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

NYAH-TAH-WANTA. 77
And oft when Seg-wun bright again
From far with shining feet had come,
She took great 0-nust's precious grain
And hid it in the fruitful loam ;
Made mellow round the rising spears,
Or watered oft each springing blade,
Or joyful plucked the luscious ears,
As meet and fit for Indian inaid. 27
Or when the Falling-leaf Moon hung
Far-silvering o'er the rustling reeds,
What time the Blackbird blithely sung,
Elate of all the ripened seeds ,
Where bending many a snowy head
Afar the wild rice waving stood,
She in her Chee-maun lightly sped,
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Gathered its kernels ripe and good.
And oft from ruder labor freed,
With glowing cheek and eager tread
She wandered o'er the grassy mead
To pick the berries ripe and red ;
Or through the brightening woods would roam,
When woke the autumn's windy lays ;
From thence the brown nuts bearing home
She hoarded for the wintry days.