Thou camest through dawn on the sea,

Red flower on a sunlit stream."

She laid the scarlet wreath upon his hair.

"My King," she whispered, and Malua's eyes—

Boy, spite of all his battles—filled with tears

Wrung from his burdened heart. He caught her hand;

The lake was hushed with noon-tide, far away

A fond bird starred the forest with a cry.

Then Taka turned, and in her eyes a light—

29

The light of summer moon in water still

And in her face the glamour of moon and star,

On which the crimson petals of her lips

Lay trembling, eager wings to her new soul,

Love was confessed.

The day went swiftly on.

Malua left her side to gather fruits

For a love feast together. In a dream

His heart had moved, and like a child he longed

To prove it real by sweet familiar ways,

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