–≈“π ª≈¡È◊ „® Ô ™à“ß°√¥’ °âÕ¬√âÕ¬¡“≈—¬ À¡“¬„®®–‰ª·µàßß“π ®”ªπŸ ®”ª®ï ”ª“ “√¿’ ≈«â π¡“≈’°≈Ë‘πÀÕ¡À«“π °√–µâÿß°√–µßÈ‘ ÀÕâ ¬∑Èß‘ æ«ß¬“𠄧√„°≈â„À‡â ∫°‘ ∫“πµ√–°“√„®

Ngo Pa 163 Chui-Chai Ô The dangling ends of his loincloth Cut even menûs hearts into strips. Ha-Nao was wearing a gaudy red cloth, Tied tightly at the waist with a green sash That flapped about when the wind blew. So wouldnût women be attracted by them too? Nuai-Nat Ô His chest broad, his shoulders straight, Ha-Nao was audacious beyond compare. He swayed his arms to the left and right, Lips and eyes expressing amorous desire. The other beaus all scurried away, Finding themselves no match for him. Pluem-Jai Ô The flowery tassel was delicately strung, Intended for the impending wedding. Composed of jampun, jampi, jampa, saraphi, All of which were fragrant flowers, The spright tassel with its dangling ends Delighted all those who were near.

164 ‡ß“–ªÉ“ Õ°‡µâπ Ô ∑°— ∑°— ∑÷°∑°÷ π÷°‡¢¡âπ ®–„§√à‡ÀÁπ‡®“â ∑√“¡«¬— ‰¥æâ ∫„πΩπí ¡π— ‰¡‡à À¡◊Õπ®√‘ß „®‡®â“®–πß‘Ë Õ¬Ÿà‰¥â‰©π Àπ“â °√ÿ¡â °√¡Ë‘ ¬‘È¡≈–‰¡ ®–´Õà π‡∑“à ‰√¡—π‰¡à¡¥‘ ‡¡âπ Ô ·¡»à √‡’ Õ¬ ·¡à»√∫’ “π‡¬πÁ æË’‰¥‡â §¬‡ÀπÁ πËß— °∫— ·¡àŒÕ¬‡ß“– ·¡à·°π‘«Ë Àπ“â π”È µ“≈߇º“–‡º“– ßÕπßÕâ ©Õ‡≈“– ‡À≈Õ◊ ≈–·¡à»√‡’ Õ¬ Ô ·¡√à «¬√–√◊πË ‡Õ¬ ‡¡Õ◊Ë ¬“¡·™à¡™◊Ëπ ´Õà π¬¡È‘ ¬«π¬’ ¬°— ¬¡È‘ ¡—π¬—ßøÕÑ ß «“à π“ßπâÕ߇®â“¬π‘ ¥’ πà“√—°‡µ¡Á ∑’ ·¡√à «¬√–√◊πË ‡Õ¬

Ngo Pa 165 Ok-Ten Ô His heart pounding in excitement, Ha-Nao yearned to see his beloved. The girl in his dream was not flesh and blood, That was why his heart could not be still. His face, all smiles and grins, revealed The feeling he was trying to hide. Ô çDearly beloved, The girl of my heart, I saw you sitting, With your mom Hoi-Ngo. When she frowned, Your tears fell down. Youûre so endearing, My darling girl. Ô çSweet-smelling miss, When you were happy, You hid your smile. Your dimples betrayed That you were glad. How lovely you were, My dear little peach!

166 ‡ß“–ª“É Ô ·¡à¡¡’ “√¬“∑‡Õ¬ ß“¡æ»‘ ß“¡º“¥ πË—ß≈ÿ°‡¥‘π¬π◊ ‰¡ à ⟇√«Á ‰¡ à ™âŸ “â ¥’°«“à §πÕË◊π æ’Ë滑 ®‘µ™◊Ëπ √—°¡“√¬“∑‡Õ¬ Ô ·¡æà Ÿ¥‡æ√“–‡Õ¬ πÈ”‡ ’¬ß™à“߇ π“– ‡À¡◊ÕπÀπË÷ß„®æË’®–¢“¥ øí߇®â“√Õâ ß≈”π” ¬Ëß‘ ´È”æ‘»«“  æË’‰¡«à “¬À¡“¬¡“¥ √°— ·¡‡à  ¬’ ߇æ√“–‡Õ¬ √“à ¬ Ô ∫¥‘ “¥”‡ππ‘ ‡¥‘πÀπ“â ∂¥— ¡“æ’πË Õâ ß√Õß≈”¥—∫ ‡æË◊Õπ∫à“«∑ßÈ—  Õߪ√–§Õߪ√–§—∫ Õ⓬Œ«¬∑âÕ¡°—∫Õ⓬¥Õ‘ ßÿ ‡®â“∫à“«‡¥π‘ °≈“ßÀ«à“ß Õ߇æË◊Õπ ‰¡à§≈“¥‡§≈ÕË◊ π´âÕπ´—∫ ≈—∫¬ßàÿ

Ngo Pa 167 Ô çWell-mannered maid, Either far or near, your beauty showed. You sat, walked, Stood, not too fast, And not too slow, Better than others, I loved your ways. Ô çSweet-tongued maid, With voice so sweet That my heartûd break. Hearing your song, I loved you more, And pined for you. It was your voice that lured me so.é Rai Ô Ha-Naoûs father led the procession, Followed by his two valiant brothers. The bridegroom was flanked on each side, By his bestmen, Ai-Huai-Thom and Ai-Di-Ung. Moving along in designated order, There was no complication or error.

168 ‡ß“–ª“É æ«°æÕâ ßµ“¡æ√‡Ÿ ªπì À¡¡Ÿà ÿß À¡“¬¡àÿß¡“¬—ß∑∑Ë’ ”«‘«“Àå œ Ù §” œ °√“«πÕ° °√“« Ô ‡ß“–πâÕ¬‡ß“–„À≠à‰ª§°÷ §÷° Õ°÷ ∑÷°‡≈◊ËÕπ≈Ë—π πË—πª“É ‡µπâ ‚≈¥≈“°‡≈Õ◊ °‡À≈Õ◊ °µ“ µ∫¢“‡¢¬ßà ‡°Áß°Õ¬ ®—∫Í ®Í—∫ªíߪíߪ√–¥—߇ ¬’ ß ¥—ß·ºπà ¥‘π®–‡Õ’¬ß∑√ÿ¥¥Õâ ¬ °«—¥·°«àß∫Õ‡≈“‡ªÉ“≈°Ÿ ≈Õ¬ ∂°Ÿ π°µ°ºÕÁ ¬·¬ßà °—πæ√Ÿ µ°’ ≈Õߪ–µÿßµâÿßµÿßâ º≈ß Õ·‘ π– à߇ ¬’ ߇æ√“–‡ π“–ÀŸ §“à ß≈ß‘ ¬‘ßøπí ÀŸ™π— ™Ÿ µÿàπÕπâ Õÿ¥ÕŸâ≈ßÕ¬Ÿà‚æ√ß √–¡“¥‡¡àπÀ¡ŸÀ¡’‡∑ˬ’ «Àπ‡’ √πâ ‡≈¬’ ߺ“¬≈‡ºàπ‰À≈ຓ‚À¬ß §«“¬‡∂◊ÕË π∂÷°°√–∑ß‘ «Ë‘ßµ–‚æß ‡ Õ◊ ‚§√ßà ‚¥¥º—∫‰ª≈—∫µ“ œ ¯ §” œ ‡™¥‘

Ngo Pa 169 The hordes of well-wishers thronged after, Heading for the intended wedding site. Krao Ô The energetic Sakai, big and small, Made a great deal of commotion and din. They were all rolling their eyes upwards, Jumping up and down, hopping on one foot. Jap-jap, pang-pang, the sounds they made Slapping their legs, almost made the ground sag. Brandishing their blowpipes, they blew off darts To hit some birds which they raced to snatch up. Pa-tung drums were beaten rhythmically, And Javanese oboes were melodiously sounded. Langurs and monkeys bared teeth, pricked ears, Moles and bamboo rats clambered down their holes. Rhinos, porcupines, pigs, bears hid themselves, Agile antelopes sprang up the cliffs, Wild buffaloes and gaurs galloped in fright, While tigers leapt and scampered out of sight.

170 ‡ß“–ªÉ“ √à“¬ Ô §√πÈ— ∂÷ß®ß÷ À¬ÿ¥∑Ë’≈“π„À≠à „µâµâπµ–‡§’¬πæ√âÕ¡Àπâ“ §Õ¬æ«°‡®“â  “«∑Ë’®–¡“ µà“ߧπ楟 ®“ª√– “„® œ Ú §” œ √«— ‡®√®“ ™â“ߪ√– “πß“ Ô ‡¡ËÕ◊ πÈ—π µÕ߬‘∫´Ë÷߇ªìπ‡ß“–ºâŸ„À≠à µÈß— ·µ√à ∫— º“â §Ÿà à¢Ÿ Õ‰«â µ√‰‘ µ√„π°®‘ °“√««‘ “Àå §√Èπ— „°≈°â ”À𥃰…¬å “¡ ¡’§«“¡¬‘π¥’‡ªπì Àπ—°Àπ“ ‡√¬’ °≈°Ÿ ™“¬æ≈—π¡‘∑—π™â“ ‡¢“â ¡“ª√÷°…“À“√◊Õ œ Ù §” œ √à“¬ Ô „À⮥— °√–∫«π§«√§√√‰≈ ‡™‘≠º√Ÿâ —°„§√àπ—∫∂◊Õ ·ÀÀà Õâ ¡≈Õâ ¡‰ª„Àâ‡≈ËÕ◊ ß≈◊Õ ®–‰¥¡â ’™Õ◊Ë  ∫◊ ‰ª œ Ú §” œ

Ngo Pa 171 Rai Ô Reaching the large space, the procession halted Under the takhian tree in unison. While waiting for the brideûs folks to arrive, They chatted merrily among themselves. Chang-Prasan-Nga Ô Now we return to the elderly Tong-Yip, Who was held in esteem by the Sakai. Accepting a betrothal cloth for his daughter, He pondered how to arrange the marriage. When the auspicious time drew nearer, He was greatly overwhelmed with joy. He then summoned his son Eng-Aeng To go over the wedding plans with him. Rai Ô A procession was to be organized, Consisting of well-respected persons, In such a way that it would be talked about, And imprinted in the memory of all.

172 ‡ß“–ª“É Ô ‡¡◊ËÕπ—Èπ ‡Õß·Õßøíß·®ßâ ·∂≈߉¢ ®ßË÷ ≈“∫¥‘ “§≈“‰§≈ ®¥— °√–∫«π‰«∑â Ë’Àπ“â ∑∫— œ Ú §” œ ‡ ¡Õ ™“â ߪ√– “πß“ (Ô ‡¡ËÕ◊ π—Èπ µÕ߬‘∫´ßË÷ ‡ªìπ‡ß“–ºŸâ„À≠)à (µ—ßÈ ·µ√à ∫— º“â §àŸ ¢àŸ Õ‰«â µ√‰‘ µ√„π°®‘ °“√«‘«“Àå) (§√Èπ— „°≈â°”À𥃰…嬓¡ ¡§’ «“¡¬π‘ ¥’‡ªπì π—°Àπ“) (™«π≈Ÿ°√«à ¡„®‰§≈§≈“ ÕÕ°¡“®¥— π“√’∑ËÀ’ π“â ∑—∫) œ Ù §” œ ‡ ¡Õ ·ª–‡≈™à πÿ Ô  “«π”π—πÈ ¡◊Õ∂◊Õ¥Õ°‰¡â ™Õà „À≠àß“¡¥’  ’ ≈—∫ √”øÑÕπ√Õà π√“¬‡√¬’ ß√—∫ Àπ— ‡«¬’ π‡ª≈¬Ë’ π ∫— °π— À°π“ß ®—¥ Ëπ’ “√’∑’ˇªπì  “« ∂Õ◊ À“ß≈–≈«¬¬“«§π≈–À“ß

Ngo Pa 173 Ô Listening to his elderly father, Eng-Aeng took his bidding to heart. Then he took leave of his father, To prepare the procession before the hut. Chang-Prasan-Nga Ô (Now we return to the elderly Tong-Yip, Who was held in esteem by the Sakai.) (Accepting a betrothal cloth for his daughter, He pondered how to arrange the marriage.) (When the auspicious time drew nearer, He was greatly overwhelmed with joy.) (He asked his son to accompany him To line up the girls before the hut.) Pae-Le-Chun Ô Six maidens were to lead the procession, Holding big bouquets of multi-colored flowers. They were to perform a ritual dance In a circle, taking turns among themselves. Four young virgins were selected, Entrusted to hold a long, soft feather each.

174 ‡ß“–ª“É ‡≈◊Õ°‡æ◊ÕË π “« Õß «¬ ”Õ“ß „À‡â ¥‘π‡§¬’ ߢ“â ߇®â“ “«‰ª π“ß∑Õ߬¡‘ ∑Õ߬«ß¥«ßÀπ“â ·®¡à ·µßà ·µâ¡ß“¡ß¥ ¥„  °√–∫«πÀ≈—ß≈«â π·µà°”¥Õ°‰¡â ·®°„Àâ§π≈– Õßø“¬¡◊Õ À¡¥ πÈ‘ ∑—ßÈ °√–∫«π·µ≈à â«πÀ≠ß‘ ‡ ¬’ ßÀπÿßÀπß‘ 楟 °—π π—πË ÕÕÈ◊ ∫â“ß≈Õß√”„Àâ ¥— ∑¥— À—¥ª√Õ◊ ‡∑‘¥∂Õ◊ §Õ¬∑à“®–§≈“‰§≈ œ ¯ §” œ ‡ ¡Õ ·ª–‡≈™à ÿπ (Ô  “«π”π—Èπ¡◊Õ∂◊Õ¥Õ°‰¡â ™Õà „À≠àß“¡¥’  ’ ≈∫— ) (√”øÑÕπ√àÕπ√“¬‡√¬’ ß√—∫ À—π‡«¬’ π‡ª≈¬’Ë π ∫— °π— À°π“ß) (®—¥ Ë’π“√∑’ ˇ’ ªìπ “« ∂◊ÕÀ“ß≈–≈«¬¬“«§π≈–À“ß) (‡≈Õ◊ °‡æÕË◊ π “« Õß «¬ ”Õ“ß „À‡â ¥‘π‡§’¬ß¢“â ߇®“â  “«‰ª) œ Ù §” œ ‡ ¡Õ

Ngo Pa 175 Two beautiful bridesmaids were picked out, To walk alongside the bride herself. Thong-Yim and Thong-Yuang, their faces spright, Were made up and adorned with colors bright. The girls in the back were given flowers, Two bunches each to carry in their hands. The procession consisted of girls alone, Chatting among themselves noisily, Some of whom were practicing their dance, While waiting for the procession to start. Pae-Le-Chun Ô (Six maidens were to lead the procession, Holding big bouquets of multi-colored flowers.) (They were to perform a ritual dance In a circle, taking turns among themselves.) (Four young virgins were selected Entrusted to hold a long, soft feather each.) (Two beautiful bridesmaids were picked out, To walk alongside the bride herself.)

176 ‡ß“–ªÉ“ √à“¬ Ô ‡¡◊ËÕππÈ— π«≈π“ß≈”À—∫æ ‘ ¡¬— ª¥î ª√–µŸÕ¬Ÿà∑’∑Ë ∫— À≈—ß„π ®—°„∫°“¬ß— πËß— µ–∫Õ¬  “π ¡ÿ°„ Àà ¡“°Ω“°‰ª·≈° ¢Õß·ª≈°·ª≈°πâÕ¬„À≠à∑’Ë„™ â Õ¬ ™—°¥Õ°¥«ß‡¥πà ‡ªìπ≈“¬≈Õ¬ ‡ âππâÕ¬πÕâ ¬ π∑‘ ¥’¡’√“§“ ∑√“∫«à“∫‘¥“°”Àπ¥°“√ ®–·µàßß“πº§Ÿâ π‡´Áß´à“ πËß‘ π—Ëߧ—Ëߧ∫— „πÕÿ√“ °≈— ¬“√Õâ π√π‡ªπì æâ𧑥 œ ˆ §” œ √“à ¬ (Ô ‡¡ÕË◊ π—Èπ π«≈π“ß≈”À∫— æ ‘ ¡—¬) (ª¥î ª√–µÕŸ ¬Ÿà∑Ë’∑—∫À≈—ß„π ¡‰‘ ¥¡â ’ ¢ÿ  —°‡«≈“) (∑√“∫«“à ∫¥‘ “°”Àπ¥°“√ ®–·µàßß“πºŸ§â π‡´Áß´à“) (π‘ËßπßË— §ßË— §∫— „πÕÿ√“ °—≈¬“√âÕπ√π‡ªìπæπâ §¥‘ ) œ Ù §” œ

Ngo Pa 177 Rai Ô As for Lam-Hap the beautiful, She sat alone in her living quarters, Behind the closed door in her chamber, Splitting pandanus leaves into strips. She would then weave containers for betel, To be exchanged for exotic items. Distinct motifs were woven into them, Using fine strips to increase the price. Learning that her father had set the date For her wedding, to be attended by all, She became so stunned, unable to breathe, Too agitated to think of any plan. Rai Ô (As for Lam-Hap the beautiful, She sat alone in her living quarters,) (Behind the closed door in her chamber, Not having a moment of happiness.) (Learning that her father had set the date For her wedding, to be attended by all,) (She became so stunned, unable to breathe, Too agitated to think of any plan.)

178 ‡ß“–ªÉ“ π“ߧ√«≠ Ô Õπ‘®®“§√“«ππÈ’ –Õ°°Ÿ ¡√‘ âŸ∑’Ë®–§‘¥‡∫¬Ë’ ß∫‘¥ ‡ÀπÁ ®–¡æ‘ âπÕ“¬‡æ√“–™“¬™‘¥ ®–‡Ω“Ñ √—°™«’ µ‘ ‰ª‰¬¡’ ·¡®â –√ÕµàÕ‡ √®Á °“√««‘ “Àå ‡ÀπÁ ∑à“®–‰¡à‰¥â¡«â ¬‡ªìπº’  ÿ¥®–√—°…“µπæπâ √“§’ µ“¬‡ ¬’ «—ππ’È®–æπâ ¿¬— œ Ù §” œ ∏√≥√’ Õâ ߉Àâ Ô §‘¥æ≈“ßπ“ß· π‚»° √Õâ ¬ ™≈‡πµ√À¬“¥¬Õâ ¬≈“¡‰À≈ ‚Õâ«à“Õ“√—°…√å ÿ°¢„¥  √â“ß„À¢â “â πÕâ ¬π‡’È °‘¥¡“ ‰©ππ‘Ëß∑‘ßÈ ‡ ’¬ È‘π ß “√ ‰¡à∫”√ßÿ ∫√À‘ “√√°— …“ ·≈â«¡À‘ π”®”„À¡â «â ¬™’«“ ¥«â ¬§«“¡∑ÿ°¢‡å «∑π“Õ“≈¬— œ Ù §” œ ∑–‡≈∫“â Ô  ß “√Œ‡π“‡®“â §π´◊ÕË

Ngo Pa 179 Nang-Khruan Ô çAlas! Poor and unhappy me! I know not how to get out of this fix. Since I must be shamed by a manûs touch, Why should I still value my life? If I wait until after the wedding, I would not be able to die. If I cannot keep my chastity, Iûd better die now to escape my plight.é Thorani-Rong-Hai Ô Pondering, Lam-Hap became very sad, With tears streaming down in anguish, çWas it a tree god or guardian spirit Who has unwittingly created me? Why are you forsaking me without pity, And not watching over my welfare? Instead you are letting me waste away In my most miserable condition.é Thale-Ba Ô çI take pity on the trusting Ha-Nao,

180 ‡ß“–ª“É À¡“¬¡Ëπ— ªπíô ¡◊Õ·≈â«¡‰‘ ¥â „™à™Ë—«™â“πà“™ß— Õ¬“à ß„¥ ¢“â ‰¡§à ¥‘ ‡§’¬¥‡°≈’¬¥°≈«— ·µà®–„À√â «à ¡√—° ¡—§√À¡“¬ °‡Á À≈◊ÕÕ“¬‡À≈◊Õ∑π‡ªπì §π™Ë«— ‚Õâ ß “√´¡æ≈“Àπ“â ®–¡—« ‰¥µâ âÕßµ«— π∫— «“à ‡À¡◊Õπ “¡’ œ Ù §” œ ª√“ “∑∑Õß Ô π÷°‰ª°Á„Àâ·Àπ߃·°≈ßâ ‡≈àπ æÕ„À⇪ìπ¡≈∑π‘  ‘πÈ √“§’ ®ß÷ ‡æ‘°‡©¬‡≈¬ ≈–≈–¥—ßπÈ’ ‡À≈◊Õ∑’®Ë –À¬ßË— ™ß—Ë „®  ß— ‡«™‡Õ㬮µ‘ ‡Ω“Ñ §‘¥‡ÀπÁ «“à ´¡æ≈“À“‡ªìπ‡™àπππÈ— ‰¡à πà“®–· π‚»°»≈— ¬å‡æ¬’ ß∫√√≈¬— ‰¡·à πà„®‡À¡◊Õπ™π°™ππ’ §ß‰¡à∑π∑ÿ°¢å‰¥â‰ª∂ß÷ ‰Àπ ®–µ“¬µ“¡≈°Ÿ ‰ª‡ªìπº’ √Ë”æ≈“ßπ“ß· π‚»°’ ‡æ¬’ ß«à“™«’ ®’ –¡√≥“ œ ˆ §” œ ‚Õ¥