Page:Song of Hiawatha (1855).djvu/190

180 Guskewau, the darkness, wrapped her

Closely in his sacred mantle,

So that none might see her beauty,

So that none might boast, "I saw her!"

On the morrow, as the day dawned,

Kahgahgee, the King of Ravens,

Gathered all his black marauders,

Crows and black-birds, jays and ravens,

Clamorous on the dusky tree-tops,

And descended, fast and fearless

On the fields of Hiawatha,

On the grave of the Mondamin.

"We will drag Mondamin," said they,

"From the grave where he is buried,

Spite of all the magic circles

Laughing Water draws around it,

Spite of all the sacred footprints

Minnehaha stamps upon it!"

But the wary Hiawatha

Ever thoughtful, careful, watchful,