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by sobbing: "are we never again to see you Wakea?" In His melodious voice the Fair God made answer: "One day you will see me returning, even as I came through the light of the dawning if you remember to keep my commandments and always love one another." The canoes of many rivers carried much food and water Through wind and storm they stayed together keeping each other in sight in the day time, and at night by alternate chanting. Thus from the islands and into the sunrise, rode the Long Boats carrying Wakea, beautiful creature of peace and Laughter whose curling brown hair trapped the red-gold of sunlight and whose strange level eyes held the sea’s deepest mystery, changing like the water in light and shadow. So the Fair God moved into the dawn toward the Lands Of The Dawn Star, sped onward by the chants of farewell sung by the sorrowing people and since that day though some have said that He is sometimes seen in spirit, yet in the flesh they arc still in spirit for Him to come back to His beloved islands of Polynesia. |
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Author’s note: To Dr. Buck who wrote ”Vikings of The Sunrise" and beside being himself a Polynesian was a scholar of the past of his people, we owe the answers to the following questions, put to him in a personal letter: "Do you know of a prophet or teacher who came among the Polynesian Islands, teaching theology and a agriculture? He dressed in a long white toga-like garment. His eyes were grey-green his long light brown hair had reddish highlights, and he was bearded. If you recognize this figure please tell me his name, his century and the manner of his coming . From which direction did he arrive, and whence take His departure? That is, if your legends can answer these questions.” |
