Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 12.djvu/606

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Journal of American Folk-Lore.

Many Flowers. The four first, one after the other, make the attempt to gain admittance to the abode of Laieikawai,[1] but are repulsed, the latter loudly declaring that she will never wed Aiwohikupua. Hearing this, he is irritated at the repulse, resolves immediately to return to Kauai, and vents his vexation on his sisters by declaring that he will leave them behind until they can move Laieikawai to accept his suit. Breath of Many Flowers protests against the wrong, more especially in her own case, as she has had no opportunity of using her influence over Laieikawai. Aiwohikupua tells her that she may come with him if she likes, but that her sisters must remain. She refuses to leave them. On this he and his counsellor depart. The sisters follow in hope that their brother will relent and take them on board the canoe when they reach the seashore, but he leaves them behind. They follow him along the shore, each in turn composing and chanting such an appeal as she thinks may best move him. They are much alike. I give the greater part of that sung by Breath of Many Flowers:—

Brother ours, and chief all-hallowed,Are we thus to part for aye?Leave you us to wander wildlyOn this strange and distant shore?Has then love your breast forsakenThat you know not you are followed,Followed over all the seven seas,Over small seas, over great seas,Over short waves, over long waves,Over long-backed waves of ocean?Turn you then with gentle visage,Hear my outcries, hear my wailing,Look upon your sisters mourning,Far away fly rage and passion,Far away each angry thought,Once again embrace your darlings,And with circling love enfold us,You would we return to look on,Look upon our parents' faces,See them seated close beside you,Bear my deep love to my island,And to small and great upon it,There return to those I love best,To my darling sisters four.[2]

John Rae.

At this point the manuscript of Dr. Rae comes to a conclusion. The sequel of the history may be indicated after the abstract given

  1. ↑ They send forth at night the fragrance of the flowers whose names they bear.
  2. ↑ This is the mele of the sisters only alluded to in Legends and Myths. The chief is willing to take with him the youngest sister, but she refuses to desert the others.
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