The Poetry Corner

Kapiolani

By Alfred Lord Tennyson

I. When from the terrors of Nature a people have fashiond and worship a Spirit of Evil, Blest he the Voice of the Teacher who calls to them Set yourselves free! II. Noble the Saxon who hurld at his Idol a valorous weapon in olden England! Great and greater, and greatest of women, island heroine, Kapiolani Clomb the mountain, and flung the berries, and dared the Goddess, and freed the people Of Hawa-i-ee! III. A people believing that Peel the Goddess would wallow in fiery riot and revel On Kilaue-, Dance in a fountain of flame with her devils, or shake with tier thunders and shatter her island, Rolling her anger Thro blasted valley and flaring forest in blood-red cataracts down to the sea! IV. Long as the lava-light Glares from the lava-lake Dazing the starlight, Long as the silvery vapour in daylight Over the mountain Floats, will the glory of Kapiolani be mingled with either on Hawa-i-ee. V. What said her Priesthood? Woe to this island if ever a woman should handle or gather the berries of Peel! Accursd were she! And woe to this island if ever a woman should climb to the dwelling of Peel the Goddess! Accursd were she! VI. One from the Sunrise Dawnd on His people, and slowly before him Vanishd shadow-like Gods and Goddesses, None but the terrible Peel remaining as Kapiolani ascended her mountain, Baffled her priesthood, Broke the Taboo, Dipt to the crater, Calld on the Power adored by the Christian, and crying I dare her, let Peel avenge herself ! Into the flame-billow dashd the berries, and drove the demon from Hawa-i-ee.