Prince Abadin Tadia Tjoessoep (Refrain Stanza Sequence) Poem by Gert Strydom

(after I. D. du Plessis)

I prince Abadin Tadia Tjoessoep, high-priest, Pangéran, do here swear
where I do bare witness over God's wondrous salvation and His care:
When Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa the ruler of Java asked me for support
to safe the kingdom, my people and I were his last resort.
against the Dutch my people and I in Java had to dare,
his son's links with the Dutch East India Company I had to alienate
and in war as the most prominent general the Lords Seventeen did me hate
while no chance to regain our country from the fierce Dutchmen I did spare,
where I do bare witness over God's wondrous salvation and His care.

After Ageng's surrender I knew that further fighting was in vain
I was as a prince banished to the Stormy Cape but did in life remain.
When Ageng was forsaken without a throne, Haiji was a marionette of Holland,
against the Lords Seventeen who secretly seized the spices alone I did stand
and they were scared that I would start a war for freedom all over again.
When the Voetboeg wanted to sink the captain and crew begged me to pray,
a great storm was raging and I did set everything in God's hand on that day
and the storm immediately did abate but I did let God the honour retain,
I was as a prince banished to the Stormy Cape but did in life remain.

[Reference:"Die versbundel en gedig: "Sjeg Joesoef"" (The poetry book and poem "Sjeg Joesoef")by I. D. du Plessis. Poet's note:The "Voetboeg" was ‘n Dutch ship on which Prince Abadin Tadia Tjoessoep and his people were transported to Cape Town to live there in banishment in the time of governor Simon Van der Stel and in this way the Malay people did arrive in the Cape and he was received in full honour as a prince on their arrival on 2 April 1694.Prince Abadin Tadia Tjoessoep was married to one of the daughters of Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa. Abadin Tadia Tjoessoep wasa Sheikh in his own right as he was nearly related to Sultan Alauddin of Gowa today Makassar where as close as a own son he grew up in the palace.Prince Abadin Tadia Tjoessoep who grew up on Celebes island at Gowa today Makassar studied in Mecca under various pious scholars but when he wanted to return home the kingdom had been captured by the Dutch and he headed for Java where he was welcomed by Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa and lived there for sixteen years as a prince, religious leader and advisor.]