390 EEPOBT— 1891. 



Now, alas ! thou art separated far ofi to a distance, who will return 

 thee hither to me ?....! will go forth to look at the fleecy clouds 

 sailing hither, coming this way over the mountain. Alas! the boundary 

 that parts us, dear young lady, is as a great ocean-depth to thee. Not- 

 withstanding, in that one direction — towards thee — my eyes are dim 

 with steady gazing ; for thou alone art the only one of my deepest 

 affection 



A Love Song by a Widoiu for her Deceased Husband. 

 After the evening hours 

 I recline upon my bed. 

 Thy own spirit-like form 

 Comes towards me, 

 Creeping stealthily along. 

 Alas ! I mistake, 

 Thinking thou art here with me, 

 Enjoying the light of day. 

 Then, the ailectionate remembrances 

 Of the man}' days of old 

 Keep on rising within my heart. 

 This, however, loved one — 

 This thou must do : 

 Recite the potent call to Eakahua, 

 And the strong cry to Rikiriki, 

 That thou mayest return. 



For thou wast ever more than a common husband— 

 Thou wast my best-beloved, my chosen. 

 My treasured possession. Alas ! 



A Love Song. 

 Rise up quickly, thou moon I 

 Make haste to get above me, 

 That I may give vent to my sighing 

 And utter my laments. 

 Now, indeed, for the first time 

 I feel the pangs of love. 

 It is as if a demon or a lizard 

 Were within me gnawing. 



ye light, fleecy clouds flitting above ! 



Ply on, fly away, and carry tidings, 



That my beloved one may hear of me in her anxiety. 



Alas ! alas ! my very eyesight 



Is fast failing me : 



When I look at the distant headlands 



They quiver, and are dim. 



Proverbs. 



The proverbs were very numerous, and afford abundant 

 evidence of the wit and shrewdness of the people. Nothing 

 pleased a Maori audience better than to hear them aptly 

 quoted. Unfortunately, some of the best would be almost 

 unintelligible to English people ; but the following specimens 

 will be understood and appreciated : — 



How often does the weka escape the snare ! (Equivalent 

 to our proverb, " A burnt child dreads the fire.") 



