Page:Song of Hiawatha (1855).djvu/100



" me of your bark, O Birch-Tree!

Of your yellow bark, O Birch-Tree!

Growing by the rushing river,

Tall and stately in the valley!

I a light canoe will build me,

Build a swift Cheemaun for sailing,

That shall float upon the river,

Like a yellow leaf in Autumn,

Like a yellow water-lily!

"Lay aside your cloak, O Birch-Tree!

Lay aside your white-skin wrapper,

For the Summer-time is coming,