EMERSON ] 



UNWBITTEN LITEEATUKE OF HAWAII 87 



I mined to the fire neath Kauai, 

 On Kauai I dug deep a pit, 

 A fire-well flame-fed by Pele. 



20 The heavens are lifted aslant, 



One border moves up and one down: 



There's a stroke of 0-6 'neath the ground. 



Wakea, in earnest, would know, 



What demon's a-grubbing below"/ 

 25 I am the worker, says Pele: 



Oahu I pierced to the quick, 



A crater white-heated by Pele. 



Now morn lights one edge of the sky ; 



The light streams up, the shadows fall down; 

 30 There's a clatter of tools deep down. 



Wakea, in passion, demands. 



What god this who digs 'neath the ground? 



It is dame Pele who answers; 



Hers the toil to dig down to fire, 

 35 To dig Molokai and reach fire. 



Now morning peeps from the sky 

 With one eye open, one shut. 

 Hark, ring of the drill 'neath the plain ! 

 Wakea asks you to explain, 

 40 What imp is a-drilling below? 

 It is I, mutters Pele : 

 I drilled till flame shot forth on Lanai, 

 A pit candescent by Pele. 



The morning loolvS forth aslant; 

 45 Heaven's curtains roll up and roll down ; 



There's a ring of 0-6 'neath the sod. 



Who, asks Wakea, the god. 



Who is this devil a-digging? 



'Tis I, 'tis Pele, I w'ho 

 50 Dug on Maui the pit to the fire: 



Ah, the crater of Maui, 



Red-glowing with Pele's own fire! 



Heaven's painted one side by the dawn. 



Her curtains half open, half drawn; 

 55 A rumbling is heard far below. 



Wakea insists he will know 



The name of the god that tremors the land. 



'Tis I, grumbles Pele, 



I liave scooped out the pit Hu'e-hu'e, 

 60 A pit that reaches to fire, 



A fire fresh kindled by Pele. 



Now day climbs up to the East; 

 Morn folds the curtains of night ; 

 The spade of sapper resounds 'neath the plain : 

 65 The goddess is at it again ! 



