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

218 THE LEAGUE OF THE IROQUOIS.
So, when the floods of anguish break
Fierce on the soul in storm and gloom,
Though leaving but a faded wreck
Of fond affection's leafy bloom,
Unsevered from love's kindly root,
When passed the tempest-tiding grief,
The riven heart may newly shoot,
The blighted life renew its leaf.
But quench in over-anguished breast
The fire that lights its secret shrine ;
Take from it every good possessed,
Let Hope her failing lamp resign ;
Make every pulse a throb of care,
A deathless pang of memory ;
Make longing vain, and love despair,
And life itself will cease to be.
And long, loyal heart and true !
Amid the forest solitude,
Beside Ti-o-to's glimmering blue
Nyah-tah-wanta lonely stood ;
The long, long day, with longing vain,
Gazed till her eyes with tears were dim ;
Heard in the billows' sad refrain
Alone love's mournful requiem.