"As we went Vonjo wept..."

1- On the way, Vonjo was crying. Musu Tolleh was crying.**
I said:
Musu, why're you crying? Indeed you've done a foolish thing.
If the hat on the head complains about foetid air,
What's the loincloth hanging around the hole to say?
...the trouble you've started isn't likely to bring you down."

As we went Vonjo wept. I said:
"Don't cry my Father.
Don't you know that with a valiant warrior in your camp you go to war without fear, Vonjo?
I'm here behind you.
There's no rock in Mendeland to sink a great man.

Don't fear!
The minnow-fish won't spawn a degbe;
So a poor man won't sire a prince.
The baboon isn't just any other animal;
Oh! A bush cow doesn't bolt down a hole at all."

(-Gangu Vonjo)

2- The wind that'll blow tomorrow is in the heavens
but it won't blow before its time;

Tomorrow's light is in the heavens
but it won't shine just yet;

Tomorrow's wind is in the heavens
but it won't blow on anyone before its time.

(-Seigbema)

3- "As God's my witness," a trapper scolds his son
"Since I gave birth to you you've refused to work for me. See the rope I'm making.
Who would you have to fight over it when I'm gone?"

-All that comes from poverty. Not so my people?

"The mature raffia-palm on the edge of the swamp-
When I clean it and tap it and I die
You and who will own it?"

-All that comes from poverty. Not so my people?

"See the weir on the stream over there?
When I shore it up with fresh palm branches and I die
You and who will own it?"

-All that comes from poverty. Not so my people?

(-Kabaima)

** Vonjo (Nyagua III) has been summoned to appear before the District Commissioner in Kenema. He and his retinue of courtiers, wives and musicians are been transported under military escort. Vonjo is probably thinking that the first Nyagua's fate is going to befall him. Salia tries to lift his spirits here.