Heavy with burdened love. The music hushed.

Deep in the mystery of her steady eyes

Lingered the secret of the world, and then

Laughter and light came dancing from her smile.

Her fingers fluttered on the harp of love,

And every chord uttered itself again

Within some dusky heart. The earth was still.

The warm night air was strong with heavy scent

Of oil upon the dancers and the flowers

That decked their breasts and hair. Malua's soul

Fainted beneath the load of so much love,

And when the dance was finished, and her eyes

42

Held him for one long second ere she smiled

And stole away, he knew for death or life

His spirit lay within her golden hands.

Woe for Uhila! As the twilight glow

Faded in soft immeasurable plains

Of darkness, so the beauty in his heart

Faded in clouds of wrath. The great fire blazed—

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