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A MAORI GIRL’S SONG

Poor hapless I—poor little I—so many mouths to fill— And all for this strange feeling—O, this sad, sweet pain!
“O! senseless heart—O simple! to yearn so, and to pineFor one so far above me, cenfest o’er all to shine,For one a hundred dote upon, who never can be mine! O, ’tis a foolish feeling—all this fond, sweet pain!
“When I was quite a child—not so many moons ago—A happy little maiden—O, then it was not so;Like a sunny-dancing wavelet then I sparkled to and fro; And I never had this feeling—O, this sad, sweet pain!
“I think it must be owing to the idle life I leadIn the dreamy house for ever that this new bosom-weedHas sprouted up and spread its shoots till it troubles me indeed With a restless, weary feeling—such a sad, sweet pain!
“So in this pleasant islet, O, no longer will I stay—And the shadowy summer dwelling I will leave this very day;

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