Then quickly darting 'midst the brushwood trees,
The riotous scene the sprightly heroine leaves.
Here stood the youth confus'd with sudden thought,
Then in the woods the Indian virgin sought; 120
Each step she took were little branches broke,
That led our hero to a neighb'ring rock,

Which rose majestic by the ocean's side,
Whose mould'ring base pollutes the silver tide.
Deep in this rock, eat by the restless wave,

The work of ages scoop'd a hollow cave;

125

Before this cave, which nought but gloom could boast,

There stalk'd the maid, in musing silence lost:

Soon as she heard the rustling of his feet,

Within the cave she hastes the coy retreat; 130

Here Edward follow'd with a quicken'd pace,

And calls down blessings on the happy place;
His soul in transport sipp'd approaching joy,
While Fancy wild her madd'ning arts employs

No sooner had he clasp'd her virgin arms,

Than guilt retir'd from fair Virtue's charms.

Set down, sweet youth, the mild Susannah said, And listen the story of an Indian maid :

"Ere since that day, a fatal day to me,

135

I met you walking by the stormy sea,

140

My simple heart by some strange art was lost,

That luckless hour upon the rocky coast;

Tho' pledg'd in wedlock by a thousand ties,

Yet all those bonds this daring heart defies!

Yon wrestling youth, buoy'd up with wild desire,

Receiv'd a promise from my aged sire,

146

That he, whose deeds were all the Micmack's pride,

Should have his Susan for a youthful bride :

That happy time, when some bear-feast should be,

Successive days beneath the maple-tree,

Was long appointed as the sacred hour,

To wed poor Susan in the leafy bow'r;

150

And what by chance I overheard them say,
To-morrow's dawn shall prove my bridal day. 154
Come, Edward, now your heart shall beat with mine,
And their rash schemes with tears shall yet repine;
The midnight hour thy active soul shall watch,
When drown'd in sleep loud snores the day's debauch.
Close by this cave, to Edward ever true,

You'll find young Susan in her birch-canoe; 160
For distant climes these hands with utmost care,
Against our wants shall various things prepare;
Two tomahawks, that were my father's pride,
With sharpen'd edge shall grace my slender side;
Nor shall these shoulders ere disdain to bear

165

The useful burthen of an Indian spear.

My fav'rite dog, well-tried in many a fight,

Shall hunt by day, and watch us through the night; And while your gun its deadly aim keeps true,

Through various nations shall our course pursue; 170

In four long months we'll touch that distant shore,
That's long been known by savage Labrador :
Then should o'er snows we push our northern way,
Some years at last we'll reach cold Hudson's Bay;
There unmolested shall explore each clime,
Where barren sands scarce rear the hardy pine;

Yet there in plenty, o'er the frozen soil,

The richest furs reward the hunter's toil."

175

But here she paus'd, o'erwhelm'd by virgin fears,

And 'mongst the woods she hast'ly disappears: 180
The starting tear rose in her glist'ning eye,
While Love impatient guess'd the right reply.

Now, wrapt in thought, the pensive Edward stood,

Whose bursting heart address'd the boiling flood: "Ye wat❜ry wonders of this lower world,

185

That's round the earth in awful grandeur hurl'd, Should Fate's decrees within thy bosom dwell,

Will boist'rous waves my future ills foretell ?

In you confide, I'll trust this mortal clay,

And far with Susan wing my perilous way:
Tho' worlds of dangers flying souls await,

190

Yet with this maid I'll blend my future fate;
Her gen'rous heart calls on these youthful arms,
To guard her person from impending harms;
The glorious task my dormant nerves awake, 195
And death alone these midnight vows shall break!
But, lo! yon moon that fires the colour'd east,

Must light my steps towards the noisy feast,

Lest savage souls in jealous fury rise,

And all these schemes in embryo yet surprise. 200

END OF THE THIRD CANTO.