The Adarna Bird (A.I Generated English Translation of "Ibong Adarna")

The Second Task (624 - 652)

The king then said with gravity,
"Come forth and stay here, I pray."
Don Juan replied, with humility,
"I am here, your will to obey."

Without delay, he fetched,
The precious flask with grace,
The king descended, stretched,
With Don Juan by his side, they faced.

"Don Juan, now, observe closely,
This flask that I hold here,
And what's contained in it, gently,
Twelve servants, have no fear."

"I shall now command,
Into the sea's water they'll descend,
Then, carefully understand,
Back into the flask, they must attend."

"But one thing you must not neglect,
In the servants' number, take heed,
Don't let one be a subject,
For your life, it's a serious creed."

He released them right there,
The twelve servants from the flask,
And said, with utmost care,
King Don Salermo, his task.

At breakfast time, indeed,
At the table they were seated,
The servants, without need,
Were counted, and not one defeated.

The flask, the king gave,
To Don Juan with all due grace,
To the palace he did behave,
And rested in that place.

But as night fell that day,
When the Angelus prayer did chime,
The princess, without delay,
Arrived at the appointed time.

Don Juan was then inquired,
By his beloved Doña María,
Of the command that transpired,
From her royal father, to convey.

Don Juan replied with grace,
"My dear, my love so true,
This is the case, embrace,
And listen to my retelling to you."

"He released his servants, twelve,
Into the clear water's hold,
Into the flask, they did delve,
As he had been foretold."

"But exactly twelve in number,
All the servants must be within,
If one was to encumber,
My life would surely be at its end."

Doña María then she spoke,
"My dearest Don Juan so fair,
If that's his command, don't choke,
For he's familiar with the affair."

"But those who serve my father,
When I call them by name,
They'll all gather together,
In this way, it's the same."

The two of them, side by side,
And they exchanged their words,
Till the day, not denied,
In their speech, it occurred.

Then, when the clock struck four,
The princess did implore,
"Oh, my beloved Don Juan,
Please bring the light upon."

"The flask, take it now, I implore,
To the sea, go forth, explore.
But before you both set sail,
Embrace, my love, don't fail."

They ventured forth together,
The flask they held as one,
And the call of Doña María,
Summoned the servants to be done.

"Anyone late to return,
As they enter the flask, beware,
Even in the water, they'll burn,
From my anger, none can spare."

Upon hearing her voice resound,
The servants hastened, not waiting around,
Into the flask they plunged, bound,
Obeying her command without a sound.

With fear that knew no bound,
The servants obeyed her call,
Into the flask, they were found,
Moved by her command, one and all.

The princess then proclaimed,
"Return home now, my dear,
I'll handle things untamed,
In the palace, have no fear."

Don Juan went on his way,
To the porter's house he went,
Doña María did not delay,
To the royal palace, she was sent.

Upon the table, the flask laid,
By Don Juan when he came,
To the room, she then obeyed,
And there she rested, the same.

But when King Salermo did wake,
He saw upon the table there,
The flask, for goodness sake,
And checked if it was all still fair.

He took it and did inspect,
His servants without defect,
None was missing, he could detect,
Their numbers still twelve were correct,

He didn't complain or sulk,
Instead, he kept in his mind,
"I have another task to invoke,"
And then the next day did unwind.

And so, the following morn,
Don Juan he did summon,
He came without scorn,
To King Salermo, as a common.