[Translation.]
Altar-Prayer
Invoke we now the four thousand,
The myriads four of the nimble,
The four hundred thousand elves,
The countless host of sprites,
Rank upon rank of woodland gods.
Pray, Kane, also inspire us;
Kanaloa, too, join the assembly.
Now grows the ohi’a, now leafs ie-ie;
God enters, resides in the place;
He mounts, inspires, abides in the shrine.
This is our prayer, our plea this for life!
Chorus:
Life shall be thine!
From one point of view these pule are not to be regarded as prayers in the ordinary sense of the word, but rather as song-offerings, verbal bouquets, affectionate sacrifices to the gods.