CoLENSO. — O71 a better Knowledge of the Maori Race. 69 



The ancient Maoris went naked into the fight, the principal chiefs only 

 wearing the war-belt ; which was first girt on when actually entering into 

 the battle, and was curiously and very firmly fixed. So that the girding it 

 on, was, to them, quite an event ; and, in reality, was just as Hector, or 

 Mars, in Homer, putting on their armour. 



This poetical piece is most stirring and spirited in the Maori original ; 

 and its effect on Whakatau's followers, when properly chaunted by him, to, 

 doubtless, a most inspuiting and bold tune,* may be guessed. Especially, 

 too, as they had ventured to say to him, — " Don't attempt it ; they are 

 many ; thou wilt be killed." The whole prose legend in its entii'ety is a 

 capital one. A portion of it, much abbreviated and altered, may be found 

 in Grey's " Polynesian Mythology," p. 102. 



(4.) 

 A ceremonial Charm, %Lsed in divorcing the man from the woman and the 

 woman from the man : — 



A pulling off by Space, 



A pulling out by Sky, 



A great drawing-out from within ; 



A letting fall, 



Of [or byt] this great priest, 



Of [or byt] this knowing teacher ; 



Go on. — 



There the post stands — the post stands, 



The very post of the separation. 



It is the Sky that unties ; 



If untied above here, then untie 



That you two may be untied. 



Separated here be the bed of you two. 



Where you two were intimate, j 



Wliere you two slept, 



That you two may be untied. 



The Sky itself separates ; 



The Earth itself separates. 



Be separate in this evening. 



Be separate in this night. 



Tm-n away, proceed ; 



To the full tide. 



To the tide flowing by night, 



To the tide that resounds in its ebbing. 



Henceforth I turn upwards 



To the untrodden forests, 



Do not thou sigh lovingly ; 



* Vide infra, near end of this paper. 



t By — here in a secondary sense ; passive, or politely lessening. 



Lit., embraced closely. 



