Page:The Poets and Poetry of the West.djvu/670

 654 GRANVILLE M. BALLARD. [1850-0. " Early and late and long, Through rain and drifting snow, In the blaze of day and the black of night, In quest of blood I'll go." Those Indian braves, with bow and quiver, Were many a mile away. They held an even course Toward the rising sun. Eagle Eye next stood up, Of all, he was the pride ; In mournful numbers he bewailed Nor deemed their journey in quest of blood But only just begun. The fate of his young bride. " Where has Pokomah gone ? Pokomah, where is she ? Oh, wind that bloweth her long black hair, Onward through beechen groves. And thickets of wild pawpaw, Feeding upon the hickory nut. And on the ripening haw; Bring my Pokomah to me. Over the mighty rivers. " For oh ! she was the light That nestled in my eye ; She made my heart as light as the cloud And over the winding rills ; And over a thousand shadowy vales, And over a thousand hills ; TJiat swims upon the sky. Onward they held their way. " Ligliter than eider-down Was my Pokomah's step. And brighter her dreams than gilded morn. Through many a day and night. Until the mountains had heaved in view And then were lost to sight. When on my arm she slept. Then cautiously and slow " Oh, treacherous pale-face man. Thy breath doth taint the air ; My faithful arrow shall pierce thy heart. For thou hast wronged me there. Their journey they pursued, For over the hill-tops just ahead A dozen houses stood. One from all the rest " I'll scour the forest through In search of the cowardly wight ; Blood for blood is the red man's code, Nestled amid the green. And over its wooden lintels climbed The grateful eglantine. And I'm for blood this night." Sweet briers from the forest Then all was still again Within the garden grew, Beneath old Gnarlwood Tree, And, dropping gold, laburnums stood And through its branches the west wind From Europe's gardens, too. played A mournful melody. Within its flowery walks There stood a maiden fair. And all the stars evolved And she was placing the Autumn flowers A, gentle and holy light. Among her chestnut hair. As Big Eai-s, Elk, and Eagle Eye vowed To be revenged that night. But whei) the rosy morn Luello was her name, A lady of high degree. Born in a land of soft sundowns Bclt)kened the early day, Beyond the chiming sea.