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

146 THE LEAGUE OF THE IKOQUOIS.
And why should Hayo-went-ha flee ?
Or why should fear his heart appall ?
Was not great Oway-neo, He
The Mighty Ruler over all,
Around him in the fearful ways,
As in the path that peaceful smiles ?
To yield him more these frailer days,
Or bear him to the Happy Isles.
Swift sped the shafts from thousand strings
Swift sped, and true, hut all in vain ;
For though the monster's frightful wings
Lay shivered on the crimson plain,
A cry, that startled all the vale,
That shook the listening sea with dread,
Went up ;
a wail an awful wail
For her, the Chieftain's darling
dead.
And wonder more their sorrow stirred :
For lo !
where stood the little maid,
Killed dreadful !
by that frightful bird,
Itself crushed dead along the glade,
Nor lifeless form nor human trace
Was there, nor parted vesture found ;
Though strewn with plumes was all the place,
And blood-besprinkled all the ground,