_Madagascar Poetry._--Can any of the readers of "N. & Q." throw any light
upon the origin of the following lines? I found them among family papers,
written about the year 1805, where they are described as the "Invocation of
Madagascrian Spirit;" by which, I imagine, we are to infer that they are a
translation of some native lay from the island of Madagascar:
"Spirit that art flown away,
Listen to our artless lay.
Teach us, Spirit, to do well;
Teach us, Spirit, to excel.
Stoop, O Spirit! and be kind,
Teaching those you left behind:
Listen to our artless lay,
Spirit that art flown away."