Page:Tales-of-Banks-Peninsula Jacobson 2ed 1893 cropped.pdf/314

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THE LEGEND OF GOUGH’S BAY.
307

Taniwhas mighty, and dread, rangitieras[1] of monsters misshapen,
That loved Ngatiawa and hated, the children of fated Ngai Tahu,
Stopped the beat of their paddles, held their blades in the water.
Vain the strain of their muscles! Vain their pride and their courage!
Ngatiawa is coming! Ngatiawa has conquered!
Nothing left them but death, or slavery bitter and hopeless!
But the treasures were saved from the foe, for the mighty spells had been spoken
To hide for ever from men, till a fair haired child of Ngai Tahu
Should come in the far off times, and claim the wealth of her people.
Well the Atuas[2] have guarded thy hidden treasures, Ngai Tahu!
Mighty the tapu[3] that covers the place where the wakas are lying.
Oft has the pakeha searched in the stream, in the cave, in the forest;
But safe as the holy grail from the eyes of the base and the guilty,
Lie the buried wakas of Hiwi, the treasure of fallen Ngai Tahu.

  1. ↑ Mighty ones—Chiefs
  2. ↑ Gods.
  3. ↑ Spells.
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