Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/119

 THE PEOPLE. 93 expresses " modesty" (lumaluma) suggests the softened, retiring light of evening.

Epigrammatic couplets are abundant in Fiji, and some have already been given. One or two more may be added. The first is made for confederates in sin : — "Oiho ko tagi "You must cry; Oi au lau caki." And I'll deny." The next speaks for itself:— "Turaga o qo e dauvuvu, Mai haria na vatu ka tu"

"This Chief is jealous : let him nibble a stone." Another sets forth the fame of the Viwa people for propagating a report : —

"Tukutulcu e rogo malua; Bogo hi Viwa cacavalcabuka"

"Reports go slowly ; but, on reaching Viwa, spread like fire." A man's claim on his friend is thus put:— "Noqui tau, "My friend, Solia noqu yau Give me some property." With reference to children, the jingling question is asked and answered,— "Uci cei?   "Like whom? Uci lei."   Like his father."

The people often force their words into a sort of rhyming correspondence. For example :—

"Martini sautanini.  "A miser will tremble." Malua marusa."    "Delay is ruin."

The material for a higher class of poetry evidently exists both in the Fijian mind and language ; and there can be no doubt that as the former becomes refined, so will the latter be exalted by means of Christianity. As the spirit of the Fijian escapes from the fetters of a most tyrannous superstition, and his imagination is no longer defiled by an unchecked appetite, or dwarfed by selfishness, or darkened by cruelty ; as his heart yields to the softening and hallowing power of the Gospel, a purer passion and loftier sentiment will find utterance in higher and holier strains ; God's works of beauty shall no longer appeal in vain for a tribute of loving wonder ; a great and widening feeling of brotherhood shall kindle a strange glow in the heart, which, like some harp that has long been cast aside, shall, strung with new and grander chords,