3.Dia nitsara ny mpahalala,
Sy nanelanelana ny mahalala:
Aoka re, ry zareo, fa ady sahala;
Mijanòna izao izay mankahala.
Aoka ny tany tsy ho mpankahala,
Ny olo-mijanòna tsy hankahala.
Fa avelao mba ho ady sahala,
Dia mandefera izay mahalala;
'Zay hendry dia ho finari-tsahala,
Fa tsy mety ho sahala ny olon-adala.
3.Then the wise ones gave decision,
And the discerning ones interposed:
Let it suffice, ye twain, lest a quarrel arise:
Let that rest which would stir up hatred.
Let the earth not become an enemy.
Let mankind stay and not bear enmity.
For let it be, lest a quarrel arise,
And let those who know be forbearing;
For those who are wise are the happy,
And should not make themselves equal with fools.
It will be seen by the Malagasy original of the third verse, as given together with the English translation, that the concluding stanza of the poem is entirely in rhyme; and although several words are repeated, they are of one sound all through, and the lines are almost metrical in structure. (The second stanza also has one ending to every line, the word tàny, earth.) I am inclined to think that this poem is not a very ancient one, but is somewhat influenced, at least by foreign ideas of comparatively modern introduction.[1]
In the very valuable History of Madagascar, edited by the late Rev. W. Ellis, a translation is given of another Malagasy poem, which, if it be tolerably close to the language of the original, seems of a rather superior style of thought. Unfortunately, however, the original is not given, and as the English version is metrical and in rhyme, it is probably improved upon somewhat by the translator, Mr. E. Baker, although it is said to be in the same number of lines and syllables as
- ↑ In the discussion which followed the reading of selections from this paper at the Folk-Lore Society's meeting, on Jan. 27th, it was suggested by the Chairman (Mr. Alfred Nutt), and also by Mr. Gomme, that in this song we have traces of nature-worship or an earth-cult. I do not, however, remember any tradition or custom among the Malagasy which would confirm this supposition, although it is possible that as our knowledge of tribes other than the Hova increases such relics of an early stage of religious belief may yet be discovered.
