And all the light of all my life seemed dead—

Then—morning broke, and I behold the sun!"—

He held her with his gaze and found her eyes—

"On Tonga's shore I reigned a chief, and now

I am a beggar at your mercy." Then

The young pride mounting to his cheek, he cried,

"Nay, but I jested, for I come so far

To green Kambara for a lordly bowl

Fit for the kava of a chief."

She smiled,

And with the smile Malua felt the blood

19

Leap in his heart, his heart inviolate

Never before so stirred 'neath woman's eyes.

"Come, then, with me," said Taka, and the beach

Stretched from their feet, a ribbon that should bind

In its white length the heaven to the earth.

With delicate step she led him to the hut

Where old Akau gave him kindly greeting.

A little in the shadow, where the gourds

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