Hang Tuah, Malacca's Warrior (Legend)

Hang Tuah was a courageous warrior in Malacca town,
With four fierce warrior friends, he made it world-renown. 
Pirates who plied the straits, bringing terror to sailing vessels
Were cut down by the rapier keris of Malacca’s five vassals.

So Malacca reigned in the 15th Century with no fear of threat,
Wealth from spices, gold and tin - who could surpass that?

"ships", "ancient ships", "sailing vessels"

Tuah, Jebat, Lekiu, Lekir and Kasturi – skilled in self-defence,
It was Hang Tuah they chose, to lead them in combating stance,  
Though Hang Jebat equalled Hang Tuah in strength and valour,
He gave in to him for he loved him like his own blood-brother.

Malacca watched her five loyal sons fighting evil and strife
With their courage and truth, it was they who gave her life.

"battle", "silat"
Image courtesy of Jennifer Ellison / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Sultan lorded over the people with grand splendour,
The prime minister oversaw peace with dignified grandeur,
The country was in good hands they knew, who’d dare attack,
Business a-flourishing, no thievery, no gang-fights, no slack.

So Malacca, at its zenith of power, blossomed in great form,
Little realizing its tranquility was like calm before a storm.

"sea", "sailing vessels", "vessels", "sailing", "village"

Then one day it happened, Hang Tuah provoked the Sultan’s ire,
“Off with his head”, the king commanded to his prime minister, 
who trembled with foreboding horror, as he had news of an enemy 
waiting with guns and cannons, along the Malaccan sea. 

Malacca mourned, as her child was sent off to be sentenced,
For love of his homeland, in truth and courage he had spoken.

Image : http://www.deviantart.com/

Hang Jebat ran amok; he attacked the palace in angry desperation,
No warrior could fight him; he slashed away their life in aggression,
“If only Hang Tuah is still alive”, cried the frightened Sultan,
“He could have prevented the carnage, the deaths and devastation”. 

Malacca cried, her soul wrenched apart, her strength slowly ebbing,
Two of her greatest warriors down, her weary heart a-bleeding.
Image : http://kay-nua.deviantart.com/

The minister then disclosed a secret, Hang Tuah he did not kill,
He was hidden in a cave, honing his silat, a self-defence skill.
Hang Tuah appeared before the king, prepared to fight with honour,
While Hang Jebat gazed at his friend with happiness and wonder.

It was a sad day indeed for Malacca to see her children in combat,
Both weary, one was going down, as his strength began to ebb.

"silat", "fight", "martial arts"
Image : http://1x.com/photos/

As Hang Jebat’s breathing waned, he could not understand why.
He had done all to avenge his friend who'd been condemned to die,
With tears in his eyes, Hang Tuah held Hang Jebat’s hand,
“My loyalty is first to king,” he said, “then only to family and friend”. 

Thus, when friend vanquishes friend, through pain of death, 
A kingdom loses its will to survive, it takes its last breath.

"Hang Tuah Mural"
A bronze mural of Hang Tuah exhibited at the National History Museum, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/


6 Sept 2008


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