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The Ancient History of the Maori, His Mythology and Traditions: Tai-Nui. [Vol. IV]

[title page]

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The
Ancient History of
the Maori
,
his
Mythology and Traditions.
Tai-Nui

Volume IV
Wellington:
By Authority: George Didsbury, Government Printer.
1888.
[All rights reserved.]

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Rehearse the history of the past, and tell the origin of wrong,
Of war, and how in anger man with man contends,
And how, by incantation's power, the teeth
Of winter-blast so bite that all the table-lands
Of Wai-kawau and Puke-tehe hard congeal,
And force us all from home to Tau-ranga.
But, tribes and people! still maintain your right
To homes and hearths, though small;
And hold to that our parents gave to us.
And, O my child! beware, and dignity maintain,
Lest words of those of higher birth
Annul thy rights, and all thy powers
To teach, command, and lead in war
Are lost to thee. But speak, and let
Thy voice be heard; and tell
Of how the ancient warrior dared and stood
The charge and fury of his enemy,
That all the hosts around thee now may rise
At thy command, and own thee leader of the tribe.
But we are called the remnants of a feast—
Of battles fought at Manaia and Ra-roke-nui,
Moe-hau and Pakihi, and Koukou-rahi,—
There, where our enemies to surfeit filled
Their hate on us, and sated their revenge.
But ask the power of Puhi-taniwha to aid
Thee now to stay and crush that enemy.
But, no! he cannot be destroyed;
He is a great canoe with powerful keel,
The pet brave one of Maru-tuahu,
And called in proverb, “Ngako with a murdering hand.”
Come back, then, from the east sea-shore
To home destroyed, and all that's worth consumed;
Nor deem thyself and power destroyed.
Thou canst not be o'ercome, for still thou art
The eagle of the south—the man-devouring bird.
But we are called the food which just
Escaped the teeth of man. But heed it not;
Thine enemies were cooked by slaves, and held
By slaves to consecrate thy new-made house.
The gods of darkness did not show to thee
Piled heaps of dead at early dawn of day;
Yet still thy spirit dared the battle-charge,
And Hahu-koiwi turned its power aside
When at Tarake-puha victory was thine;
And then at Ahi-tapoa thine enemy
So fled that distance kept him far away.