Page:The Cambridge History of American Literature, v4.djvu/208

 620 Non-English Writings II The text consisted of a series of ideographic writings, each one representing a verse, obviously metrical, with syllabic and accentual rhythm, and occasional alliteration. That the syl- labic arrangement is not accidental, but studied, is shown by the frequent sacrifice of the correct form of the word to secure it. The tendency to rhyme, especially to what is known today as internal rhyme, is noticeable, but Brinton thinks it possible that this may have been owed to influences of Christian hymns, with which the Lenni Lenape had been familiar for two genera- tions. This seems hardly likely. It is as unlikely as that the Psalms of David should be affected by modem revivalism. Two examples of the ideograph and accompanying verse from the Walam Olum are here given, those two which are probably of most interest to Americans of today, the advent of the first Tammany chief (Tamenend) and the coming of the Discoverers. Plate I i Weninitis Tamenend sakimanep nekohatami All being friendly. The Aflfable was chief, the first of that name. Wonwihil wapekunchi wapsipsyat At this time Whites came on the eastern sea. The Red Score begins with creation, when "On the earth there was an extended fog ... at first, for ever, lost in space, there the Great Manitou was. ..." After the creation, began the rise of the Lenni Lenape in a land which has been identified as north of the St. Lawrence, toward the east. The Lenape of the Turtle were close together In hollow houses, living together there. It freezes where they abode : It snows where they abode : It storms where they abode : It is cold where they abode. At this northern place they speak favourably Of mild, cool lands, With many deer and buffaloes. Accordingly they set out for that land, but found their way blocked by the Tallegewi, generally conceded to be the Mound