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

THE FEAST. 193
Swift wore the day in joy and mirth :
On noblest deed of Union won,
Fair smiled the glory-mantled earth
Lit by the slow-descending sun.
And with the falling peace and rest
That lay on all the forest dim,
There kindled in each dusky breast
The thought of home that waited him.
Through gloomy miles of wooded wild
He sees the wigwam bright arrayed ;
He sees, perchance, a wife and child
Sit trembling, of the foe afraid.
Or the young brave, late lightly gay,
Feels all his manly bosom yearn
Unto the maiden far away,
Now lonely waiting his return.
Again at Hayo-went-ha's call
His lowly People listening stood ;
A thousand warriors, valiant all,
And now a noble Brotherhood ;
Their footsteps lightly nearer drew
In silence pressed the grassy sward ;
To yield to him the reverence due,
The dear regard, love's best reward.