The Press., 1892-02-18
RATU TANITO'S LOVE.

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 Ratn Tanito, son of the great King Tui Katubua, dwelt in yiti Leyu. which some<call Fiji. He was in stature like to the tree mbaka. and light shone in his young eyes, SO that his presence could be known at night. His canoe sped with the wind; his dancing in the war dance brought forth a 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 linesend with your
 Ratu Tanito answered. ...Not 30. my father. for I. will marry"
 Then the king said: 'sRatu Tanito, choose wife, observing these three re- quirements- First, that She be young; second, that she be strong. and third. that she be obedienE
 My father, replied the yonng man, ..is it not also g requirement that she be beautifulY
 The king answered. Obedience is beauty"
 ..Tui Viti,r said Ratu Tanito. ..1 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 I.ses her my heart is as basin in which the springs surge hotly up and fall back in tumult.
 "Who is the maidenY' said the king.
 "Her name is Ekesa," the youth re piled. ..She dwells in vanua Levu, and is the daughter of Savenaka, its king"
 "Have you spoken to her of loye9" the king asked.
 ..No," said Ratu Tanito.
 ..Go and speak with her concerning her parents" said the king.
 Tui Katubua having thus commanded, Ratu Tanito departed by night in his canoe to Vanua Leyu. And on 8 day he returned and his brow was clear, and he came before the king and said, ''Tui Viti, have performed your commands and have spoken with the maiden Ekesa concerning her parents.
 The king received the words of Ratu Tanito. and 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, ls have done according to your commands"
 And again the king commanded him to abide for seven days, and returning to the maiden to speak with her con cerning the gods. And it was done as he commanded.
 Then said Tui Katubua, "Go now, my son, and speak with the maiden concerning the government of men. " And Ratu Tanito departed and came to Vanua Levu.
 But when he returned thence his brow was clouded and his eyes were angry, and as he reached his fathers presence he stepped with firm step ''So now. my son." said the king, ''your canoe has met with mischance and has been dashed against rock.
 Mot so." the young man replied: "my canoe is safe, oh. father.
 Il gxieye, oh. my son." said the fa- ther, 'sthat your safe departure has been opposed by the king of ,vanua Levu, and that he has sought to make you a prisoner, for our vengeance will fall heavily on his people"
 aSavenakA. king of Vanua Levu, has nowise impeded my departure from his Lisland d,.a said the youth, ''nor has he known of my preserce 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 I have given way to an other because of a trifie. Ekesa, the maiden of whom spoke. has said a fool fish thing, and, recoilecting it. my spirit was disturbed"
 ssAnd what said the maidenf. Wruly, she is of opinion that women are of equal spirit and understanding with men. and shonld divide the govern, ment of human affairs with them. think such were her words, but of 2, yer ity heard not certainly, being much provoked, and having driven my foot against root as we walked.
 "Then you have quarreled with the maiden2r said Tui Katubua. ssNo," said Ratu Tanito, ..I am not 8 woman. I forbors to answer her, and after she had spoken for 8 time and had sworn she would marry no man who held himself her superior, left her." Then said mi Katubua, "Go now, my son, and take war canoes. and fetch Ekesa beforeme.p
 1.-The king cemmands,r said ,Ratu Tanito. But, father, no longer wish to- marry the girl; and the gods forbid that she should come to harm at my handsl'
 ssNo harm shall come to her, said KatnbEa. "Do you as l command" Accordingly, Ratu Tanito took war canoes and went to Wanna heyH and bore away Ekasa by force, And return ing to Viii Leyu he brought her before his father, who sat in state. surrounded by his chiefs and priests. And seeing this array about her, as though to judge her, Ekesa's eye flashed and she looked defantly at King Katubua. Mighty monarch" she cried, s.do not fear me do not surround yourself with youl chiefa IInean you no harm, and indeed have come here against my wills. being brought prisoner by this youth. one;ol your people. Set me free and chastist him, and my father, Sayenaka. will thank you and be your hFotheF. .It ismy sou, RatH tTanite, who briHgs you here" said KRtHhHa. Are you Ratu TanitoT cried the | princess. turning to the ;yeung man. And she exclaimed with double force "Then you are the great traitori' Maiden" said King Katubua. sfbs assured No harm shall befaH you. Yet it has come to our ears. that in Wanna Levu the women are the equal of the men, and as this seems q, strange thing | to us, we have desired to see it tested, and especially to inquire whether the women of VanHa Leyu arc the equals oi | E