The South Sea Islanders, a Tale. Moraig, Or, the Seeker for Good, a Poem (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1841 Excerpt: ... Scene V.--Grand convocation. An open temple. An altar, with the image of the god Oro in the middle. A multitude of spectators around on all sides; in the distance are seen lookers-on, seated on the summits of the surrounding hills and on the trees. A large vacant space round the altar. After some interval, Enter a procession of warriors, tattooed, armed with spears, the backbone of the ray-fish, swords, and other weapons; their persons also decorated in various ways. Having marched round the image once, they kneel on one knee; and the principal warrior, standing up, speaks. Warrior. O ye people of Utonga we meet here in praise of Metri our king, the son of the immortal gods. Great is his power, great is his glory: he hath destroyed all his enemies. People. Oro, supreme let the king live. The voice of the multitude extends, and dies away in the distance. Warrior. Avora, king of the Agalans, mustered his strength. He came flying on the surface of the sea; he bounded over the breakers; his warriors were as the sand of the beach; he was himself as a shark among the mighty waters. People. Woe unto us woe unto our children, for the fear of Avora Warrior. His men covered the earth like flies; they hid the mountains from our gaze; their feathery plumes overtopped the woods, and concealed them; they cut down every green tree; they desolated the land, and made it like the barren rocks of the ocean. People. Alas alas hunger, and famine, and death for Utonga Warrior. Our king awoke from his trance; Metri lifted up his eyelids: his brow gathered thunder; his eye shot lightnings. People. Oh but our king is glorious: he alone is mighty. Warrior. He looked upon them, and they became amazed; he lifted his voice, and they scattered themselves. They threw away their s...