WHAKANE AND RANGI-URU.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 101, 18 April 1908, Page 3

WHAKANE AND RANGI-URU.

(All Bights Reserved.)

Ity JA3IE& IZETT. T<ra» in the days of long ago, W hen but a girl was Rangi-uru. A fair. -weet girl. Whot? melancholy eyes were large And dark and languishing. dx bu*> k'irl who laboured at the mat Ot *«uv.«ml the nft, So cvi-i>i>D4> »poke praise* of her real. Ami when there cam* a time Tli.it -iw should wed, \Vh* kunc-Kaipa pa Saw In r, and hi loved. A thi« f, Whakane, Demvuded from the Ngati Whakane, A tribe in number great And in.,-it famed through all the lands That lie about the region of th c lake. And ttlren that they were wedAs »,/ they were— Whakuiv took bis bride to dwell witu [him At K. iorua, cloae l>y the margin of The liiWf. Ainl li-. three #on» there came Ti> (d,—. their (irmrful home And i lutter it to happiness and juy.

Pajtionately, Whakane loved his wife

And cheriaMngly indulged Her every with and varying mood. The beat otftOeft that sailed the lake Were by h«n hewn, In carving none hi* equal known. Yet ever industriously

Hb ficlfe he tilled Ami fished Ac waters of the lake. For his bright boys must still be fed And RuqAwv bounteously live, And his Jew wife The beauty of her early charms returned. Her form was just as graceful, slim As in tha days when Whakane firs' [a-wooing came. Her eyes, though graver grown, Were just as Unguishingly bright As in the days gone by, A pensiTCßHs that clothed with fascinating light, A sweetness all her own. Then to liotunu came Tu-whare-toa. A handsome nuin a* one might wish to [xv, Tu-whare-toa. Plentoiusly endowed in gifts of speech And Ike the art pu»-e--ed To Ulk, in accents low and soft and [winning. Ever much had he to say of things I To interest, 1 To raise a jocund laugh. To thrill with (ear expectancy. I'pon the lovely Rangi-uru Fell hiit glittering eye*. And with his glances mine desire. The covetous longing to enjoy That fires the soul of evil men, O'ermastering all their thought.

At early morn. When into the forest* which, in those [day*

To the water reached, Whakanehi* hoy* would with him take To trarh them how the rat to snare <>r *pr.tr the bird, Tu-whare-to* lounging!) would eome. To talk with Rangi-urn at the whare [door.

Bright the radiance of the duo; Warm the lulray air; Soft the cadence of his voire; Ptaixant. rtweet tlie flattering words [he «aid.

Ami «o it taine That tl mgi aru for his eoining looked. Ami v<>.e«l »he grew it Whnliane in liin (ioing e'er delayed. Br slow dejrree. there came a time \Vken no jov «>n earth remained for {her

If Tit u hared"a *ere not near. Tthnh.ire-toa «aw that «he was prize. If he but «p»kt> *o would die go. And lo her he Mng ttii* SONG OK LOVE.

U t mj love, To my home by the sea. Hap:>y and free, Kiy it thy lightness, t ' tue in thy brightness f!> thou with me, With me, ah, with me! O. my tote, Sw.rt rkion of the day, Cheerful and gay, t "mp thou with tinging. ilapplaeM bringing, With ne to stay, With me, ah, with me! (). my lore, M\ true love, my own love, Star froM above, Thy ud life below, A(4urfoO. Thy woe KU a« a dore, Won me, ah, with we!

O, my lore, the forest you riy. No I'M U nigh, \<>ii follow bo track, Nf>r looking back, Unward Ton hie, With ■», *h, with me! 0, my low. To'my home by the ware, Rmolute, brave, C'om«*t thou to dwell, Peace, reft, all i« well, Love is thy slave. With me, ah. with me! Hy his wayward elder sou». Taw jV'heimea Ami S'gararanui. accompanied WluU.me from the forest Urtiir.unf with Uf spoil well laden. For he the day had ardmmaly (pent la snaring rats and spearin* bird-, •lust as the tan behind low hills Far iu the west began to sink. I pun the brow of a small eminence He stayed his coarse To pn upon hi* home. In the lengthening shadow* of the [slowly dyin# day, Lo«r!y. uleat, sad it seemed. So xhijml, Xut even the barking of a eommon [household dog. ( amr forth to lireak the stillness. About Hie place no movement showed To tell of life. Ui, a. he pau-ed. llis bi-art was sodden smit with fear--A nsuirlrss dread, born of he knew {not what Perchance his go<l had kindly thought To touch his -oul with warning. Then d'»»n the hill he wildly ru-hed Ami •■(» n threw the d.»irTo stillness darkness added! In a !1 r enrner. coiiebed on nut-, lli- youngest, Tuteaite, lay a-lcep— Aad tint was all. Hat in in instant to him came A knnti ledge of the truth. Fled w.is the wife that he -o long had [loved. Hone were the pear, and joy so lately Ihi,. Futmlx-u now his home ami desolate. Then in his mantle, Shrouding up his head. Whakane fell.; Wrapping hn soul in grie!. 1/tnK the war, ll.it and hard th» road towards tbe Where Ujr the home of Tu-whare toa. Ri fon-st paths, anfre.jiiente.l. Tlieir ay they took.

S«> tin- no human form W.v * Ti' ' l'u-lii' Ihronu - '' tlii'l - 1 rul. liv ti ■i • -r.it' '•> l i>' y-i i'''-

|l..r„. HViir* lann-. anil "r»An.| n-alf-rnl from li-r lire.i-1. Th,. >lr. <<l of |tiir-ui( anil [il«ith Tumnl'inmiljr throMinl. IV-ith. V.vrr [ht* fate i»f •how fjuli <**• li' TNow tuo to thoujEht liH-tinv on thi-. So on -b* *<■"' <lrt*rinin»<lly. Thr »«»■«• of Tuxli ire t".i - w r in H-*r r.ir-, Fnctmr-igtag, ('or 'h* should not <lmo|> Hit liint to fleyiiilinjf all nd thought- tli.it in Iwr (mislit ;iri-*. I<>! nightfall of ll"" -""n.l day. Wl.rn UrkllKi Inn? lu'l -.•tiled oVr (thi> land. Th<-v '.im» upon tli«- ili-arinjr in the fWOOfl« NVar !.y the »J, Ami -"on. from nwr ,1 ulntv On th. further Shown liT its op*n don r anil liylit [within. Th.-r.- S rokf upon th'ir <-ar* TJw -»nnd of won»n"< ni-.-.l [l.i-h. I n>iWri-n'. pwrriti" <rii~. j Ami in Hamonr. Then londlv Tll a hare to.i - v..i . I r.ir.--: ; •Ho! Rohr. •aliiti'i""-' Ho! Tal»0. itm-tinc- .ift-r :»..m Heboid anothrr wif' I 1 "" To hr .1 «ha»r of yonr 1 - 1 Ran(tiiint hrr nan*-: Bwutirul. «wt. indmtriou- 1- - " Ijnli »„ it yoii trrat her kmdl> ■ t For ev.-n j A- I !nv v.-,ii ,!.» I l"v» her. I S«%> fir the wel'umrnff barkio? <ifthei Id"?-. I T" »M. .■{■ttß-.a [ no in-«< r camr. A nl-muiy tell.

Into the whare Tu-wbare-ioa Kangi-uru led, Kobe and Tatau closely alter followtiug came. Of medium height was Rohe. Tatau [tall. But both in form were rotund. Gracele-.-. roar-,. they -eeuied. At the neWeollM'l Both a .-ulb ii v glanc be I-towed And never at iter looked again. In a curlier K«»he > yonnge-t child - A slipping babe -in mat- lay wrapped. About their lather's klieeTim* little tPI -iu-faeed inaii[- an.l tuo -tr«»ny boy-. \~ -ily, iiice—nut question-, pre—ed. A . azed. pained, broken at heart. "Wi;h deprei-atin*.' cyeK agi-uru at the women ga/ed Aj.pealingly: but -iienl. mid. they -i\ Their face- -lern. liard -et. And not a -ign re-pon-ive made. Tu-wharetoa. when for an instant He could from hi-» children disengage. To Rangi-uru turned and cheerily

l-|K)ke. He sought to comfort her with smiles. And talked, and laughed, and talked

[again As one who -eek- to glo.--en o'er

[fault By leading thought to other things. Ignoring all the tragedy around. And 80 an hour or so had pas>ed, The hovs and girU Undressed their mats had sought. To see bis dogs and view the night Tu-whare-toa had gone forth. Then the women found their tougucs. "lio!" Rohe cried,. "What woman's this That in the darkness of the night Hither u^mes To lore my loving hu-band from my [coucii T" "She is no wouian,'' Tatau answer [made, "She's an owL Behold her eyes; They eat up all her face!" "At least she is no timid maid That foolishly her way hath lost,*'said [Rohe. u The widow of -ome outcast slav [she seems. Her breast® have given -nek. A widow or a runaway i- .-he." Remarked Tatau. iee.ing with her [jwilmi* eve*. * Thoughtful and kind our loving hu-,-[baßdf'

Reflected Rohe, " Tu-whare-toa, some silly woman [slave has caught Slow moving by the way And brought her borne To wait upon bis wives.'' Then vigorously demanded Tatau: "Where her Kainga: Where her [lands? A sly slut she to into our hapu steal And seek to claim our lord! r * "Ho!" cried Rohe, ~ Very, very happy shall she be. Welcome »he is to all That she will have from me/' Said Tatua; "Soft and sweet the river of her life Shall flow, lietween u- ni"iffitain-. Covered thick with -leet and snow. Then returned Tu-wharc-toa, And the babel ceased.

In the ddy-5 succeeding. Some fourteen, Tu-whare-toa loitered round hi* home As loth to leave his latest bride. Truly, of Rangi-uni he was fond. He loved to clasp his arm Around her slender wai»t and fondle her. His newest household pet. But in his crops ! Must gathered l*» and stored. His field* Ik- tilled. Perchance he niu-t a-fishing go. Life ha-* duties that make call on ev*»ry man. And not exempt Tu-whare-toa. To him Kangi-uru close adhered. The l»arrier lie that from perdition '•aved. f Well she knew Tatau and Rohe With venomous tongues awaited The hour to sting to agony and shame, i So to the forest would she go on plea To help to carrv home / The birds hi- had slain. In th#» canoe a paddle >he would take. Or drop a line In hope to rati-h a ti-h or two. j At length the hour inevitable came I When Tu-whare-toa Jirmly a Midges- ; turn made, j Rangi-uniV place Wa- wit I* the other v. •mien in the I home. | CVmking. making or weaving |)re--iii«r th«« fl.ix Irom lortli the -w.imp w.i- fetched. \o Ifinger nith him eotild -he Frivolously <«trav. his movements Si ju--cil ,iu;i> ln-r littb- -l.i * id j.iv. And all lb*- t»»rinrr« «>f i!n- coming liuv. I ill homo ih<-r.

During; th.-e brief and lili~->-ful .lay. With Til whaie |..,i wholly pa-sed. Tatua tnl IJ<ihi- wlm-u t"gether. -\- allllo-t i-oli-taul|y they were. Their raging -onl- | .1,11 ri-.| forth In language fierce .i;M tn>e. The mere reli'.ir-.i[ thi. of frtlt?i<• play Th ( . coming of tlx- audience waiting. So when at lenj*.h At Ihiiim- Rangi-uni stayed. Fn infinitely vivid. Varieil, king-studied phra«es— Trea-nriit as gOod thing— Th'" concentrate.! fury of the Furies hnr-t On her devoted head. Sarcasm-. biting sharp: Irony, cutting. keen; Words. plain -poken: denunciation, wrath; Scorn, obloquy. in every form. Sometime- in tout- of caknncss. Sternly cold. severe: Sometime, words iu passion flaming

hot From out the storehouse of their

memory 111 flood. rushed forth Tlie very essence of their bitter hate. Kangi-uru never dreamed Sueh words from woman's lips eould fall. In spirit crashed anav she shrank And hid h'"r-*lf Willi -hami' o'crwhelm*!.

Ah. then came back to thought Her hu-lund, a chief e-teeiued wis*.' And high in honour held, \\ lio-e in.l n.i was a poucr through all the land. W!i., iondly loved. who proudly -erve.i \*.* er doubting of her worth, lb r time br,ne bov-. \o» <vith"ut their mother's care. Her |» i,efnl hfine iiy Kotorua'- shore IX.| ,ind forlorn. AH l.i-f tor thi-! Thi-! Kh-ru Whakane—he remembered non -

Never bad one har-li word pa--ed. Si, h a- iiom Tu-vWiare-hta T-hi readily, ireijiieut -lipp'd. Kver iu lioiioiir hid -lie lieen prized. Now now -o despicably mean as liangi uru. Then "niong-t the bushes where she sat, She. covering up her head, wailed forth this LA MI'VI I'.l |. :. 1. ti"- . I r ~!t t1.,11 ,x,.. , l,„ m „ »'!•!• I'..- |1,.,1 -1,.. AH ear..'.—. uhit!»■, ' Kal'- in a -nare [■> |«'ii-h. Ah. im-: Ah. me: I hell- i- |jg||t. Tin- bird !hat drop- from motln I'Wiinlv ilap- he r wing- in h"pi' t,. ly-t i- her home; finding 110 re-t All t'«* prematurely die-. Ah. me! Ah. me! And all i- fear. When fr «nn tl»»' th»'tr«M' rri'lc- into th.' riw. ilorn«' .iw.n. JnnHi!»ii.>n-!v. ( Im. k. iu> ui« 1 1 »•. fop viT. Ah. in*-* Ah. hi.-! Ami i~ n.'.ir. U! lam r.it. iinil l»»i«l. ;»««! in-i'. Fr"rn < ri'«ni }ioim- «!«•- f fMrti'il. Sjwr»-.1. l"-t. wo,. i« in,-. Ah. in.-: _\li. m.-: Ir> t!i«- j 11-inji-isrii t!i« J Til uhr.it * -Is*- -v\,i- in -]»iri' !«)u. •*. if !< hi- «mil< * T.. ain I- r -M.k I-i .] rfnlni'--. Ani sci-t 11. [•.»»: !. 111. I, t.. ii.'T . 11l- f : Full ! 'ni.-ir -r■ >r«* ..t vi ( «:i- li.u.> I Vir rir.-- n-i.-n v. ill imt , \n+l v, it ft i TtVMi*'rr--.»*. 'i' 1 * -j ! "* ] A tiiiit at lt-ait of calm.

So in the morning When the man had left, Rangi-uru said no word provwative of ire, But set to work in deftly making

mats. A work in which she skilful was And (juick. But. little did -lie nunpvheud Tji.' 11 -i ing power id iiati . Ambition great may cea-e to gnaw, 'l'll*' lully a>piration Fade a- hut a futile dream. Tin* liberal hand Tn greedily grasp at gold may grow And only hope in pain. To cynical indifference Pa-.-iouate love» may sink, The one-time generous heart Prove rations to another's woe. But hatred born in youth Through a whole life will stalk And stronger grow with age— Hate endures! And so, no sooner was Tuwhare-ioa And the elder children gone Than quickly from two separate pah*. Impregnable to pitv, The sharply-pointed spears ol half In showers came hurled, Piercing to the heart. Again Kangi-uru to her cover lied.

And so for three long Dreary month- the days went stagger iug by. Kacli dayV clo.-e Saw Kangi-uru iirm resolved That she would to her home Bv Kotorua a shore return. At night, consoled, her spirit rosr

again. Each morn more hopeful, To end at e v « where she before liegan.

And then there came a time W hen even if she would She could not go. Slow hud her steps become, Her alertness gone. Bv this Til,, freshness of Tu-wlmt'e-toa s love had paled, liohe, whom lie first had wed, His chief wife was, Kangi-uru in order last. Hut all upon an ei|ual level Stood in his regard. ,\.i lunger diil be cheer, console. Jiu! sometimes harsh and rude his

words In l)oisterous anger spoken As to the others he was well familiar, Still mu-t Rangi-uru stay. Still must she hj« double burden bear

Lo, with a sharp cry, Into the world another boy there

A fair, plump babe he was Whose large, dark eyes bespoke The sorrow of his mother's travail. And on each cheek a merry dimple

sank To murk him from all other boys That e'er were born in Maorilaml. Little to Kohc or to Tatau The coming of the babe. But this unwonted beauty vexed them

sore. IMainer, their children scarce could be, As sticks or stones common did they seem. Hut this bright, merry child With chieftainship seemed damped Even from tlie very moment of hi*

birth. Never o'er child new born \V;is father's joy more jubilantly displayed. ' Delight and pride Killed Tu-wharetoa's breast. The mother—slu; was untiling; The liahe was all in all. Mure liereely now than ever Tuvliuleutly rajjeit the tires ot hate 111 Hulie ami in Tatau. A wretched; worthle-s wiinian she I'nr wlkiiii they racked Their fertile bruins to tind Word- adequately villaining. And for the child. A loathsome, squalling. bastard hrat Should never have lieen sii.Tered Their presence to detile. These things in patient silenee Rangi-

uru For >ome two weeks bore. Then huddling on her back her Her way she sought to win To Kotorua's shore. l/tving still his sadly erring wife. No maiden's eje-. however bright, The stubborn shield could pierce That eoldly sheltered proud Wliakane's heart. Save for the company of his three boys In sullen -olitude he lived his life. Hut oft in stillness of th t . night Imagination wrought. So that he >aw. or seemed to >ee. Emerge from forth the dusky gloom That tilled his home, The form, all gracefulness. He so fondly loved in youth. When youth and love Writ' all the world to him. And in llie Hiioke lhal rpward curled from hi- *low-d\ing lire, t.'ompa>>ionate Her wreathing spirit seemed to ri*e In smiling comfort of his loneliness. I heu with the measure of his sigh--Half choking Would he her long sweet name With soft relieving pressure breathe, And turn to seek for sleep again.

And Often the labours of the day were

done, Watching the lumiuAU.t', Tel IK'!ant Fading iu the west, Yet staining all things With its brilliant dye-. The feeling of his longing heart Would ringing rise demanding voice. Then to himself This long-forgotten song of ancient days he sang, Which brought to liim a measure of relief:— RANG I SWEET.

l-'roni yonder hill White otreamletfs dashing tiuw,

And higher still Kite mountains cap])'d with snow, Dright, beautiful all seem and gay, I Jut what are they When lovely liangi io away';

Down in the dell llrightly the sunshine streams, There fairies dwell Who fret our nouls with dreams, lint what to me, 1 breathe this prayer, Is dniim or care, W hen Uangi is—l know not where'r

(>ll the (iciutilaiiiI.". white mists floating lie, By tile fountains The night winds dealing .sigh. Though sweet and calm, what charm [have they

The heart to sway, When Uangi sweet is tar away';

Un-Jit -bines the sun, llehold, the teeming earth le'i'dce- day's begun To give Hie world new birth, lint what to me, O, tell me. pray. I- night or day, When liangi .sweet is far away

What to iue is sunshine bright What to me the clouds that Then' U mo joy without the light That sliinca in lovely K:inj:i'> pyrKl'Mtiny: mi-K and high and fountain.- |>lay Ah- nothing lint ;tu i'll< i ilnMiu. \Mn ii Kiiugi -wc<'t i- far away.

'Twa- in tin' ,1 -miuiHT day. l',ikan<\ leaving |»iIu" Im»v»> t«i iuing the yuuug<!>'t

flurried l«» hi- honn-. I'n-paifd the evening meal must he. Khtering abruptly. l»v the door he }>aiM*d, l or there ujiou tiie lloor a woman lay < 10.,. huddling to her breast A -leeping babe. Startled by the nui>e hi> entry matie, I pott a straight. Wretched arm The \\<unau rai.-ed herself With -liiniiig liquid I've.. To ga/e at him appallingly. Hut at lir-t glance Whakane knew the woman \va< hi> wile. ruriber. two %t««p- matl»> lie -to ]>au-e the feeling- -urging ii hi- heart. I'.'M he wi-e a - huh been said, "•lowly ilriH»|n'<l the woman';- liead And oVr li»-r form \ '|iiiv«Ting t rem u |oii« moveuu'iit \! ! « v a little -)mm* WliiikaiH l .spake. lli- word-, -low tailing. i!)ipre--ive: I'at n.i anger gleamed l »"ni ..in In- glistening oye-.

H->: I'-i'iK have you etutie! t"fi v\i• I! I know I' i- not anv love for me i li.it hi itijj- \ <>ii h'une. nil klti.U Vnllr lit,I- iu-tly t.ir. t.ii t,, niv handIt.;!.I. 1 in..l. n - 1 l'^ l ' brcii ili ( , tat*' hath ilriveii v U"h I"mand u car.v ujy ty cross

To dare tlit death deserved; To throw your life upon a cast Rather tluiu endure. Courageous your nature thus to

brave; Pitiable your state, !No other course being left -Save death -ell'-sought. What, expect you uow thai 1 should do Here the supporting arm gave way Ami, covering up her lace, The figure prostrate fell. "bo, 1 should kill! My duty is to

•So other women may a lesson learn To hold their hu-bands high in love And keep their homes J n love, in purity, in peace. And kill I surely would, but—but — But that I keenly feel I too have been to hlaine. In my fond love 1 have been weak, Abandoning you To every wish and whim our wayward fancy caught. Isy Nature and lh c . (Jods appointed, The husband i» the lord to'rule O'er home and wife and child. I have not rilled. Had I With -tern command controlled my home llespesl had *till been mine If love were yet denied. Were I to slay Twere ju-t that I -hould suffer too. A lesson ha\\. you learned— So. too, nave I. You may he trusted ne'er again to go; 1 may be trusted uow To make mv power and peace assured, A bettor, truer husband shall 1 prove In my severity than in my love; \our life I give: Arise, and take your place. Wearied, no doubt, you are, But you must cook the evening meal As 1 command, at once. And look yon do it well.*' ' Then up the woman rose And staggeringly, for was weak, She went about her task. But no sympathy then Whakane

showed WhateVr was in his heart.

Her task was scarce begun When home mere rushing came three

merry boys Who clasped her round the knees, I>nul their shouts of joy To tind their mother home again. Ijatvr. When thc meal was done, Whakane Took tlic new-conic baby on his knee And fondled it as if it were Ms own. "Ho!" he -miiing cried, "A fat young sou you bring me home. How know you him by name?"

" TUTANISKAI." All lovingly, the wliisp'ring answer came.

13ut men there were Who gravely their heads shook That on the erring llangi-uru No justice had been wrought, Whilst some, more fierce, their meres gl*a>ped. To tliem, from times unknown, The law unfaltering had eome The adulterous should die. Whakane, to avoid the pain his pre-

sence gave, Proudly to Mokoia's verdant isle His home removed So lie and lii.s affairs Might well forgotten he, And Iheie ior many year*. The family dwelt alone, iu peace

Then to Whakane Anotliei' von there came. Weak and thin, Who, notwithstanding his slight tranie (irew to become thf merriest of all, I'nfailingly a source of mirth Kopako. Last M' ail. the long succession Of his boy* to break And lill the home with »un>hine Of her presence born A little maid appeared. Tupa her name. And on Mokoia's isle. Throughout the happy peaceful .wars 'Chat all too ijuiekly tied, No difference did Whakane make between the bows. All alike his sons! If ever he, by chance, A pa-sing leaning showed. "J"was to the stranger blood Within hi> Hock—the lonely one. As though In ••warding 'gaiiwt a fault he fell To opposite extreme. fondly solicitous O'er 'lutanekaiV childhood days lie watelud. Through boyhood'-

year-. Developing his powers of muscle And of brain. lie taught him all the arts Might well become a man. Tutanekai. the speedie-t in the race. The -1 ronge-t, swiftest swimmer in

tlif lake; Tin* imM agile. clever ill the wrestle. The mo>l graceful in tin 4 dance. InduMrioiN ill the Held. Skilful with the snare: No one could throw a spear so far. So straight, so true. Handsome his figure as his father's was, And in Ins voire the soft low tones That led his mother all astray. Straight aijjfr tall lie grew, Holding high his head As -corning to be judged by any test Save his own merit as a man. Behind his kick went whispered words That none. l>efore his face, Would dare to say. Prompt was lie to avenge In stranger tongues The -lightest reference to what Was sim>ter in birth, TliU was known. Through hard experience derived, Am! great the respect Preceding in his pat I). Such was Tutanekai, Of another tale ihc hero. Jlere for a time must thi* |>oor story stay, Perchance to he resumed some other day.