An Anthology of Australian Verse/The Song of Tigilau

Tigilau le alo O Tui Viti. Tigilau the son of Tui Viti.

[The following is an attempt to paraphrase a legend of Samoa, remarkable inasmuch as it gives evidence of direct intercourse between Samoa and Fiji, and shows by the use of the term 'Tui Viti,' that a king once reigned over all Fiji. The singularly poetic and rythmical original will be found in a paper contributed by Mr. Pritchard, F.A.S.L.. &c, to the Anthropological Society of London. — Memoirs, 1863-4, vol. I.] I. The song of Tigilau the brave, Sina's wild lover, Who across the heaving wave From Samoa came over: Came over, Sina, at the setting moon!

II. The moon shines round and bright; She, with her dark-eyed maidens at her side, Watches the rising tide, While balmy breathes the starry southern night, While languid heaves the lazy southern tide; The rising tide, O Sina, and the setting moon

III. The night is past, is past and gone, The moon sinks to the west, The sea-heart beats opprest, And Sina's passionate breast Heaves like the sea, when the pale moon has gone, Heaves like the passionate sea, Sina, left by the moon alone!

IV. Silver on silver sands, the rippling waters meet — Will he come soon? —  The rippling waters kiss her delicate feet, The rippling waters, lisping low and sweet, Ripple with the tide, The rising tide. The rising tide, O Sina, and the setting moon!

V. He comes! — her lover! Tigilau, the son of Tui Viti. Her maidens round her hover, The rising waves her white feet cover. O Tigilau, son of Tui Viti, Through the mellow dusk thy proas glide. So soon! So soon by the rising tide, The rising tide, my Sina, and the setting moon!

VI. The mooring-poles are left, The whitening waves are cleft, By the prows of Tui Viti! By the sharp keels of Tui Viti! Broad is the sea, and deep, The yellow Samoans sleep, But they will wake and weep — Weep in their luxurious odorous vales, While the land breeze swells the sails Of Tui Viti! Tui Viti — far upon the rising tide, The rising tide — The rising tide, my Sina, beneath the setting moon!

VII. She leaps to meet him! Her mouth to greet him Burns at his own. Away! To the canoes, To the yoked war canoes! The sea in murmurous tone Whispers the story of their loves, Re-echoes the story of their loves — The story of Tui Viti, Of Sina and Tui Viti; By the rising tide, By the rising tide, Sina, beneath the setting moon!

IX. She has gone! She has fled! Sina! Sina, for whom the warriors decked their shining hair, Wreathing with pearls their bosoms brown and bare, Flinging beneath her dainty feet Mats crimson with the feathers of the parroqueet. Ho, Samoans! rouse your warriors full soon, For Sina is across the rippling wave, With Tigilau, the bold and brave. Far, far upon the rising tide! Far upon the rising tide I – Far upon the rising tide, Sina, beneath the setting moon!