Ah, it was great. Uhila should be great,

Giving her to Malua as a gift,

Showing Akau how he wished no more

To wed so young a maid, and then the tears

Broke from his eyes and burned his throbbing breast.

Homeward he turned, and all the sleepy birds

36

Twittered good-night—and almost was he glad.

In the cool green of evening, silent now

Save for their beating hearts, the lovers came

Back to the village. In the stranger's honor

The people made a feast. The air was filled

With busy sounds of preparation. Some

Brought driftwood for the fires, some gathered flowers

To deck themselves, and all the fruitful earth

Was robbed of its delights for beauty's sake.

Before the feasting Chief Akau rose,

Grave and majestic, for the evening prayer;

Pouring libation from the kava bowl

In a deep silence, to the gods he cried,

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