LAMENT FOR NGAHUIA.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume I, Issue 2, 1 February 1855, Page 29

LAMENT FOR NGAHUIA.

BY HER FRIEND KAIKINO.

The sacred morning dawns on Tangikura's Heights! Hui! Thou sleepest;—arise and seat Thyself as usual; gaze on the distant Rocks that look like flocks of birds, and bend thy Tiny fingers* playfully. Go forth and j Stretch thyself before thy door as thou wert Wont to do. The moaning of the wind is Heard, and Tamareretif casts his anchor out, And moves toward the south:—the beating of the Surge is heard at Hukanui, and the tides Flow on to Tangitere, to meet the prow Of Rongomai:—the current sweeps by Huritu and bears along the great canoe of warriors;— But she who gave us lands, she who brought us Treasures from the forest pine, has disappeared For ever! Permit her to go forth, borne By the waters that lash the shore of Kawerua, Where the winds are playing round our homes, And let thine ears attend to words of import From thy mother Hamataura. Look again Upon the darksome cloud that gathers on the Heights of Torohanga, but all is calm at sea Great Chieftainess of Tauhanga ! Ah, what A void is here ! Thou takest thy Departure now to northern skies, but Noho the younger Will rest thy couch upon his shoulders, and take Thee to the dwelling of Ngarakehau, and clothe Thee with the choicest garments. The tribes will care for them,J leave them here •, Leave them to Wharo whose youthful cheek is Fair to look upon, she will gather in the Fruits of Maui§ for the assembled Chiefs, And place these fruits before that group of birds || Left lonely in the world. ——: — 1

* Ngahuia was celebrated for her beauty, her hands and feet were remarkably small. "f* Tamarereti—a duster of stars known by that name, the form is similar to a canoe with rope and anchor, hence the allusion. J Ngahuia's children are here referred to, in a very affectionate way. § Fruits of Maui—the Kumara or long sweet potatoe. 1| Group of birds—the family of the deceased are meant.