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The poet who can touch the heart thus, should not be contented with shaking the sides. We may be thought extravagant; but we must confess that," to our taste, the pure and serious joy which such a reminiscence of happy school-days awakens, is worth all the laughter which can be excited by all the satire, and parody, and burlesque in the world. The stanzas also attributed to Corcoran, in one of those fits of unavailing regret and despondence which chequered his latter days, are beautiful and affecting.

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My love is lost my studies marr'd,

My friends disgrac'd and chang'd;
My thoughts all scatter'd and impair'd,
My relatives estrang'd:
Yet can I not by day recall
My ruined spirit from its thrall."

We take leave of this work with a high sense of the author's powers for serious and mirthful poetry, and with an anxious hope that, while he occasionally indulges his taste for the latter, he will not deprive the world of the pure gratification which it would receive from his deeper and gentler effusions.

NEW MONTHLY MAG -No. 79.

VOL. XIV.

2 A

A TALE OF VAVAOQ.

victim to a pulmonary complaint, which had attacked him on the voyage, and he died in obscurity at London. Some papers which he left, remained untouched for several years, until an inquisitive relative was lately induced to open them, when his curiosity was rewarded with the following tale, which he sup poses to be founded on facts relating to the royal pair who had been so much esteemed by his kinsman; but he has hitherto had no opportunity of ascer

A FEW years since, an English vessel touched at Vavaoo, one of the Friendly Islands. The crew were very hospitably received by the king, and being detained several weeks on account of some necessary repairs, became intimate with the most distinguished natives. The Europeans found these people extremely amiable as friends, although they could easily perceive, that when influenced by hostile feelings, their character was irritable, ferocious, and vindictive. The queen having sustaining the truth of this conjecture. tained a slight injury from a fall, Mr. Piers, the surgeon of the ship was requested to attend her, and for that purpose resided chiefly in the king's house. His acquaintance with his hosts soon improved into friendship; for their characters were eminently calculated to please each other. Piers was an ardent enthusiastic spirit, overflowing with kindness, and acutely sensitive; he had long pined for more cordial intercourse than the superficial civility of polished society, and he was delighted to find himself actually beloved and cherished by beings in whose susceptibility, unaffected manners, and uncontrolled passions, he found something congenial with his own feelings, and whose simplicity and ignorance of European arts did not, in his opinion, degrade them in the scale of humanity, or render them less interesting. Nor were they less pleased with an European, who united more of European intelligence with more of native affability and kindness than any other white man they had seen. This connection became so intimate on both sides, that Piers began seriously to think of ending his days among his new friends, alledging, as an excuse, to the English, the delicate state of his health, and the congeniality of the climate with his constitution. But the crew were by no means willing to relinquish the valuable services of their surgeon upon the eve of their long and perilous homeward voyage. The officers remonstrated with him, and the men proceeded to menaces. It is not likely that he was intimidated, since the natives, a warlike and well-armed people, were able and willing to protect him. But he probably reflected that his engagements ought to be kept sacred, and that his obstinacy might involve many of his countrymen in destruction. He therefore sailed with the rest. Soon after his arrival in England he fell a

The lovely Mamana, reclining on soft mats, in the shades of her cocoa-grove, directed the labours of her women, who were busily staining with various devices and colours the fine cloths of gna too, with which their mistress was soon to be adorned as the bride of the valiant Malohi. Amidst the thousand charms of the female band, Mamana, the descendant and representative of the great and ancient, shone conspicuous by the beauty and majesty of her person, the dignity and sweetness of her countenance, and the easy grace of her attitude and gestures. But at intervals her abstracted air and deep sighs, betrayed the feverish anxiety of the destined bride. Her faithful Imahie observed the restless thoughts of her mistress; she thought of the tranquillizing power of song, and made a sign to two of the maidens; one of whom instantly began the following old national melody, which the other accompanied on the fangofango, or flute, into which she skilfully breathed through her nostril.

Fresh from ocean blows the breeze,
And the sun sinks in the seas

In crimson clouds of fire;
Let us seek the rocky shore,
Where the rolling surges roar
With loud and furious ire.

From lofty cliffs, with fearful joy we'll bend,
And see the dashing waves beneath contend.
Thence to that sweet shelter'd bay,
Where the crystal waters play

O'er smooth and solid sands.
There our polish'd limbs we'll lave,
And wanton freely o'er the wave,

A gay and mirthful band.

For sportive maids the gods that shelter keep
Safe from the greedy monsters of the deep.
How joyful once we pass'd the hours,
We danc'd, we sang, we twin'd our flow'rs
Or sported in the tide,
Ere yet the youth of Vavaoo
The savage strangers war-canoe

To battle had defy'd.

Ye powers, divine, the woes of war remoye,
Restore the happy days of peace and love!

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The sweet and simple air breathed a placid calm into the heart of Mamana, which music ruled with absolute power But the concluding words filled her dark eyes with tears, for she feared that her young warrior might soon be compelled to exchange her fond embraces for the deadly grapple of the men of Hamoa.

Whilst she was absorbed in these thoughts, Taiofa, a renowned warrior, who long had sought her hand, stood suddenly before her. Scarcely could she endure his fierce and eager gaze, and the terrible lowering of his dark brow; and she saw, with a momentary terror, that he wore his war-dress, and carried the ponderous club so dreaded by the foe. The women shrieked at his appearance, and starting up, awaited the event in trembling expectation. He regarded them not, but suppressing with difficulty the stormy passions which convulsed his soul, thus addressed Mamana in a low and constrained voice, terrific from its forced moderation. "Mamana, there is yet a moment between thee and ruin. Malohi never shall possess thee. The gods who gave me superior valour, decreed that I should choose before him. Why will the wretch rush into the fatal jaws of the shark. Who now lives that hath injured Taiofa?"

"Have I injured thee?" replied the maiden, " have I no right to give my hand to whom I please? Was I born thy slave, or hast thou bought me from a captor? It well becomes thee to vaunt thy ferocity to a defenceless woman. My father was as much the terror of the foe as thou art, but who ever heard him boast? When did Malohi talk of his deeds?"

"When did he perform them?" retorted Taiofa; "two or three warriors may have sunk beneath his club-weak men of little fame. Who in Vavaoo compares him with Taiofa? When I banqueted in Fiji on the flesh of the bravest warriors of the land slain by this arm, thy puny minion sickened at the sight of my warlike feast. But it is plain that the gods have devoted the wretch to destruction."

As he said this he whirled round his heavy club, and then struck furiously on the ground. His eyes sparkled with rage. Mamana was terrified, yet with true female address she sought to calm the maddening chief. She approached him in tears and took his hand. "Taiofa," she said, "thou wert

the friend of my father, and often hast thou promised that venerable chief to protect his daughter. Wilt thou then destroy her? Thou hast four wives younger and fairer than Mamana, why dost thou seek to increase the disquie tude of thy home? Thou art the most formidable of the warriors of our island, but Malohi is loved by many chiefs of renown. His death would not pass unrevenged. Cease then, these cruel thoughts, and live in friendship and peace with Mamana and the beloved of her heart."

At these words Taiofa writhed with impatience; once he half raised his club to crush the fair pleader; but he thought of his fame. "Live, foolish girl," he cried, "live, and marry my hated rival; but remember that Taiofa hath vowed his death."

He strode angrily away, leaving Mamana oppressed with grief and fear. As custom would not allow her to visit her intended husband before their marriage, she instantly dispatched a messenger in search of him. Malohi was quickly at her feet, and heard the tender warnings of her fears. Indignation and fury blazed in his eyes when he heard of the insults she had suffered; but he uttered no threats. Mamana, however, saw the fierce resolution he had formed. "No, Malohi," she said, "leave him to the torments of his own furious passions; risk not thy virtuous life against this monster, who is, alas! too formidable. Inform the chiefs, thy friends, of his designs. Keep thy followers about thee; neglect no means of secur ing thy own safety, but provoke not the contest. Subdue that horriduseless passion for revenge-leave this violent man to himself, and let us hope that time and reflection will soften his ferocious heart, and make him seek our friendship and forgiveness."

The youth kissed his beautiful counsellor, and promised to avoid his enemy. He then conversed with her on their future prospects, and laid down many a visionary scheme of bliss. In this delightful converse they remained till late in the evening; the full moon beamed brightly over the scene-the nightingales sweet and plaintive song thrilled through the woods-the lovers seemed alone in the world, and all the world to each other. They parted reluctantly at Mamana's house, where her female attendants received her.

In the morning they heard that Taiofa had left the island, and rejoiced in his

departures which they attributed to shame and remorse for his soutrageous behaviour. No further obstacle imped ing the wishes of the lovers, their up tials werby celebrated a few days after wards with due solemnities and rejoic ings. The king vand all the principal chiefs, to whom Malohi was deservedly dear, attended the festivity, god incisi

The marly, an extensive lawn before thes royal mansion, was the scene of the nuptial rejoicings. At one end of it the king, the principal chiefs, the bride and bridegroom, were seated to witness the performance of the day. At a little distance from them, the most plentiful supply of provisions was arranged for distribution after the games. Baked pork, the flesh of a particular species of dogs fattened for the purpose, bananas, yams, and cocoas forined the chief articles of the feast. Near these, fifty singers and musicians sat in order on the grass. Some of them beat a drum, consisting of a cylindrical piece of hollowed wood, covered with skin; others played on a sort of sticcado, or instrument composed of pieces of hard wood of different sizes, by striking which they produced the various notes; others again performed on different sorts of flutes, all of which were played by the breath of the nostrils. The singers raised their voices in harmony with the instruments, and chaunted the delights of love and the reward of valour..

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boAt the king's command, a hundred shells sounded for the gymnastic entertainments to commence. Instantly from each side of the arena twenty warriors advanced. They wore their war dresses, consisting of lofty helmets of thick basket-work, covered with the fine downy scarlet plumage of a small bird, coats of mail, composed of teeth strung in rows, and breastplates of mother of pearl obtained from enormous shells. An immense fanlike plume of long scarlet tail feathers overspread their helms, the fronts of which were made to resemble the hideous faces of evil spirits. They were armed with clubs lighter than those used in war, and with pointless spears. Moving to slow and solemn music, they danced for a while in two divisions, frequently flourishing their weapons, and at regular pauses in the music, advancing near to each other in attitudes of defiance. By degrees the music, rising louder and quicker, excited comartial sensation in every bosom. The two divisions of warriors separated to a great distance, and threw their spears

with prodigious force and perring aims but with similar dexterity all avoided the blows. Then, raising their war cty, they rushed together with their clubs, and fought as if life or liberty were at stake. But in these games regulations were adopted for preventing the useless waste of life, and preventing the fatal effects of irritation. At a single blast of the conch, the combatants threw down their arms, and each taking the hand of his adversary they marched off to the places prepared for them.

v 96: litnu To a voluptuous yet melancholy ain a band of beautiful females now slowly advanced with graceful movement. The beauty and regularity of their steps, the easy grace with which they moved their heads and arms, called forth a cry of pleasure and surprize from all the spec tators. The whole assembly gazed with rapture, inspired by the charms of beauty, music, and the graceful postures of the lovely dancers, who seemed animated by one soul.

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Suddenly the fire of twenty muskets from the adjacent shrubberies stretched the king and nineteen brave chiefs dead or wounded on the grass. Before the pause of horror had been broken by a single scream, another voliey scattered death among the multitude. The flash and report of arms, the cries of the wounded, and the screams of the terrified females, the simultaneous rush to the outlets, for escape, instantly converted the scene of peaceful pleasure to the most appalling spectacle. Hundreds of warriors, armed and painted in the manner of the Hamoa islanders, rushing in all directions from their ambuscade, with terrible shouts, soon shewed the devoted and unarmed assembly the dreadful fate which awaited them. On every side the ruthless enemy dealt destructive blows; and ere the terrified gazers could collect their scared thoughts they were added to the number of the slain.

The warriors of Vavaoo met death without fear or complaint. A few grap pling desperately with their armed foes wrenched from them their weapons, and had the consolation of selling their lives dearly; others even without weapons made a terrible resistance, and by their natural strength and the ferocity of hopeless despair, contrived s not to fall unrevenged. A few of the elder chiefs perceiving from the first that death was inevitable, awaited the fatal blow with folded arms and unmoved countenances, In a few minutes, of

all the company so lately rejoicing and thoughtless of dangher, two only remain ed alive on the spot. A few had escaped; but the greater part had perished by the clubs wand spears of the warriors of Hamda ing great at turd te The survivors were Malohi and Mam ana? At the first appearance of the ene my, Mamana had flown to the arms of her lovers for protection; and in the next moment they were seized by four of the Hamoa warriors who guarded them until the work of destruction was completed. Mamana swooned, and was spared the consciousness of the horrors by which she was surrounded; but the unhappy Malohi beheld the whole of the dreadful scene. When he found that he and his bride were alone to be preserved, a horrible suspicion instantly occurred to him, and he perceived impending dangers far more terrible than the death-blows which fell around him. The conquerors, with boisterous mirth, now shared amongst themselves the feast which had been provided for the solemnity; and when they had appeased their hunger, the prisoners were carried before the leader of the victorious warriors. The terrified Mamana idared not to lift her eyes, until roused by an exclamation of horror and rage from her lover, she looked up, and saw, hideous with analicious delight, the ferocious countenance of Taiofa. The last spark of hope was extinguished in her bosom. She uttered a piercing shriek, and fell senseless on the ground. Taiofa commanded two of his men to carry her off

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Malohi felt that he should never see her more; he struggled to break from his guards to enjoy a last embrace, but was unable to shake off their powerful grasp. Taiofa beheld his agony with a smile. “Son of the weak and foolish," said he, " cease to exhaust thy puny strength in contending with men; a foe expects thee, whose attacks will require thy utmost force. Canst thou beat off the waves of ocean? Canst thou wrestle with the rising waters? Soon, in the agonies of drowning, thy choaking spirit shall vainly curse its presumption in aspiring to the chosen bride of Taiofa. -Malohi attempted to reply, but instantly received a blow on the mouth from one of the guards, while others forced a piece of wood into his mouth, which they fastened so as to prevent his speaking; they then tied his hands and feet together. At the command of Taiofa, they hurried the unfortunate

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youth downs to the beach, and threw him into a canoe, sinto which two of them followed rim. They instantly began to paddle out to sea, towing with them an old leaky boat, in which their prisoner was to be left bound, gradually to sink. Already it was half filled with water, and continued to fill rapidly. Malohi beheld with horror the miserable fate to which he was devoted, but when he thought of that which awaited Mamana, his agony became insupport able. The insulting conqueror stood on the beach eagerly watching the pros gress of the vessel, which had now reached the intended distance; the row ers with refined cruelty, took the gag from their prisoner's mouth, that their chief might enjoy the fiendish pleasure of hearing his despairing cries and exe crations. The dreadful moment was now arrived.

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One of the men began to haul the leaky canoe alongside of that: in which they were. As he stooped, his com panion, raising his paddle, struck him a dreadful blow on the head, which stunned him; he fell dead into the sea. The man who had performed this extraordinary action, quickly cut the cords by which Malohi was bound, and pointing to the shore, where the chiefs and warriors were fast launching their canoes, with terrible auteries, to pursue them, bade Malohito pull with all his might. He obeyed sine silence. They made for a rocky and uninhabited part of the coast, with the desperate energy of men struggling for life. But they soon saw the vindictive Taiofa, with many others, strenuously labouring to overtake them. The canoes of the pursuers were each rowed by several men; and they soon gained upon the fugitives, whose strength began to fail. In vain the latter redoubled their efforts; their powers were exhausted; and Taiofa's canoe came swiftly on. The triumphant menaces of that terrible chief resounded in their ears as they doubled the angle of a jutting rock, and entered a pool formed in a recess of its lofty perpendicular side. Malohi, seeing no outlet for escape, uttered a deep groan. "Now follow me," said this companion, and dived into the sea. Without hesitation Malohi followed him. The pursuers in a few moments came up with the empty canoe and when they found that their destined victims had precipitated themselves into the ocean to escape their cruelty, their

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