[Translation.]
Song
Misty and dim, a bush in the wilds of Kapa’a,
The paddlers bend to their work, as the flower-laden
Shrub inclines to the earth in Maile-húna;
They sway like reeds in the breeze to crack their bones
Such the sight as I look at this tossing grove,
The rhythmic dip and swing on to Wailua.
My call to the witch shall fly with the breeze,
Shall be heard at Pua-ke’i, e-he, e-he!
The flower-stalk Laukóna beguiles man to love,
Can bring back the taste of joys once our own,
Make real again the hours that are flown.
Turn hither, mine own, let’s drench us with love—
Just for one night!
Footnote 452:[ (return) ] Pua ehu Kamaléna (yellow child). This exclamation is descriptive of the man’s visual impression on seeing the canoe with its crowd of passengers and paddlers, in the misty light of morning, receding in the distance. The kamaléna is a mountain shrub having a yellow flower.
Footnote 453:[ (return) ] Luhi ehu iho la. Refers to the drooping of a shrub under the weight of its leaves and flowers, a figure applied to the bending of the paddlemen to their work.
Footnote 454:[ (return) ] Hele a ha ka iwi. An exaggerated figure of speech, referring to the exertions of the men at their paddles (ha, to strain).
Footnote 455:[ (return) ] I hali hoomú. This refers in a fine spirit of exaggeration to the regular motions of the paddlers.
Footnote 456:[ (return) ] Pua laukona. A kind of sugar-cane which was prescribed and used by the kahunas as an aphrodisiac.
Footnote 457:[ (return) ] Kaulele hou. To experience, or to enjoy, again.
The unchivalrous indiscretion of the youth in publishing the secret of his amour elicited from Kamehameha only the sarcastic remark, “Couldn’t he eat his food and keep his mouth shut?” The lady herself took the same view of his action. There was no evasion in her reply; her only reproach was for his childishness in blabbing.
Mele
Kálakálaíhi, kaha [458] ka La ma ke kua o Lehua;
Lulana iho la ka pihe a ke Akua; [459]
Ea mai ka Unulau [460] o Halali’i;
Lawe ke Koolau-wahine [461] i ka hoa la, lilo;
Hao ka Mikioi [462] i ke kai o Lehua:
Puwa-i’a na hoa-makani [463] mai lalo, e-e-e, a.
I hoonalonalo i ke aloha, pe’e ma-loko;
Ha’i ka wai-maka hanini;
I ike aku no i ka uwe ana iho;
Pelá wale no ka hoa kamalii, e-e, a!