done." And Na Arean took hold upon his body and struck off his legs, which were many. He said to him, "Go, lie in thy place." So Riiki lay across the heavens, and to this day his belly is seen to shine across heaven, even Naiabu (the Milky Way). As for his legs, they fell into the sea and became the great and the small eels that live therein.
But behold, the heavens and the sea were dark, for there was no light. And Na Arean said in his heart, "It is as though my work were of no avail, for it cannot be seen." He went back to his father Na Atību and said, "Sir, what shall be done in this matter?" He answered, "Do that thou wilt do." So Na Arean said, "Na Atību, thou shalt die. I shall get from thee a light for the world." He answered, "Do that thou wilt do." So he slew his father. Then also with Na Atību died Teakea, his sister and wife.
When that thing was done, Na Arean called his brothers the Wave and the Octopus; he said, "Let us mourn the dead." They answered, "We cannot, but do thou mourn him." He said to them, "Ye also shall mourn with me." They said, "Begin." So he began:
How still, how still thou liest,
My father Na Atību, with Teakea thy wife.
And his brother lifted up the song in answer:
There is no ghost in him.
He shall speed under the heavens to northward;
There, I ween, be no spirits, no men, no things.
He shall speed under the heavens to southward;
There, I ween, be no spirits, no men, no things.
And Na Arean answered again:
[Yea, for] there shall lie with me a woman, the woman Aro-maiaki.[1]
- ↑ Maiaki, the second half of this name, means South. Aro signifies manner, custom or habit. I suggest that it may be translated inhabitant in this place, but I dare not dogmatise on this point.
