CANTO SEVENTH.

[Scenes.Seekonk’s Mead—The Wilderness—Salem—The Wilderness—The Night at the Cavern—The New Home.]

MuchWilliams dreaded that dark priest, I ween,Albeit he hid his fears from Waban’s eyes;His threat’ning arrows and his savage mienWould often now in midnight dreams arise;And, rising, bring of blood a woful scene—His Mary pale—his children’s wailing cries;And he would start, and marvel how a dream,Delirium’s thought, should so substantial seem.

MuchWilliams dreaded that dark priest, I ween,

Albeit he hid his fears from Waban’s eyes;

His threat’ning arrows and his savage mien

Would often now in midnight dreams arise;

And, rising, bring of blood a woful scene—

His Mary pale—his children’s wailing cries;

And he would start, and marvel how a dream,

Delirium’s thought, should so substantial seem.

II.If in the lonely wilds, by evening dim,That vengeful savage should the path waylayOf all the dearest earth contained for him,Those jewels of the heart, what power could stayHis thirst for blood—his fury wild and grimAs is the tiger’s bounding on his prey?Oft came obtrusive this appalling thought—He shook it off—still it returned unsought.

II.

If in the lonely wilds, by evening dim,That vengeful savage should the path waylayOf all the dearest earth contained for him,Those jewels of the heart, what power could stayHis thirst for blood—his fury wild and grimAs is the tiger’s bounding on his prey?Oft came obtrusive this appalling thought—He shook it off—still it returned unsought.

If in the lonely wilds, by evening dim,

That vengeful savage should the path waylay

Of all the dearest earth contained for him,

Those jewels of the heart, what power could stay

His thirst for blood—his fury wild and grim

As is the tiger’s bounding on his prey?

Oft came obtrusive this appalling thought—

He shook it off—still it returned unsought.

III.Not long he brooks this torturing delay,But soon tow’rd Salem through the forest goes,Nor will the Muse go with him on his way,And sing in horrid shades each night’s repose,Until she, shuddering, mingle with her lay,And seem herself to bear her hero’s woes;Let it suffice that on the third day’s dawn,He gazed from Salem woods on Salem town.

III.

Not long he brooks this torturing delay,But soon tow’rd Salem through the forest goes,Nor will the Muse go with him on his way,And sing in horrid shades each night’s repose,Until she, shuddering, mingle with her lay,And seem herself to bear her hero’s woes;Let it suffice that on the third day’s dawn,He gazed from Salem woods on Salem town.

Not long he brooks this torturing delay,

But soon tow’rd Salem through the forest goes,

Nor will the Muse go with him on his way,

And sing in horrid shades each night’s repose,

Until she, shuddering, mingle with her lay,

And seem herself to bear her hero’s woes;

Let it suffice that on the third day’s dawn,

He gazed from Salem woods on Salem town.

IV.He saw the cottage he must tread no more,And sighed that man should be so stern to man;Two harnessed palfreys stood beside the door,And by the windows busy movement ran;Then did his eyes the village downs explore,Ere yet the labors of the day began;But all still slept, save where the watch-dog bayed,Or lowed the kine and cropt the dewy glade.

IV.

He saw the cottage he must tread no more,And sighed that man should be so stern to man;Two harnessed palfreys stood beside the door,And by the windows busy movement ran;Then did his eyes the village downs explore,Ere yet the labors of the day began;But all still slept, save where the watch-dog bayed,Or lowed the kine and cropt the dewy glade.

He saw the cottage he must tread no more,

And sighed that man should be so stern to man;

Two harnessed palfreys stood beside the door,

And by the windows busy movement ran;

Then did his eyes the village downs explore,

Ere yet the labors of the day began;

But all still slept, save where the watch-dog bayed,

Or lowed the kine and cropt the dewy glade.

V.And many a field new traces of the plough,And many a roof its recent structure showed,And in the harbor many a sable prow,Rocked by the billows, at her anchor rode;And, ah! he saw (to him no temple now)The lowly house where erst in prayer he bowed,And strove to lead his little flock to Heaven;His flock no more,—with strifes now sorely riven.

And many a field new traces of the plough,And many a roof its recent structure showed,And in the harbor many a sable prow,Rocked by the billows, at her anchor rode;And, ah! he saw (to him no temple now)The lowly house where erst in prayer he bowed,And strove to lead his little flock to Heaven;His flock no more,—with strifes now sorely riven.

And many a field new traces of the plough,

And many a roof its recent structure showed,

And in the harbor many a sable prow,

Rocked by the billows, at her anchor rode;

And, ah! he saw (to him no temple now)

The lowly house where erst in prayer he bowed,

And strove to lead his little flock to Heaven;

His flock no more,—with strifes now sorely riven.

VI.He turned his eyes again to that dear spotWhere, by the door, the waiting palfreys stood:There, laden now, they bore what Mary thoughtThe tender exiles, in the lonely wood,Would need or miss the most, and likewise aughtThat would most cheer or comfort their abode;With useful household wares, securely piled,But cumbersome for journeying through the wild.

VI.

He turned his eyes again to that dear spotWhere, by the door, the waiting palfreys stood:There, laden now, they bore what Mary thoughtThe tender exiles, in the lonely wood,Would need or miss the most, and likewise aughtThat would most cheer or comfort their abode;With useful household wares, securely piled,But cumbersome for journeying through the wild.

He turned his eyes again to that dear spot

Where, by the door, the waiting palfreys stood:

There, laden now, they bore what Mary thought

The tender exiles, in the lonely wood,

Would need or miss the most, and likewise aught

That would most cheer or comfort their abode;

With useful household wares, securely piled,

But cumbersome for journeying through the wild.

VII.He saw red Waban take each palfrey’s rein,And slowly walk the laden beasts before;He saw his Mary, with her little trainOf blooming children, issue from the door;He saw her loving neighbors them detainThe Almighty’s blessing on them to implore,And heard the farewell hymn, a pensive strainOf mingled voices as they trod the plain.

VII.

He saw red Waban take each palfrey’s rein,And slowly walk the laden beasts before;He saw his Mary, with her little trainOf blooming children, issue from the door;He saw her loving neighbors them detainThe Almighty’s blessing on them to implore,And heard the farewell hymn, a pensive strainOf mingled voices as they trod the plain.

He saw red Waban take each palfrey’s rein,

And slowly walk the laden beasts before;

He saw his Mary, with her little train

Of blooming children, issue from the door;

He saw her loving neighbors them detain

The Almighty’s blessing on them to implore,

And heard the farewell hymn, a pensive strain

Of mingled voices as they trod the plain.

VIII.Pleasant it was, and mournful was it too,To see the matron leading by the hand,From all their joys to toils and dangers new,That innocent and happy infant band;For, hand in hand, did they their way pursue,With childish wonder, toward the distant land;—As little witting of the ills that wait,As that their labors were to found a State.

VIII.

Pleasant it was, and mournful was it too,To see the matron leading by the hand,From all their joys to toils and dangers new,That innocent and happy infant band;For, hand in hand, did they their way pursue,With childish wonder, toward the distant land;—As little witting of the ills that wait,As that their labors were to found a State.

Pleasant it was, and mournful was it too,

To see the matron leading by the hand,

From all their joys to toils and dangers new,

That innocent and happy infant band;

For, hand in hand, did they their way pursue,

With childish wonder, toward the distant land;—

As little witting of the ills that wait,

As that their labors were to found a State.

IX.Soon Waban passed him where concealed he stood,And slowly led his docile charge along;Then Mary stept into the dusky wood,Still guiding, as she came, the prattling throng;No longer viewless he his darlings viewed,But, wild with rapture, from the thicket sprung:“Oh, father! father!” burst the children’s cry,And Mary claspt him in her ecstacy.

IX.

Soon Waban passed him where concealed he stood,And slowly led his docile charge along;Then Mary stept into the dusky wood,Still guiding, as she came, the prattling throng;No longer viewless he his darlings viewed,But, wild with rapture, from the thicket sprung:“Oh, father! father!” burst the children’s cry,And Mary claspt him in her ecstacy.

Soon Waban passed him where concealed he stood,

And slowly led his docile charge along;

Then Mary stept into the dusky wood,

Still guiding, as she came, the prattling throng;

No longer viewless he his darlings viewed,

But, wild with rapture, from the thicket sprung:

“Oh, father! father!” burst the children’s cry,

And Mary claspt him in her ecstacy.

X.But short the transport—soon must they resumeThe weary march, and from the dawning grayHour after hour, to pensive evening’s gloom,Through the lone forest wend their devious way;O’er river, vale, and steep, through brake and broom,And rough ravine, with aching steps they stray;The father’s arms oft bore the lovely weight,Or on the palfrey’s back the weariest sate.

But short the transport—soon must they resumeThe weary march, and from the dawning grayHour after hour, to pensive evening’s gloom,Through the lone forest wend their devious way;O’er river, vale, and steep, through brake and broom,And rough ravine, with aching steps they stray;The father’s arms oft bore the lovely weight,Or on the palfrey’s back the weariest sate.

But short the transport—soon must they resume

The weary march, and from the dawning gray

Hour after hour, to pensive evening’s gloom,

Through the lone forest wend their devious way;

O’er river, vale, and steep, through brake and broom,

And rough ravine, with aching steps they stray;

The father’s arms oft bore the lovely weight,

Or on the palfrey’s back the weariest sate.

XI.And thus they past o’er many a rapid flow,Climbed many a hill—through many a valley wound,While wary Waban moved before them slow,And for their feet the smoothest pathway found;River and fen and miry waste and low,The floods had swollen to their utmost bound;Unbridged by frost, no passage do they show,And far about the anxious wanderers go.

XI.

And thus they past o’er many a rapid flow,Climbed many a hill—through many a valley wound,While wary Waban moved before them slow,And for their feet the smoothest pathway found;River and fen and miry waste and low,The floods had swollen to their utmost bound;Unbridged by frost, no passage do they show,And far about the anxious wanderers go.

And thus they past o’er many a rapid flow,

Climbed many a hill—through many a valley wound,

While wary Waban moved before them slow,

And for their feet the smoothest pathway found;

River and fen and miry waste and low,

The floods had swollen to their utmost bound;

Unbridged by frost, no passage do they show,

And far about the anxious wanderers go.

XII.The sun from middle skies now downward bentHis course, and for a while on lofty groundThey rested, and abroad their glances sentFar o’er the sea of forest that embrownedThe landscape. The overarching firmament,The woody waste enclaspt with azure round,And yon bright sun, yon eagle soaring high,And yon lone wigwam’s smoke, are all that cheer the eye.

XII.

The sun from middle skies now downward bentHis course, and for a while on lofty groundThey rested, and abroad their glances sentFar o’er the sea of forest that embrownedThe landscape. The overarching firmament,The woody waste enclaspt with azure round,And yon bright sun, yon eagle soaring high,And yon lone wigwam’s smoke, are all that cheer the eye.

The sun from middle skies now downward bent

His course, and for a while on lofty ground

They rested, and abroad their glances sent

Far o’er the sea of forest that embrowned

The landscape. The overarching firmament,

The woody waste enclaspt with azure round,

And yon bright sun, yon eagle soaring high,

And yon lone wigwam’s smoke, are all that cheer the eye.

XIII.At times the eagle’s scream trills from on high,At times the pecker taps the mouldering bough,Or the far raven wakes her boding cry,—All else is hushed the vast expanses through:And, ah! they feel in the immensityOf pathless wilds, around them and below,As in mid-ocean feels some shipwrecked crew,Borne wandering onward in the frail canoe.

XIII.

At times the eagle’s scream trills from on high,At times the pecker taps the mouldering bough,Or the far raven wakes her boding cry,—All else is hushed the vast expanses through:And, ah! they feel in the immensityOf pathless wilds, around them and below,As in mid-ocean feels some shipwrecked crew,Borne wandering onward in the frail canoe.

At times the eagle’s scream trills from on high,

At times the pecker taps the mouldering bough,

Or the far raven wakes her boding cry,—

All else is hushed the vast expanses through:

And, ah! they feel in the immensity

Of pathless wilds, around them and below,

As in mid-ocean feels some shipwrecked crew,

Borne wandering onward in the frail canoe.

XIV.And something was there in red Waban’s mien,Which all the morn had drawn our Founder’s eyes;For still he spake not, and was often seenTo bend his ear, or start as with surprise;And now he stood, and, through the thicket’s screen,The shadowy prospect seemed to scrutinize,Then paused, unmoving, till a far-off howlDid, with long echoes, through the stillness roll.

XIV.

And something was there in red Waban’s mien,Which all the morn had drawn our Founder’s eyes;For still he spake not, and was often seenTo bend his ear, or start as with surprise;And now he stood, and, through the thicket’s screen,The shadowy prospect seemed to scrutinize,Then paused, unmoving, till a far-off howlDid, with long echoes, through the stillness roll.

And something was there in red Waban’s mien,

Which all the morn had drawn our Founder’s eyes;

For still he spake not, and was often seen

To bend his ear, or start as with surprise;

And now he stood, and, through the thicket’s screen,

The shadowy prospect seemed to scrutinize,

Then paused, unmoving, till a far-off howl

Did, with long echoes, through the stillness roll.

XV.It seemed a wolf’s, but Waban’s practised earCould well the language of the forest tell;Again he paused, till from the distance drear,A faint response in dying cadence fell;Then spake in haste;—“Does not my sachem hearThe voice of vengeance in the breezes swell?Come! Let us hasten to some friendly town,For murder tracks us through the forest brown!

XV.

It seemed a wolf’s, but Waban’s practised earCould well the language of the forest tell;Again he paused, till from the distance drear,A faint response in dying cadence fell;Then spake in haste;—“Does not my sachem hearThe voice of vengeance in the breezes swell?Come! Let us hasten to some friendly town,For murder tracks us through the forest brown!

It seemed a wolf’s, but Waban’s practised ear

Could well the language of the forest tell;

Again he paused, till from the distance drear,

A faint response in dying cadence fell;

Then spake in haste;—“Does not my sachem hear

The voice of vengeance in the breezes swell?

Come! Let us hasten to some friendly town,

For murder tracks us through the forest brown!

XVI.“Comrade to comrade calls!—the demon’s priestIs on our trail!”—No more the red man spoke;And this in Narraganset’s tongue exprest,To Mary nothing told, save as the lookAnd earnest gesture may have stirred her breastWith vague alarm.—But these she soon mistookAs native to him in his wonted mood,And seemed confirmed as she our Founder viewed.

XVI.

“Comrade to comrade calls!—the demon’s priestIs on our trail!”—No more the red man spoke;And this in Narraganset’s tongue exprest,To Mary nothing told, save as the lookAnd earnest gesture may have stirred her breastWith vague alarm.—But these she soon mistookAs native to him in his wonted mood,And seemed confirmed as she our Founder viewed.

“Comrade to comrade calls!—the demon’s priest

Is on our trail!”—No more the red man spoke;

And this in Narraganset’s tongue exprest,

To Mary nothing told, save as the look

And earnest gesture may have stirred her breast

With vague alarm.—But these she soon mistook

As native to him in his wonted mood,

And seemed confirmed as she our Founder viewed.

XVII.He, in like speech, thus to his faithful guide:—“Waban, be calm! wake not in bosoms frailA groundless fear; the tokens may have lied;Some other wolf may be upon our trail.”“Waban was hunted,” quickly he replied,“Far tow’rd the white man’s town through yonder vale;When there, the priest oft in his pathway stept,And watched the wigwam where the white hand slept.”

XVII.

He, in like speech, thus to his faithful guide:—“Waban, be calm! wake not in bosoms frailA groundless fear; the tokens may have lied;Some other wolf may be upon our trail.”“Waban was hunted,” quickly he replied,“Far tow’rd the white man’s town through yonder vale;When there, the priest oft in his pathway stept,And watched the wigwam where the white hand slept.”

He, in like speech, thus to his faithful guide:—

“Waban, be calm! wake not in bosoms frail

A groundless fear; the tokens may have lied;

Some other wolf may be upon our trail.”

“Waban was hunted,” quickly he replied,

“Far tow’rd the white man’s town through yonder vale;

When there, the priest oft in his pathway stept,

And watched the wigwam where the white hand slept.”

XVIII.Sire Williams shuddered thus to realizeWhat he had hoped was but his fancy’s fear;But yet he quelled each symptom of surprise,And thus to Waban: “Brother, be your earQuick as the beaver’s, and your searching eyesLike to the eagle’s, and, the foeman near,Be your heart bolder than the panther’s, whenHe slays the growling bear and drags him to his den.”

XVIII.

Sire Williams shuddered thus to realizeWhat he had hoped was but his fancy’s fear;But yet he quelled each symptom of surprise,And thus to Waban: “Brother, be your earQuick as the beaver’s, and your searching eyesLike to the eagle’s, and, the foeman near,Be your heart bolder than the panther’s, whenHe slays the growling bear and drags him to his den.”

Sire Williams shuddered thus to realize

What he had hoped was but his fancy’s fear;

But yet he quelled each symptom of surprise,

And thus to Waban: “Brother, be your ear

Quick as the beaver’s, and your searching eyes

Like to the eagle’s, and, the foeman near,

Be your heart bolder than the panther’s, when

He slays the growling bear and drags him to his den.”

XIX.They left the steep, and, o’er the woodland plain,Passed with all speed the tender group could make;They ford the rivers, and their course maintainThrough ancient groves, where, bare of broom and brake,The lurking foe might scant concealment gain;Waban still moved before, and nothing spake;His rapid glance scanned every thicket near,And when he paused he bent the listening ear.

XIX.

They left the steep, and, o’er the woodland plain,Passed with all speed the tender group could make;They ford the rivers, and their course maintainThrough ancient groves, where, bare of broom and brake,The lurking foe might scant concealment gain;Waban still moved before, and nothing spake;His rapid glance scanned every thicket near,And when he paused he bent the listening ear.

They left the steep, and, o’er the woodland plain,

Passed with all speed the tender group could make;

They ford the rivers, and their course maintain

Through ancient groves, where, bare of broom and brake,

The lurking foe might scant concealment gain;

Waban still moved before, and nothing spake;

His rapid glance scanned every thicket near,

And when he paused he bent the listening ear.

XX.Hour after hour the hunter thus did go,His eyes still roving and his ears still spread;His was a spectre’s glide;—but toiling slow,The lagging group pursued with faltering tread.At last he paused beneath a birchen bough,Where the dense alders formed a barricade,And there awaited them.—With anxious breastWilliams approached, and thus his guide addrest:

XX.

Hour after hour the hunter thus did go,His eyes still roving and his ears still spread;His was a spectre’s glide;—but toiling slow,The lagging group pursued with faltering tread.At last he paused beneath a birchen bough,Where the dense alders formed a barricade,And there awaited them.—With anxious breastWilliams approached, and thus his guide addrest:

Hour after hour the hunter thus did go,

His eyes still roving and his ears still spread;

His was a spectre’s glide;—but toiling slow,

The lagging group pursued with faltering tread.

At last he paused beneath a birchen bough,

Where the dense alders formed a barricade,

And there awaited them.—With anxious breast

Williams approached, and thus his guide addrest:

XXI.“Sees not my brother that the shadows growFast tow’rd the east, and that the forest brownSoon hides the sun?—then whither does he goTo rest in safety till the morrow’s dawn.”Waban replied, “O’er yonder distant brow,Smokes in the vale Neponset’s peopled town;Thy red friends there will thee in safety keep,There may the white hand and the children sleep.”

XXI.

“Sees not my brother that the shadows growFast tow’rd the east, and that the forest brownSoon hides the sun?—then whither does he goTo rest in safety till the morrow’s dawn.”Waban replied, “O’er yonder distant brow,Smokes in the vale Neponset’s peopled town;Thy red friends there will thee in safety keep,There may the white hand and the children sleep.”

“Sees not my brother that the shadows grow

Fast tow’rd the east, and that the forest brown

Soon hides the sun?—then whither does he go

To rest in safety till the morrow’s dawn.”

Waban replied, “O’er yonder distant brow,

Smokes in the vale Neponset’s peopled town;

Thy red friends there will thee in safety keep,

There may the white hand and the children sleep.”

XXII.As thus he spake, across their pathway spedThe startled partridge on her whirring wings;An arrow glanced—it grazed the hunter’s head,And the shrill forest with the bowstring rings;Red Waban’s eyes flash fire, and anger dreadFlames in his blood, and every muscle strings;He stooped to mark where twanged that hostile bow,Then sprang from tree to tree, to reach the foe.

XXII.

As thus he spake, across their pathway spedThe startled partridge on her whirring wings;An arrow glanced—it grazed the hunter’s head,And the shrill forest with the bowstring rings;Red Waban’s eyes flash fire, and anger dreadFlames in his blood, and every muscle strings;He stooped to mark where twanged that hostile bow,Then sprang from tree to tree, to reach the foe.

As thus he spake, across their pathway sped

The startled partridge on her whirring wings;

An arrow glanced—it grazed the hunter’s head,

And the shrill forest with the bowstring rings;

Red Waban’s eyes flash fire, and anger dread

Flames in his blood, and every muscle strings;

He stooped to mark where twanged that hostile bow,

Then sprang from tree to tree, to reach the foe.

XXIII.But ere he gained the purposed point, or viewedThe fell assassin, the dry fagots’ crash,The waving coppice, and re-echoing wood,And sounding footfalls down the brakes that dash,Told him how vainly he his foe pursued,Or that pursuit were dangerously rash;And turning slowly he retraced his track,As his foiled leap the lion measures back.

XXIII.

But ere he gained the purposed point, or viewedThe fell assassin, the dry fagots’ crash,The waving coppice, and re-echoing wood,And sounding footfalls down the brakes that dash,Told him how vainly he his foe pursued,Or that pursuit were dangerously rash;And turning slowly he retraced his track,As his foiled leap the lion measures back.

But ere he gained the purposed point, or viewed

The fell assassin, the dry fagots’ crash,

The waving coppice, and re-echoing wood,

And sounding footfalls down the brakes that dash,

Told him how vainly he his foe pursued,

Or that pursuit were dangerously rash;

And turning slowly he retraced his track,

As his foiled leap the lion measures back.

XXIV.The matron trembled, at the scene dismayed,For she had marked that hostile arrow’s flight,And Williams’ glance, and Waban’s mien betrayedThat instant peril did their fears excite;And yet no frantic shrieks her acts degrade;A mother’s cares did every thought invite;And o’er the little scions of her bloodShe stretched her arms’ frail fence, and trembling stood.

XXIV.

The matron trembled, at the scene dismayed,For she had marked that hostile arrow’s flight,And Williams’ glance, and Waban’s mien betrayedThat instant peril did their fears excite;And yet no frantic shrieks her acts degrade;A mother’s cares did every thought invite;And o’er the little scions of her bloodShe stretched her arms’ frail fence, and trembling stood.

The matron trembled, at the scene dismayed,

For she had marked that hostile arrow’s flight,

And Williams’ glance, and Waban’s mien betrayed

That instant peril did their fears excite;

And yet no frantic shrieks her acts degrade;

A mother’s cares did every thought invite;

And o’er the little scions of her blood

She stretched her arms’ frail fence, and trembling stood.

XXV.Calmer in bearing but with equal dread,The anxious father viewed the threatening harm;And, under God, what was there now to aid,Save his own firmness and red Waban’s arm?Behind—before—a dreary forest spread;Far was Neponset; here the dire alarmOf lurking savage; whilst the gathering nightStill added horror to a dubious flight.

XXV.

Calmer in bearing but with equal dread,The anxious father viewed the threatening harm;And, under God, what was there now to aid,Save his own firmness and red Waban’s arm?Behind—before—a dreary forest spread;Far was Neponset; here the dire alarmOf lurking savage; whilst the gathering nightStill added horror to a dubious flight.

Calmer in bearing but with equal dread,

The anxious father viewed the threatening harm;

And, under God, what was there now to aid,

Save his own firmness and red Waban’s arm?

Behind—before—a dreary forest spread;

Far was Neponset; here the dire alarm

Of lurking savage; whilst the gathering night

Still added horror to a dubious flight.

XXVI.He paused a moment, and his means forlorn,To guard the onward march, he thus arrayed:The palfreys shielded by the burdens borne,On either side the moving group, were led,This by himself, that by his eldest born,Whilst nimble Waban scoured the threatening shade,And, keeping wary watch where’er he ran,Now fenced their flanks, now pioneered their van.

XXVI.

He paused a moment, and his means forlorn,To guard the onward march, he thus arrayed:The palfreys shielded by the burdens borne,On either side the moving group, were led,This by himself, that by his eldest born,Whilst nimble Waban scoured the threatening shade,And, keeping wary watch where’er he ran,Now fenced their flanks, now pioneered their van.

He paused a moment, and his means forlorn,

To guard the onward march, he thus arrayed:

The palfreys shielded by the burdens borne,

On either side the moving group, were led,

This by himself, that by his eldest born,

Whilst nimble Waban scoured the threatening shade,

And, keeping wary watch where’er he ran,

Now fenced their flanks, now pioneered their van.

XXVII.Like as the eagle,—when, from airy restShe wards her callow young with watchful eye,And sees the thickets move, by footsteps prestWithin the precinct of her nursery,—Wheels first on outstretched pinions round her nest,Searching below, then darts into the skyFor far espial,—gathering every sound,—And soars aloft or sails along the ground;

XXVII.

Like as the eagle,—when, from airy restShe wards her callow young with watchful eye,And sees the thickets move, by footsteps prestWithin the precinct of her nursery,—Wheels first on outstretched pinions round her nest,Searching below, then darts into the skyFor far espial,—gathering every sound,—And soars aloft or sails along the ground;

Like as the eagle,—when, from airy rest

She wards her callow young with watchful eye,

And sees the thickets move, by footsteps prest

Within the precinct of her nursery,—

Wheels first on outstretched pinions round her nest,

Searching below, then darts into the sky

For far espial,—gathering every sound,—

And soars aloft or sails along the ground;

XXVIII.So Waban watched and ran, while, moving slow,The anxious father aids the group along.In dreadful silence sleeps the forest now,Hushed is the prattling of each infant’s tongue;No sound is there, save that of footsteps low,Or of the breeze that sighs the leaves among,Or palfrey’s tramp—whose hoofs, with iron shod,Now clink on rocks, now deaden on the sod.

XXVIII.

So Waban watched and ran, while, moving slow,The anxious father aids the group along.In dreadful silence sleeps the forest now,Hushed is the prattling of each infant’s tongue;No sound is there, save that of footsteps low,Or of the breeze that sighs the leaves among,Or palfrey’s tramp—whose hoofs, with iron shod,Now clink on rocks, now deaden on the sod.

So Waban watched and ran, while, moving slow,

The anxious father aids the group along.

In dreadful silence sleeps the forest now,

Hushed is the prattling of each infant’s tongue;

No sound is there, save that of footsteps low,

Or of the breeze that sighs the leaves among,

Or palfrey’s tramp—whose hoofs, with iron shod,

Now clink on rocks, now deaden on the sod.

XXIX.The sun at last sunk in the western shade,And the thick forest cast a darker frown,And now they paused amid an open glade,More than a bow-shot from the thickets brown;Then Father Williams to the hunter said,“Where! where! O Waban, is Neponset’s town?”And Waban answered, “Full one-half a sleepThis march requires to bring us to its steep.”

XXIX.

The sun at last sunk in the western shade,And the thick forest cast a darker frown,And now they paused amid an open glade,More than a bow-shot from the thickets brown;Then Father Williams to the hunter said,“Where! where! O Waban, is Neponset’s town?”And Waban answered, “Full one-half a sleepThis march requires to bring us to its steep.”

The sun at last sunk in the western shade,

And the thick forest cast a darker frown,

And now they paused amid an open glade,

More than a bow-shot from the thickets brown;

Then Father Williams to the hunter said,

“Where! where! O Waban, is Neponset’s town?”

And Waban answered, “Full one-half a sleep

This march requires to bring us to its steep.”

XXX.“Then here we rest, to take whate’er may come,”Our Founder said, “and do you all prepareTo tread the realms that lie beyond the tomb;There are no foes or persecutors there,To drive the guiltless forth, and bid them roamIn savage wilds; yet do not quite despair;When comes the foe,—and come he doubtless will,Brother! we must be firm—if needful, we must kill!”

XXX.

“Then here we rest, to take whate’er may come,”Our Founder said, “and do you all prepareTo tread the realms that lie beyond the tomb;There are no foes or persecutors there,To drive the guiltless forth, and bid them roamIn savage wilds; yet do not quite despair;When comes the foe,—and come he doubtless will,Brother! we must be firm—if needful, we must kill!”

“Then here we rest, to take whate’er may come,”

Our Founder said, “and do you all prepare

To tread the realms that lie beyond the tomb;

There are no foes or persecutors there,

To drive the guiltless forth, and bid them roam

In savage wilds; yet do not quite despair;

When comes the foe,—and come he doubtless will,

Brother! we must be firm—if needful, we must kill!”

XXXI.“Waban is firm,” the hunter said, and smoteHis naked breast, and raised his stature high;“Yet hear the red man still;—not far remoteIs Waban’s rock, where he is wont to lieWhen the far-striding moose has tired his foot,And night comes down, and tempests rule the sky;There may we rest; the foe’s approach is hardBut by one pass, and that will Waban guard.”

XXXI.

“Waban is firm,” the hunter said, and smoteHis naked breast, and raised his stature high;“Yet hear the red man still;—not far remoteIs Waban’s rock, where he is wont to lieWhen the far-striding moose has tired his foot,And night comes down, and tempests rule the sky;There may we rest; the foe’s approach is hardBut by one pass, and that will Waban guard.”

“Waban is firm,” the hunter said, and smote

His naked breast, and raised his stature high;

“Yet hear the red man still;—not far remote

Is Waban’s rock, where he is wont to lie

When the far-striding moose has tired his foot,

And night comes down, and tempests rule the sky;

There may we rest; the foe’s approach is hard

But by one pass, and that will Waban guard.”

XXXII.The place they sought;—’twas down a rocky dell,Where scarce the palfreys found a footing sure,Where deeper darkness from the forest fell,And thicker boscage did the pass immure;At last, before them, like a citadel,Rose a tall rock, whose frowning frontals lowerOver a narrow lea, with brambles denseOn either side like an impervious fence.

XXXII.

The place they sought;—’twas down a rocky dell,Where scarce the palfreys found a footing sure,Where deeper darkness from the forest fell,And thicker boscage did the pass immure;At last, before them, like a citadel,Rose a tall rock, whose frowning frontals lowerOver a narrow lea, with brambles denseOn either side like an impervious fence.

The place they sought;—’twas down a rocky dell,

Where scarce the palfreys found a footing sure,

Where deeper darkness from the forest fell,

And thicker boscage did the pass immure;

At last, before them, like a citadel,

Rose a tall rock, whose frowning frontals lower

Over a narrow lea, with brambles dense

On either side like an impervious fence.

XXXIII.“Here,” said the red man, (as he raised a massOf vines that clustered down the rock’s descent,)“Here’s Waban’s cavern, here is ample spaceFor thee and thine; in this rude tenementTen hunters oft have found their biding place,Nor in it felt themselves too closely pent;Waban will now below the opening raise,In yon dry fagots’ heap, the mounting blaze.”

XXXIII.

“Here,” said the red man, (as he raised a massOf vines that clustered down the rock’s descent,)“Here’s Waban’s cavern, here is ample spaceFor thee and thine; in this rude tenementTen hunters oft have found their biding place,Nor in it felt themselves too closely pent;Waban will now below the opening raise,In yon dry fagots’ heap, the mounting blaze.”

“Here,” said the red man, (as he raised a mass

Of vines that clustered down the rock’s descent,)

“Here’s Waban’s cavern, here is ample space

For thee and thine; in this rude tenement

Ten hunters oft have found their biding place,

Nor in it felt themselves too closely pent;

Waban will now below the opening raise,

In yon dry fagots’ heap, the mounting blaze.”

XXXIV.“Stay! stay!” said Williams, “wouldst thou lure the foe?Wouldst start the flame to tell him where we sleep?”The hunter smiled: “My Sachem does not knowHow true the foe will to our footsteps keep;He hears, perchance, e’en now our accents low,Or marks us from some tree on yonder steep;Waban will wake the fire; ’twill serve to showHis posture, numbers, and will aid our blow.”

XXXIV.

“Stay! stay!” said Williams, “wouldst thou lure the foe?Wouldst start the flame to tell him where we sleep?”The hunter smiled: “My Sachem does not knowHow true the foe will to our footsteps keep;He hears, perchance, e’en now our accents low,Or marks us from some tree on yonder steep;Waban will wake the fire; ’twill serve to showHis posture, numbers, and will aid our blow.”

“Stay! stay!” said Williams, “wouldst thou lure the foe?

Wouldst start the flame to tell him where we sleep?”

The hunter smiled: “My Sachem does not know

How true the foe will to our footsteps keep;

He hears, perchance, e’en now our accents low,

Or marks us from some tree on yonder steep;

Waban will wake the fire; ’twill serve to show

His posture, numbers, and will aid our blow.”

XXXV.Williams assented; and while Waban firedThe arid fagots, he the burdens tookFrom off the palfreys, that, o’erwrought and tired,Now stretched their toil-worn limbs and stoutly shookTheir liberated frames, and fuller breath respired,And quiet grazed the lea. Then to the rockThe father hastened with a blazing brand;His wife and children, linking hand in hand,

XXXV.

Williams assented; and while Waban firedThe arid fagots, he the burdens tookFrom off the palfreys, that, o’erwrought and tired,Now stretched their toil-worn limbs and stoutly shookTheir liberated frames, and fuller breath respired,And quiet grazed the lea. Then to the rockThe father hastened with a blazing brand;His wife and children, linking hand in hand,

Williams assented; and while Waban fired

The arid fagots, he the burdens took

From off the palfreys, that, o’erwrought and tired,

Now stretched their toil-worn limbs and stoutly shook

Their liberated frames, and fuller breath respired,

And quiet grazed the lea. Then to the rock

The father hastened with a blazing brand;

His wife and children, linking hand in hand,

XXXVI.Followed his steps. It was a cavern rude,Its floor a level rock, its vaulted roofOf granite masses formed, whose arches stoodMore firmly for the weight they propped aloof;—And here and there upon the floor were strewedExtinguished brands, which, with like signs, gave proofThat men had dwelt there;—then, through screening vinesSire Williams glances out and marks where shines,

XXXVI.

Followed his steps. It was a cavern rude,Its floor a level rock, its vaulted roofOf granite masses formed, whose arches stoodMore firmly for the weight they propped aloof;—And here and there upon the floor were strewedExtinguished brands, which, with like signs, gave proofThat men had dwelt there;—then, through screening vinesSire Williams glances out and marks where shines,

Followed his steps. It was a cavern rude,

Its floor a level rock, its vaulted roof

Of granite masses formed, whose arches stood

More firmly for the weight they propped aloof;—

And here and there upon the floor were strewed

Extinguished brands, which, with like signs, gave proof

That men had dwelt there;—then, through screening vines

Sire Williams glances out and marks where shines,

XXXVII.Full on red Waban’s face, the mounting blaze.Though half a bow-shot from the cavern heStands at the fire, yet its bright sheen displaysHis hue and shape, and then could Williams seeHow well the hunter judged thus far to raiseThe burning pyre; no passage could there beFor hostile foot, save by that glittering flame,Which well would light the arrow’s certain aim.

XXXVII.

Full on red Waban’s face, the mounting blaze.Though half a bow-shot from the cavern heStands at the fire, yet its bright sheen displaysHis hue and shape, and then could Williams seeHow well the hunter judged thus far to raiseThe burning pyre; no passage could there beFor hostile foot, save by that glittering flame,Which well would light the arrow’s certain aim.

Full on red Waban’s face, the mounting blaze.

Though half a bow-shot from the cavern he

Stands at the fire, yet its bright sheen displays

His hue and shape, and then could Williams see

How well the hunter judged thus far to raise

The burning pyre; no passage could there be

For hostile foot, save by that glittering flame,

Which well would light the arrow’s certain aim.

XXXVIII.Such furniture, as for their strongest needThe wretched exiles had themselves supplied,Was to the cave now brought, with bread to feedThe little children clustering by the sideOf their fond parents.—Then did thanks succeedTo God who deigned such comforts to provide,And earnest prayers that His protecting mightWould shield them through the dangers of the night.

XXXVIII.

Such furniture, as for their strongest needThe wretched exiles had themselves supplied,Was to the cave now brought, with bread to feedThe little children clustering by the sideOf their fond parents.—Then did thanks succeedTo God who deigned such comforts to provide,And earnest prayers that His protecting mightWould shield them through the dangers of the night.

Such furniture, as for their strongest need

The wretched exiles had themselves supplied,

Was to the cave now brought, with bread to feed

The little children clustering by the side

Of their fond parents.—Then did thanks succeed

To God who deigned such comforts to provide,

And earnest prayers that His protecting might

Would shield them through the dangers of the night.

XXXIX.With trembling haste a slight repast they took,And to their several places then repaired;The mother sate deep in the rocky nookBeside her children, and their pallet shared;Red Waban sate upon a jutting rock,Hard by the cavern’s mouth, the pass to guard;While at the entrance, Williams listening stood,Screened by the vines, and every passage viewed.

XXXIX.

With trembling haste a slight repast they took,And to their several places then repaired;The mother sate deep in the rocky nookBeside her children, and their pallet shared;Red Waban sate upon a jutting rock,Hard by the cavern’s mouth, the pass to guard;While at the entrance, Williams listening stood,Screened by the vines, and every passage viewed.

With trembling haste a slight repast they took,

And to their several places then repaired;

The mother sate deep in the rocky nook

Beside her children, and their pallet shared;

Red Waban sate upon a jutting rock,

Hard by the cavern’s mouth, the pass to guard;

While at the entrance, Williams listening stood,

Screened by the vines, and every passage viewed.

XL.Deep night came down o’er forest, vale and hill—The dismal hootings of the darkling owl,The melancholy notes of Whip-poor-will,And the lone wolf’s far distant long-drawn howl,Answered at times by panther screaming shrill,Such hideous echoes through the forest roll,That Mary shudders, and, from transient sleep,The infants starting up for terror weep.

XL.

Deep night came down o’er forest, vale and hill—The dismal hootings of the darkling owl,The melancholy notes of Whip-poor-will,And the lone wolf’s far distant long-drawn howl,Answered at times by panther screaming shrill,Such hideous echoes through the forest roll,That Mary shudders, and, from transient sleep,The infants starting up for terror weep.

Deep night came down o’er forest, vale and hill—

The dismal hootings of the darkling owl,

The melancholy notes of Whip-poor-will,

And the lone wolf’s far distant long-drawn howl,

Answered at times by panther screaming shrill,

Such hideous echoes through the forest roll,

That Mary shudders, and, from transient sleep,

The infants starting up for terror weep.

XLI.But Williams listened with accustomed ear,The dread of man alone disturbed his breast;Hour after hour, unmarked by danger near,The pass he watches for the savage priest,And still, with eyes turned tow’rd the flame, doth hearWhatever steps the rustling leaves molest;And oft he thought that through the brake he sawThe waving fox-tail of the grim Pawaw.

XLI.

But Williams listened with accustomed ear,The dread of man alone disturbed his breast;Hour after hour, unmarked by danger near,The pass he watches for the savage priest,And still, with eyes turned tow’rd the flame, doth hearWhatever steps the rustling leaves molest;And oft he thought that through the brake he sawThe waving fox-tail of the grim Pawaw.

But Williams listened with accustomed ear,

The dread of man alone disturbed his breast;

Hour after hour, unmarked by danger near,

The pass he watches for the savage priest,

And still, with eyes turned tow’rd the flame, doth hear

Whatever steps the rustling leaves molest;

And oft he thought that through the brake he saw

The waving fox-tail of the grim Pawaw.

XLII.At last within the hollow forest roseStrange sounds that were unmeaning to his ear;—As if there human hands were breaking boughsGreen with the verdure of the new-born year;Crash follows crash.—“Are these approaching foes?Do one or more their march thus pioneer?”No answer Waban made, but seemed to shrinkAmong the vines along the rock’s dark brink.

XLII.

At last within the hollow forest roseStrange sounds that were unmeaning to his ear;—As if there human hands were breaking boughsGreen with the verdure of the new-born year;Crash follows crash.—“Are these approaching foes?Do one or more their march thus pioneer?”No answer Waban made, but seemed to shrinkAmong the vines along the rock’s dark brink.

At last within the hollow forest rose

Strange sounds that were unmeaning to his ear;—

As if there human hands were breaking boughs

Green with the verdure of the new-born year;

Crash follows crash.—“Are these approaching foes?

Do one or more their march thus pioneer?”

No answer Waban made, but seemed to shrink

Among the vines along the rock’s dark brink.

XLIII.A moment more, and, bounding o’er the hedge,A monster trotted tow’rd the mounting flame;Then turned and bayed;—’twere doubtful to allegeDog, fox, or wolf, his aspect best became;Still did he howl, with still increasing rage;And Waban rose and gave his arrow aim,But ere its flight, a whistled signal rang;The hybrid turned, and to the forest sprang.

XLIII.

A moment more, and, bounding o’er the hedge,A monster trotted tow’rd the mounting flame;Then turned and bayed;—’twere doubtful to allegeDog, fox, or wolf, his aspect best became;Still did he howl, with still increasing rage;And Waban rose and gave his arrow aim,But ere its flight, a whistled signal rang;The hybrid turned, and to the forest sprang.

A moment more, and, bounding o’er the hedge,

A monster trotted tow’rd the mounting flame;

Then turned and bayed;—’twere doubtful to allege

Dog, fox, or wolf, his aspect best became;

Still did he howl, with still increasing rage;

And Waban rose and gave his arrow aim,

But ere its flight, a whistled signal rang;

The hybrid turned, and to the forest sprang.

XLIV.“The fell Pawaw! his dog!” red Waban cried,In tone suppressed, and hid himself again;And Williams feared he had too much reliedUpon the courage of that dusky man;He took the hatchet from the hunter’s side,And dropt the feebler bludgeon from his span;“Thy sachem,” said he, “will himself essayTo aid his warrior in the approaching fray.”

XLIV.

“The fell Pawaw! his dog!” red Waban cried,In tone suppressed, and hid himself again;And Williams feared he had too much reliedUpon the courage of that dusky man;He took the hatchet from the hunter’s side,And dropt the feebler bludgeon from his span;“Thy sachem,” said he, “will himself essayTo aid his warrior in the approaching fray.”

“The fell Pawaw! his dog!” red Waban cried,

In tone suppressed, and hid himself again;

And Williams feared he had too much relied

Upon the courage of that dusky man;

He took the hatchet from the hunter’s side,

And dropt the feebler bludgeon from his span;

“Thy sachem,” said he, “will himself essay

To aid his warrior in the approaching fray.”

XLV.“’Tis good!” said Waban, “so red sachems do—But there! behold! behold! They come! They come!”And Williams looked, and there, the thickets through,Half in the light, half in the changeful gloom,The forest boughs seemed moving out to view,Branch heaped on branch, a weight most cumbersomeFor human feet, yet human feet, he knew,That burden bore, and with it dangers new.

XLV.

“’Tis good!” said Waban, “so red sachems do—But there! behold! behold! They come! They come!”And Williams looked, and there, the thickets through,Half in the light, half in the changeful gloom,The forest boughs seemed moving out to view,Branch heaped on branch, a weight most cumbersomeFor human feet, yet human feet, he knew,That burden bore, and with it dangers new.

“’Tis good!” said Waban, “so red sachems do—

But there! behold! behold! They come! They come!”

And Williams looked, and there, the thickets through,

Half in the light, half in the changeful gloom,

The forest boughs seemed moving out to view,

Branch heaped on branch, a weight most cumbersome

For human feet, yet human feet, he knew,

That burden bore, and with it dangers new.

XLVI.Straight to the blaze they moved, and, dashing downThe leafy branches on the mounting flame,Put out the light, and smoke and shadow brown,In total darkness, all the glade o’ercame;The mother shrieked; the father, with a groan,Heard the wild cry, and stayed her sinking frame;And both now felt that, with that smothered ray,The last faint trembling hope had died away.

XLVI.

Straight to the blaze they moved, and, dashing downThe leafy branches on the mounting flame,Put out the light, and smoke and shadow brown,In total darkness, all the glade o’ercame;The mother shrieked; the father, with a groan,Heard the wild cry, and stayed her sinking frame;And both now felt that, with that smothered ray,The last faint trembling hope had died away.

Straight to the blaze they moved, and, dashing down

The leafy branches on the mounting flame,

Put out the light, and smoke and shadow brown,

In total darkness, all the glade o’ercame;

The mother shrieked; the father, with a groan,

Heard the wild cry, and stayed her sinking frame;

And both now felt that, with that smothered ray,

The last faint trembling hope had died away.

XLVII.A fearful growl, close to the cavern’s vent,First broke the thrall of horror and surprise;And, by the gleam the smouldering embers sent,That canine hybrid, shooting from his eyesA baleful glare, crouched seemingly intentOn the scared infants as his famine’s prize;The father drove the hatchet to his brains,One yell he gave, and writhed in dying pains.

XLVII.

A fearful growl, close to the cavern’s vent,First broke the thrall of horror and surprise;And, by the gleam the smouldering embers sent,That canine hybrid, shooting from his eyesA baleful glare, crouched seemingly intentOn the scared infants as his famine’s prize;The father drove the hatchet to his brains,One yell he gave, and writhed in dying pains.

A fearful growl, close to the cavern’s vent,

First broke the thrall of horror and surprise;

And, by the gleam the smouldering embers sent,

That canine hybrid, shooting from his eyes

A baleful glare, crouched seemingly intent

On the scared infants as his famine’s prize;

The father drove the hatchet to his brains,

One yell he gave, and writhed in dying pains.

XLVIII.Seeking the cavern’s mouth along the rock,Some groping hand the vine’s thick foliage stirred;“Where art thou Waban!” and the war-whoop broke;Palsied with fear the trembling mother heard;“Where art thou, Waban!” and, with horrid look,A giant savage through the foliage stared;But, at that moment, from his rocky moundTwanged Waban’s bow with sudden sharpest sound.

XLVIII.

Seeking the cavern’s mouth along the rock,Some groping hand the vine’s thick foliage stirred;“Where art thou Waban!” and the war-whoop broke;Palsied with fear the trembling mother heard;“Where art thou, Waban!” and, with horrid look,A giant savage through the foliage stared;But, at that moment, from his rocky moundTwanged Waban’s bow with sudden sharpest sound.

Seeking the cavern’s mouth along the rock,

Some groping hand the vine’s thick foliage stirred;

“Where art thou Waban!” and the war-whoop broke;

Palsied with fear the trembling mother heard;

“Where art thou, Waban!” and, with horrid look,

A giant savage through the foliage stared;

But, at that moment, from his rocky mound

Twanged Waban’s bow with sudden sharpest sound.

XLIX.Back reeled the savage with a dismal howl,And on the earth like stricken bullock fell.But still new terrors filled the father’s soul;He heard another and more fearful yell;Across the glade a new assailant stole;The blaze reviving showed his movements well;And Williams sprang his warrior to sustain,Just as he strained the yielding bow again.

XLIX.

Back reeled the savage with a dismal howl,And on the earth like stricken bullock fell.But still new terrors filled the father’s soul;He heard another and more fearful yell;Across the glade a new assailant stole;The blaze reviving showed his movements well;And Williams sprang his warrior to sustain,Just as he strained the yielding bow again.

Back reeled the savage with a dismal howl,

And on the earth like stricken bullock fell.

But still new terrors filled the father’s soul;

He heard another and more fearful yell;

Across the glade a new assailant stole;

The blaze reviving showed his movements well;

And Williams sprang his warrior to sustain,

Just as he strained the yielding bow again.

L.But as he drew the arrow to the head,The cord snapt short; he dashed the weapon down,And leaping from the rock upon the glade,With glittering scalping-knife and haughty frown,Before the assailant stood, who paused, surveyed,—Measuring the hunter’s height from heel to crown,—Then, swift as thought, the vengeful hatchet sent;At Waban’s head the well-aimed weapon went.

But as he drew the arrow to the head,The cord snapt short; he dashed the weapon down,And leaping from the rock upon the glade,With glittering scalping-knife and haughty frown,Before the assailant stood, who paused, surveyed,—Measuring the hunter’s height from heel to crown,—Then, swift as thought, the vengeful hatchet sent;At Waban’s head the well-aimed weapon went.

But as he drew the arrow to the head,

The cord snapt short; he dashed the weapon down,

And leaping from the rock upon the glade,

With glittering scalping-knife and haughty frown,

Before the assailant stood, who paused, surveyed,—

Measuring the hunter’s height from heel to crown,—

Then, swift as thought, the vengeful hatchet sent;

At Waban’s head the well-aimed weapon went.

LI.But well the wary hunter knew his foeAnd read his murderous purpose in his eye;He marked the coming steel, and, bending low,Let it pass on and cleave the air on high;Behind him rings the cliff with shivering blow,And far around its scattered atoms fly;Then with wild yells they wave the scalping-knife,Together rush, and thrust and strike for life.

LI.

But well the wary hunter knew his foeAnd read his murderous purpose in his eye;He marked the coming steel, and, bending low,Let it pass on and cleave the air on high;Behind him rings the cliff with shivering blow,And far around its scattered atoms fly;Then with wild yells they wave the scalping-knife,Together rush, and thrust and strike for life.

But well the wary hunter knew his foe

And read his murderous purpose in his eye;

He marked the coming steel, and, bending low,

Let it pass on and cleave the air on high;

Behind him rings the cliff with shivering blow,

And far around its scattered atoms fly;

Then with wild yells they wave the scalping-knife,

Together rush, and thrust and strike for life.

LII.O! ’twas a fearful scene—a moment dire;For on the issue of that contest layThe lives of infants, mother, and of sire,And the fair fame that crowns a distant day.Soon closed the champions by the glimmering fire,Limbs locked in limbs in terrible affray;They writhe—they wrench—they stagger to and fro,Hands grasping hands that aim the fatal blow.

LII.

O! ’twas a fearful scene—a moment dire;For on the issue of that contest layThe lives of infants, mother, and of sire,And the fair fame that crowns a distant day.Soon closed the champions by the glimmering fire,Limbs locked in limbs in terrible affray;They writhe—they wrench—they stagger to and fro,Hands grasping hands that aim the fatal blow.

O! ’twas a fearful scene—a moment dire;

For on the issue of that contest lay

The lives of infants, mother, and of sire,

And the fair fame that crowns a distant day.

Soon closed the champions by the glimmering fire,

Limbs locked in limbs in terrible affray;

They writhe—they wrench—they stagger to and fro,

Hands grasping hands that aim the fatal blow.

LIII.Now struggling by the flames they past from sight,For Williams lingered yet to guard the cave;And there, enveloped in a deeper night,With fiercer fury did the contest rave;—The blow, the wrench, the pantings of the fight,The crash of branches and of thickets gaveA dreadful note of every effort made,Where life sought life within that shuddering shade.

LIII.

Now struggling by the flames they past from sight,For Williams lingered yet to guard the cave;And there, enveloped in a deeper night,With fiercer fury did the contest rave;—The blow, the wrench, the pantings of the fight,The crash of branches and of thickets gaveA dreadful note of every effort made,Where life sought life within that shuddering shade.

Now struggling by the flames they past from sight,

For Williams lingered yet to guard the cave;

And there, enveloped in a deeper night,

With fiercer fury did the contest rave;—

The blow, the wrench, the pantings of the fight,

The crash of branches and of thickets gave

A dreadful note of every effort made,

Where life sought life within that shuddering shade.

LIV.The mother sank beside the father, paleAnd scared; the children her affright partook;At times they raised the sympathetic wail;At times with breathless terror mutely shook.Williams peered out along the kindling vale;No sign of other foe there met his look;Then with a word that quick return presaged,He rushed tow’rd where the doubtful contest raged.

LIV.

The mother sank beside the father, paleAnd scared; the children her affright partook;At times they raised the sympathetic wail;At times with breathless terror mutely shook.Williams peered out along the kindling vale;No sign of other foe there met his look;Then with a word that quick return presaged,He rushed tow’rd where the doubtful contest raged.

The mother sank beside the father, pale

And scared; the children her affright partook;

At times they raised the sympathetic wail;

At times with breathless terror mutely shook.

Williams peered out along the kindling vale;

No sign of other foe there met his look;

Then with a word that quick return presaged,

He rushed tow’rd where the doubtful contest raged.

LV.He passed the flame and paused—for on his earThere came, with one loud crash, a heavy sound;He listens still; and silence, sudden, drear,Reigns o’er the glade, and through the gloom profound.Who is the victim? Evil-boding fearTells him that Waban gasps upon the ground;One bubbling groan, as if the life-blood gushed;A shuddering struggle then—and all was hushed.

LV.

He passed the flame and paused—for on his earThere came, with one loud crash, a heavy sound;He listens still; and silence, sudden, drear,Reigns o’er the glade, and through the gloom profound.Who is the victim? Evil-boding fearTells him that Waban gasps upon the ground;One bubbling groan, as if the life-blood gushed;A shuddering struggle then—and all was hushed.

He passed the flame and paused—for on his ear

There came, with one loud crash, a heavy sound;

He listens still; and silence, sudden, drear,

Reigns o’er the glade, and through the gloom profound.

Who is the victim? Evil-boding fear

Tells him that Waban gasps upon the ground;

One bubbling groan, as if the life-blood gushed;

A shuddering struggle then—and all was hushed.

LVI.In dire suspense the anxious father stood,Yet did he still unmanly terrors quell;His hand, yet innocent of human blood,Now grasped the axe to meet the victor fell;When from beneath the arches of the wood,Rang the far-trembling, death-announcing yell,So like a demon’s issuing from his pit—Who but that savage could the sound emit?

LVI.

In dire suspense the anxious father stood,Yet did he still unmanly terrors quell;His hand, yet innocent of human blood,Now grasped the axe to meet the victor fell;When from beneath the arches of the wood,Rang the far-trembling, death-announcing yell,So like a demon’s issuing from his pit—Who but that savage could the sound emit?

In dire suspense the anxious father stood,

Yet did he still unmanly terrors quell;

His hand, yet innocent of human blood,

Now grasped the axe to meet the victor fell;

When from beneath the arches of the wood,

Rang the far-trembling, death-announcing yell,

So like a demon’s issuing from his pit—

Who but that savage could the sound emit?

LVII.Then moving slowly in the gloomy wood,Doubtful and darkling through the ghostly shade,A form approached, and as it onward trod,Appeared distinct upon the open glade;’Twas Waban!—Waban bathed in hostile blood;And by the lock he held a trunkless head.He stooped beside the mounting blaze to shew,Still more distinct, his trophy to the view.

LVII.

Then moving slowly in the gloomy wood,Doubtful and darkling through the ghostly shade,A form approached, and as it onward trod,Appeared distinct upon the open glade;’Twas Waban!—Waban bathed in hostile blood;And by the lock he held a trunkless head.He stooped beside the mounting blaze to shew,Still more distinct, his trophy to the view.

Then moving slowly in the gloomy wood,

Doubtful and darkling through the ghostly shade,

A form approached, and as it onward trod,

Appeared distinct upon the open glade;

’Twas Waban!—Waban bathed in hostile blood;

And by the lock he held a trunkless head.

He stooped beside the mounting blaze to shew,

Still more distinct, his trophy to the view.

LVIII.With lips still quivering, and with eyes unglazed,The reeking fragment seemed as living still;Fierce on the horrid thing the victor gazed,The battle’s wrath did still his bosom fill;His eyes looked fire, another yell he raised,That rang rebellowing from hill to hill;Then, by the long dark lock swung from the ground,He whirled on high the ghastly ball around.

LVIII.

With lips still quivering, and with eyes unglazed,The reeking fragment seemed as living still;Fierce on the horrid thing the victor gazed,The battle’s wrath did still his bosom fill;His eyes looked fire, another yell he raised,That rang rebellowing from hill to hill;Then, by the long dark lock swung from the ground,He whirled on high the ghastly ball around.

With lips still quivering, and with eyes unglazed,

The reeking fragment seemed as living still;

Fierce on the horrid thing the victor gazed,

The battle’s wrath did still his bosom fill;

His eyes looked fire, another yell he raised,

That rang rebellowing from hill to hill;

Then, by the long dark lock swung from the ground,

He whirled on high the ghastly ball around.

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