Page:An account of the natives of the Tonga Islands.djvu/209

Rh THE TONGA ISLANDS. 143 O iaooc ! seooke ! O iaooe ! gooa mdte e, O iaooe ! gooa te ofa 6. O iaooe ! go6a te tangi e. O iaoo6 ! m6wm6w c. Alas ! woe is me ! Alas ! he is dead ! Alas ! how I respect him ! Alas ! how I lament his loss ! » Alas ! here are his ruins ! These verses were repeated over and over again, without any order, during the whole night; the mourners frequently beating their breasts and faces, and now and then making exclamations regarding themselves, as to what would become of them now they had lost their great chief and protector, and with him all their happiness and comfort. The house was lighted up by lamps with cocoa-nut oil. AJbout one hundred and fifty persons were present, among whom were Finow and Mr. Mariner ; both of whom staid the whole night. Finow's wives retired to rest. Mr. Mariner deeply felt on his mind the depressing influence of these sorrowful lamentations. The poor unfortunate women at intervals only sobbed and mourned for a time, then broke out loudly as before ; till by degrees, the voice growing weak, sunk into a hoarse murmur ; as if all the powers of the soul were fast declining under a weight of