Then Bidasari The Queen's hand kissed, and begged that she would let Her homeward fare. "O gracious Queen," she said, "Take pity on me; let me go away. I'll come to thee again."
The wicked Queen Struck her, and said, "Thou ne'er shalt see again Thy home." The gentle Bidasari drooped Her head and wept afresh, shaking with fear. "Forgive the evil I have done, my Queen, For I am but a child, and do not know How I have sinned against thee," falling at Her feet she said. The Queen in anger struck Her once again. "I know full well," she said, "All thy designs and projects. What! Am I To rest in peace and see thy beauty grow, And thee become my rival with the King?" Then Bidasari knew 'twas jealousy That caused the fury of the Queen. Her fear Increased, she trembled and bewailed her fate. The livelong day she was insulted, struck, And of her food deprived.
Before the King Returned, the Queen departed from the room Of Bidasari. The poor child had lost Her former color. Black her face had grown From blows, as if she had been burnt. Her eyes She could not open. Such her sufferings were She could not walk. Then unto God she cried: "O Lord, creator of the land and sea, I do not know my fault, and yet the Queen Treats me as guilty of a heinous crime. I suffer hell on earth. Why must I live? Oh, let me die now, in the faith, dear Lord. My soul is troubled and my face is black With sorrow. Let me die before the dawn. My parents do not help me. They have left Me here alone to suffer. In the false _Dyangs_ I trusted, as to sisters dear. Their lips are smiling, but their hearts are base. Their mouths are sweet as honey, but their hearts Are full of evil. Oh, what can I say? It is the will of God."
Such was the grief Of Bidasari, and her tears fell fast. Now when the King went forth again, the Queen Began anew her persecutions harsh. With many blows and angry words, she said: "Why dost thou groan so loudly? Dost thou seek By crying to attract the King, to see Thy beauty? 'Tis thy hope, I know full well, His younger wife to be. And thou art proud Of all thy beauty." Bidasari was Astounded, and replied with many tears: "May I accursed be if ever I Such plottings knew. Thou art a mighty Queen. If I have sinned against thee, let me die At once. For life is useless to the hearts That suffer. Hast thou brought me here to beat? How thou hast made me weep! O Queen, art thou Without compassion?"