Song

CANTO I

Leaf of lehua and noni-tint, the Kona sea,

Iridescent saffron and red,

Changeable watered red, peculiar to Kona;

Red are the uplands Alaea;

All, ’tis the flame-red stained robes of women

Much tossed by caress or desire.

The weed-tangled water-way shines like a rope of pearls,

Dew-pearls that droop the coco leaf,