Page:Song of Hiawatha (1855).djvu/176

166 As the thistle-down on water.

"Forth with cheerful words of welcome

Came the father of Osseo,

He with radiant locks of silver,

He with eyes serene and tender.

And he said: 'My son, Osseo,

Hang the cage of birds you bring there,

Hang the cage with rods of silver,

And the birds with glistening feathers,

At the doorway of my wigwam.'

"At the door he hung the bird-cage,

And they entered in and gladly

Listened to Osseo's father,

Ruler of the Star of Evening,

As he said: 'O my Osseo!

I have had compassion on you,

Given you back your youth and beauty,

Into birds of various plumage

Changed your sisters and their husbands;

Changed them thus because they mocked you,