The Malays who sang pantuns
19th century · Malay Peninsula · The chandrawasi is the bird of paradise, a bird of mystery said to call only at night. Given in the old romanized spelling.
The chandrawasi, bird of power, hides deep among the clouds. My heart is heavy with care each day I do not see you.
Chandrawasi burong sakti, Sangat berkurong didalam awan. Gonda gulana didalam hati, Sahari tidak memandang tuan.
A pantun printed in W. W. Skeat, Malay Magic (1900)
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Gimil-Marduk
c. 18th–17th century BC · Babylonia · A letter to a woman named Bibêa. Johns, the translator, says it “may be fairly described as a love-letter”. Marchesvan is the eighth month, in autumn.
I went to Babylon and did not see thee. I was greatly disappointed. Send me the reason of thy leaving, and let me be cheered. In Marchesvan do thou come. For my sake keep well always.An Old Babylonian letter on a clay tablet · in C. H. W. Johns, Babylonian and Assyrian Laws, Contracts and Letters (1904) · in place of the original: the English translation by C. H. W. Johns (1904)
Marduk of Borsippa Marduk
7th century BC · Borsippa, Babylonia · A short note written at Borsippa to his brother Kurigalzu. It goes on to ask him to send some pots.
Wherefore have I not seen thy messenger? Until he enter Borsippa, when I see thy messenger, my heart shall drink the wine of joy.A clay-tablet letter of the Neo-Assyrian period · in C. H. W. Johns, Babylonian and Assyrian Laws, Contracts and Letters (1904) · in place of the original: the English translation by C. H. W. Johns (1904)
The Malays who sang pantuns
19th century · Malay Peninsula · The first two lines are there for the rhyme; the point comes in the last two. That is how a pantun is always built.
The dove goes into a rich curry, the basil grows beneath the log. The path is muddy and overgrown, yet love is why he comes.
Tekukur di gulei lemak Sulasi di-bawah batang Lagi lumpor jalan semak Sebab kasih maka-nya datang.
A pantun printed in W. W. Skeat, Malay Magic (1900)
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