The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1892-03-11
RATU TANITO'S LOVE.

hdCu IdDluO, son Oh Tine great Ming
TUT Katubua, dwelt in Viii Lew, which
some call Fiji He was in stature like
to the tree mballa, and a light shone in
his young eyes, so that his presence
could be known at night. His canoe
sped with the wind; mis- dancing in
the war dance brought forth great
shout from the people; his arm broke
apart the strongest breakers, and men
called him the Kings Arrow"
Now when the meke was ended that
they had danced on the eighteenth birth
day of Ratu Tanito, Katubua called his
son to him and said:
"My son, shall my line end with your"
Ratu Tanito answered, mot so. my
father, for | will marry.
Then the king said: "Ratu Tanito
choose a wife, observing these three re-
quirements-First, that she be young:
second, that she be strong, and third,
that she be obedient."
"My father" replied the young man,
sis it not also requirement that she be
beautiful"
The king answered, obedience is
beauty"
''Tu Witt" said Ratu Tanito, 81 have
chosen wife, She is young for she was
born on the day when first stood erect.
She is strong for she can abide the grasp
of my hand without finching. She is
obedient for she has honored her parents.
And she is beautiful as the day and
lovely as the night. When l see her my
heart is as a basin in which the springs
L1+ e. IL
"Who is the maiden" said the king.
"Her name is Ekesa," the youth re-
piled. "She dwells in Vanua Lew, and
is the daughter of Savenaka, its king"
Have you spoken to her of lover" the
king asked.
mo" said Ratu Tanito
"Go and speak with her concerning
her parents" said the king.
TUT Katubua having thus commanded,
Ratu Tanito departed by night in his
canoe to Vanua Lew. And on day
he returned and his brow was clear, and
he came before the king and said, "Tui
Wit, rhave performed your commands
and have spoken with the maiden Ekesa
concerning her parents
The king received the words of Ratu
Tanito, aud looking on his son said,
"Abide now with me and at the end of
the seven days go again to the maiden
and speak with her concerning war and
combats with the sharks" And Ratu
Tanito did as he was commanded and
returned with clear brow and said,
"My father. have done according to
your commands.
And I l,a nd cd
to abide for seven days, and returning
to the maiden to speak with her con
corning the gods And it was done as
he commanded.
Then said TUT Katubua, "Go now.
my son, and speak with the maiden |
concerning the government of men
And Ratu Tanito departed and came to
Wanna Lew
But when he returned thence his brow
was clouded and his eyes were angry, |
and as he reached bis fathers presence
he stepped with a firm step. $50 now,
my son, said the king, your canoe has
met with Il mischance and has been
dashed against Il rock.
Not So. the young man replied: my
canoe is safe. oh, father
Il grieve, oh. my son." said the ia
Their, that your safe departure has been
opposed by the king of Wanna Lew,
and that he has sought to make you
prisoner, for our vengeance will fall
heavily on his people"
"Savenaka, king of Vanua Lew, has
nowise impeded my departure from his
island" said the youth, NOR has he
known of my presence there"
And yet anger sits above your eyes"
said the old king.
Then Ratu Tanito composed his fea-
lures and said to his father: Forget,
my father that | have given way to an
other because of trifie. Ekesa. the
maiden of whom spoke, has said fool
ish thing. and, recollecting it. my spirit
was disturbed"
"And what said the maiden?'
Truly. she is of opinion that women
are of equal spirit and understanding
with men. and should divide the govern
ment of human affairs with them.
think such were her words. but of YER
ity | heard not certainly, being much
provoked. and having driven my foot
against root rs we walked.
"Then you have quarreled with the
maiden?" said TUT Katubua.
"No," said Ratu Tanito, II am not
woman. ! forbore to answer her, and
after she had spoken for time and had
sworn she would marry no man who
held himself her superior, | left her"
Then said TUT Katubua, go now,
nv son. aud take war canoes. and fetch
Ekesa before me.
"The king commands said Ratu
Tanito. But. father, no longer wish
TO marry tine girl: aud the gods forbid
that she should come TO harm at my
bands,'
mo harm shall come to her said
Katubua. DO you as | command.
Accordingly. Ratu Tanito took war
rauoe- and went to Vanua Lew and
orr away Ekesa by force. And return
ing 10 Vid Lew he brought her before
biz father. VINO sat in state. surrounded
1v Ms chiefs and priests. And seeinl