Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 2.djvu/61

 OF THE MALAYS. 4^ Mr Marsden and Dr Leyden * have nearly ex*, hausted the subject of Malay literature, one in it- self not very fruitful. Malay literature bears none of these marks of originality which characterize that of the Javanese. The great bulk of Malayan composition is not metrical, but prosaic ; and it all, or almost all, bears the impression of an Arabic character, I shall render a brief account, first of their poetry, and then of their prose writings. Their metrical compositions are of two descrip- tions, the Pantun and the Sayar. The Pantun is a stanza of four short lines rhyming alternately. The first two lines of the quatrain, in the accurate language of Mr Marsden, " are figurative, con- taining sometimes one, but oftener two unconnect- ed images ; whilst the latter two are moral, sen- timental, or amorous ; and we are led to expect that they should exemplify and constitute the ap- plication of the figurative part. They do in some few instances, but, in general, the thought is wrapt in such obscurity, that not the faintest analogy be- tween them can be traced, and we are even dis- posed to doubt whether any is intended, or occurs otherwise than by chance." These Pantuns are often recited in alternate contest for several hours. Such playful trifles do not deserve the name ♦ Asiatic Researches, Vol. X.