Page:Life in Java Volume 2.djvu/174

158 habit of studying and meditating, keeping certain days as tapa, or fasts. Like Faust, however, he was frequently interrupted in the midst of his reflections by a Javanese Mephistopheles, who, that he might wean the mind of the youth from the perusal of the sacred books, artfully pictured to his imagination the pleasures of this world. Inwardly distrusting the strength of his own good resolutions, Praboe sent for a large bird, with whose language he was conversant, and for four vestal virgins, to exorcise the evil spirit which inspired him with worldly and sensual thoughts.

Previous to their arrival he transformed himself into a flower, in which form the young maidens began dancing round him to drive away the evil one. A princess, who happened to pass by, seeing a vase of beautiful flowers, plucked one, and carried it home. On placing it in water, her surprise equalled her admiration when the flower suddenly changed into a handsome young man, who,