Page 151 - A History of Siam

A HISTORY OF SIAM 143

to command this last It can at least be said
expedition.
of him that he died bravely, fighting against the most
redoubtable warrior ever produced in Siam. 1
Prince Ekat'otsarot, in the meantime, had engaged in
combat with the Prince of whom he over-
single Zaparo,
came and slew.
When the Burmese realised that their Princes were
attacked the Siamese Princes and their
dead, they fiercely
few followers. The King was wounded in the hand, and
the two mahouts of the elephants of the King and Prince
were both killed. By this time, however, a large body
of Siamese had to force their
troops managed way
the Burmese and the and Prince
through ranks, King
were rescued.
The Burmese army was thrown into a state of utter
confusion and demoralisation by the death of the Crown
Prince, and immediately began to retire towards the
frontier. The Siamese did not the
pursue enemy,
because the second Burmese had arrived at
firstly army
Melamao and might have attacked them in the rear,
and because the Siamese themselves had been
secondly
thrown into some confusion by the unforeseen turn of
events.
The King of Burma, on hearing of his son's death,
decided to abandon the The Melamao
expedition. army
was recalled.
Thus was a serious invasion with small
repelled, very
losses on both the valour of
sides, through personal King
Naresuen and his brother. It was before
many years
1
Burmese history gives a different version of these events. In particular,
the Crown Prince's death is said to have been due to an accident. The romantic
account given in Siamese history is, however, well authenticated. It is supported
by the history of Pegu and by van Vliet (Beshnevung van het Komgryk Siam,
Leyden, 1692).
The sword and leather cap worn by King Naresuen on this occasion became
part of the regalia of Siam, and were used by all the Kings until the fall of Ayut'ia
f
in 1767.
,