The faltering footstep in the path of right,
Each gleam of clearer brightness shed to aid
In man's maturer day his bolder sight,

All blended, like the rainbow's radiant braid,

Pour yet, and still shall pour, the blaze that cannot fade.

XXVII.

Late, from this Western shore, that morning chased
The deep and ancient night, which threw its shroud
O'er the green land of groves, the beautiful waste,
Nurse of full streams, and lifter-up of proud
Sky-mingling mountains that o'erlook the cloud.
Erewhile, where yon gay spires their brightness rear,
Trees waved, and the brown hunter's shouts were
loud

Amid the forest; and the bounding deer

Fled at the glancing plume, and the gaunt wolf yelled

near.

XXVIII.

And where his willing waves yon bright blue bay
Sends up, to kiss his decorated brim,

And cradles, in his soft embrace, the gay
Young group of grassy islands born of him,
And crowding nigh, or in the distance dim,

its the white throng of sails, that bear or bring The commerce of the world;-with tawny limb, Aid belt and beads in sunlight glistening,

The savage urged his skiff like wild bird on the wing.

a.

XXIX.

Then all this youthful paradise around,
And all the broad and boundless mainland, lay
Cooled by the interminable wood, that frowned
O'er mount and vale, where never summer ray
Glanced, till the strong tornado broke his way
Through the gray giants of the sylvan wild;
Yet many a sheltered glade, with blossoms gay
Beneath the showery sky and sunshine mild,
Within the shaggy arms of that dark forest smiled.

XXX.

There stood the Indian hamlet, there the lake
Spread its blue sheet that flashed with many an oar,
Where the brown otter plunged him from the brake,
And the deer drank: as the light gale flew o'er,
The twinkling maize-field rustled on the shore;
And while that spot, so wild, and lone, and fair,
A look of glad and guiltless beauty wore,

And peace was on the earth and in the air,
The warrior lit the pile, and bound his captive there.

XXXI.

Not unavenged-the foeman, from the wood,
Beheld the deed, and, when the midnight shade
Was stillest, gorged his battle-axe with blood;
All died-the wailing babe-the shrinking maid-

VOL. I.-5

XXXIV.

Europe is given a prey to sterner fates,

And writhes in shackles; strong the arms that chain To earth her struggling multitude of states; She too is strong, and might not chafe in vain Against them, but might cast to earth the train That trample her, and break their iron net. Yes, she shall look on brighter days and gain The meed of worthier deeds; the moment set To rescue and raise up, draws near-but is not yet.

XXXV.

But thou, my country, thou shalt never fall,
Save with thy children-thy maternal care,
Thy lavish love, thy blessings showered on all—
These are thy fetters-seas and stormy air
Are the wide barrier of thy borders, where,
Among thy gallant sons who guard thee well,

Thou laugh'st at enemies: who shall then declare The date of thy deep-founded strength, or tell How happy in thy lap the sons of men shall dwell? Great Barrington, 1821.

Edition of 1821.

THE INDIAN GIRL'S LAMENT.

N Indian girl was sitting where

AN

Her lover, slain in battle, slept ;

Her maiden veil, her own black hair,
Came down o'er eyes that wept;
And wildly, in her woodland tongue,
This sad and simple lay she sung:

"I've pulled away the shrubs that grew
Too close above thy sleeping head,
And broke the forest-boughs that threw
Their shadows o'er thy bed,

That, shining from the sweet southwest,
The sunbeams might rejoice thy rest.

"It was a weary, weary road

That led thee to the pleasant coast,
Where thou, in his serene abode,
Hast met thy father's ghost;
Where everlasting autumn lies

On yellow woods and sunny skies.