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

THE AFTER-DAYS. 127
You would a willing ear have lent ;
Like this her simple legendry :
"As through the woods the Be-zhu went
Sore pressed with hunger, did he see
High on a bank beyond his reach
The snowy Wau-bos, tender-eyed ;
And in his very sweetest speech
'Come here, my pretty one,'
he cried.
" The gentle beast, replying, spake
:
'I thank you, but it cannot be ;
My mother said, I must not make,
Most noble sir, with strangers free. 1
'0 loveliest.! 1 he answered fair,
Obedient child, you need not fear ;
How worthy of such parent's care !
I am a relative, my dear,
"'Of yours, and only wish to send
'
A word to those we love ; stay !
He said, 'I am your dearest friend,
Indeed ! come down to me, I pray. 1
She, at his flattering address,
Forgot her mother's good advice ;
And drawing near, that Hare, alas !
Was torn and eaten in a trice. 11