expressed in the following lament of a captive taken in war, with which we may conclude this division of the subject:
Oh that I could see Father and Mother!
Where away yonder, O bird, art thou speeding away by night? Hast thou lost in the game, or art thou fined, that thou thus hastest away?
Neither in gaming have I lost, nor a fine do I dread; but the road to be travelled I sweep over, and in the place of enjoyment do I rest.
Ah, just so, bird, would that I also were a bird and could fly, that I might go yonder at the top of the high tree to look over and see father and mother, lest they should be dead, lest they should be ill; long have we been separated; for we are held in bondage by the people, and they are persecuted with gun and spear. We are slaves here in Imérina (the central province and home of the dominant Hova tribe); manure is our friend, the spade is our brother by blood, and the basket is our companion.[1] Our necks wait for the wooden collar, our backs await the irons, and our feet the fetters. And father and mother sigh out their lives at Vòhibé; so salutation (lit. “may they live”) until we meet again, for long has been our separation.
Most of the principal towns and villages in Imérina are noted for some circumstance or other, either in their natural position, or their productions, or the disposition of the people, as clever, covetous, or brave, &c. This is sometimes expressed in stinging proverbs, which are quoted by their neighbours with great gusto, and are heard with equal chagrin by the unfortunate objects of these satirical bon-mots. Thus the people of Ambòhipéno are held up to scorn in the saying: “The arums of Ambòhipéno: they had rather let them rot than give one to a neighbour.”
- ↑ Alluding to the constant work in the rice fields done by the slaves, in digging, carrying manure in baskets, &c.
