Page:Song of Hiawatha (1855).djvu/205

Rh Dangerous more than war or hunting!

Thus the Love-Song was recorded,

Symbol and interpretation.

First a human figure standing,

Painted in the brightest scarlet;

'T is the lover, the musician,

And the meaning is, "My painting

Makes me powerful over others."

Then the figure seated, singing,

Playing on a drum of magic,

And the interpretation, "Listen!

'T is my voice you hear, my singing!"

Then the same red figure seated

In the shelter of a wigwam,

And the meaning of the symbol,

"I will come and sit beside you

In the mystery of my passion!"

Then two figures, man and woman,

Standing hand in hand together,

With their hands so clasped together