Page:Felicia Hemans in The Amulet 1827.pdf/7



And the grey chieftain, slowly rising, said,— "I listened for the words, which years ago Passed o'er these waters: though the voice is fled    Which made them as a singing fountain's flow; Yet, when I sit in their long-faded track, Sometimes the forest's murmur gives them back.

"Ask'st thou of Him, whose house is lone beneath?    I was an eagle in my youthful pride, When o'er the seas he came, with summer's breath,     To dwell amidst us, on the lake's green side. Many the times of flowers have been since then,— Many, but bringing nought like Him again!

"Not with the hunter's bow and spear he came    O'er the blue hills to chase the flying roe, Not the dark glory of the woods to tame,     Laying their cedars like the corn-stalks low; But to spread tidings of all holy things, Gladdening our souls as with the morning's wings.

"Doth not yon cypress whisper how we met,    I and my brethren that from earth are gone, Under its boughs to hear his voice, which yet     Seems through their gloom to send a silvery tone! He told of One, the grave's dark bands who broke, And our hearts burned within us as he spoke!