Afar there sounded in the mellow breeze

The rhythmic movement of the maidens' toil;

Before them on the sand a snowy sheet

Lay spread,—the tapa cloth; tutunga trees

Yield them their inner bark, and lightly then

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The maidens tap the fibres till they join,

Made firm with scented gums and bright with dyes,

To form a fabric that a bride might choose,

And this was for a bride. Among the rest

One maiden shone; a moon beside her stars,

Taka, the fair. Her father was the chief

Of this small village. His the splendid store

Of kava bowls for which the isle is famed,

The shining fish-hooks, fairest of mother of pearl,

Great mats from ancient days with border rare

Of crimson feathers, cruel tragic spears,

Sweet unguents, necklaces of pearly shells

Envied by maidens, and above them all

Bales of the snowy tapa, made by hands

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