Pantun of Love

Pantun of love

Satu dua tiga enam
Satu dan enam jadi tujuh,
Buah delima yang ditanam,
Buah berangan hanya tumbuh.

I find one hand has five fingers,
I count up to ten upon the two;
What is the matter man alive,
Pomegranate, and gourd grew.
(Winstedt and Wilkinson 1961)

Di mana kuang bertelur?
Di atas lata di ruang batu!
Di mana abang nak tidur?
Di atas dada, di ruang susu!

Where does the argus pheasant nest?
Above th falls, in ricky clefts!
Where shall your lover seek to rest?
Upon your bosom, `twist your breasts!
(Hamilton)

Apa guna pasang pelita
Kalau tidak dengan sumbunya?
Apa guna bermain mata
Kalau tidak dengan sungguhnya?

If there’s no wick within the lamp,
To light it toil is thrown away;
And what reck I of loving looks,
Except as fuel for love’s play
(Winstedt)

Apa guna berkain batik,
Kalau tidak dengan suchi-nya?
Apa guna berbini cantik,
Kalau tidak dengan budi-nya?

What's the use of clothing yourself in batik
If it's not clean.
What's the use of taking to wife a beauty
If she hasn't character ?

(Of what use fine feathers
If they are not protective?
Of what use a pretty wife
If she's not steadfast?)

Anak beruk di kayu rendang
Turun mandi di dalam paya.
Sudah buruk di mata orang
Cantik manis di mata saya.

Baby monkey in a bushy tree
Descends to bathe in the swamp.
Plain, ugly in others' eyes
Pretty, sweet in my eyes.

Chau Pandan, anak Bubunya,
Hendak menyeram ke Melaka.
Ada cincin berisi bunga,
Bunga berladong si ayer mata.

(Chau Pandan, son of the King of Siam,
Wishes to drive terror through Malacca.
The ring embossed with flowers,
The flowers laden with tears.)