MAUI’S FISH
Like a beacon thou beckonest back o’er the waters, away o’er the world:
The while, looking ahead with clear eyes,
Like Maui, thou laugh’st, full of life!
And do not regard overmuch
Those tedious old Brothers, that still must be pribbling and prabbling about thee
(Paddlers inshore: when a Maui has fish’d, then they claim the canoe!)....
Laugh at them, Land!
They are old: are they therefore so wise?
Thou art young, Te Ika: be young!
Thou art new: be thou new!
With keen sight, with fresh forces, appraise those old grounds of their vaunting,
Dip in deep dew of thy seas what swims yet of their catch, and renew it,—
The rest, fish very long caught,
Toss it to them!
And address thee to catches to come.
Rich hauls to bold fishers, new sights to new sight, a new world to new eyes,
To discoverers, discoveries! Yea,
Offspring of Maui! recall the experience of Maui
A dead fish he did not receive it? No, No!
He endured, he adventured, he went forth, he experimented,
He found and he fetch’d it, alive!
Yea, alive! a Fish to give thanks for.
Ah, ah, Tangaroa, well done!
Thou livest, Te Ika a Maui!
Enough! My last word:—
Live! Dare! Be alive!
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