By the rushing in the Spring-time, By the alders in the Summer, THE DEPARTURE OF HIAWATHA. Then the Black-Robe chief, the prophet, Told his message to the people, Told the purport of his mission, Told them of the Virgin Mary, And her blessed Son, the Saviour; How in distant lands and ages He had lived on earth as we do; How he fasted, prayed, and labored; How the Jews- the tribe accursedMocked him, scourged him, crucified him; How he rose from where they laid him, Walked again with his disciples, And ascended into heaven. And the chief made answer, saying: "We have listened to your message, We have heard your words of wisdom, We will think of what you tell us. It is well for us, O brothers, That you come so far to see us!" Then they rose up and departed. Each one homeward to his wigwam; To the young men and the women Told the story of the stranger Whom the Master of Life had sent them From the shining land of Wabun. Heavy with the heat and silence Grew the afternoon of Summer; With a drowsy sound the forest Whispered round the sultry wigwam; From the cornfields shrill and ceaseless Slowly o'er the simmering landscape From his place rose Hiawatha, Bade farewell to old Nokomis, Spake in whispers, spake in this wise, Did not wake the guests that slumbered: "I am going, O Nokomis, On a long and distant journey Never danger or suspicion, In the lodge of Hiawatha." Forth into the village went he, Bade farewell to all the warriors, Bade farewell to all the young men ; Spake persuading, spake in this wise: On a long and distant journey. : Will have come and will have vanished For the Master of Life has sent them On the shore stood Hiawatha, And the evening sun descending One long track and trail of splendor, Like the new moon, slowly, slowly, Sinking in the purple distance. And they said, "Farewell forever!" Said, "Farewell, O Hiawatha!" And the forests dark and lonely, Moved through all their depths of darkness, And the heron, the Shuhshuhgah, From her haunts among the fenlands, Thus departed Hiawatha, Hiawatha, the beloved, VOL. XIII.-36 |