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

THE FORE-WORLD. 19
Or strange, unwonted sounds were heard
Like spirits through the frightened air ;
The cry of beast or scream of bird
That sorrow's dim monitions bear ;
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Or through the midnight wan and pale
Sped angry meteors, glaring red ;
Or down the gloom -emmantled vale
Stole moccasined warriors' stealthy tread ;
Or fiery War's dread rumor came,
And on the sky fell portents stood
To kindle wide the battle - flame,
Uplift the war -ax, stained with blood ;
Here oft, with warrior -bow unstrung,
He long on bear-skin couch reclined ;
Nor heard in lays the wild winds sung
The discord of the march of Mind.
Or, as the long day slowly wore,
With eager eye and wary tread,
And feathered quiver's flinty store,
Far followed where the wild deer fled.
Or when, in hunter pleasures loose,
The chase to frenzied passion grew,
He fleetly tracked the flying Moose
To hills beyond the farthest blue.
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