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

190 THE LEAGUE OF THE IROQUOIS.
While as the long day slowly wore,
Apart the patriarchs sedate
Sat pensive, as they thoughtful bore
The burdens and the cares of state ;
Or, so they thought to understand
The will so little understood
Of him, the mighty Wa-zha-wand,
Still pondering on their people's good.
With bony quoits and plum-stone dice,
With each its number, place and rank
On which is carved a strange device,
Vnd these do count, and those are blank,-
The youthful warriors stand or sit
To take in turn their chance and throw ;
Their faces weird and passion-lit,
In wizard game of Kun-ta-soo.
Now one elate, the bowl he shakes,
But turns unlucky number, fails ;
Another hand the venture takes,
Perchance a lucky cast prevails ;
He that has lost his shaft and bow
Will find a better fortune yet ;
The next may be a happy throw
He higher piles the stake and bet.