His CAPTORS. 51 



The two Bibles. Verse from Byron's. 



nesian Bible the lines which are said to have 

 been found on the blank leaf of a copy of the 

 Scriptures belonging to a great English poet. 

 And, ah ! how much better had it been for the 

 world if Byron had loved his Bible as there is 

 reason to believe the unknown Tahitian did his. 



Within this awful volume lies 

 The mystery of mysteries : 

 And bless'd, forever bless'd are they 

 Who read to hope, and read to pray. 

 But better had he ne'er been born, 

 Who reads to pray, or reads to scorn. 



