They show their wit chiefly in satirical songs, which they compose against one another; and he, that overcomes his fellow in this way of debate, is admired and applauded by the rest of the assembly. If any body conceives a jealousy, or bears a grudge to another upon any account, he sends to him, and challenges him to a duel in such or such assembly; where he will fight it out with him in taunting ditties. Whereupon the defied, in defence of his honour, prepares his weapons, and does not fail to appear at the time and place appointed, if his courage do not forsake him. When the assembly is met, and the combatants arrived, every body being silent and attentive to hear what end the combat will take, the challenger first enters the lists, and begins to sing, accompanying it with the beat of his drum. The challenged rises also, and in silence listens, until his champion or adversary has done singing. Then he likewise enters the lists, armed with the same weapons, and lays about his party the best he can. And thus they alternately sing as long as their stock of ditties lasts. He that first gives over, is reckoned overcome and conquered. In this sort of taunting ditties they reproach and upbraid one another with their failings. And this is their common way of taking vengeance. There is not to be expected great ingenuity or sallies and points of wit in their poesies, yet there is some cadence and number in their verses, and some kind of rhyme in them. For an instance of which I join hereto a Greenland song, or ode, composed by one of the natives, who formerly lived in our colony, by name Frederick Christian, upon the birth day of his then royal highness, Prince Christian, on the 30th of November, 1729, which is as follows. A GREENLAND SONG, COMPOSED BY FREDERICK CHRISTIAN, A Native. Amna aja aja, aja aja, &c. [Entry. _One morning as I went out, and saw, That flags and colours were flying, And that they made ready To fire the guns; Then I demanded, Why do you fire? And they answered me, because the King’s Son’s Birth day was celebrated, Who is to be king after his father,_ Annigamma irsigeik, amna aja aja, &c. Arvallirsullitlarmeta: amna aja, &c. Opellungarsullarmeta, amna aja, &c. Erkaiseigamig og, amna aja aja, &c. Tava orkarbigeik, amna aja aja, &c. Saag erkaisovise? Amna aja, &c. Tava akkyanga, assuog Nellermago, Okuine annivine nellermago, amna aja, &c. Angune tokkopet kongingoromagame, amna aja, &c.