THE PADDOCK
Tall and erect as a [1]kahikatea,
Princely, well-tattoo’d, a terror to foemen,
He that is known to my heart—O Paoa!....
Alas! In the ear of the [2]Daughter of Darkness
Hangs now my jewel of greenstone, envied of all.
..Ah, savoury odour! Sweet smell of the ovens uncover’d!
Feed me, O feast, among feasting companions!
O savour, O relish of old!
....Dark now it grows; the hour of darkness,
The hour of darkness and dread!
Stars to the Heavens—bright fires to the [3]marae!
Flourish, ye flames! O blossom, ye torches!
Hour of the dance and delight!
Fresh as the young fern, fragrant as the scented fern,
Tress’d like the tree-fern—maidens, come ye forth!
Bright-breasted pigeons, sweet-tongued [4]Korimako-birds,
Tall, supple saplings—warriors, advance!
Voices in sympathy, limbs all in unison.
Hearts of one beating, spirits of one tune—
Sway ye, swing ye, chanting and answering,
This way, that way, lissom as the sea-wave,
As a wind-waved valley of the blossoming manuka!
Ha! Ha! with the beating of feet!
Ha! with the tongue of defiance!
With play of the fingers and hips,
With the whiteness of eyes and of teeth!
Ah, the glorious grace! Ah, the noble agility!
Like a bright torch, admiration is kindled—
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