.

To protest against the cowardice of general orders, that brand the honor
of the nation by invoking public charity on behalf of the victims of
inveterate piracy.

It is true those rebels were reduced by starvation to skeletons, while
those pirates could defend themselves.

And if that place were refused me, ... if I were still disbelieved, ...
then I should translate my book into the few languages that I know, and
the many that I yet can learn, to put that question to Europe which I
have in vain put to Holland.

And in every capital such a refrain as this would be heard: "There is a
band of robbers between Germany and the Scheldt!"

And if this were of no avail, ... then I should translate my book into
_Malay_, _Javanese_, _Soudanese_, _Alfoer_, _Boegi_, and _Battah_.

And I should sharpen _Klewangs_, the scimitars and the sabres, by
rousing with warlike songs the minds of those martyrs whom I have
promised to help--I, _Multatuli_, would do this!

Yes! delivery and help, _lawfully if possible_;--_lawfully with
violence_ if need be.

And that would be very pernicious to the COFFEE AUCTIONS OF THE DUTCH
TRADING COMPANY!

For I am no fly-rescuing poet, no rapt dreamer like the down-trodden
Havelaar, who did his duty with the courage of a lion, and endured
starvation with the patience of a marmot in winter.

This book is an introduction....

I shall increase in strength and sharpness of weapons, according as it
may be necessary.

Heaven grant that it may not be necessary!...

No, it _will_ not be necessary! For it is to thee I dedicate my book:
WILLIAM THE THIRD, King, Grand Duke, Prince, ... more than Prince, Grand
Duke, and King, ... EMPEROR of the magnificent empire of INSULIND, which
winds about the equator like a garland of emeralds!...

I ask THEE if it be thine IMPERIAL will that the Havelaars should be
bespattered with the mud of Slymerings and Dry-stubbles; and that thy
_more_ than _thirty millions_ of SUBJECTS far away should be _ill
treated and should suffer extortion_ in THY name!

IDYLL OF SAIDJAH AND ADINDA

From 'Max Havelaar'

Saidjah's father had a buffalo, with which he plowed his field. When
this buffalo was taken away from him by the district chief at
Parang-Koodjang he was very dejected, and did not speak a word for many
a day. For the time for plowing was come, and he had to fear that if the
rice field was not worked in time, the opportunity to sow would be lost,
and la