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

PROEM 7
Though war to-day could but degrade,
Has lost for you its use and place,
It was your warrior -bow that made
You first among the Dusky Race.
And though our shrinking souls abhor
The cruel deed, the wild excess,
The valor that is born of war
Is kin to every nobleness.
It was the foe, fierce, brave and strong,
Who for your homes contending stood,
That brought the need which wrought erelong
Your mighty League of Brotherhood.
And though it only lives in name,
Or on the bold historic page,
keep its bright, proud hero -fame
Unsullied still from age to age !
And were it better so, did they
The fore - time virtues still remain ?
The virtues of one race and day
May
be another's vice and bane.
Though nevermore to warrior bold
Shall time renew each glorious deed,
Still to the Bond in spirit hold,
The precepts of its founder heed.