The smallest op'ning at the whigwhams top
Preserves an outlet for the rising smoke.
Both cold and rain the Indians thus defy,
Nor from such scenes do Nature's blessings fly. 140
Scarce tender game had cheer'd each hungry guest,
Or guiltless souls their peaceful pillows press'd,
When music's strains the happy bosoms thrill,
And flutes melodious drown the gurgling rill;
Now various reels and various tunes abound, 145
And horrid capers have their fearful round;
There thriving cares had somehow miss'd their
As ev'ry hour produc'd its share of mirth.
In all these scenes gay Edward bears a part,
Whose rising genius in each Indian art,
By love's soft twitches mov'd Susannah's heart:
But heav'nly laws immodest acts restrain;
The chastest manners mark the lowly train:
With gen'rous traits the rude are sometimes blest,
The kindest heart oft warms th' untutor'd breast.
Now sulky night her gloomy pencil drew,
And from her hand the smiling shades withdrew:
In balmy sleep the guiltless find repose,
Unscourg'd by war, nor stung by civil woes.
O wond'rous man! how hard it is to tell
Time, place, or state, where happiest moment's dwell!
Exalted nations have their num'rous ills,
When tyrant man the fate of millions wills.
Lethargic chains now bind the Indian's fast,
No ear is startled at the roaring blast;
The mountains groan, the lightning flashes play,
A deluge pours, the thunders hurl dismay;
The bristly bear, with heart estrang'd to fear,
Suspensive stops and deems the huntsman near;
The jarring clouds still wage their heav'nly war,
Till light returning, dims the morning star. 171
At her approach the fiery conflicts cease,
And golden rays salute the world in peace.
Great source of light, yet but thy Sovereign's lamp
Even deigns to smile upon a savage camp; 175
The glorious call the forests sons obey;
Refresh'd with sleep, they greet the coming day;
Both old and young no useful toils dislike,
The swarthy heroes all their whigwhams strike.
Scarce Time's swift wing could mark the shortest
Ere glassy waves receiv'd the wand'ring race;
The tempest's voice could now be heard no more;
Smooth play'd the ocean round the woody shore;
In silent death expir'd the boisterous gale,
And whistling curlews sung the plaintive wail. 185
Pois'd on their ships the Indians hold their feet,
While from each bow they eye the amber deep.
A twelve-foot spear invented by the tribe,
Each Indian handles with a conscious pride:
From man's first wants this noble spear has rose,
Its jaws elastic ev'ry species close;
Vain are the efforts of the winding eel,
T' escape the dagger of the well-aim'd steel;
From native shores the wat'ry treasures drew,
And on their voyage th' unwearied course pursue: As larger fishes on the waters play,
Whose strength impulsive cuts their sportive way,
So each canoe displays its maple fins,
By easy paddling thro' the ocean swims;
Some distant point inspires the pilot's heart
To gain its rocks, and ply his naval art;
Then winding shores present delusive smiles,
Where shades of ease shall crown the toiling
Where partridge coveys love the wholesome spruce, And fertile groves their Indian fruit produce; 205 Where scented flowers, where beds of roses grow, Where Nature wild, her heighten'd charms bestow.
But from a cove, close by the Indian fleet,
A direful smoke the wand'ring heroes meet;
Encreasing more, the black'ning volumes rise, 210
And clouds unkindly taint the morning skies.
A short debate amongst the chieftains rose,
If such like fires portended friends or foes:
Before a tongue the dubious point could tell,
Loud from the wood was heard the friendly yell;
The Indian halloo from the fleet returns,
When, both impatient, for the junction burns.
The sharpen'd prows now press the yellow sand,
Black on the shore the swarthy hunters stand;
Lift all their ships beyond the merc'less tide, 220
In order perfect by each other's side;
Then thro' these woods where sportive squirrels swing,
Assur'd of friendship, seek the savage ring.
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