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II.

1

“Mutára's fame filled all the land; what foeman but would fear
The crashing of his battle-brand—the whirlwind of his spear!
One dread opprest his haughty breast, lest he should die at last
And leave a name some Warrior's fame among the dead surpassed.

2

Far as the Reinga's self erelong—down to those very dead,
Like flames in fern when winds are strong, his widening glory spread;
His sire Patito's heart grew dark; beneath his gloomy frown
His eyes' grim ire flashed lurid fire, to hear of such renown.

3

One eve Mutara chafing strode along the Ocean shore,
While flew the Tempest all abroad—for Peace his heart-strings tore:
Blood-tinged with Sunset struggling through black Storm-clouds branching free,
Came roaring in with splashing din, the boiling hissing Sea!

4

Wind-swept, a waft of sea-birds white went scattering up the sky,
As storm-opprest to rocky rest they staggering strove to fly;
251

For scouring wide, the hollow winds rushed frantic in despair,
And spray-wreaths grand and wreaths of sand tossed their wild arms in air.

5

With firmer foot and dinted heel Mutara onward went,
And clenched his teeth with rage to feel so baffled and besprent.
“Oh, could you take,” he muttered deep, “here, now, a human form,
Soon would we see who'd Master be, O blustering, bullying Storm!”

6

Scarce was the reckless challenge given, before with tenfold wrath
The furious frenzied gusts were driven across his difficult path;
As round him thick fly sands and spray, a Figure looming large
Seems in the drift approaching swift the Challenger to charge.

7

Two lightning gleams shoot through the gloom—O horror! he descries
Fierce-flashing through the whirling clouds, his Father's spectral eyes!
The frantic winds with hollow scream seem sounding in his ear,
“There, boaster, there! see if you dare abide your Father's spear!”
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8

Aghast—amazed—yet still he raised his lance and forward leapt;
But o'er him black the maddening rack of the whole Tempest swept;
And down the eddying wind hoarse shrieks of laughter rolled in scorn,
As he was left of sense bereft, stretched on the sands forlorn.

9

They found—revived him—sung his praise—the One who with the Dead
Alone had dared to fight unscared! and all our Elders said
That had Mutara won the day on that tempestuous shore,
The Reinga's power and Death's dark hour had conquer'd Man no more.—”
“Death conquer Man no more!—but how succeed
In conquering him!” said Ranolf; “Strike him low
But once, that were the feat of feats indeed!
But had you never hero could o'erthrow
That bugbear—beat that universal Foe?”
“Well, Maui tried it, long enough ago:—
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