The chieftain and satires

Contents

The Chieftain i

Reputation, Great and Co., Publishers 108

The Reveille 143

Preface

Of the verse in this book the * Chieftain ' and the 'Spirits' Concert' were written in the year 1890, the * Reveille ' in 1899, and the remainder since last Christmas. This is my third book of published verse, and the edition is offered to the public without further comments.

VAIvENTINE BROWN.

Portland, Oregon, Aprii, 4, 1903.

THE CHIEFTAIN.

PROEM.

Far in the wilds of the mountains, and over the prairies, Down where the billows are rolling with ceaseless commotion.

Ever from times unremembered, like far away echoes Wakened from caverns of night, come notes of a legend. Gently the rivulet murmurs the chant of the hunter, Softly the blossoms are lisping the song of the maiden; Madly the torrent is sounding the wrath of the battle, Fiercely the ocean is beating the dance of the victor. Listen to them, and to tales of the whispering forest, Then you will always have with you the life of the Chieftain,

Where the great cliffs of Necarney look over the ocean, Stands an old lodge room ; above it the time beaten columns Hide in the vapors floating from banks of Nehalem. At a low doorway is pensively sitting a warrior,

White are his locks, and dimmed are the eyes which are

gazing Over the wave to the west where the sunbeams are

fading; There he is thinking, that like the bright sun swiftly

hiding, So are his brothers, once as the sands of the sea shore. Now disappearing within the deep ocean oblivion.

Rises his voice, as shadows creep up the bleak ledges. Weird is the chant, and sad is the voice of the singer; " Never again will the warrior roam over the hillsides. Never caneam will ripple the banks of the river; Gone are the children who played by the streams of the

mountains, Gone are the maidens who sang to the beams of the

morning; Flower moon hide, for thy garlands are gathered by

strangers.

Harvest moon, shroud thy fair beams in the clouds of

thy sorrow; Lone I am waiting, my brothers are calling from Tamath, Lone I am coming, my children have journeyed before

me,"

These are the words you will hear on the mountain and meadow.

This is the tale that is told by the evergreen wildwood ; .

Listen to them, and the eddying swirl of the river,

Then you will ever have with you the life of the Chieftain.

THE CHIEFTAIN.

Part First

He, the Great Spirit, compassionate Father of nations, He the Creator of mountains, the Guide of the waters, Down from the white-crested dome of the mountain

Ikama Looked on the sea, and the shadowy vales of his people; Slowly the smoke from the tepees circled the pine trees, Gladly the paeans awoke at return of the huntsmen; Then as the shouts of the children, and anthems of

maidens Mingled with songs of the robin and music of ripples, Fondly he uttered : " Happy are you, O my people."

When the fair springtime opened the paths through the

gorges.

Covered the meadows with blossoms, and hillsides with

beauty, Carelessly wandered the Red Men from morning till

evening.

Spearing the salmon, and seeking the haunts of the

beaver.

They were not kinsmen united, for onward, and onward, L/ike the lithe antelope roamed they in primitive wild-

ness.

Then the Great Spirit looked down from the mountain

Ikama, Seeing the Nations, like children, straying forever; Sadly he uttered : *' They willingly no more obey me,

Some one I give them who always shall lead them and rule them."

Calling the Chethel, the bird with the pinions of thunder, Cried he : " Waken the fear in the heart of the roamer; Rumble the echoes over the lordly Coast mountains, Rouse from their slumbers the cliffs of the mighty

Cascadas."

Gently he breathed on the glistening top of Ikama, Breathed on the smouldering embers, vapors ascended, Glowing in anger the call for the tribes to assemble. Frightened, the Red Men the signal was seeing, and

hastened Over the valleys and rivers, unto the lodge room.

Where the low island of Wappato parts the Walamet, Where the tall cottonwoods fringe the clay banks by the

river.

Gathered the Nations together to hear the Great Spirit. Then, as the summer was casting its glistening emblems, Painting the banks with wild roses, the hillsides with

dogwood.

Came from the cloud of the mountain a voice like the

ocean Roaring with anger: ** I^isten, my people, and hearken ! Why do you wander the rivers in careless disorder? Why are you leaving the village to beasts of the forest ? One who will guide you in pathways of wisdom I give

you; He is your chieftain; his footsteps alone you will follow."

' ' Where the great Oregon flows by the palisade gorges,

Where the swift waters are white on the columns basaltic, There I will build up a bridge; this token I give you; Long as it arches the river and binds the great ramparts, You are my people — my anger will rend it asunder. Choose one among you, if he will dance his defiance On the high arch when my thunders call for the trial, Him I will give for your ruler — my chosen forever."

Scarcely the mandate was spoken, while rumbled the

echoes.

Shouted a warrior: *' I will be first in the trial; I am the son of the Thunder Bird ! I will be valiant ! Now is my totem advancing ! Soon is the death song! Fiercely the eagle is screaming — great is Wabana."

All of the warriors in council shouted together, * ' We will away to the walls of the bridge to be builded, Boldly to dance our defiance to death and to foemen; Who, noble hearted, will fail not, he is our chieftain." Gaily caneams swept over the sheen of the river, Softly the dip of the paddles blended with chantings, Sweetly the waterfalls answered the music of ripples; All of the Nations, collected, passed to the gorges. Where a high bulwark imprisoned a lake in the Inland.

Theie the white water piled up on the columns basaltic, There the great river poured down in a waterfall rumbling; Pouring from crevices, rushing through chasms, it ever Fell to the depths, and its anger resounded in thunders. Floating away from the turmoil, vapors were forming Rainbows on rainbows, arching the heavens, and hiding

6 ^HK CfilEFTAlN.

In a bright mantle the cliffsides battling the waters.

Roseate morning cast on the waters its shadows,

Painting the gates of the Eastland with colors resplendent;

Then on the ramparts the Nations were waiting the trial.

Waiting the test which would give to the Red Men a ruler.

Dancing, and chanting their songs of defiance, the warriors

Stood on the walls which imprisoned the lake of the Inland;

Dancing, and chanting a frenzy, they looked on the bright sun

Crossing the Arch of the Spirit far in the heavens.

Long was the day, but the warriors in trial were tireless, Long was the night, but the signal fires brightly were

burning; Came the grey dawn, and the watchers, expectant, were

hearing Words of the Father who watched from the dome of

Ikama.

" Waken, O Chethel, shake thy great wings on Taho-

mah!

Rise up, O Tismal, sound thy fierce wrath on Udona! Soon will the bridge I am building span the great river, Soon will the lake of the Inland sleep in the ocean."

Roared the dread Chethel, the bird with the wings of

the thunder.

Blazed the fierce Tismal, the queen of the underground

THE CHIEFTAIN.

regions; Rumbled the Thunder Bird, " Taunt me not Tismal, I

slay you ! "

Answered the Queen of the Chasm, ** Chethel, I dare you

I "

Fiercely they rushed on each other, and mighty cliffs

trembled.

Fiercer they met, and the heavens resounded in battle.

Where were the dancers at the dread hour of their peril?

Where wasWabana? — fleeing away unto safety.

Shrill was the cry of the eagle, loudly the panther

Wailed from the cliffs on beholding the angry commotion.

Clamoring, mad with excitement, the tribes of the Red Men

Saw a lone warrior on the great bridge which was building,

Heard a lone dancer chanting his song of defiance :

" I am the son of the Tanukh — child of the Northlight,

I am the fearless — see the mad glance on the waters;

Smite you, O spear barb ! Chant the wild voicings, O arrow !

Cleave the dark waters ! Sing to the death of the foemen ! ' '

Darkened the heavens in battle, for Chethel and Tismal Strove with each other — dread was the roar of their

pinions; Then the Great Spirit was angered; he, on Ikama, Grasping his hands full of boulders, hurled them, and

thundered,

" Woe to you chieftains ! Woe to you Chethel and

Tismal."

Swift at the foemen Nocuma shot his keen arrows, Shrill was the voice of the missiles, loudly the bowstring Sang of its prowess when drawn by the arm of Nocuma. Clasping his spear, the warrior, thrice as he poised it. Cried to the cloud on Ikama, " Behold me, Great Spirit." Fiercely he threw it at the mad foemen in battle. Fled the dread Thunder Bird — fled the grim Queen of

the Chasm.

Then the Great Spirit reached downward, and grasping

a column.

Swiftly he hurled it, smiting the ramparts basaltic; True was the aim, for it clove a great hole in the

mountain.

Forming in grandeur an archway over the river.

Thundered the waters filling the palisade gorges. Thundered Tahomah, answered the mighty Udona : Then from the cloud on Ikama Nocuma was hearing, * 'Chieftain, I greet you; see the great Bridge of the

Nations; lyong as it stands will the Red Men be my own people, Be they united, and never its bulwarks will crumble — You are my chosen — you, and your children forever."

Standing upon the high arch Nocuma looked downward, Speaking with reverence : " This is the Bridge of the

Nations, This is the span which will bind us as brothers forever." Joyous, the people gathered together, and shouted, the: chieftain.

" Hail we our chieftain, Nocuma." Then to Ikama Turning, they uttered: "Hearken to us, O Great Spirit."

II

When the red planet, the Kaluth, glowed in the heavens, Slowly was wafted the council smoke, circling, arising, Calling the warriors to meet by the glow of the embers; Mirthful and happy gathered the youths and the maidens, Merrily children ran for the sparks which were falling; Silent, the warriors formed in the circle of council. Seemingly wrapped in the veilings of stoical grandeur. Rising, a warrior speaks : "Immortal is valor, Bright as the sunlight, fierce as the Red Star above us; Fearless Nocuma, holding its totems of power. Stood on the cliff and Manitou robed him with glory. Great is our Chieftain, the bright star is shining upon us, Hail we Nocuma, counsellor, war chief of nations."

Paused the grim warrior, and then from the shadows beyond them

Came an old woman unto the glow of the firelight;

Back to the hours of youth were her thoughts fondly roaming.

Back to the islands encircled by streams of the ocean;

Where the waves rolled, each crested with glistening silver.

Where the hills rose unto mountains of radiant whiteness;

Then, though the weight of the winters were resting lO , THE CHIEFTAIN.

upon her, Joy of her theme threw over her being a rapture.

Softly she uttered : " Kinsmen, a tale I will tell you. When my life's morning was casting its roseate gladness. Came like a footstep the voice of the forest — I listened, For it spake softly, ' Laota — Laota, look upward.' There was a cradle of pine burrs caught in the branches. Upward I climbed, my heart sang of love — I discovered ' Neath the moss cover a babe sweetly sleeping and

smiling.

Came a low voice, * Wana, Star of the evening, Gives unto Earth Owawee, babe of her bosom; Take her, Laota — take her and care for her ever.' Clasping her fondly, I hastened away to the village. Then and forever to care for the babe of the heavens,"

" Often the springtime covered the hillsides with verdure, Often the winter cast over the meadows its mantle. And a sweet flower brightened the hours in the wildwood; Fondly the hunter placed at my wigwam the beaver, Gladly the warrior sang by the fire at the doorway; But fair Owawee wended the path to the grotto. Where a bold stranger awaited to love her and woo her, And the fierce lover away fiom the village did bear her."

"Seeking the grotto, I heard the sad tale of the rushes. How in the heavens the Red Star, youthful and stately. Roamed at his pleasure among the fair valleys of starlight; Thoughtless of else than of hunting, he, glancing be-

THE CHIEFTAIN. II

neath him, Saw fair Owawee straying the path on the meadow; Soft was her step, and gentle, yet queenly her manner, All of her being was robed in the beauty of puveness. Gazing upon her, born in his heart was a longing That she might follow his footsteps ever, forever. That he might call her queen of the valleys of starlight. Robed like the warriors above us he crossed the fair regions, Till at the grotto he waited, and chanted, 'Owawee, Lovely Owawee, you are my fairest wild blossom."

"Greyly the gloaming covered the low waving meadow, When the fair maid to the call of the Kaluth did hearken, Steal o'er the pebbles covering the way to the grotto; Then the gruff voicing of Chethel sounded the turmoil, Kaluth, his foeman, had crossed the dark bounds of

of his kingdom; Quickly he hid from the village starlight and morning. Dread was the roar of his wings on ocean and mountain; Frightened, the maiden fled to the warrior for safety, Frightened, the lovers fled unto Tanukh, the Northlight. Loudly the Red Star cried to the Tanukh, * Behold me ! Open the fortress, grant me admittance and shelter, I am your kinsman, I, and my bride of an evening."

" Then the bold Northlight aroused from his slumber,

lighted All the far heavens with beamings of roseate armor; Sounding the taunting, he dared the dread Chethel to

battle.

Rumbled the Thunder Bird, flashed his dark eyes from his fury,

Fiercely the lightnings shot from the wrath of his pinions;

Wheeled the mad Tanukh, streamed the great flames of his tobet,

Oceans and ice fields sang of the glory of battle.

Slowly the Chethel fell backward, he on Tahomah

Waited the moment to find the stern fortress unguarded."

"Short were the hours of the autumn, the winter, and

summer Found fair Owawee a mother; the Kaluth, delighted, Cried, 'O my kinsman, this day we will battle the

Walrus.' Then they together roamed over the ice fields and ocean. Shouted the taunting, and strove with the sea king,

the Walrus; But their return awakened their anguish, for ever Gone was Owawee, and lost was the babe of her bosom. Craftily Chethel had crept to the lodge of the Tanukh, Found it defenseless, and fled with the babe and the

mother."

' ' Sad was my heart as I heard the refrain of the grotto , Till a soft voice I was hearing, saying, ' I^aota, Far in the forest the babe of Owawee is weeping.' Quickly I passed from the village, onward and onward, Guided by spirit feet printed before me; and found it Nestled among the pine branches. Fiercely the Chethel Down from his fortress had hurled it, but winds safely

bore it Unto the arbor where I was guided to find it.

Fondly I cherished him; and a sweet voice from the

Twilight Said to me, 'Call him Nocuma."

III

When the pale dawning painted the gates of the Inland, Passed from the village Nocuma seeking the Tanukh; From the great Bridge of the Nations he looked on the

waters.

Looked on the palisades guiding the Oregon onward; Forests o'ercovered the hillsides, purpled the canyons, Columns basaltic mantled the river with shadows; Then as Nocuma gazed on the snow covered mountains Standing like sentries guarding the haunts of the Nations, Bowing, he uttered : " Father of all, the Creator, Grand is our dwelling place — Is there a land as majestic?"

Soon the dark deeds of the Thunder Bird rose up before

him.

Loud was his shout, as he looked on the dome of Taho-

niah, "Where are you Chethel? — skulking within the deep

caverns, Where are you, craven? — hiding, and fearing Nocuma; I am the son of the Kaluth, I, alone dare you, I am the Chieftain of Nations — here I defy you." Only the roar of the river sounded beneath him, Only the morning beamed on the Bridge of the Nations;

Still was the Chethel, but the white dome of Tahomah Felt the black breath of the pinions which quivered an instant.

Quickly Nocuma passed the defiles in the mountains, Climbed the great heights, and crossed the moraines of

Tahomah, Crossed to the meadows of silver unchanged in the ages. Fair was the scene to the warrior, down, ever downward, Sank the deep canyons, like stairs where steps were the

mountains.

Sank the great forests in oceans of sun-tinted purple.

Far in the Inland, seeming vast billows the pampas Rolled on the serried red ramparts, w here rivers were

flowing Shimmering unto the Oregon. Mountains in mantles Cold as the shroud on Tahomah rose up around him; Oceans of azure formed the horison, and leadening, Ushered the sunset; then the ice wand of the glacier Smiting him, told him that he was a mortal.

Silent, Raptured, Nocuma had viewed the fair vista, the Thunder Bird Lost in his revery, broken — he uttered: "Great Spirit, Thou art alone in thy prowess, for the waters obey thee, When thou art frowning the storm wind flees in its

terror; Unto the hills thou art glancing and they are in trembling, Mountains are bowing before thee — they hail thee

Great Spirit."

Soon to the north he saw a bright glow, for the Northlight Clad in his armor came through the grey of the heavens. Joyous, he shouted : " Far in the regions beyond me Tanukh is roaming, is seeking the king of the Walrus; Now are the jets from his tobet filling the heavens."

Quickly the chieftain crossed the moraines of the

mountain, Bven as if he was trailing the paths of the bison. Till the high walls of a canyon arose up around him, Checking his footsteps and hiding the twilight in darkness.

Then the dense forest was lighted by flashing auroras, Soon a low rumbling told the approach of the Tanukh; Swiftly he came, and his great spear, long as the pine

tree, Buried its barb in the sward as he uttered : "Chieftain, I greet you." Then the bright mantle he folded, and

placed it Under a boulder, and dimmed was the splendor to twilight.

Spake the fierce Tanukh: "Offspring of gentle Owawee, Knew I the hour of your coming, and came here to

meet you, I am your kinsman, your foemen are mine — I am with

you, Be it at warfare with men, or strife with the Chethel; Yet, the lone mortal is powerless with the immortal.

l6 THE CHIEFTAIN.

Vain is the impulse that called you away from your

people; Hearken to words of the Tanukh — return to thy people Lead them in ways which the feet of the mortals should

follow."

Paused the fierce Tanukh an instant, the chieftain, bewildered.

Looked on the being who battled with warriors immortal ;

Soon he beheld him lighting a pipe like a human,

Breathing the vapors softly around him and o'er him.

Thrice did the clouds of the kinik circle above him,

Thrice to the winds of the heavens breathed he the vapors,

Passing -the peace pipe, and saying : "Nocuma, do likewise;

For are the bands of our friendship thus welded together."

" Listen, my kinsman: Grey are the once glowing embers.

Needing the fagots we gather to kindle them always; So is the human needing an aid to replenish What he would have if worthy to be a great chieftain. Valor and wisdom are the dry fagots to gather, They in the bosoms of mortals nourish the embers Warming the warrior in battle — giving the triumph."

" Thus is my story. Before the first dawn in the heavens Beings immortal roamed on an ocean of darkness; Softly murmured a wind on the surface and crested All of the waves with the tintings of stars shining o'er us.

Weirdly resounded the echoes along the low sea shore, Sweet was the song of the billow, the voicings of foam-

ings Paused in their play to chant to the cove and the grotto; Brighter the crestings were gleaming, till, dancing with

gladness, Like unto fire-flies flitting at night on a meadow, Roamed they at pleasure, for born were the stars in the

heavens; They are but spirits robed in an armor immortal."

•'Then a dark gale swept over the path of the zephyr,

Deep was the rumble awakened, the valleys were covered

In a bleak mantle, the wings of the now rageful Chethel.

Shouted the bright stars: " Must the fair valleys be shrouded ?

Desolate always the waters which sang of the morning ?

Quickly the battle was raging; boldly the bright stars

Grasping their weapons strove with the wrath of the darkness;

Over the woodlands and rivers they whirled in their anger.

Trembling the mountains, till rushed from the chasms a creature

Robed in the fire winds of Tismal. Clamors and echoes

Thundered their glee, for the hosts of the heavens, despairing,

Fled from the conflict — fled unto me for a shelter,

Crying: 'O Tanukh, let the bright streams from your tobet

Flash through the madness pursuing your brothers and allies."

Roused from my slumber, I girded my mantle around me,

Poising my spear I drove it amain at the foemen,

Grasping my war club, I whirled it and chanted the war song,

Come you, O come you ! waiting I stand by the mountains,

Flows the bright crimson — purples the pathways before mo;

Where are the dreams of the twilight? — lost in the splendor

Of the bright meteor — gone are the ages of slumber.

Hear me, O mountains ! firmly I stand in your presence;

Hear me, O ocean ! let the loud war shout awaken !

From the fair dream of the ages I rouse for the battle,

Warfare is mine — foemen, hear the defiance.'

Heard the dark Chethel the taunt, and rumbling his answer.

Like a mad surge on a cliff he rushed to the battle;

Fiercely my war club was smiting, streams of my tobet

Stole from his eyes the red flashes — roared his fell pinions,

As the mad Chethel daunted the prowess of Tanukh."

** Then the bright stars were advancing, and loud was

the chanting, Dcfcad was the turmoil, the clamors and songs of the

arrows ; Lowered undaunted the foes of the stars of the heavens.

Over the valleys and mountains, wheeling and fighting, Raced we in desperate battle, till Chethel, defeated, Fled from a meteor hurled by the arm of the Tanukh."

* ' Over the roar of the battle a voicing of anger

Thundered, ' My children, cease from this warring forever;

Comes the great chieftain, see the bright streams of his tobet

Over the Kastland— he is the sun of the heavens.

Tanukh, the valiant, yours are the realms of the Northland,

Chethel, the fearless, seek the high dome of Tahomah;

Night skies I give to the bright stars, the round moon is chieftain,

Tismal is queen of the chasms where roll the dark waters;'

Spake thus the voice, and willingly each one obeyed it.

Save, the fell Chethel, revengeful, ever is watching.

Waiting the hour of the turmoil— knowing but darkness.

Dare not his anger, Nocuma; take this, the peace pipe,

Back to the Nations, my token of friendship forever."

IV. As the glad morning arose o'er the Eastland, and

dotted Softly the hillsides with tintings of roseate beauty. Picturing forests, where shortly before had the vapors Filled the lone valleys with gloom and the silence of

midnight,

Swiftly the chieftain passed to the land by the river, Planning the future, that all might be well with his people."

Smoke of the council fire rising over the pine trees Gathered the warriors to meet by the light of the embers; Signals were glowing on the great cliffs of the river. Bearing a message unspoken from mountain to mountain.

Soon as Nocuma beheld the red omens of warfare, Down the great cliffs and over the archway he hastened. Seeking the council, and speaking: "What is the portent."

Answered a warrior : '* I am Atama, the fearless, I am a prophet, for I have beheld the Wan Spirit. From a high cliff I looked on the canyons beneath me, Where a deep pool, limpid in crystalline beauty, Seemed a fair mirror reflecting the crags and the verdure.

Down the steep ledges unto its banks I did wander. When a low rustle, nearing, told of a hunter Home from his trailing, coming to drink at the fountain; Sounded the voice of a bow string, the chant of an

arrow, And the lone hunter, stricken, fell in his footprints."

* 'Fiercely a foeman rushed forward, a tomahawk hurling. Found it a victim, the water was darkened with anger; Quickly a spirit arose from the depths of the turmoil, Shouting, ' Forever war is between you and with you.'

Whirling a war club above him, he smote the mad victor And the dark waters buried the foemen forever."

Silent, the Red Men waited the words of the Chieftain: "Sad is the striving of kinsmen, like a sere winter Marking the path for the famine, like a fell tempest Moaning around us; friendship is gladness, where ever Blossoms of springtime wave within her fair presence, Garlands of summer brighten the pathways she follows; Here is the sign which will hold us as brothers forever."

From the dim embers he lighted the peace pipe, and

breathing Thrice to the winds of the heavens the fragrant blue vapors, Thrice to the dome of Ikama, a symbol of worship, Passed it among them, saying: "Brothers, do likewise. Noble Atama, see the fair plumes of the tobet, And the bright mantle; be they your robes of the

prophet; Let the glad paeans awake at the triumph of hunters, Let the fair knowledge within you reveal to us dangers Ever around us, unseen to the eyes of the roamer."

Morning advancing looked from the walls of the Eastland,

Seeing the Chieftain seeking the pool of the Spirit,

Searching for knowledge foiling the foe of his people;

Then as the moonbeams illumined the heavens with silver,

In the deep canyon he looked on the foaming mad water.

Upward a column of water arose in a geyser, Covering the boulders trembling beneath the hot lashings; Boiling and swirling, sank the white water beneath him, Then on the surface stood the Wan Spirit, and uttered, "Why do you seek me, Nocuma ? " Answered the

Chieftain, "Must the dark cloud of the battle shadow the Nations? Must the keen arrow blast the fair homes of my people?"

Spake the Wan Spirit : ' ' The mortal is bom unto turmoil; Ivike a swift stream will the childhood sweep on its

mission.

Like a mad river will manhood roll on its journey. Like the salt waves of the sea the immortal is tossing On the great ocean, Hereafter. Look on the river. Rest at the torrent and hear the one tale they are telling; War with the cliffs is their portion, thus is their guidance.

Scattered and broken they war with the storms of the ocean."

Down in the seething black waters the Spirit had hidden Ere to the homes of his people Nocuma was passing; Sank the fair moon as the Chieftain crossing the mountains.

Looked from the Bridge of the Nations down in the

darkness.

" Be you as brothers united," the Father had spoken, Could the trust broken grant else than the Spirit predicted?

Soon the fierce dance of the battle began at the lodge room,

Soon the loud war song arose from the warriors in council.

Unto the circle Nocuma hastening, shouted :

" Why is the tomahawk dug from the place it was

buried ?

Why is the dance of defiance? — speak, I will listen." Then did Atama, ordained to behold the dim future, Cease from his dancing, and answer : " Hear my

strange story."

V

" When the fair rays of the starlight illumined the waters,

Chanced I to wander along the steep path of the rapid,

Listening unto the rumble that sounded around me.

Stately the Bridge of the Nations appeared in the starlight,

Binding the gorges through which was the wild river rushing.

Freely I wandered the cliffs to the archway above me,

Saw the fair stargleams enkindle the heavens with azure.

Changing the outlines of gorges to dim purple shadows.

Darker the shadows looked upward, and weird was their gazing,

They said, 'Atama, leap from the height and be with us;

We will receive you, and soft is the pillow of darkness.'

Then as I looked changed was their gaze, and bewitching,

Was the wild depth which bound with a strange facination."

Softly a light from the Eastland, the moon on her

journey Passed o'er the mountains, and looked on the valleys