Page:An account of the natives of the Tonga Islands.djvu/464

398 TRANSACTIONS AT seek for war to shorten that which is already too short ! Who is there among us who car* say, <■ I wish to die— I am weary of life?* Have we not then been acting Hke those of no "understanding? Have we not been madly seizing the very thing which deprives us of " banish all thoughts of fighting ! If any power approach us with the front of battle, and at. " tempt to invade our rights, our fury and « bravery shall be excited more, in proportion " as we have more possessions to defend. Let " us therefore confine ourselves to agriculture, " for that is truly guarding our country. Why " should we be anxious for an increase of ter- " ritory? Our land i» quite large enough to " supply us with food,— we shall not even be " able to devour all its produce ! But perhaps I " am not speaking to you wisely! the oldmata- " booles are present ; I beg them to teU me if I am wrong. I am yet but a youth, and, on " that account, should be unfit to govern, if my mind, like that of the deceased chief, sought " not the advice of others : for your loyalty and fidelity towards him, however, I return you « my sincere thinks. Finow Fiji, who is pre- " quent inquir'ies concerning the good of our " government : do not then say, wherefore do
 * • what we really want ? Not that we ought to.
 * ' sent, and the matabooles, know well my fre-