Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstra72741916roya).pdf/69



The saying of the custom runs, Rain from a rain-cloud. Speech from a prelude; Sickness from a beginning, Death from a cause: Spell from letter A.     Count from figure 1. The old men know tradition, The young men hear report.

And there is a saying runs, First, the law of God. Second, the law of the Prophet, Third, the law of tradition. Fourth, the custom of the land: Living we work our fate. Dead we abide the doom of God.

What is the law of God? To ear the daily bread. To wed the destined mate. To lie below the heaped-up sod.

What is the law of the Prophet? The sayings, the commentary, The text, the interpretation.

What is the law of tradition? The pattern becomes the mould; The example becomes the type; Precept passing into usage, Practice passing into custom, The custom handed down by our fore-fathers from generation to generation: Transplanted it withers, Uprooted dies.

What is the custom of the land? Duty gives and receives again, Courtesy repays kindness: The hap of this life goes by turns, Awhile to him, anon to me. Homage, O Chief!

And after that there is another saying; Round the circle of the isle of Sumatra,