Samoa, A Hundred Years Ago And Long BeforeTurner, George
History
Samoa, A Hundred Years Ago And Long Before
Turner, George
Islands of the Pacific -- Social life and customs; Samoan Islands
3. Then said the girl to the boy: "Come let us go,
Let us seek another home," and away they wandered.
etc.
4. They called at the house of Tangaloa of the heavens,
And Tangaloa took the girl and married her.
etc.
5. The brother of the girl acted as their child.
He was a lovely boy, and grew up to be a beauty.
etc.
6. Tangaloa of the heavens became jealous of the lad,
And told his people to kill him.
etc.
7. They took him to the bush and killed him,
He yielded to their wishes and resisted not.
etc.
8. They were divided about the disposal of the body,
Some said throw it into the river, others said leave it in the bush.
etc.
9. They cast it into the river to float to the sea,
It came floating down, and there his sister stood on the beach.
etc.
10. She screamed, and wept, and wailed;
She seized the body, patted his head, and prayed for life.
etc.
11. The wounds closed up and healed, the lad sat up,
And thus he spake: "Let us both be off together."
etc.
12. They went to the village, the people were in the bush;
They smashed every canoe but one, and in that they left,
To search for the land of their parents.
etc.
13. The people returned from work, no Sinataevaeva was there,
Tangaloa called for his daughters Darkness, Lightning, and Thunder,
And ordered them off in search of his wife.
etc.
14. The three daughters obeyed, Thunder roared and Lightning flashed,
Darkness and Storm were added, and the canoe was found.
etc.
15. The ladies shouted out: "Don't be afraid; all's well!
You two be off, a calm and a smooth sea to you!
'Twas cruel to kill a child yonder."
etc.
16. The two went on and reached their land and home,
First the boy went on shore, his sister remained in the canoe.
etc.
17. Their parents called out: "Where are you two going?"
"My sister and I are in search of the home of our parents."
etc.
18. "Who are your parents, tell us their names?"
"Mailesaeia and Mailetupengia," replied the lad.
etc.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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