POETRY. THE CHILDREN OF HEAVEN AND EARTH.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 370, 22 May 1889, Page 6

POET R Y. THE CHILDREN OF HEAVEN AND EARTH.

(Gems of Sir George Grey's Polynesian Mythology and. Maori Legends.) Heaven and Earth, our common parents, Clave together in their love; Earth, sweet, mother, nurs'd her children, Heaven rul'd them from above. But the darkness pressed so densely, It was darkness night and day, For thuro shone no light from Heaven That would chase the night away. Then their children, rough, unruly, Bearing duty not in mind, Thinking not of noble Rangi(l), Or their nursing mother Kind, Said, " Let's kill them— kill our father, And our nur&ing mother slay." But in answer thus spake Tana(2), " Tear asunder, put away. "Let us tear them both asunder, So they never meet again ; Lot great Rangi be a stranger. Earth a nurse to us remain." So fierce Tana spurn'd the mother From whose heart he sprang to birth, And his feet up-pressing Eangi, Drave asunder heaven and earth. Save Tawhiro, all were eager To asunder part the twain. Thus fair Papa(3) and great Rangi Meet not in embrace again. So the earth remaineth with us As our mother to this day, But great Heaven, as a stranger, Evermore is far aw ay ! Then Tawhiro, God of Tempests, Gathered storm-clouds in the sky; He was angered thnt his brothers Should have thrust his parents by. So he rangeth winds and tempests In his ire and fierce disdain ; So he ever wageth warfare Kdg'd with fire at d thunder-rain. Lashes he each wave and billow With dark hurricanes of hire ; Sends his mighty voice of anger Robed in death and wing'd with fire. Rides he ever on the ocean, Breaks the levels of the tide ; Thus sea mountains rush to heaven In their arrogance of pride. So, he maketh brutal warfare 'Gainst his brothers one and all. And he levels mighty forests— In his vengeance sees them fall. But great Rangi mourneth ever That a gulf now rolls between, And the treason of his children Robs him of his wedded Queen I Yet, when Earth is sad and fainting. And her children cry in pain Heaven sends down cooling dewdrops. Tears of pity— gentle rain ! Thus great Rangi, as a father ' His unru'y sons forgive. Bids them to their nursing motner As true gods in duty live. And there ever comes a message, Fuli of pity, full of love ; 'Tis the still small voice of Heaven Gentle as a forest (?ove. Pleading ever with His children To return unto His breast ; Thus kind Rangi offers pardon, Love and mercy, peace and rest. (1) Rangi, Heaven. (2i Tana, Father o^ Forests. (3) Papa, the Earth. W. R. Wills. Olahuhn New Zealand.