356 



Notes on Sport and Travel 



III 



Tu, the war 

 god who 

 most ap- 

 proaches 

 Maori in 

 his nature. 



Now upon that dismal track, 



Sadly lingering, gazing back, 



Slowly comes a shadowy train. 



Souls of warriors brave in vain : 



For what may mortal valour do, 



Deserted by the war god Tu ? 



None but Tu himself might slay them. 



None but the war god's self dismay them. 



Thou by sacrifice and prayer 



To hostile ranks allured were, 



When the mad priest called on you 



By the name of wrathful Tu ! 



• Tu ! who climbs the hill fort steep 



When the weary warriors sleep, 



And awakes them but to die, 



With the charging onset's cry ! 



Tu, who, when the fight is done, 



Roasts the flesh with heated stone : 

 Earth-shaker, spirit-taker ! 



Climber of mountains, climber of waves : 



Battle-fighter, vendor of slaves ! 



Roving, wayward, raging Tu ! 



Builder of the war-canoe. 

 Speaker in the thunder, lightning-belted Tu ! 

 For ever and for ever shall the warriors worship you ! 



Wealth and power, and high command, 



All are in thy forceful hand. 



' Give to us victims torn, 

 Tom upon our battle-blades ; 

 Victims to fall forlorn, 

 Headlong to the shades ; 

 Falling, headlong falling, 

 Down towards the night ; 

 For victims we are calling, 

 Tu of the standing fight ! 



