Page:JSS 006 1b Bradley OldestKnownWritingInSiamese.pdf/7

 the various statements, it seems impossible to mistake its general import; namely, that this stone was one of four prepared at the same time, and—though this is not said—presumably of similar or identical content. The four were dedicated with imposing ceremonies religious and civic. Three of them were set up in separate places which are named. The date was 1214 (Măhasăkărat), equivalent to 1293 A.D. But the dynasty of Khŭn Ram Khămhæng and the supremacy of Sŭkhothăi were both shortlived. From that date not one word is heard of the stone for 540 years, that is until A.D.

1833, when it was discovered by Prince Chău Fa Măha Mŏngkŭt, who afterwards became King Sŏmdĕt Phră Chom Klău. The story of its recovery is thus told by H. R. H. Prince Văjirăñan.—"In the year 1195 he [the Prince] made a progress through the northern provinces, doing reverence at various shrines, until at last he reached Sŭkhothăi. Here as he wandered about, he came upon a certain large flat slab of stone set in masonry on the terrace beside the ruins of an old palace. The stone was an object of reverence and fear to all the people. If any one failed to bow before it, or presumptuously walked up to it, he would be striken with fever or other disease. When the Prince saw it, he walked straight up and sat down to rest upon it; and, because of the power of his good fortune, he suffered no harm whatsoever. On his return to the capital he had the stone brought down and set in masonry as a platform at Wat Rachathĭwat. After his accession to the throne, he had it brought to Wăt Phră Sri Rătănă Satsădaram (Wăt Phră Kæo). He also secured a stone pillar inscribed in Khămen letters, and one inscribed in ancient Siamese, both standing now in Wăt Phră Sri Rătănă Satsădaram;—of wonderful import, as if presaging that he would be sovereign of Siam, a king of majesty, power, and goodness far-reaching, like the Phră Bat Kămărădeng At,. . . . who was king in Sŭkhothăi, as recorded in that inscribed stone."