Three heavy coughs first shook his aged breast, 65
Then to the youth the following words address'd:
"O happy boy, that seeks a woodland bow'r,
Where health and joy possess the swift-wing'd hour;
Where man's first nature shows its genuine hue,
What Heaven demands, or to himself is due; 70
Think not, tho' here from friends and country torn,
That these wild woods are wretched and forlorn:
No polish'd knaves shall filch real worth away,
Nor faithless friends forget the time of day;
No selfish soul our ancient manners form,
Nor slavish sons upon our soil are born;
Real death and danger early we despise,
And noble actions only dare to rise.
If ere the Muses watch'd thy natal hour
To fire thy brain with Fancy's magic pow'r,
Or human bliss the studious mind engage,
Inspect the man, and leave the tuneful page;
Cast off that garb, that shows dependent hands,
Renounce the house, and join our roving bands." 85
Here ceas'd the Sage before approaching day,
And through dark woods he bent his eager way.
Scarce had the light Aurora's power obey'd,
And sable clouds assum'd a livelier shade,
When from their couch the hardy hunters spring, 90
Renew their fires, and join the jovial ring.
Confus'd with dreams the slumb'ring Edward lays,
Till rous'd and startled at the sudden blaze :
The swarthy circle meets his op'ning eye,
While from each pipe the wreathing volumes fly. 95
Here Mem'ry slow, her treasures to retain,
Seem'd dormant too, nor would the cause explain;
Still led by doubt, perplex'd in Fancy's train,
Till, bouncing upwards, found his legs again.
Susannah, young, the pride of all the chase, 100
That instant enter'd with superior grace.-
Her long black hair with numerous beads she wore,
And in her hand an Indian pipe she bore;
Its glitt'ring tube disclaim'd no woodland die,
A welcome gift to please the stranger's eye. 105
Now busy Squa's a breakfast soon prepare
For happy souls that seem devoid of care :
Pawl Tonie, king, the eldest of the tribe,
In equal parts the bulky roasts divide.
Meanwhile Susannah tends the boiling fish,
And portions shares in every birch-bark dish;
No lengthen'd grace the smoaking sirloins cool,
As Nature's cravings form the Indian's rule!
Nor seem to head the loud impetuous blast,
While native wit attends the gay repast.
But Edward's breast with various passions swell,
And his late dreams some future fate foretell.
His bursting thoughts demand immediate vent,
While ev'ry ear to his short speech is lent:
"Tell me, O King, who heads this Indian tribe ?
What do your laws to ev'ry man prescribe?
What is th' extent your ancient empire owns?
And where the foe that fruitful soil surrounds ?
How far the ocean laves your woodclad shores ?
Thro' what confines the proud St. Lawrence roars?
What settled customs mark your hardy race? 126
In such cold climes, whence comes that colour'd face?
Should your rude laws surpass each civil code,
My restless heart shall join your blest abode,
Admire those acts that still to virtue turn,
And polish'd life with all its pleasures spurn!"
With this request the rev'rend sire complied,
And to the youth the following words replied:
" Behold yon sun, whom fiery coursers draw,
Is one deep fountain of our Indian law;
When his glad torch illumes the Eastern skies,
Conform to him we learn the time to rise :
His race unwearied thro' the flaming day,
Tells active man th' example must obey;
And when his strength is fading in the West, 140
Shows wearied souls must also sink to rest;
Cruel beasts of prey, the pathless woods resort,
And for their food devour the weaker sort;
Which in their turn still weaker kinds must kill,
As waste of blood evinces Nature's will!
In cunning, we all craft and strength surpass,
And man's own species heads the savage class!
Like flocks of ducks that skim the marshy plain,
Each kind themselves by inward laws maintain;
So with tribes of men respective traits arise,
Still from themselves the ruling passions rise.
Our ancient sires, ten thousand moons ago,
Laid down strict laws which sons must ne'er forego;
Whose wise commands, e'en to the present day,
Are still our pride and glory to obey.
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