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Legends of the Maori

A Love Ditty

page break page 231

A Love Ditty

Tenei au kei te take o te rimu see kei te take koriti te manawa e e e.
Here I am at the foot of the rimu where the buds expand with love.
E haha te hau nei? He tonga te hau nei whina te pu kei a hiku tarure, te manawa.
How is the wind? It is the south wind. Then forward the tribe after the tail now loosed.
Tu mai koe tua o te puia tawhiriwhiri mai te ringa, te manawa.
Stand behind the steam of the hot spring and wave your hand, my love, to me.
Pikanga he raenga ka tangi kau atu nei i te huka hoe a te hoa a Warehi, ki te manawa.
Disappearing from my sight round yonder point, I weep in vain as I see the white foam churned by the vanished paddle of Warehi.
Nawai te hoiho e rite mai i Paingaroa? He Muriwai te moko piwa te manawa.
Whose horse is that galloping from Paingaroa? It is Muriwai of most beautiful form, my love.
Homai te pu ki runga tahitia a kia awhinatia ko hine ki te mahue nawa, E tama te mahue nawa.
Give me the gun. I’ll wield it with one hand, and with the other I will embrace my love; Ah yes, my dearest love.