Ngo Pa = เงาะป่า

Ngo Pa 331 Sad and sorry lest he should leave her, He embraced Lam-Hap securely. Ô On hearing Som-Phlaûs frightful dream, Lam-Hap became disheartened. The foreboding narrating of his dream Made her heart quake with fright. çIf you, my husband, were in danger, You can be sure I would die after you. Iûll not live to bear the grief of bereavement.é She buried her head in his lap and sobbed. Ô After their sorrow had diminished, When the sun began to show its rays, The couple proceeded to have their meal. Som-Phla the brave pondered to himself That they had been in the cave many days, But he had not dug up more taros or yams. As their provisions were already depleted, He would have to go gather more. So he told Lam-Hap about his plan,

332 ‡ß“–ª“É ‡®â“®ßÕ¬àŸÀâÕß„À â ”√“≠ œ ˆ §” œ Ô ‡¡ÕË◊ πÈπ— ≈”À∫— °≈— ¬“øíß«“à ¢“π À«“¥À«—πË æ√πË— „®æπâ ª√–¡“≥ π“ß®Ë÷ß∑¥— ∑“πÀâ“¡‰«â ‡®“â Ωπí √“â ¬π—°Àπ“„π√“µ√’ «π— πÀ’È “§«√‰ª‰¡à ∂ß÷ ®–Õ¥Õ¬“°≈”∫“°„® °Á®–‡ªìπ‰√‰ªÕ¬à“√Õâ π√π ·¡πâ æàÕ‰ª¡’Õ—πµ√“¬ ‡¡¬’ ®–µ“¬Õ¬àŸ„π‰æ√ ≥±å ®ß‡¡µµ“Õ¬à“‡ªπì °ß— «≈ Õ¬Ÿ¥à «â ¬°—π ÕߧπÕ¬“à ߧ√√‰≈ œ ˆ §” œ Ô ‡¡Õ◊Ë ππ—È ´¡æ≈“¬È‘¡·¬â¡·®¡à „  ®ß÷Ë «“à ‡®â“Õ¬“à √âÕπ„® ∑”‰¡°—∫Ωíπ‰¡æà √—Ëπæ÷ß ∂÷ß®–¡’»—µ√®Ÿ ટ √–®—≠ æ’ˉ¡à‡°√ß¡—π —°π‘¥ÀπË÷ß

Ngo Pa 333 That he would leave her to dig for yams. She should not worry since he would be back, So she should rest contentedly in the cave. Ô When Lam-Hap heard Som-Phlaûs words, She became greatly agitated, Her heart filled with misgivings. So she tried to dissuade him from going. çLast night you had a terrible dream, So you should not go anywhere today. Worry not even if we have to starve, Just let it be and do not fret. If you go and encounter danger, I will die right here in this forest. Please take pity, do not worry about me. Stay here with me and do not go away.é Ô Listening to his wifeûs pleading, Som-Phla smiled and answered her. çDo not let yourself be too worried. Why should we be afraid of dreams? Even if an enemy attacks me, I am not one bit afraid of him.

334 ‡ß“–ª“É Õπ—  ß‘  “√“ —µ«åÕ¬“à §”πß÷ ∫à“¬ÀπàÕ¬æ’Ë®÷ß®–°≈∫— ¡“ Ô ‡¡◊ÕË ππÈ— π“ß≈”À—∫ ¥—∫§”º—««“à  ¥ÿ ∑’Ë®–∑“π∑¥— ¢¥— «≠‘ ≠“≥å π“ßπ—Ëß‚»°“√”Ë ‰√ œ Ú §” œ ‚Õ¥ Ô ‡¡ËÕ◊ π—Èπ ´¡æ≈“À“ –∑° –∑“â π‰¡à ª≈Õ∫‡¡’¬æ≈“ß∑“߇™¥Á ™≈π¬— πå ‡®“â Õ¬“à √Ë”‰À≡àµâÕß°“√ æ’ˉª‰¡™à â“®–¡“æ≈π— Õ¬àŸ¥«â ¬®Õ¡¢«≠— ¬Õ¥ ß “√ «“à ·≈â«·µàßµ—«¡‘‰¥âπ“π ®—∫‡ ’¬¡°≈âÕß∑–¬“πÕÕ°‰ª œ Ù §” œ ‡™¥‘  “¡‰¡â Ô §√—ÈπÕÕ°¡“πÕ°§ŸÀ“ „Àâ ¬Õß‚≈¡“‡√àßÀ¡πà ‰À¡â ¡—ππ§÷ ™Ÿà «’ ’∑’˧“¥‰«â °Á¢“¥µ°≈߉ª≈¬ÿà °√–®“¬

Ngo Pa 335 As for wild beasts, they mean nothing. I will return late in the afternoon.é Ô When she heard Som-Phlaûs words, Lam-Hap was greatly discouraged. Irked that she could not deter him, She sat motionless and cried. Ô Though his wife was in great sorrow, Som-Phla himself was undaunted. He consoled her and wiped away her tears. çIt is unbecoming of you to cry. I will be gone only a while, And then return to be with you.é Then he got dressed in a hurry and left With blowpipe and spade in hands. Sam-Mai Ô However, once outside the cave, Som-Phlaûs hair stood on end. His trusted dart holder strap Suddenly snapped, darts strewn about.

336 ‡ß“–ª“É  –¥âßÿ ®‘µ§¥‘ ‡ÀπÁ ‡¢≠Á «‘∫—µ‘ π÷°°≈«— ‡´¡—ßß—¥∑—ßÈ À≈“¬ Õ—¥Õ—Èπ¥«ß°¡≈°√–«π°√–«“¬ ‡ªπì ≈“ß√“â ¬π÷°ª√–À≈“¥Õπ“∂„® ‡À≈’¬«¥ªŸ “°∂”È √–°”Õ° · π«‘µ°À«“¥À«—πË æ√—πË ®µ‘ ‰À« ‚Õ≈â ”À∫— ≈∫— µ“‡À≈Õ◊ Õ“≈—¬ ·¡¡â ’‡Àµÿ‡¿∑¿¬— ®–‰°≈µ“ ƒÂÀπ÷Ëß®–°≈—∫§◊π√—ß Õ¬√àŸ –«—ß¡“√»√’∑’˧ÀŸ “ ≈—߇≈„®¡‘„§√à®–≈‘π≈“ ·µªà √–À¡“à °√–‡À¡àπÕ¬‡àŸ ªìππ“π œ ¯ §” œ √à“¬ Ô ·≈«â Œ÷°Œ°— À—°Àâ“¡§«“¡«µ‘ ° ‰¡à –∑° –∑“â 𮑵§¥‘ Àâ“«À“≠ ‡ÀÁπ‰¡¡à ’„§√°≈â“¡“·ºâ«æ“π °√Á ’∫ºà“π·∂«æπ“§≈“‰§≈ œ Ú §” œ ¡“â ¬Õà ß Ô ‡¥‘π∑“ßµ“¡À«à“ß¿Ÿ‡¢“À≈«ß ‰¡àÀ“¬À«à ßπâÕßπÕâ ¬≈–ÀâÕ¬‰Àâ

Ngo Pa 337 Startled, he saw this as an omen, Fearing wandering demons and spirits. The youth felt agitated and restless, Saddened by the ominous sign. He turned around to look at the cave, His heart filled with grief and misgivings. He worried about his beloved Lam-Hap, Lest any mishap befall him, far from her. Som-Phla thought of returning to the cave To be by his wifeûs side and guard her. He hesitated, not willing to take a step, Deliberating with himself for some time. Rai Ô Soon Som-Phla gathered up courage, And subdued all his fears and anxieties. Seeing no one around to confront him, He quickly made his way into the brush. Ma-Yong Ô Walking along the mountain trail, Som-Phla continued to worry about Lam-Hap.

338 ‡ß“–ª“É ‡ÀÁπ∫ªÿ º“‡∫°‘ ∫“πµ√–°“√„® °≈«â ¬‰¡â√“¬™Õà Õ√™√ ∑æË’ ÿ„À≠à„°≈°â —π°∫— §ŸÀ“ π”È „ ‰À≈´à“®“° ‘ߢ√ À«π√–≈°÷ π°÷ §–πß÷ ∂÷ß∫—ßÕ√ ‡¡Ë◊Õ¬“¡√âÕπÀ«—ß®–擇®â“¡“¬≈ ®–‰¥‡â ≈πà «“√’∑Ë’µ°æ√“à ®“°‡ß◊ÕÈ ¡º“æ√à“ßæ√âÕ¬¥ß— ΩÕ¬Ωπ æ‘°ÿ≈‡°‘¥°ßË‘ ™“¬„°≈â “¬™≈ µÕâ ß≈¡À≈àπ·≈‡°≈Ë◊Õπ‡À¡◊Õπ·°≈âߪ√“¬ π÷°©°ÿ „®¡‰‘ ¥æâ “π“ß¡“¥â«¬ ®–‰¥â™«à ¬™™È’ ¡ ¡¡ßÿà À¡“¬ ‡À¡◊Õπ‰¡Õà ßÕ“®‡™πà ™“µ™‘ “¬ π÷°Õ—∫Õ“¬‡ª≈“à ‡ª≈’ˬ«‰¡à‡À≈’¬«·≈ œ ¯ §” œ ‡™‘¥ √à“¬ Ô §√πÈ— ¡“∂÷߇™ß‘ ™“π≈“π∫√√æµ ‡¥π‘ ‡≈’Ȭ«≈¥µ“¡™“¬ “¬°√–·  ‡∑ˬ’ «¢ÿ¥À“‡º◊Õ°¡π— ºπ— ·ª√ ‰¥â‡µ¡Á ·≈â¡“°¡“¬°“à ¬°Õß

Ngo Pa 339 The beautiful flowers all in bloom, The clusters of exquisite wild orchids Near a big fountain by the cave, The waterfalls cascading from the rocks, All reminded him of his beloved. In summer, he planned to bring her here To enjoy herself in the cool water, Splashing down from the cliffs like rain. A phikun12 tree stood by the water, Whose blossoms were strewn by the wind. Som-Phla regretted not bringing Lam-Hap along To point out the beautiful scenery to her. Then he felt that he was not acting bravely, And became abashed, looking around no more. Rai Ô Coming to a clearing at a hillside, He followed a winding path along the stream To dig for taros and yams which grew aplenty. Gathering the roots into a big pile, 12 phikun: plant of the Sapotaceae family, with small, white blossoms

340 ‡ß“–ª“É §¥‘ ®–‡ªÉ“°√–‡À«à“‰ª∫“â ß ‡ ’¬ß§à“ß√âÕßæ‘≈÷°°°÷ °Õâ ß §«â“∫Õ‡≈“‡¢â“‰ª‡¥π‘ ¥Õâ ¡¡Õß ¬“à ߬àÕß·Àßπ™–·ß·â ≈¥Ÿ œ Ù §” œ ‡æ≈ß©Ë‘ß ‚»°‚¢∑—¬ Ô ‡¡◊ËÕπ—È𠵓®Õß≈Õß·§âπ„§√‰¡à¡§’ Ÿà Õ’‡≤“à ∂ßË‘ °“≈¡’ —π¡™’ Ÿâ Õ“â ¬«“ß´Õ߇ ◊Õ°®‡àŸ ¢“â §√Õ∫§√Õß ™«πµ“‡≤“à ®∫— ªö∫ï √’∫‡¢â“ª“É «“π·°¡“™«à ¬‡¢¡âπ‡ªπì ∑Ë’ Õß ‚√ß»“≈°Á‰¡¡à ’∑®Ë’ –øÕÑ ß ®÷Ëß®π„®‰¥·â µ≈à ÕßΩ¡ï ◊Õ¡—π œ Ù §” œ ‡¢¡√‰≈§à «“¬ Ô ‡¥π‘ æ≈“ß∑“ß∫àπµãÿ¡µ—Ρ °√√¡‡Õ¬ã °√√¡°√√¡Õ–‰√π—Ë𠉪·ª√—°‡ ’¬ Ëª’ ‡ï ∑“à ππÈ— ¡—πæ“°π— «à“µ“¬‚Àß‚°ßâ ‚§âߧ¥ÿ Õ∂’ Ë‘ß∂Õà ¬Àπß— ÀÕâ ¬‡À¡◊Õπ§“ߧ° ¬ß— Õ¬“°°°√”Ë ‰ª‰¡à√âÀŸ ¬ÿ¥

Ngo Pa 341 He thought of blowing down some cuckoos. Hearing langurs crying in a strange manner, Som-Phla clutched his blowpipe firmly, Tiptoeing near the bushes to take a peek. Soke-Kho-Thai Ô We now return to old Jong-Long, Who had been harboring an indignation Since Thing, his wife, had betrayed him By taking up with the vile Wang-Song. He persuaded Jap-Peep to go with him To the forest to serve as his second, Since there was no court to take his case to, He could but challenge Wang-Song to a fight. Khamane-Lai-Kwai Ô As he walked, he muttered to himself. çWhat misfortune has befallen me! Itûs only four years since I went to Perak, And people said I had died a violent death! The wretched Thing, with flabby toad-like skin, Incessantly wants to find a new husband.

342 ‡ß“–ª“É Õ⓬«“ß´Õß “√–¬”∑”∑ÿ¥∑–√¥ÿ °‰Ÿ ¡°à ÿ¥À—«‰¥â‰¡à„™™à “¬ ®–·∑ߥ«â ¬∫“‡¥–¡—π‡°–°– ·≈«â °Á®–µ“¬ßà“¬Õ⓬©∫‘ À“¬ ®–µÕà ¬¡π— „À§â –¡”µ”¢§È’ «“¬ ®Ëß÷ ®–«“¬·§âπ§—∫∂÷ßµ—∫‰µ π·’Ë πàæÕà ®∫— ªö∫ï √’∫‡∂‘¥‡®“â ‰ª„Àâ∂ß÷ °àÕπ‡¢“®Ë÷ß®–‰¥â ‡æ√“–‡√“∑Ⓡ¢“®–«à“‡√“∑âÕ„® æ“°π— §√√‰≈‰¡àÀ¬¥ÿ ¬È—ß œ ¯ §” œ §“â ߧ“«°‘π°≈⫬ √à“¬ Ô ∂ß÷ ¡Õπ·≈ß∑·Ë’ ®âßπ¥— °π— ‰«â ‡ÀÁπµπâ ‰¡â„À≠‡à ¢“â À¬ÿ¥πßË— À≠â“·æ√°ÕÕà ππÕπ‡≈πà ‡Õ“°”≈—ß æ≈“ß ßË—  π∑π“æ“∑’ œ Ú §” œ ‡®√®“ ≈”‡æ™√ Ô ‡¡◊ËÕππ—È µ“«“ß´Õßµ√Õßµ√÷°‰¡πà °÷ Àπ’ ®Õß≈Õß°≈â“∑“â „À≪µÕà µ’ ¡‘‰¥¡â ’À«“¥À«—πË æ√—πË æ√÷ß

Ngo Pa 343 That accursed Wang-Song, most vile of men! Iûm no man if I could not cut off his head. To pierce him with a spear would be too clumsy, And he would also die too easily. Iûd knock him down oûer a heap of cow dung, Only then will my vengeance will be gratified. Come on, Jap-Peep, make a great haste. We should reach the meeting place before they do, Since we are the challengers and no cowards.é So the two rushed on without stopping. Rai Ô Reaching Mon-Laeng, the appointed place, The two friends sat under a big tree. They reclined on the soft young grass to rest, And chatted to while away their time. Lam-Phetch Ô As for the accused Wang-Song, He did not think of running away. Being challenged to a fight by Jong-Long, He was not intimidated at all.

344 ‡ß“–ª“É ·°·°à°«à“√“« —°À⓪‰ï ªÉ‰¥â ∑—ÈßÀ«— „ ‡ ’¬∑à“‡√“°«“à §√ßË÷ ·¡âπ∂Ÿ°À¡¥— ‡¢“⠧߇ª√“–‡æ√“–Àπ—ßµß÷ ¡‘√âÕßÕß÷ Õ∫ªÉ“Õ¬à“«à“™“¬ œ Ù §” œ √à“¬ Ô ™«πµ“µÕ‡≈π‰ª‡ªìπ§Ÿà ‡¡Õ◊Ë µàÕ Ÿ®â –‰¥‡â ÀÁπ‡ªπì  À“¬ ÕÕ°®“°∫â“πæ“°—π¥Èπ— µ–°“¬ ¡ÿàßÀ¡“¬¡Õπ·≈ß·À≈àßµ”∫≈ œ Ú §” œ ·¢°‡ß“– Ô §√È—π∂÷ß´ß÷Ë æƒ°…“„À≠à ‡ÀÁπÀ«— ®Õß≈Õß„ Õ¬àŸ„µµâ âπ ·«–πß—Ë ‡Àπ◊Õ√ß— ®–‡«“‰¡à‡¢“â ªπ „À‡â æËÕ◊ π®√¥≈‰ª‡®√®“ œ Ú §” œ Ô ∫—¥πÈπ— µ“µÕ‡≈π‡®π®¥— À¡¥— ¡«¬°≈â“ ®Ëß÷ æ–¬°— °«°— ‡√’¬°®—∫ªîö∫¡“ «à“°≈“à «‡°≈¬’Ë ‰°≈‡à ªπì ‰¡µ√’ Õπ— ‡æËÕ◊ π‡√“ Õߢ“â ßµà“ßÀß”‡Àß◊Õ°

Ngo Pa 345 Jong-Long was about five years his senior, And bald, in itself half a disadvantage. The soft, fragile skin would break when punched, His bawl would be ringing through the forest. Rai Ô Wang-Song then asked To-Lane to go along, To be with him when he fought Jong-Long. They then set out from their dwellings, And headed for Mon-Laeng as agreed. Ô When they arrived at the meeting place, They saw Jong-Longûs shiny pate under the tree. Wang-Song sat down on a termite hill, Sending To-Lane over as a negotiator. Ô Acting on behalf of his friend Wang-Song, To-Lane, himself an experienced boxer, Beckoned old Jap-Peep to come over, So as to settle the matter amiably. çBoth of our friends are old men indeed,

346 ‡ß“–ª“É ®–‡≈Õ◊ °Õ“«ÿ∏„¥„À§â «√∑Ë’ ®–°”À𥇫≈“™“â ‡√Á«¡’ ‡¡◊ÕË µÕà µ’‡√“‰¡¬à ÷¥°Ë’Õ÷¥„® œ Ù §” œ Ô ∫—¥πÈ—π µ“®—∫ªöî∫®∫’ ª“°∂“°∂“ß„Àâ ‡æÕË◊ π¢Õß∑“à πÀπàÿ¡°«“à ¢“â ‡∑à“„¥ ƒÂ®–„™â»“ µ√“ÀπⓉ¡àÕ“¬ ‡æ◊ËÕπ¢Õß∑à“π¢â“«à“®–™°¥â«¬°”À¡—¥ ‡æ√“–‡®π®—¥‡À≈◊Õ¥‰’ ¡àÀπ’À“¬ ƒÂ‰¡à  Ÿâ “√¿“扡Àà ¬“∫§“¬ ¢Õ‚∑…À¡“¬®–Õ¿¬— ‰¡à®Õ߇«√ œ Ù §” œ Ô ∫¥— πÈ—π µ“µÕ‡≈π‡µâπ√“à ‡À¡Õ◊ π∑“à ‡¢π Õ—π«“ß´ÕߢÕߢâ“À¡—¥¡«¬‡®π ®–ª√–‡§π»Õ° –∑“â π°∫“≈·∫– µ√µ‘ √ÕߥŸ‡ ’¬„Àâ¥æ’ ®Ë’ ∫— ªö∫î ®–∂°Ÿ ∂∫’ ∂≈“≈¡â ®¡·À¡–·¢– ‰¡à·°≈âߧÿ¬¢¡à ∑â“«“à §Õà π·§– Õ¬“à À«— ‡√“–·À–·À–§ß‡ÀπÁ °—π œ Ù §” œ

Ngo Pa 347 So their arms should be properly chosen. The duration of their fight should not be fixed, No consideration given to the time limit.é Ô Listening to To-Laneûs terms, Jap-Peep made a sarcastic remark. çHow much younger than I is your friend? Itûs a shame if he chose to fight with weapons. My friend Jong-Long opts for boxing, For he is such a very keen boxer. If your friend does not want to fight, And asks for pardon, we will forgive him.é Ô Hearing his words, To-Lane became furious, Stomping his feet as if doing a khon dance, çMy friend Wang-Song is a talented boxer, Who will crack Jong-Longûs skull with his elbow. Consider well my brother Jap-Peep, Before Jong-Long is kicked to the ground. I am not boasting or bragging, So you do not need to smirk, we will see.é

348 ‡ß“–ªÉ“ Ô ∫—¥πÈ’ µ“®∫— ªöî∫ªÕ¥¥‰’ ¡¡à ’æ√Ë—π ∫Õ°‡«≈“Õ“≥µ— ‘®”°¥— °π— ·≈⫺“¬º—π°≈∫— ¡“À“‡æ◊ÕË πµ«— œ Ú §” œ æ¡“à „À¡à Ô ‡¡ÕË◊ ππ—È  Õßπ—°‡≈ߺŸâ„À≠¡à ‘„™à™«—Ë ™°— ‡≈“–‡µ’ͬ–µ÷ß°√– π— ‰¡àæπ— æ«— ‡ ° “¡æ—«È ‡ªÉ“ª≈Õ¥µ≈Õ¥°“¬ ·≈â«∫à“¬Àπ“â ¡“¬◊π°≈“ß·ª≈ß ∑Ë’ Õß·®âß°”À𥉥âπ—¥À¡“¬ ·≈«â ®¥À¡—¥¡◊ÕßÕ¬àÕ∑“â ¬ ∑—Èß Õß𓬙°µàÕ¬‰¡à∂Õ¬°π— œ Ù §” œ µÕà ¬¡«¬ Ô ª√–‡¥’¬Î «„®‰¥â¬°‡Àß◊ËÕµ°´à“π ∑’Ë Õß∑–¬“π‡¢“â °“ß°—Èπ ‡ÀπËÕ◊ ¬∫Õ∫ÀÕ∫‚§√߇ªπì Õπ— Õπ— „Àâπ”È ‡ √Á®æ≈—π§Õà ¬∫√√‡∑“ œ Ú §” œ ‡®√®“ Ô µà“ߧπµ“à ß≈°ÿ ¢πÈ÷ ™°Õ’° À≈∫À≈°’ µÕ∫µàլե⫬‡¢à“

Ngo Pa 349 Ô Jap-Peep stood his ground firmly, And was not shaken by To-Laneûs threats. He set the time for the proposed fight, And went back to his friend Jong-Long. Ô The two old rogues, Still agile and full of vigor, Arranged their loincloths snuggly, Chanting magical spells thrice for protection. They then took their stand in the midst Of the clearing set by their two friends. Both took aim and sparred vigorously, Neither backed away from the other. Ô The round was over in a brief moment, And the two seconds stepped in between them, Separating the exhausted, panting men, Who felt better after having some water. Ô Each of them sprang up to box again, Ducking and dodging, returning knees for fists.

350 ‡ß“–ª“É ‡µ–∂∫’ ∂ÕßÀ≈—ߥ—߉¡à‡∫“  Õ߇≤“à ∑√À¥Õ¥∑π œ Ú §” œ ‡®“â ‡´Áπ Ô ‡¡ËÕ◊ π—πÈ ´¡æ≈“‡∑¬Ë’ «¡“„π‰æ√ ≥±å ∂÷ß¡Õπ·≈ß∑·’Ë ®ßâ ®√¥≈ ‰ªæ∫µ“ ÕߧπµÕà ¬°π— π—« ®÷߇¢â“‰ªÀ“â ¡«à“Õ¬à“ÀÿπÀπ— À¬¥ÿ µàÕ¬°—π —°§√Ÿ‡à ∂‘¥ª¢ŸÉ √«— ‡æËÕ◊ π Õߢ“â ßµ“à ߇¢â“™à«¬æπ— æ«— √ßÈ— µ—«≈“°©¥ÿ °ÀÁ ≈ÿ¥æ≈π— ´¡æ≈“‡¢“â „°≈â®”‰¥â·πà «“à µ“·°‡à ®“â ™â∑Ÿ §Ë’ àŸ¢π— ®ß÷ ‰µà∂“¡‡Àµºÿ ≈·µµà πâ πÈ—π ¡“µàÕ¬°π— ∑”‰¡„π¥ß¥“≈ œ ˆ §” œ Ô ‡¡ÕË◊ π—πÈ  Õ߇≤à“‡ÀπÕË◊ ¬≈â¡≈¡ «“â π ™à«¬°—π§—Èππ«¥Õ¬Ÿà‡ªπì π“π À“¬‡Àπ◊ËÕ¬Õ“°“√®÷ߧÕà ¬øóôπ œ Ú §” œ ‡®√®“

Ngo Pa 351 Kicking, and striking with their elbows, The two old men fought doggedly. Ô Making his way through the forest, Som-Phla soon arrived at Mon-Laeng. There in the middle of the clearing, He saw two old men engaged in boxing. He then decided to intervene, And ask them to stop fighting for a moment. The two friends also joined in To pull the two contestants apart. Seeing the men up close, he recognized them As the lecherous and comical old men. He therefore asked to know the reason Why they were fighting in the forest. Ô Before they could give their answer, The two were so exhausted that they fainted. After they had been massaged for some time, No longer tired, they regained consciousness.

352 ‡ß“–ª“É Ô ‡¡◊ËÕπ—È𠵓®Õß≈Õ߇≈“à æ≈“ß∑“ß –ÕπÈ◊ ¢“â ‰ª§“â °≈∫— ¡“‡¡ÕË◊ «“π´◊π ‡¡’¬‡ªìπ¢ÕߧπÕËπ◊ ∑ß—È ‡√◊Õπ™“π Õ⓬«“ß´Õß®ÕßÀÕß¡“§√Õ∫ß” ‡¢â“Õ¬ªŸà √–®”‡ ¬’ ∑ßÈ— ∫“â π ‰¡¡à ’„§√®–‰¥‡â ªπì µ√–≈“°“√ ®ß÷ π¥— ¡“µàÕµâ“𵫗 µÕà µ—« œ Ù §” œ Ô ‡¡Õ◊Ë π—πÈ µ“«“ß´Õßµ’Õ°™°À—« „™à¢â“®–§‘¥√⓬‰¡àÕ“¬°≈—« ‡æ√“–π“ß∂Ëß‘ «“à º«— ππÈ— µ“¬·≈«â ¢â“°Á‡ªìπæÕà À¡â“¬‰√â·¡‡à √Õ◊ 𠧑¥À“‡æ◊ËÕπª°§√Õß„Àºâ àÕß·º«â §√Èπ— º—«¡“∑”µ“Õ¬à∫Ÿ ßÈ— ·∫« æ÷Ëß√Ÿâ·°««“à ·°ª¥À¡¥ªí≠≠“ ·¡πâ «“à ¡’µ√–≈“°“√»“≈∂“¡´—° ®–„Àâ°“√„Àªâ √–®—°…剡°à ß— ¢“ π’ÀË “‰¡®à ”„®µÕâ ßÕÕ°¡“ ‡æ√“–‡¢“∑Ⓣ¡√à ∫— °ÁÕ—∫Õ“¬ œ ˆ §” œ

Ngo Pa 353 Ô Jong-Long was the first to tell his story, Sobbing vehemently all the while. çI was away trading, returning only yesterday, To find my wife and my house taken by another. The arrogant Wang-Song had stepped in, And become a fixture in my household. Having no one to act as a judge, I had to meet him here in single combat.é Ô Listening to Jong-Longûs side of the case, Wang-Song pounded his chest in protest. çIt is not that I am bad or unashamed. But Thing had told me her husband was dead. I am a widower myself, with no wife, So I look around to find a companion. Only when Jong-Long himself turns up, Do I know Thing has told me a lie. If I were in court before a judge, I would clear myself with testimony. Since there was no court, I had to come, Or Iûd be shamed, not accepting his challenge

354 ‡ß“–ª“É Ô ‡¡Õ◊Ë πÈ—π ´¡æ≈“øíߧ”√”Ë ¢¬“¬ „Àâπ°÷ ¢—π°≈π—È À«— µ“°∫— ¬“¬ ¡“‡§√“–Àå√“â ¬™‘ß™Ÿâ§Ÿà°—∫‡√“ ‡ ’¬«®‘µ§‘¥∂÷߇√ÕË◊ ߢÕßµ—« ·¡πâ ‡®â“º—«‡´àÕ´“à ¡“æ∫‡¢“â ‡√“¡µ‘ âÕßµÕà ¬°—π°—∫Œ‡π“ ·µºà ¥‘ ‡§“â °π— Õ¬àŸπ‘¥∑®Ë’ ‘µπ“ß §¥‘ æ≈“ß∑“ß楟 ‰°≈‡à °≈’¬Ë ¢â“®–¢Õ‡ ¬’ ∑ßÈ—  Õߢâ“ß ®–√—°„§√à‰ª∑”‰¡°∫— §π°≈“ß ‡ªìπ‡¬’¬Ë ßÕ¬“à ß µ√’∑™’Ë Ë—«√⓬ Õ—π§«“¡Õ“¬¢“¬Àπâ“¡“µàÕ√∫ °ÁæÕ≈∫Õ—ª¬»„ÀÀâ ¡¥À“¬ ®ß§π◊ ∑—∫¥∫— „®„Àâ ∫“¬ Õ¬à“«àÿ𫓬µ“∑È—ß Õ߮ߵ√Õߧ«“¡ œ ¯ §” œ Ô ‡¡Ë◊Õπ—Èπ  Õ߇≤à“π‘ËßπË—ßøßí §”Àâ“¡ §àÕ¬√–ß—∫¥—∫‚°√∏∑Ë’≈°ÿ ≈“¡ ¬Õ¡µ“¡´¡æ≈“«“à °≈“à «π—Èπ ∂Õâ ¬∑¥’ °’ —π‰¡¢à ÷Èß‚°√∏ …¡“‚∑…‰¡à√—߇°¬’ ®‡¥¬’ ¥©—π∑å

Ngo Pa 355 Ô The valiant-hearted youth Som-Phla, When he heard the old menûs stories, Had a hard time trying to suppress a laugh At the old peopleûs love triangle. Then with a pang, he recalled his own story. If Ha-Nao happened to come upon him, It was likely that they would have to fight. The only difference lay in Lam-Hapûs heart, Which was not as fickle as that of Thingûs. Som-Phla then tried to mediate. çI beg of you, please settle your dispute. Why should you care for a woman like that, Who is the epitome of a wicked woman? As for your shame, itûs been erased by the fight. Do return both of you to your lodgings, And stir no more, please consider my words.é Ô Listening to Som-Phlaûs admonition, The two adversaries sat meekly still. They managed to suppress their anger, And resolved to follow the youthûs counsel. The old men then exchanged friendly words, Forgiving each other in conciliation.

356 ‡ß“–ª“É µà“ߧπÕ”≈“æ“°—π ¥âπ¥—Èπ°≈—∫∫â“π ”√“≠„® œ Ù §” œ ·¢°µ≈ÿß ·¢°∫√‡∑» Ô ‡¡Õ◊Ë πÈ—π ´¡æ≈“¬‘È¡·¬â¡·®¡à „   πÿ°‡√ÕË◊ ߬“¬µ“‡ªπì æâπ‰ª §¥‘ ‰«â«à“®–‡≈à“„À‡â ¡¬’ øßí ‡À≈’¬«¥ Ÿ √ÿ ¬‘ å©“¬‡ÀπÁ ∫“à ¬§≈Õâ ¬ ≈”À∫— ®–§Õ¬Õ¬àŸ¢â“ßÀ≈—ß ®ß÷ ¥—¥¥π—È ¡√√§“‡¢“⠪ɓ√ß— ®–‰ª¬ß— ¿Ÿº“À“‚©¡µ√Ÿ œ Ù §” œ ‡™‘¥ µâπ‡æ≈߬“« Ô ‡¡Ë◊Õπ—Èπ Œ‡π“‡¥π‘ ‡«¬’ π«π§âπÕ¬àŸ æÕ‡À≈¬’ «Àπâ“¡“‡ÀπÁ »µ— √Ÿ ‚®¡®‡Ÿà ¢â“¡“§«â“·¢π√¥— œ Ú §” œ

Ngo Pa 357 After taking leave of each other, Each went his way home with a lighter heart. Khaek-Borathet Ô After the old people had gone, Som-Phla was still smiling, Amused by the comical love triangle. He thought of telling it to his wife. Seeing that it was already late afternoon, And knowing his wife was waiting for him, He took a short cut through the rang13 forest To rejoin Lam-Hap in their sylvan cave. Ton-Phleng-Yao Ô As for the unhappy Ha-Nao, Who was walking around seeking out Som-Phla, When he turned round and saw his enemy, Ha took hold of Som-Phla with his arms. 13 rang: ingyion, used for maling planks

358 ‡ß“–ªÉ“ √“à ¬ Ô ™—°∫“‡¥–ÕÕ°¡“µßÈ— ∑“à ·∑ß °«—¥·°«ßà °√–™Èπ— ™‘¥∫¥‘  –∫—¥ ª≈È”°—π¬—π¬¥÷ Œ¥÷ Œ¥— ·«ßâ °√–À«—¥µ¥‘ µà“߉¡«à “ß°—π œ Ú §” œ Ô ‡¡◊ÕË π—Èπ ´¡æ≈“°≈â“¥‰’ ¡¡à æ’ √—Ëπ ®÷ß«à“·°àŒ‡π“‰ªæ≈—𠉩ππËπ— ®÷߉¡à„Àâ√Ÿµâ —« π˃’ §π°≈“â ÀπⓉ¡Õà “¬ ≈Õ∫∑”Õ—πµ√“¬°Ÿπà“À—« ¡÷ß∑”∑ßÈ— π°È’ ‡Á æ√“–°≈—« Õ⓬™“µ‘™Ë«— ≈Õ∫°¥— ‡À¡Õ◊ π —µ«√å “â ¬ œ Ù §” œ Ô ‡¡◊ÕË πÈ—π Œ‡π“øíß´¡æ≈“«à“‡ ¬’ À“¬ ‰¥â µ‘µ√‘µ√°÷ π°÷ Õ“¬ ®ß÷ «“à Õ¬“à «ÿπà «“¬®–«“ß¡◊Õ ‡√“¡“‡®√®“«à“°—π Õ¬à“‡æÕà ÀÿπÀ—π¥π— ¥È◊Õ

Ngo Pa 359 Rai Ô He drew out his knife, preparing to stab, Boldly brandishing it back and forth. Both of them wrestled with each other, Each never letting the other out of his grasp. Ô Som-Phla was brave beyond compare. Undaunted, he derided his attacker. çWhy do you attack me without warning? Is this the act of a brave man? Shame on you indeed ! Ambushing me, you deserve to be laughed at. Is it because you are afraid of me, That you stalk me like a wild beast?é Ô Listening To Som-Phlaûs abusive tirade, Ha-Nao came to his senses and felt shame. çDo not worry, I will let go of you now. Let us talk things out for the time being. Do not be rash and act impetuously.é

360 ‡ß“–ª“É «“à æ≈“ß«“ß„À≡à¬ÿ¥¬◊ÈÕ ¡÷߃Â擇¡¬’ °ŸÀπ’¡“ œ Ù §” œ Ô ‡¡ËÕ◊ ππÈ— ´¡æ≈“µÕ∫‰ª¥â«¬„®°≈“â °‰Ÿ ª√∫— ≈”À∫— °≈— ¬“ ‡æ√“–«à“π“ß ¡—§√√—°‡√“ ∫¥— π’Èπ“ß°Á‡ªπì ‡¡’¬°Ÿ ®–À«à ß„¬Õ¬Ÿ∑à ”‰¡‡≈“à ®ß‰ªÀ“„À¡Õà ¬à“„®‡∫“ ‡™àπ‡®â“À“‰Àπ‰¡à¬“°π“π œ Ù §” œ Ô ‡¡Õ◊Ë π—Èπ Œ‡π“øíß«à“‡ÀÁπ°≈“â À“≠ ‡√àßæ‚‘ √∏‚°√∏„®¥—߉ø°“≈ ®÷ß«à“Õ⓬‡¥√®— ©“π™“à ßæ“∑’ ¡÷߉ª©¥ÿ π“ß¡“°≈“ߧ◊π ·≈«â ·°≈ßâ ¢¡à ¢◊π°¥¢’Ë ∑”°“√√⓬°“®™“µÕ‘ ∫— ª√’¬å ¬—ß¡“Õ«¥¥«’ “à π“ß√°— °Ÿ®– ß— À“√º≈“≠™«’ ’ ¡„‘ Àµâ ‘¥∏√≥’Õ¬àŸ„ÀâÀπ—°

Ngo Pa 361 He then let go of Som-Phla. ç Are you the one who abducted my wife ?é Ô On hearing Ha-Naoûs entreaty, Som-Phla gave his answer boldly. çI took Lam-Hap away from you Because she is in love with me. Now that she is my dear wife, Why are you still yearning for her ? Go get yourself a new wife, A man like you can find one easily.é Ô When he heard Som-Phlaûs bold words, Ha-Nao became livid with great ire. Enraged as if his heart were on fire, he cursed, çYou damned bragging beast! You carried her off in the night, And raped her ever so viciously, Inflicting unspeakable vileness on her, And now you arrogantly boast she loves you! I will most certainly slay you To rid the earth of a vile scum like you.

362 ‡ß“–ª“É Õ⓬§π√“â ¬°“®™“µ∑‘ √≈°— …≥å „§√¥’‰¥ªâ √–®—°…°å —π«—ππÈ’ œ ˆ §” œ Ô ‡¡Ë◊ÕπÈ—π ´¡æ≈“øíß∂âÕ¬‰¡∂à Õ¬Àπ’ ™—°∫“‡¥–ÕÕ°¡“°≈“â ¥’ ¡“µÕà µ°’ π— ¥Ÿ„Àâ√Ÿâƒ∑∏‘Ï µà“ߧπµ“à ß«à“π“ß√—° §«“¡®√‘߉¡àª√–®°— …·å ®ßâ ®µ‘ ¡“ Ÿâ°—π„§√µ“¬«“¬™«’ ‘µ π“ߧ߇ªπì  ‘∑∏Ï¢‘ Õߺ¬Ÿâ ß— œ Ù §” œ Ô ‡¡◊ÕË ππÈ— Œ‡π“‰¥âøßí ¥ß— ®–§≈Ë—ß ·°«ßà ∫“‡¥–√“≠√°ÿ ∫ÿ°®”∫—ß °“â «¬È—߬âÕπ¢¬—∫°≈—∫·∑ß œ Ú §” œ Ô ‡¡◊ËÕπÈπ— ´¡æ≈“Àâ“«À“≠™“≠§”·Àß √∫— √âÕߪÕÑ ß°—π°≈“ß·ª≈ß °«¥— ·°«ßà º—¥º—π°—π‰ª¡“ œ Ú §” œ °≈Õπ·¢° ‡™‘¥

Ngo Pa 363 You vicious and obnoxious bastard, We will see who will be the victor today.é Ô Ha-Naoûs tirade had no effect on Som-Phla, Who was as undaunted as ever. Drawing out his knife, he made a retort. çIf you dare, just fight me to the death. Each of us insists that she loves him, But the truth of the matter is unclear. Come, let us fight until one drops dead, Then Lam-Hap belongs to the survivor.é Ô Listening to Som-Phlaûs derisive words, Ha-Nao almost went mad with rage. He brandished his handy knife and lurched, Then stepped back to find a chance to attack. Ô Som-Phla, who was equally agile, Possessing a non-pareil bravery, Could withstand Ha-Naoûs constant assails. They took turns attacking each other.

364 ‡ß“–ªÉ“ ™“â À«π Ô ‡¡ËÕ◊ ππÈ— π«≈π“ß≈”À∫— ‡ πÀ“ ·µà≈–ÀâÕ¬§Õ¬À“¿— ¥“ ®π‡«≈“µ–«—π≈߉√‰√ ‰¡‡à ÀπÁ §π◊ À≈ß— ¡“¬ß— ∂È” ®«πæ≈∫§Ë”πà“®–¡‡’ Àµ‰ÿ ©π πËß— π‘Ëß√”æ÷ßµ–≈ß÷ µ–‰≈ π“߉¡à¡’ ÿ¢ —°π“∑’ œ Ù §” œ √à“¬ Ô Õ¬à“‡≈¬®–µ“¡‰ª¥Ÿ ®–‡ªπì Õ¬à“߉√Õ¬àŸ„À√â Ÿâ∑Ë’ §¥‘ æ≈“߬“à ߇¬◊ÈÕß®√≈’ ·≈À“ “¡’∑ÿ°·Àßà ‰ª œ Ú §” œ ‡æ≈߇√Á« ∑¬Õ¬ Ô §âπµ“¡Àπ“â ∂È”≈”∏“√ À“æ∫æ“π√Õà ß√Õ¬·Àà߉√‰¡à π“߬‘ßË µ√–Àπ°µ°„® µ–‚°π°àŸÀ«—πË ‰À«„Àâ ”‡π’¬ß √Õâ ߇√’¬°‡∑“à ‰√‰¡à¢“π√∫—

Ngo Pa 365 Cha-Huan Ô The sorrowful lamenting Lam-Hap, Who had been left alone in the cave, Waited a long time for her husband, Until the sun was almost setting. At sundown, and Sam-Phla still not back, She feared something must be amiss. The girl sat motionless in a daze, Not one moment of joy did she feel. Rai Ô She resolved to go after her Som-Phla To find out what had happened to him. So she went out of the secluded cave, And searched high and low for her husband. Thayoy Ô Looking around caverns and streams, She could find no trace of her lover. She became all the more frightened, And raised her voice to call his name. But she shouted in vain, for he answered not,

366 ‡ß“–ª“É ÀŸµ√∫— øí߉ª‰¡à¡’‡ ’¬ß ‡¥π‘ æ≈“߬“à ߬Õà ß¡Õ߇¡¬’ ß π“߇欒 ß®–æπ‘ “»Õπ“∂„® œ Ù §” œ ‚Õ¥ √“à ¬ Ô §√—πÈ §Õà ¬‡ ËÕ◊ ¡§≈“¬«“¬‚»°“ °—≈¬“∑°ÿ ¢å∑πÀ¡πà ‰À¡â ¥¥— ¥È—π¡√§“§≈“‰§≈ ≈ß®“°‡ππ‘ ‰»≈∂÷ß≈”∏“√ ‡ÀπÁ √Õ¬∫“∑“ª√“°Ø™—¥ ‡≈“–≈¥— ‡≈’¬∫π”È ≈”≈–À“π §àÕ¬∫√√‡∑“‡∫“‡∑«»·¥¥“≈ ‡¬“«¡“≈¬µå “¡√Õ¬®√≈’ œ Ù §” œ µ–π“«·ª≈ß Ô ‡¥π‘ ∑“ß°≈“߉æ√„®√–∑÷° ‰¡à«“¬π÷°¢ÿàπ¢âÕßÀ¡Õß»√’  ß¥— ‡ß¬’ ∫‡¬¬’ ∫‡¬Áπ‡™πà √“µ√’ ª°í …´’ ∫‡´“‡¢“â √ß— √«ß ∫ÿªº“¡“≈’∑’ˇ§¬∫“π °Á∫π— ¥“≈≈¡‚™¬‚√¬√«à ß „Àâ√Õâ πÕâ“«º“à «ª≈“∫«“∫∑√«ß

Ngo Pa 367 Pricking her ears to listen, she heard nothing. As she walked on, she looked around for him, Feeling that her heart was about to break. Rai Ô As her sorrow began to abate, The grief-stricken Lam-Hap walked on, And cut her way through the forest Down the hill until she reached a stream. There she saw distinct sets of footprints, Leading along the bank of the stream. Taking heart, her sorrow abated, Lam-Hap followed the trail closely. Tanao- Plaeng Ô Walking through the forest, her heart pounded, Her mind still filled with misgivings. It was as calm and quiet as nighttime, All birds had flown back to their nests. Flowers that used to be in bloom, Had been blown away by the busy breeze. A searing heat pierced through her heart,

368 ‡ß“–ª“É ‡Àß“ß«à ßÀπ°— À≈—ßπ¬— π“ ¡“π§ÿ ¥ß≈ßµ’°—π√‘¡À“¥ ߟ慑 ‡≈È◊Õ¬º“¥ºà“πÀπ“â ‡ªìπ≈“ßπ“߬Ëß‘ À«“¥«≠‘ ≠“≥å ·¢ßÁ „®≈≈’ “§≈“‰§≈ œ ˆ §” œ √“à ¬ Ô ‡¡◊ÕË ππÈ— √”·°«â µ«— ¥æ’ ºË’ ⟄À≠à ∑ȗߪÕß ÕߪÕß ÿ¥·¬°°π— ‰ª §âπÀ“π“ß„πæπ“≈’ ‡¥‘π‡«’¬π«π‰ª®πª√–®«∫∑“ß µà“ߧπµà“ß∂“¡∂ß÷ πÕâ ßæ’Ë µ–«—π‡¬Áπ‡ÀÁπ®«π√“µ√’ ™«π°π— °≈∫— ∑ˇ’ §¬ ”π°— ‡¥‘π‰ª∫¥— „®°‡Á ÀπÁ Àπ“â πÕâ ß â´Ÿ ¡æ≈“Õ÷°Õ°— ‡¢â“·Õ∫‰¡¡â ÕߪÕÑ ßæ—°µ√å À¬¥ÿ πßË‘ ™–ß°— §Õ¬∑’ œ ˆ §” œ Ô ‡¡◊ÕË πÈπ— Œ‡π“¬—∫¬àÕ¬‰¡∂à Õ¬Àπ’

Ngo Pa 369 And Lam-Hapûs eyelids began to be heavy. Wild fowls fought on the banks of the stream, A deadly snake slithered across her path. These omens caused her to be more frightened, But she still forced herself to go on. Rai Ô As for Ha-Naoûs two brothers, Ram-Kaew, who was the eldest, And Pong-Song-Pong-Sud each went his way To look for Lam-Hap in the forest. They kept walking round until they met again, Each of them asking after Ha-Nao. When the sun went down and night drew near, The brothers agreed to return to their huts. They had not walked long before they saw Their brother fighting Som-Phla in earnest. Hiding themselves behind a bush, The brothers froze to weigh the situation. Ô As the fight between the two went on, Ha-Nao seemed to lose, but would not retreat.

370 ‡ß“–ª“É  â°Ÿ —π∫π— ∫°ÿ §≈°ÿ §≈’ µà“ß¡∫’ “¥‡®Á∫∑—Èß Õß§π œ Ú §” œ Ô ‡¡◊ÕË π—Èπ ´¡æ≈“¬—∫¬Õà ¬‰¡∂à Õ¬¬πà À≈∫À≈’°µÕ∫µàÕ≈Õà ™π Õ≈«πª√–™‘¥‰¡§à ‘¥°“¬ œ Ú §” œ ‡™‘¥ Ô ‡¡ÕË◊ π—Èπ √”·°â«§Õ¬‡¢¡âπ‰¡à¢“¥ “¬ ‡ÀÁπ®«πµ—«°≈—«πÕâ ß®–Õπ— µ√“¬ À¬‘∫∫Õ‡≈“¡àßÿ À¡“¬‰¡æà √∫‘ µ“ ‡Õ“ª¬ÿ Àâÿ¡∫≈‘ “æ≈π— ∫√√®°ÿ ≈Õâ ß ®¥®âÕ߇≈ßÁ À≈«Ë‘ π«Ë‘ Àπâ“ æÕ‡ÀπÁ Œ‡π“À“à ßÕÕ°¡“ °‡Á ª“É ≈Ÿ°∫≈‘ “‚º≈–‰ª œ Ù §” œ ‡™¥‘ ©‘ßË Ô ∫‘≈“¡“µÕâ ß´¡æ≈“ ‡©æ“–µ√ßÀπ“â º“°‡æ¬’ ßµ°— …—¬ æ‘…·≈àπ«Ëß‘ ∂≈“‡¢“â „π‰æ√ ¡‰‘ ¥√â Ÿµâ ”∫≈Àπ∑“ß

Ngo Pa 371 Both of them fought at close quarters, Until they were covered with bloody wounds. Ô Even when he was losing his ground, Som-Phla too would not run away. He dodged Ha-Naoûs blows and then fought back, All in a tangle, not fearing for his life. Ô Ram-Kaew, who was hiding behind the bush, Attentively watched the two men fight. Fearing his brother might be harmed, He took out his blowpipe and looked through it. Covering a dart with lint, he loaded it In his blowpipe, took aim, and frowned. Seeing Ha-Nao stepping back from Som-Phla, Ram-Kaew blew his pipe and sent the dart flying. Ô The dart flew straight and hit Som-Phla Right on his forehead, fatally wounding him. The poison, rushing through all his veins, Caused Som-Phla to run blindly into the forest.

372 ‡ß“–ª“É æÕ¡“ª–∑–ª–≈”À∫— π“ß«ß‘Ë ‡¢“â √—∫æÕ≈⡺“ß µ°„®‰¡à√Ÿâ ÷°µ«— π“ß °Õ¥º—«‡¢â“æ≈“ßµ–≈ß÷ ‰ª œ Ù §” œ Ô ‡¡◊ËÕπ—Èπ ´¡æ≈“≈¡◊ µ“¢÷Èπ¡“‰¥â ·≈‡ÀÁπ≈”À∫— ∑√“¡«¬— º«“°Õ¥‡¢“â ‰«·â ≈â«‚»°’ œ Ú §” œ ‚Õ¥ ‚Õªâ òï„π Ô ‚Õâ‚Õã≈”À∫— ¢Õ߇√’¬¡‡Õ¬ã ∑√“¡‡™¬º‡âŸ ∑¬’ ¡™’«µ‘ æ’Ë ®–¢ÕÕ”≈“‡®â“·≈«â §√“«πÈ’ ¡‰‘ ¥â¡™’ ’«‘µ ∫◊ ‰ª Œ‡π“‡¢“µ“¡ —ßÀ“√ °æÁ ÕµàÕµâ“π‡¢“‰¥â ¡º’ â≈Ÿ Õ∫¬ß‘ ®“°„π‰æ√ ‡ªìπ®π„®®”≈∫— ¥—∫™«’ µ‘ æ’˵“¬®“°æ√“°‡®â“‰ª∑—Èß√—°  ÿ¥®–À°— Àâ“¡«‚‘ ¬§‚»°®‘µ ¡“¥·¡πâ ™«’ ’æË’¡â«¬¡‘¥

Ngo Pa 373 On the way he collided with Lam-Hap, Who rushed to hold him while he was falling. The unexpected and frightened girl Embraced her husband and remained in shock. Ô After some time had elapsed, Som-Phla managed to open his eyes. Seeing Lam-Hap, his beloved wife, He took her in his arms and wept. O-Pi-Nai Ô çMy own Lam-Hap, my dearest, You are the life of my life. I am now taking leave of you. For I will no longer live. Ha-Naoûs followed me to take my life, And I could fight and hold him back. But someone shot me from the forest, So now I must lose my life. I must part from you, still loving you, Itûs beyond me to suppress my grief. After I depart from this world,

374 ‡ß“–ª“É ®ß§◊𧑥√—°„§√à„πŒ‡π“ ‡¢“§ßæ‘»«“ ‰¡à∫“¥À¡“ß ®ß‡ ◊ËÕ¡ √à“ß«‚‘ ¬§‚»°‡»√â“ „Àâæ˵’ “¬«“¬æ–«ß¥«â ¬π߇¬“«å ®–À≈∫— µ“≈“‡®â“∫√√≈—¬≈“≠ œ ¯ §” œ ‚Õ¥ √à“¬ Ô ‡¡ÕË◊ ππÈ— π“ß≈”À—∫‡¬“«¬Õ¥ ß “√ øßí §”Õ”≈“∑ÿ°ª√–°“√ ‡¬“«¡“≈¬®å –æπ‘ “»¢“¥„® œ Ú §” œ ‚Õâ∫™Ÿ “°Ÿ≥±å Ô ‚Õ«â “à ´¡æ≈“¢Õ߇¡¬’ ‡Õ¬ã ‰©π‡≈¬¡“ ßË— ¥ß— πÈ’‰¥â æàÕ‡¥“®‘µ‡¡’¬º¥‘ ‡ªπì æâπ‰ª ¥«â ¬π÷°«“à «‘ —¬‡ªìππ“√’ §ß°≈«— µ“¬À¡“¬·µ®à –À“ ÿ¢ ∂÷߬“¡∑ÿ°¢å‡¢“â  °— ÀπÕà ¬°Á∂Õ¬Àπ’ Õπ— ΩŸßÀ≠ß‘ ®√‘ßÕ¬¬àŸ àÕ¡¡“°¡’ ·µà„®¢ÕßπÕâ ßπÈ’‰¡‡à À¡Õ◊ π°—π æàÕµ“¬ƒÂ®–À¡“¬¡’º«— „À¡à

Ngo Pa 375 Please have a heart for Ha-Nao, For he never stops loving you. May all your sorrows be gone, Let me die with no worry about you, Now I will close my eyes, farewell.é Rai Ô Pity poor grieving Lam-Hap, When she heard her husbandûs parting words, Expressing his great concern for her, She felt as if she were dying. O-Bucha- Kun Ô çDear Som-Phla, my beloved husband, Why are you saying such words to me? You have greatly misjudged me, your wife, For you must have thought me a woman, Who, afraid of death, seeks only pleasures, And leaves her husband in times of hardship. It is true that women are many, But I do not think the way they do. When you die, were I to take a new husband.

376 ‡ß“–ª“É „Àâ°‘π„®°—π‡ªπì 𵑠¬å§¥‘ À«“¥À«—Ëπ «à“‡§¬ ÕߧߪÕß “¡‰¡¢à “â ¡«π— √ √°— ππ—È §ß®–®“ߥ⫬À¡“ß„® √°— ¢ÕßπâÕߪÕß·µà„Àâ·∑â‡∑Ë’¬ß ‰¡Àà ≈°’ ‡≈¬Ë’ ߇¢¥Á ¢“¡µ“¡«‘ —¬ ®–„ÀâæàÕ«“¬™π¡åæπâ Àà«ß„¬ ‡¡Õ◊Ë ‡°‘¥‰Àπ®–‰¥æâ ∫ª√– ∫°π— œ ¯ §” œ √“à ¬ Ô √”Ë æ≈“ßπ“ß©«¬∫“‡¥–¡“ ®“°¡◊Õ´¡æ≈“∑’°Ë ”¡—Ëπ ·∑ß Õ¥´Õ°§Õ©—∫æ≈—π ¡Õ¥¡«â ¬™’«π— ∑—π„¥ œ Ú §” œ ‚Õ¥ Ô ‡¡◊ËÕππ—È ´¡æ≈“√–∑÷°Õ°À¡°‰À¡â ‡ ’¬«®‘µæ…‘ ·≈πà µ≈Õ¥„π ‚≈Àµ‘ À≈ß—Ë ‰À≈«“¬ª√“≥ œ Ú §” œ ‚Õ¥ Ô ‡¡Õ◊Ë πÈπ— Œ‡π“¬◊π¬ß—È øßí «“à ¢“π

Ngo Pa 377 He will only be suspicious of me, Having taken two, then why not three? Our love will fade away because of doubts. My love for you is ever so steadfast, It can never change with circumstances. Were you to die and stop worrying about me, When youûre reborn, how could we meet again? Rai Ô Weeping, she snatched the knife From Som-Phlaûs clutching hand, And stabbed herself in the neck, Departing this life instantly. Ô Seeing his wife taking her own life, Som-phla was grievous beyond compare. The poison flowed through his body, Causing him to bleed to death. Ô As for the unlucky Ha-Nao, As he stood watching the two lovers,

378 ‡ß“–ª“É ¬‘π Õß —Ëß°—π∫π— ¥“≈ ´“∫´“à  ¬ÕßæÕß‚≈¡“ §√—Èπ‡ÀÁπ≈”À—∫¥—∫®‘µ ´¡æ≈“¡â«¬¡‘¥¥∫—  ß— ¢“√å µ–≈÷ßÕ¬Ÿà§√ÀŸà πßË÷ ‰¡à‡®√®“ «∫— «“∫ª≈“∫´“à √â Ÿ ÷°°“¬ §«“¡√°—  ≈—°Õ°Õ—¥Õ—πÈ „®§Õ‡ ’¬« Ë—π√– ”Ë √– “¬ ∂≈“·≈πà ‰¡¬à ȗߪ√–∑—ß°“¬ °Õ¥»æ‚©¡©“¬‰¡à ¡ª√–¥’ œ ˆ §” œ ‚Õ™â â“ Ô °√√¡°√√¡≈”À∫— ‡®â“æ‡Ë’ լ㠉¡‡à ÀÁπ‡≈¬«“à ®–¡«â ¬‡ªπì º’ æ’Ë√—°‡®“â ‡∑à“¥«ß™«’ ’ À«ß— ¡Õ∫™’æ¡“√»√®’ ßË÷ ‡ “–‰ª  ¢àŸ ÕæÕà ·¡°à Á¬π‘ ¬Õ¡ æ√°— æ√Õâ ¡°—π∑”°“√„À≠à  ¡§‘¥§«√ƒÂ¡“®“°‰°≈ ¡‘‰¥â·®â߇Àµ¥ÿ ‡’ ≈«√“â ¬ ®ßË÷ Õÿµ “Àæå ¬“¬“¡µ“¡π“ß ‰¡®à ◊¥®“߮߮‘µ§¥‘ ¡ßÿà À¡“¬

Ngo Pa 379 He heard them utter their parting words, Which caused his hair to stand on end. When he saw Lam-Hap take her life, And Som-Phla also breathe his last breath, He became stunned, not able to say a word, Like being jolted by a bolt of lightning. His heart, stifled with unrequited love, Suffered a sharp and throbbing pang. He rushed headlong without stopping, And embraced Lam-Hapûs corpse insensibly. O-Cha Ô çIt must have been karma, Lam-Hap dear, You should not have met your end. I love you as dearly as my own life, Hoping to put my life in your hand. Your parents allowed me to marry you, A grand wedding was arranged for us. How come you had gone far from me, Without my knowing what had befallen you? I tried so hard to bring you back to me, My love for you never once abated.

380 ‡ß“–ª“É æËß÷ ¡“·®ßâ ª√–®—°…‡å ¡◊ËÕ‡®â“µ“¬ «à“‚©¡©“¬ ¡—§√√—°´¡æ≈“ œ ˆ §” œ  √Õâ ¬¡¬ÿ√“µ—¥ Ô ·¡âπ·µ‡à ¥‘¡‡√Ë‘¡√⧟ «“¡µ√–Àπ—° ®–À“â ¡À°— ®µ‘ ‰«â„Àâπ—°Àπ“ ‰¡à™‘ß√—°À°— À“≠¥«ß°“𥓠‡æ√“–§«“¡· π‡ πÀ“À—°Õ“≈—¬ ∂÷ß®–¬Õ¡ÕÕ¡Õ¥‰¡‡à Õ∫‘ ‡Õ◊ÕÈ ¡ °Á‰¡à‡ ◊ËÕ¡´“§¥‘ æ‘ ¡—¬ ®–Ωßí √—° ≈—°√Ÿª‰«¿â “¬„π πà“πâÕ¬„®°≈∫— ¡“擇®â“µ“¬ Õπ— §«“¡º‘¥¢Õßæ’πË ’‡È À≈Õ◊ ≈”È „Àâ™Õ°™”È · π«‘µ°Õ° ≈“¬ §√«≠æ≈“ß∑“ß∑àÿ¡∑Õ¥°“¬ °Õ¥»æ‚©¡©“¬‡¢“â ‚»°“ œ ˆ §” œ ‚Õ¥ ·¢° ¥“¬ß Ô §Õà ¬√–ß—∫¥—∫°” √¥ ≈¥®‘µ πßË‘ æπ‘ ‘® ß— ‡«™‡ªìππ°— Àπ“ ‡ÕÕ◊È πÕÕ°ª“°™¡´¡æ≈“ ‡¢“§«√π∫— «à“≈Ÿ°ºŸâ™“¬