Page images
PDF
EPUB

Then legs and wings in quick rotation fly, 155

Till round him thick the scatter'd fragments lie.
Now satiate breasts the looks of meat appall,
Tho' greedy eyes at first could swallow all :
A drink salubrious, from the water-cask,
Concludes the meal, and crowns the sweet repast.
The shorten'd feature shines with ardour bright,
And things appear quite in a different light;
From musing thoughts the gloomier shades withdrew,
And show'd those prospects which delight our view :
Some Indian capers shake the solid ground, 165
And mirth and pastime take their favourite round.
The dog spontaneous mounts his evening guard,
And not a breath is thro' the forest heard;
Within the tent, made up of verdant boughs,
Two leafy beds in Indian grandeur rose;
When Susan, smiling, to young Edward said :
"Here's one for you, and that for me is made;

170 175

Let's haste to court the balmy charms of sleep,
While Obigat his faithful watch shall keep;
My tomahawk, the custom of our race,
Shall near my pillow find a ready place;
While by your couch the loaded gun shall stand,
Within the reach of your unerring hand;
For should a foot this night design us harm,
Our list'ning dog will sound the true alarm ; 180
The wisest heads should 'gainst the worse prepare,
Th' unsuspecting fall thro' want of care."
Here ceas'd the maid, whose eyes foretold desire,
That would have set the coldest heart on fire.

The youth survey'd her with a lover's eye,
While to her thus he made a short reply :
"O lovely girl, revoke that harsh decree,
As my fond heart in transport clings to thee;
Alas! I fear, the youthful passions tell

185

That Nature's dictates at the sound rebell; 190

Here, far retir'd from ev'ry mortal eye,
Thy tender bosom should no longer sigh,

With hopes and fears, a never-failing train,

That wait on love, and yield corrosive pain;

For Venus smiling does this night bestow

195

That heav'nly bliss our rapturous souls shall know.

END OF THE FIFTH CANTO.

THE INDIAN.

ARGUMENT.

The scene shifts to the camp of Paul Tonie, who, missing his daughter in the morning, calls a council. Bloody Sack advises an immediate pursuit for the purpose of murdering Edward and Susan. Paul Tonie condemns such harsh intentions; and, at the end of a speech descriptive of his cares and vexations, is suddenly overcome by death. His funeral and obsequies. After the rites are paid, Bloody Sack again proposes the pursuit of Edward and Susan, which meets the unanimous concurrence of the party.

« PreviousContinue »