Page:Tales-of-Banks-Peninsula Jacobson 2ed 1893 cropped.pdf/313

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PENINSULAR STORIES IN VERSE.

“And you, oh, mothers of chieftains, Ohine, Raupau-te, Aroha!
“Take the treasures, and hide, from the spoilers of fell Ngatiawa.
“Say the sacred spells that will hide from the sight of Ngatoi;
“Burn the sacred fire that will make the tapu so mighty,
“That Atuas of earth and of caverns, Atuas of air and of ocean—
“All of those that are left of the fallen Gods of Ngai Tahu—
“Shall watch with their terrible eyes the treasure bequeathed to their keeping.”
When the Ariki had spoken, forth went the mothers of chieftains,
Gathered the treasures, and placed them, into the wakas of Hiwi;
Fastened the two together with strong korari[1] most holy;
Took their paddles and started, up from the sea to the valley,
Singing the sacred songs, the songs of the mightiest Tohungas.
Then Paihora gathered the remnant of weeping Ngai Tahu;
Placed in the wai ti,[2] wakas, the wakas that sail on the ocean;
Launched in the deadened surf, that moaned at the loss of the Hapu,
Gaining the open sea, in search of a haven of safety.
Vain the fugitives’ hopes! for the taniwhas[3] dread of Ngatoi,

  1. ↑ A kind of flax.
  2. ↑ Salt water.
  3. ↑ Sea Monsters. Certain chiefs were supposed to have the power of calling them to their assistance.
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