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

16 THE LEAGUE OF THE IROQUOIS.
Slow -wading, bent on leech and frog,
The Snipe clacked o'er the reedy moor ;
The Pewit from the drift-wood log-
Sang "pe-wit" to the drowsy shore.
While harsh and hideous unaware,
The foolish Moor -hen screeched and screamed
Till all the fowls of sea and air,
From ugly contrast fairer seemed.
Deep in the greening willows hid,
Chief of the insect -minstrel throng,
The solemn -trilling Katy-did
Lulled the lone twilight hours with song.
And all the night long twinkled bright
The fitful Fire -fly's flickering lamp ;
Or danced afar the fleeting light
Of meteor from the marshy damp.
While over all, night's mournful bird
In plaintive numbers, wild and shrill.
At eve or rising dawn was heard
The sad -complaining Whippoorwill.
No sound amid the sounds I hear
At morning's flush or vesper's sigh
Falls soothing on this listening ear
As fell that long -lost lullaby.