The Rose of Dawn: A Tale of the South Sea
And pause, and rise and dip again, had borne

The trackless trade winds. Tui Tua Kau,

"King of the Reefs," had ventured over far

From Tonga's shore. Caught by a wanton gale,

His idle racing, lengthened in a whim

To cheat his laughing mates, grew a wild flight.

The frail canoe seemed, on the angry sea,

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A sweet rose petal blown across the night.

Yet wisely now the winds had mind to crown

Their joyous undertaking, and upon

The shores of Fiji's isles they drew their prize.

The maidens on the shore had seen afar

The stranger's coming, and the songs were stilled

To hush of expectation. Even so

A prince might come to claim his kingdom, lone,

In a frail craft, with weary eyes, and hair

Crowned with a fading wreath, more beautiful

Than all their lovers, slender, strong and young.

With one lithe spring he gained the yellow sand


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