Page:Ballads, Stevenson, 1890.djvu/21

 Swiftly he lifted his head at the fall of the coming feet,

And the water sprang in his mouth with a sudden desire of meat;

For he marked the basket carried, covered from flies and the sun;4

And Rahéro buried his fire, but the meat in his house was done.

Forth he stepped; and took, and delayed the boy, by the hand;

And vaunted the joys of meat and the ancient ways of the land:

—"Our sires of old in Taiárapu, they that created the race,

Ate ever with eager hand, nor regarded season or place,

Ate in the boat at the oar, on the way afoot; and at night

Arose in the midst of dreams to rummage the house for a bite.

It is good for the youth in his turn to follow the way of the sire;

And behold how fitting the time! for here do I cover my fire."

—"I see the fire for the cooking but never the meat to cook,"

Said Támatéa.—"Tut!" said Rahéro. "Here in the brook

And there in the tumbling sea, the fishes are thick as flies,

Hungry like healthy men, and like pigs for savor and size:

Crayfish crowding the river, sea-fish thronging the sea."

—"Well it may be," says the other, "and yet be nothing to me.

Fain would I eat, but alas! I have needful matter in hand,

Since I carry my tribute of fish to the jealous king of the land."

Now at the word a light sprang in Rahéro's eyes.

"I will gain me a dinner," thought he, "and lend the king a surprise." 9