The Myth of Hiawatha, and Other Oral Legends, Mythologic and Allegoric, of the North American Indians Part 26

Soon the opeechee[121] comes to sing The pleasures of an early spring; Soon shall the swelling water's roar Tell us that winter is no more; The water-fowl set up their cry, Or hasten to more northern sky; And on the sandy sh.o.r.e shall stray, The plover, the _twee-tweesh-ke-way_.

Soon shall the budding trees expand, And genial skies pervade the land; The little garden hoes shall peck, And female hands the moss beds deck; The apple-tree refresh our sight, With its fair blows of pink and white; The cherry bloom, the strawberry run, And joy fill all the new Seegwun.[122]

[120] Spring beauty, C. Virg.

[121] Robin.

[122] Spring.

THE STAR FAMILY.

Waupee found a deep-trod circle In the boundless prairie wide; In the gra.s.sy sea of prairies, Without trace of path beside.

To or fro, there was no token Man had ever trod the plain; And he gazed upon the wonder, Gazed the wonder to explain.

I will watch the place, quoth Waupee, And conceal myself awhile; This strange mystery to unravel, This new thing to reconcile.

Tracks I know of deer and bison, Tracks of panther, lynx, or hind, Beasts and birds of every nature, But this beaten ring is blind.

Do the spirits here a.s.semble, War-dance light to trip and sing?

Gather Medas of the prairie, Here their magic charm to fling?

Waupee crept beneath the hushes, Near the wondrous magic ring; Close beneath the shrubs and gra.s.ses, To behold so rare a thing.

Soon he heard, high in the heavens, Issuing from the feathery clouds-- Sounds of music, quick descending, As if angels came in crowds.

Louder, sweeter, was the music, Every moment that he stayed; Till a basket, with twelve sisters, Was with all its charms displayed.

Down they came, in air suspended, As if by thin silver cords; And within the circle landed, Gay and bright as beauteous birds.

Out they leaped with nimble gestures, Dancing softly round and round; Each a ball of silver chiming, With the most enchanting sound.

Beauteous were they all--but one so More than all the other eleven, Youngest she, he sighed to clasp her To his ardent, glowing breast.

Up he rose from his concealment, From his flower-encircled bed; But, as quick-eyed birds, they spied him, Stepped into the car and fled.

Fled into the starry heavens, While with open ear he stood, Drinking the receding music, As it left his solitude.

Now, indeed, was he a stranger, And a fugitive alone; For the peace that once he cherished, With the heavenly car had flown.

Touched his heart was by love's fervors, He no longer wished to rove; Lost the charm of war and hunting, Waupee was transfixed by love.

Ah! 'tis love that wins the savage From his wanderings, and can teach, Where the truth could never touch him, Where the gospel could not reach.

Long he mourned--and lingering, waited Round the charmed celestial ring; Day by day he lingered, hoping Once to hear those angels sing.

To deceive, the quick eyes glancing, An opossum's form he tries; And crouched low, beside the circle, Stooped, that he might win the prize.

Soon the sounds he heard descending, Soon they leaped within the ring; Joining hand in hand in dancing, Round and round--sweet revelling.

Up he rose, quick disenchanted, Rose and clasped his female star, While, as lightning, quick the eleven Leaped, and rose within their car.

Home he took her to his wigwam, Sought each varied way to please; Gave her flowers and rarest presents, All to yield her joy and ease.

And a beauteous son rewarded Love so constant, true, and mild; Who renewed in every feature, Nature's lonely forest child.

But, as thoughts of youth will linger Long within the heart's fond core; So she nursed the pleasing pa.s.sion, Her star-home to see once more--

Made an ark of wicker branches, All by secret arts and care; Sought the circle with her earth-boy, Fleeing to her Father star.

There, at length, the boy grew weary, Weary e'en of heavenly spheres, Longing for earth's cares and pleasures, Hunting, feasting, joys, and tears.

"Call thy husband," quoth the star chief, "Take the magic car and go; But bring with thee some fit emblems, Of the sounding chase below.

"Claw, or wing, or toe, or feathers, Scalp of bird or beast to tell; What he follows in the wood-chase, Arts the hunter knows so well."

Waupee searched the deepest forests, Prairies vast, or valleys low; All to find out the rarest species, That he might the star-world show.

Then he sought the ring of magic, With his forest stores so rare; And within the starry basket, Rose with all his emblems fair.

Joys of greeting--joys of seeing-- Hand to hand, and eye to eye; These o'ercrowned with smiles and laughing, This lodge-meeting in the sky.

Then a glorious feast was ordered, To receive the forest guest; While the sweet reunion lighted, Joy in every beating breast.

Broad the feasting board was covered, The high starry group to bind; When the star chief rose to utter His congratulations kind.

"List, my guests--the Spirit wills it, Earth to earth, and sky to sky; Choose ye each a claw or pinion, Such as ye may wish to try."

Wondrous change! by arts' transformance, At the typic heavenly feast; Each who chose a wing a bird was, Each who chose a claw, a beast.

Off they ran on plains of silver, Squirrel, rabbit, elk, or deer; White Hawk chose a wing, descending Down again to forests here,

Where the Waupees are still noted For their high essays of wing; And their n.o.ble deeds of bravery, In the forest, mount, and ring.

SONG OP THE WOLF-BROTHER.

Nesia, my elder brother, Bones have been my forest meal, Shared with wolves the long, long winter, And their nature now I feel.

Nesia, my elder brother, Now my fate is near its close; Soon my state shall cease to press me, Soon shall cease my day of woes.

Left by friends I loved the dearest, All who knew and loved me most; Woes the darkest and severest, Bide me on this barren coast.

Pity! ah, that manly feeling, Fled from hearts where once it grew, Now in wolfish forms revealing, Glows more warmly than in you.