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

242 WINONA.
The dusky warriors, brave and strong,
Around the camp-fire, blazing bright,
With feast and pipe and dance and song
Made revel with a wild delight ;
While he, the stranger Chieftain bold,
Profuse his costly gifts displayed ;
Of many a deed of valor told
So he perchance might win the maid.
What fairer boon of Manito
Might crown the maiden's heart of pride,
Than from her wigwam home to go
A mighty chieftain's queen and bride ?
In reedy mantle, torn and mean,
No more in lowly want to pine,
But of a royal lodge the queen,
In bear-skin kirtle, beaded fine.
But not for him of fame and might
She braided fair each raven tress ;
Oh, not for him those eyes of night
Revealed their starry tenderness !
Oh, not for him the maiden heart
Timed the warm pulse of maidenhood
Within a breast unsoiled of art,
Far-nurtured in the wild and wood.