Page:Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje - The Achehnese Vol II. - tr. Arthur Warren Swete O'Sullivan (1906).djvu/187

 a Christian King who wishes to sanctify the same spot with a temple containing an idolatrous image!

Putròë Peureukisōn (LXI).

Peureukisōn or Peureukòysōn is the name of a princess, daughter of king Nahi of Neujeuran (Najrán in Southern Arabia).

Though brought up in an atmosphere of paganism and immorality, she has deep religious instincts which impel her to seek after the true God. A golden dove from Paradise comes to teach her the creed of Islam. Her singing of the praises of Allah casts forth the Devil from the greatest of her father's idols, but kindles the latter's wrath against his daughter for despising the worship of her ancestors. Her efforts to convert the king are unavailing; enraged at her apostasy he causes her hands to be smitten off and banishes her to the mountains. Here this martyr to her faith lives in a cave and gives herself up to religious devotions.

Abdōlah, king of Éntakiah (Antioch) loses his way while out hunting and comes by chance to the dwelling-place of Peureukisōn. He falls in love with the princess, is converted by her to the faith of Islam and brings her home as his wife. They live happily for a time, but the king's former favourites deem themselves neglected and are filled with jealousy. One day Abdōdlah was compelled to go on a journey. Before his departure he committed his young wife to the care of his mother. During the king's absence the enemies of Peureukisōn caused to be delivered to the mother two forged letters purporting to come from Abdōlah, wherein the king charged his mother to drive forth his young spouse into the forest as being the enemy of the religion of his fathers. The mother was deeply grieved, but showed the letters to her daughter-in-law, who thereupon went forth into the wilds of her own accord with her new-born child. The child was suckled by a female mouse-deer, but one day as they were crossing a river in flood, the infant fell into the water and was drowned.

The golden dove appeared once more and taught the princess the power of prayer. Then she besought Allah to restore her hands and to give her back her child, and the prayer was heard and her wish accomplished. Mother and child continued their journey along with the