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

20 THE LEAGUE OF THE IEOQUOIS.
The while the matron's busy hand
To beauty charmed the lonely day ;
Glad toiling for her dusky band,
And him, the hunter, far away.
No needful labor held in scorn
Content to dig the fruitful plain,
To plant, or pluck the ripened corn
Or patient pound the golden grain.
While tawny maids, from moon to moon,
Sat in the rude tent's matted shade
To work the fawn -skin beaded shoon,
Or weave the precious wampum -braid.
Or glad, the frailer bark to run,
Would ply their brown arms, bare and stout ;
Or hang the bear -meat in the sun,
Or angle for the fickle trout.
Or, as the sea a glory caught,
Lit by the Leaf-moon shining late,
Untouched of fear that sadly brought
The dear Winona's darker fate,
Enclasped by young brave's manly arm,
B} r love enhaloed, long would rest
In blissful dreams as wildly warm
As dreams that haimt the fairest breast.