How I love her way,
Love her way that is hers alone,
Little green pigeon still unlearned;
The pigeon we’re seeking is a maiden.
Tug at the cord to entrap her.
My joy is the pigeon who flees as the shadow.
He a e he.
Bead or ivory or floating star,
Girdle or scented wreath.
A venturesome bird is woman,
I turned away and was grieved;
Not for ever is her careless chatter,
No matter what strange thing may happen.
The eastern shore is weary of wonder
About its man, where he may be.
Tell them my joy is in dance and love,
The road of the siale has kept me;
On my neck the string of sweet blossoms,
My belt entwined with siale.
If Inumomea asks about me,
Tell him Mulikihaamea
Is still the most handsome of men,
And his kindliness has been moved
To be forgetful of Vaea.
Tell the king that they seek me,
Set the course by the village Lakepa,
The stars, Maukuomaa and Tapukitea,
Alotolu and Kaukupenga,
Tapuatamata and the flowers, hingaroleka,
Unuoisiale and tetefa,
And bring Aoouvea
To adorn her for a night of dancing.
How I love her way.
Love her way that is hers alone,
Little green pigeon still unlearned;
The pigeon we’re seeking is a maiden.
Tug at the cord to entrap her.
My joy is the pigeon who flees as the shadow.
He a e he.
Bead or ivory or floating star,
Girdle or scented wreath.
A venturesome bird is woman,
I turned away and was grieved;
Not for ever is her careless chatter,
No matter what strange thing may happen.
The eastern shore is weary of wonder
About its man, where he may be.
Tell them my joy is in dance and love,
The road of the siale has kept me;
On my neck the string of sweet blossoms,
My belt entwined with siale.
If Inumomea asks about me,
Tell him Mulikihaamea
Is still the most handsome of men,
And his kindliness has been moved
To be forgetful of Vaea.
Tell the king that they seek me,
Set the course by the village Lakepa,
The stars, Maukuomaa and Tapukitea,
Alotolu and Kaukupenga,
Tapuatamata and the flowers, hingaroleka,
Unuoisiale and tetefa,
And bring Aoouvea
To adorn her for a night of dancing.
How I love her way.
Tangatailoa (undated) Tonga
Source: The Path of the Ocean, Traditional Poetry of Polynesia, Editor: Marjorie Sinclair, University of Hawai'i Press, 1982
siale - Gardenia taitenis
tetefa - Badusa corymbifera
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