The league of the Iroquois and other legends : from the Indian muse

94- THE LEAGUE OF THE IROQUOIS.
Though to her sire alone he spake,
Scarce minding where the maiden sat
So maiden- wise, nor deigned to break
His lofty mood ;
low from her mat,
Nor bold, nor over modestly,
Ever a finer ear she lent ;
Listened
as only woman may
Upon his 34
deeper thought intent.
But all things pass and go ;
the blaze
Unfed, burned dim ;
into the Past
The vision of the vanished days
at last
Fading, again withdrew ;
With some low, half-unuttered word
The tale was ended ;
there did fall
A silence, or alone was heard
Afar the Ko-ko-ko-ho's call.
And deep on manly limbs erelong
Was soft the balm of slumber laid ;
But joy that beats with pulse too strong
Is kin to sorrow ;
so the maid,
In vain her midnight couch she pressed ;
No sleep could bind the tender eyes,
For all the tumult of her breast
For thoughts of him so good and wise.