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The Maori: Yesterday and To-day

“Ye Winds from Snowy Peaks Afar.”

“Ye Winds from Snowy Peaks Afar.”

One of Rakapa's waiata for her lover Petera. The original begins:

Hau no uta no te huka,
E kai ki taku kiri:
Ye winds from snowy peaks after,
That feed upon my cheek,
O take upon your icy wings
This message of my love
The burning tears spring to mine eyes.
And rushing fall
As falls the brook's cascade.
Ah! distant one,
Far vanished from my side,
To thee I'd gladly fly
On southern breeze
To Horohoro's rocky ridge,
Past Ruapeka's sleeping bay,
Where steam-clouds curl,
And onward northward float
To tides of Tokerau.
My heart leaps forth;
Stained is my cheek with tears.
Oh! that those woods would fall
On Tairi's topmost peak
That hide thee from my sight!
Yet would the all-enfolding mist
Obscure thee from my loving eyes.