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The Ancient History of the Maori, His Mythology and Traditions: Horo-Uta or Taki-Tumu Migration. [Vol. III]

[epigraph]

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The minor stars now westward troop in majesty;
And satellites of Rehua (Mars) go on in drowsy mood
The path they ever went; but Ue-nuku-kopako,
The bent decrepit god, by them shall be sustained.
But what may it avail since he, Wari-a-hau,
Rushed reckless to the battle-front, nor heeded that the great,
The people's power, the guardian and protector, had succumbed to death
No aid had he to grapple with the fierce and unrelenting god of war,
Nor were then rays of light seen on the peak of Wai-tawa,
Where all the mighty men in silence lay of Nga-ti-tu,
With Rangi-a-te-amo there. But seek the guardian power,
And rouse it now to act, before our great canoe
O'erturn and all is lost. I'll deck me with the white crane's plume,
As gentle breeze from sea wafts the prized young totara (young chiefs),
And stand near to the staff of her of Hine-tapeka,
Whilst spray from Roto-ehu comes, and dims the eyes of those
Your younger brothers in this world. Turn ye, and look towards
The peak on Rangi-toto seen, all distant and alone;
And know the lizard-god, the unknown one,
Has now for ever left his home, and westward gone
On ocean's foaming white-crest wave. And yet ye still in silence sit,
Nor ask the aid of these illustrious visitors,
Who from a distance by propitious gales have come to you;
Whilst in your presence lie the corpses, the slain, the fish of Tu,
The ancient ancestors of those of Tuku and of Hika-e.
Oh, gently blow, ye breezes of the land, but rouse to deeds of daring
None, 0 active soul of man! I dreamt, and in my dream
I felt the chill of snow grate through my trembling frame
As in the nights of ill omen—those Tama-tea nights of dread,
The signs of which are seen high in the midnight clouds.
O thou beloved! I grieve my want of that to cover thee—
The beauteous mat brought from the east to hide thy now cold frame.
Oh, couldst thou once again arise, and at the day-dawn speak,
Thou wouldst the incantation chant of Pou-awhi and Wha-rangi,
And Awa-tea-roa, and Manuka, with Whaka-tane—
Tell the power by which thy ancestors and Wai-ra-kewa learnt
The path to come across the ocean-road to this our home.