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Introductory Note
The Song of Hiawatha is based on the legends and stories of many North AmericanIndian tribesbut especially those of the Ojibway Indians of northern MichiganWisconsinand Minnesota. They were collected by Henry Rowe Schoolcraftthereknowned historianpioneer explorerand geologist. He was superintendent ofIndian affairs for Michigan from 1836 to 1841.Schoolcraft married JaneO-bah-bahm-wawa-ge-zhe-go-qua (The Woman of theSound Which the Stars Make Rushing Through the Sky)Johnston. Jane was adaughter of John Johnstonan early Irish fur traderandO-shau-gus-coday-way-qua (The Woman of the Green Prairie)who was a daughter ofWaub-o-jeeg (The White Fisher)who was Chief of the Ojibway tribe at La PointeWisconsin.
Longfellow began Hiawatha on June 251854he completed it on March 291855and it was published November 101855. As soon as the poem was publishedits popularity was assured. Howeverit also was severely criticized as aplagiary of the Finnish epic poem Kalevala. Longfellow made no secret of thefact that he had used the meter of the Kalevala; but as for the legendsheopenly gave credit to Schoolcraft in his notes to the poem.
"Wah-wah-tayseelittle fire-flyLittleflittingwhite-fire insectLittledancingwhite-fire creatureLight me with your little candleEre uponmy bed I lay meEre in sleep I close my eyelids!"
Introduction
Should you ask mewhence these stories? Whence these legends and traditionsWith the odors of the forest With the dew and damp of meadowsWith the curlingsmoke of wigwamsWith the rushing of great riversWith their frequentrepetitionsAnd their wild reverberations As of thunder in the mountains?I should answerI should tell you"From the forests and the prairiesFrom the great lakes of the NorthlandFrom the land of the OjibwaysFrom theland of the DacotahsFrom the mountainsmoorsand fen-lands Where the heronthe Shuh-shuh-gahFeeds among the reeds and rushes. I repeat them as I heardthem From the lips of NawadahaThe musicianthe sweet singer."
"All the wild-fowl sang them to himIn the moorlands and the fen-landsIn the melancholy marshes; Chetowaikthe ploversang themMahngthe loonthe wild-gooseWawaThe blue heronthe Shuh-shuh-gahAnd the grousetheMushkodasa!"
"In the vale of TawasenthaIn the green and silent valleyBy thepleasant water-coursesDwelt the singer Nawadaha. Round about the Indianvillage Spread the meadows and the corn-fieldsAnd beyond them stood the forestStood the groves of singing pine-treesGreen in Summerwhite in WinterEversighingever singing.
"There he sang of HiawathaSang the Song of HiawathaSang his wondrousbirth and beingHow he prayed and how be fastedHow he livedand toiledandsufferedThat the tribes of men might prosperThat he might advance hispeople!"
Ye who love a nation's legendsLove the ballads of a peopleThat likevoices from afar off Call to us to pause and listenSpeak in tones so plain andchildlikeScarcely can the ear distinguish Whether they are sung or spoken;Listento this Indian LegendTo this Song of Hiawatha! Ye whose hearts are fresh andsimpleWho have faith in God and NatureWho believe that in all ages Everyhuman heart is humanThat in even savage bosoms There are longingsyearningsstrivings For the good they comprehend notThat the feeble hands and helplessGroping blindly in the darknessTouch God's right hand in that darkness And arelifted up and strengthened;Listen to this simple storyTo this Song of Hiawatha!
Chapter I
The Peace-PipeOn the Mountains of the PrairieOn the great Red Pipe-stone QuarryGitcheManitothe mightyHe the Master of LifedescendingOn the red crags of thequarry Stood erectand called the nationsCalled the tribes of men together.
From the red stone of the quarry With his hand he broke a fragmentMouldedit into a pipe-headShaped and fashioned it with figures; From the margin ofthe river Took a long reed for a pipe-stemWith its dark green leaves upon it;Filled the pipe with bark of willowWith the bark of the red willow; Breathedupon the neighboring forestMade its great boughs chafe togetherTill in flamethey burst and kindled; And erect upon the mountainsGitche Manitothe mightySmoked the calumetthe Peace-PipeAs a signal to the nations.
From the Vale of TawasenthaFrom the Valley of WyomingFrom the groves ofTuscaloosaFrom the far-off Rocky MountainsFrom the Northern lakes and riversAll the tribes beheld the signalSaw the distant smoke ascendingThe Pukwanaof the Peace-Pipe.
Down the riverso'er the prairiesCame the warriors of the nationsCamethe Delawares and MohawksCame the Choctaws and CamanchesCame the Shoshoniesand BlackfeetCame the Pawnees and Omahas
And they stood there on the meadowWith their weapons and their war-gearPainted like the leaves of AutumnPainted like the sky of morningWildlyglaring at each other; In their faces stem defianceIn their hearts the feudsof agesThe hereditary hatredThe ancestral thirst of vengeance.
Over them he stretched his right handTo subdue their stubborn naturesToallay their thirst and feverBy the shadow of his right hand; Spake to themwith voice majestic As the sound of far-off watersFalling into deep abyssesWarningchidingspake in this wise :
"I have given you lands to hunt inI have given you streams to fish inI have given you bear and bisonI have given you roe and reindeerI have givenyou brant and beaverFilled the marshes full of wild-fowlFilled the riversfull of fishes: Why then are you not contented? Why then will you hunt eachother?
"I will send a Prophet to youA Deliverer of the nationsWho shallguide you and shall teach youWho shall toil and suffer with you. If you listento his counselsYou will multiply and prosper; If his warnings pass unheededYou will fade away and perish!
Then upon the ground the warriors Threw their cloaks and shirts of deer-skinThrew their weapons and their war-gearLeaped into the rushing riverWashedthe war-paint from their faces. Clear above them flowed the waterClear andlimpid from the footprints Of the Master of Life descending; Dark below themflowed the waterSoiled and stained with streaks of crimsonAs if blood weremingled with it!
And in silence all the warriors Broke the red stone of the quarrySmoothedand formed it into Peace-PipesBroke the long reeds by the riverDecked themwith their brightest feathersAnd departed each one homewardWhile the Masterof LifeascendingThrough the opening of cloud-curtainsThrough the doorwaysof the heavenVanished from before their facesIn the smoke that rolled aroundhimThe Pukwana of the Peace-Pipe!
Chapter II
The Four Winds"Honor be to Mudjekeewis!" Cried the warriorscried the old menWhenhe came in triumph homeward With the sacred Belt of WampumFrom the regions ofthe North-WindFrom the kingdom of WabassoFrom the land of the White Rabbit.
He had stolen the Belt of Wampum From the neck of Mishe-MokwaFrom the GreatBear of the mountainsFrom the terror of the nationsAs he lay asleep andcumbrous On the summit of the mountainsLike a rock with mosses on itSpottedbrown and gray with mosses.
Then he swung aloft his war-clubShouted loud and long his war-crySmotethe mighty Mishe-Mokwa In the middle of the foreheadRight between the eyes hesmote him.
"Hark youBear! you are a coward; And no Braveas you pretended; Elseyou would not cry and whimper Like a miserable woman! Bear! you know our tribesare hostileLong have been at war together; Now you find that we are strongestYou go sneaking in the forestYou go hiding in the mountains! Had you conqueredme in battle Not a groan would I have uttered; But youBear! sit here andwhimperAnd disgrace your tribe by cryingLike a wretched ShaugodayaLike acowardly old woman!"
"Honor be to Mudjekeewis!" With a shout exclaimed the people"Honor be to Mudjekeewis! Henceforth he shall be the West-WindAndhereafter and forever Shall he hold supreme dominion Over all the winds ofheaven. Call him no more MudjekeewisCall him Kabeyunthe West-Wind!"
Young and beautiful was Wabun; He it was who brought the morningHe it waswhose silver arrows Chased the dark o'er hill and valley; He it was whose cheekswere painted With the brightest streaks of crimsonAnd whose voice awoke thevillageCalled the deerand called the hunter.
But one morninggazing earthwardWhile the village still was sleepingAndthe fog lay on the riverLike a ghostthat goes at sunriseHe beheld a maidenwalking All alone upon a meadowGathering water-flags and rushes By a river inthe meadow.
And he wooed her with caressesWooed her with his smile of sunshineWithhis flattering words he wooed herWith his sighing and his singingGentlestwhispers in the branchesSoftest musicsweetest odorsTill he drew her to hisbosomFolded in his robes of crimsonTill into a star he changed herTrembling still upon his bosom; And forever in the heavens They are seentogether walkingWabun and the Wabun-AnnungWabun and the Star of Morning.
Once the fierce Kabibonokka Issued from his lodge of snow-drifts From hishome among the icebergsAnd his hairwith snow besprinkledStreamed behindhim like a riverLike a black and wintry riverAs he howled and hurriedsouthwardOver frozen lakes and moorlands.
Cried the fierce Kabibonokka"Who is this that dares to brave me? Daresto stay in my dominionsWhen the Wawa has departedWhen the wild-goose hasgone southwardAnd the heronthe Shuh-shuh-gahLong ago departed southward? Iwill go into his wigwamI will put his smouldering fire out!"
Then Kabibonokka enteredAnd though Shingebisthe diverFelt his presenceby the coldnessFelt his icy breath upon himStill he did not cease hissingingStill he did not leave his laughingOnly turned the log a littleOnlymade the fire burn brighterMade the sparks fly up the smoke-flue.
Till at last he rose defeatedCould not bear the heat and laughterCouldnot bear the merry singingBut rushed headlong through the door-wayStampedupon the crusted snow-driftsStamped upon the lakes and riversMade the snowupon them harderMade the ice upon them thickerChallenged ShingebisthediverTo come forth and wrestle with himTo come forth and wrestle naked Onthe frozen fens and moorlands.
Shawondaseefat and lazyHad his dwelling far to southwardIn the drowsydreamy sunshineIn the never-ending Summer. He it was who sent the wood-birdsSent the robinthe OpecheeSent the bluebirdthe OwaissaSent the Shawshawsent the swallowSent the wild-gooseWawanorthwardSent the melons andtobaccoAnd the grapes in purple clusters.
Listlesscareless Shawondasee! In his life he had one shadowIn his heartone sorrow had he. Onceas he was gazing northwardFar away upon a prairie Hebeheld a maiden standingSaw a tall and slender maiden All alone upon a prairie;Brightest green were all her garmentsAnd her hair was like the sunshine.
Till one morninglooking northwardHe beheld her yellow tresses Changed andcovered o'er with whitenessCovered as with whitest snow-flakes. "Ah! mybrother from the North-landFrom the kingdom of WabassoFrom the land of theWhite Rabbit! You have stolen the maiden from meYou have laid your hand uponherYou have wooed and won my maidenWith your stories of the North-land!"
Poordeluded Shawondasee! 'T was no woman that you gazed at'T was nomaiden that you sighed for'T was the prairie dandelion That through all thedreamy Summer You had gazed at with such longingYou had sighed for with suchpassionAnd had puffed away foreverBlown into the air with sighing. Ah!deluded Shawondasee!
Chapter III
Hiawatha's ChildhoodDownward through the evening twilightIn the days that are forgottenIn theunremembered agesFrom the full moon fell NokomisFell the beautiful NokomisShe a wifebut not a mother.
There among the ferns and mossesThere among the prairie liliesOn theMuskodaythe meadowIn the moonlight and the starlightFair Nokomis bore adaughter. And she called her name WenonahAs the first-born of her daughters.And the daughter of Nokomis Grew up like the prairie liliesGrew a tall andslender maidenWith the beauty of the moonlightWith the beauty of thestarlight.
But she heeded not the warningHeeded not those words of wisdomAnd theWest-Wind came at eveningWalking lightly o'er the prairieWhispering to theleaves and blossomsBending low the flowers and grassesFound the beautifulWenonahLying there among the liliesWooed her with his words of sweetnessWooed her with his soft caressesTill she bore a son in sorrowBore a son oflove and sorrow.
For her daughter long and loudly Wailed and wept the sad Nokomis; "Ohthat I were dead!" she murmured"Oh that I were deadas thou art! Nomore workand no more weepingWahonowin! Wahonowin!"
There the wrinkled old Nokomis Nursed the little HiawathaRocked him in hislinden cradleBedded soft in moss and rushesSafely bound with reindeer sinews;Stilled his fretful wail by saying"Hush! the Naked Bear will hear thee!"Lulled him into slumbersinging"Ewa-yea! my little owlet! Who is thisthat lights the wigwam? With his great eyes lights the wigwam? Ewa-yea! mylittle owlet!"
At the door on summer evenings Sat the little Hiawatha; Heard the whisperingof the pine-treesHeard the lapping of the watersSounds of musicwords ofwonder; 'Minne-wawa!" said the Pine-treesMudway-aushka!" said thewater.
Saw the moon rise from the water Ripplingrounding from the waterSaw theflecks and shadows on itWhispered"What is thatNokomis?" And thegood Nokomis answered: "Once a warriorvery angrySeized his grandmotherand threw her Up into the sky at midnight; Right against the moon he threw her;'T is her body that you see there."
When he heard the owls at midnightHootinglaughing in the forest'What isthat?" he cried in terror"What is that" he said"Nokomis?"And the good Nokomis answered: "That is but the owl and owletTalking intheir native languageTalkingscolding at each other."
Of all beasts he learned the languageLearned their names and all theirsecretsHow the beavers built their lodgesWhere the squirrels hid theiracornsHow the reindeer ran so swiftlyWhy the rabbit was so timidTalkedwith them whene'er he met themCalled them "Hiawatha's Brothers."
Then he said to Hiawatha: "Gomy soninto the forestWhere the reddeer herd togetherKill for us a famous roebuckKill for us a deer withantlers!"
Up the oak-treeclose beside himSprang the squirrelAdjidaumoIn and outamong the branchesCoughed and chattered from the oak-treeLaughedand saidbetween his laughing"Do not shoot meHiawatha!"
But he heeded notnor heard themFor his thoughts were with the red deer;On their tracks his eyes were fastenedLeading downward to the riverTo theford across the riverAnd as one in slumber walked he.
Thenupon one knee uprisingHiawatha aimed an arrow; Scarce a twig movedwith his motionScarce a leaf was stirred or rustledBut the wary roebuckstartedStamped with all his hoofs togetherListened with one foot upliftedLeaped as if to meet the arrow; Ah! the singingfatal arrowLike a wasp itbuzzed and stung him!
From the red deer's hide Nokomis Made a cloak for HiawathaFrom the reddeer's flesh Nokomis Made a banquet to his honor. All the village came andfeastedAll the guests praised HiawathaCalled him Strong-HeartSoan-ge-taha!Called him Loon-HeartMahn-go-taysee!
Chapter IV
Hiawatha and MudjekeewisOut of childhood into manhood Now had grown my HiawathaSkilled in all thecraft of huntersLearned in all the lore of old menIn all youthful sports andpastimesIn all manly arts and labors.
Swift of foot was Hiawatha; He could shoot an arrow from himAnd run forwardwith such fleetnessThat the arrow fell behind him! Strong of arm was Hiawatha;He could shoot ten arrows upwardShoot them with such strength and swiftnessThat the tenth had left the bow-string Ere the first to earth had fallen!
Much he questioned old Nokomis Of his father Mudjekeewis; Learned from herthe fatal secret Of the beauty of his motherOf the falsehood of his father;And his heart was hot within himLike a living coal his heart was.
From his lodge went HiawathaDressed for travelarmed for hunting; Dressedin deer-skin shirt and leggingsRichly wrought with quills and wampum; On hishead his eagle-feathersRound his waist his belt of wampumIn his hand his bowof ash-woodStrung with sinews of the reindeer; In his quiver oaken arrowsTipped with jasperwinged with feathers; With his mittensMinjekahwunWithhis moccasins enchanted.
But the fearless Hiawatha Heeded not her woman's warning; Forth he strodeinto the forestAt each stride a mile he measured; Lurid seemed the sky abovehimLurid seemed the earth beneath himHot and close the air around himFilled with smoke and fiery vaporsAs of burning woods and prairiesFor hisheart was hot within himLike a living coal his heart was.
Filled with awe was Hiawatha At the aspect of his father. On the air abouthim wildly Tossed and streamed his cloudy tressesGleamed like drifting snowhis tressesGlared like Ishkoodahthe cometLike the star with fiery tresses.
"Welcome!" said he"HiawathaTo the kingdom of the West-WindLong have I been waiting for you Youth is lovelyage is lonelyYouth is fieryage is frosty; You bring back the days departedYou bring back my youth ofpassionAnd the beautiful Wenonah!"
Patiently sat HiawathaListening to his father's boasting; With a smile hesat and listenedUttered neither threat nor menaceNeither word nor lookbetrayed himBut his heart was hot within himLike a living coal his heart was.
And he looked at Hiawatha With a wise look and benignantWith a countenancepaternalLooked with pride upon the beauty Of his tall and graceful figureSaying"O my Hiawatha! Is there anything can harm you? Anything you areafraid of?"
And as MudjekeewisrisingStretched his hand to pluck the bulrushHiawathacried in terrorCried in well-dissembled terror"Kago! kago! do not touchit!" "Ahkaween!" said Mudjekeewis"No indeedI will nottouch it!"
And he cried"O MudjekeewisIt was you who killed WenonahTook heryoung life and her beautyBroke the Lily of the PrairieTrampled it beneathyour footsteps; You confess it! you confess it!" And the mighty MudjekeewisTossed upon the wind his tressesBowed his hoary head in anguishWith a silentnod assented.
But the ruler of the West-Wind Blew the fragments backward from himWith thebreathing of his nostrilsWith the tempest of his angerBlew them back at hisassailant; Seized the bulrushthe ApukwaDragged it with its roots and fibresFrom the margin of the meadowFrom its ooze the giant bulrush; Long and loudlaughed Hiawatha!
Like a tall tree in the tempest Bent and lashed the giant bulrush; And inmasses huge and heavy Crashing fell the fatal Wawbeek; Till the earth shook withthe tumult And confusion of the battleAnd the air was full of shoutingsAndthe thunder of the mountainsStartinganswered"Baim-wawa!"
"Hold!" at length cried Mudjekeewis"Holdmy sonmyHiawatha! 'T is impossible to kill meFor you cannot kill the immortal I haveput you to this trialBut to know and prove your courage; Now receive the prizeof valor!
"And at last when Death draws near youWhen the awful eyes of PaugukGlare upon you in the darknessI will share my kingdom with youRuler shallyou be thenceforward Of the Northwest-WindKeewaydinOf the home-windtheKeewaydin."
Homeward now went Hiawatha; Pleasant was the landscape round himPleasantwas the air above himFor the bitterness of anger Had departed wholly from himFrom his brain the thought of vengeanceFrom his heart the burning fever.
There the ancient Arrow-maker Made his arrow-heads of sandstoneArrow-headsof chalcedonyArrow-heads of flint and jasperSmoothed and sharpened at theedgesHard and polishedkeen and costly.
Was it then for heads of arrowsArrow-heads of chalcedonyArrow-heads offlint and jasperThat my Hiawatha halted In the land of the Dacotahs?
Who shall say what thoughts and visions Fill the fiery brains of young men?Who shall say what dreams of beauty Filled the heart of Hiawatha? All he told toold NokomisWhen he reached the lodge at sunsetWas the meeting with hisfatherWas his fight with Mudjekeewis; Not a word he said of arrowsNot a wordof Laughing Water.
Chapter V
Hiawatha's FastingYou shall hear how Hiawatha Prayed and fasted in the forestNot for greaterskill in huntingNot for greater craft in fishingNot for triumphs in thebattleAnd renown among the warriorsBut for profit of the peopleForadvantage of the nations.
First he built a lodge for fastingBuilt a wigwam in the forestBy theshining Big-Sea-WaterIn the blithe and pleasant Spring-timeIn the Moon ofLeaves he built itAndwith dreams and visions manySeven whole days andnights he fasted.
On the next day of his fasting By the river's brink he wanderedThrough theMuskodaythe meadowSaw the wild riceMahnomoneeSaw the blueberryMeenahgaAnd the strawberryOdahminAnd the gooseberryShahbominAnd the grape.vinethe BemahgutTrailing o'er the alder-branchesFilling all the air withfragrance! "Master of Life!" he crieddesponding"Must ourlives depend on these things?"
On the fourth day of his fasting In his lodge he lay exhausted; From hiscouch of leaves and branches Gazing with half-open eyelidsFull of shadowydreams and visionsOn the dizzyswimming landscapeOn the gleaming of thewaterOn the splendor of the sunset.
Standing at the open doorwayLong he looked at HiawathaLooked with pityand compassion On his wasted form and featuresAndin accents like the sighingOf the South-Wind in the tree-topsSaid he"O my Hiawatha! All yourprayers are heard in heavenFor you pray not like the others; Not for greaterskill in huntingNot for greater craft in fishingNot for triumph in thebattleNor renown among the warriorsBut for profit of the peopleForadvantage of the nations.
Faint with famineHiawatha Started from his bed of branchesFrom thetwilight of his wigwam Forth into the flush of sunset Cameand wrestled withMondamin; At his touch he felt new courage Throbbing in his brain and bosomFelt new life and hope and vigor Run through every nerve and fibre.
"'T Is enough!" then said MondaminSmiling upon Hiawatha"Buttomorrowwhen the sun setsI will come again to try you." And he vanishedand was seen not; Whether sinking as the rain sinksWhether rising as the mistsriseHiawatha saw notknew notOnly saw that he had vanishedLeaving himalone and faintingWith the misty lake below himAnd the reeling stars abovehim.
Thrice they wrestled there together In the glory of the sunsetTill thedarkness fell around themTill the heronthe Shuh-shuh-gahFrom her nestamong the pine-treesUttered her loud cry of famineAnd Mondamin paused tolisten.
And he cried"O Hiawatha! Bravely have you wrestled with meThricehave wrestled stoutly with meAnd the Master of Lifewho sees usHe will giveto you the triumph!"
"Let no hand disturb my slumberLet no weed nor worm molest meLet notKahgahgeethe ravenCome to haunt me and molest meOnly come yourself towatch meTill I wakeand startand quickenTill I leap into the sunshine"
On the morrow came NokomisOn the seventh day of his fastingCame with foodfor HiawathaCame imploring and bewailingLest his hunger should o'ercome himLest his fasting should be fatal.
Homeward weeping went NokomisSorrowing for her HiawathaFearing lest hisstrength should fail himLest his fasting should be fatal. He meanwhile satweary waiting For the coming of MondaminTill the shadowspointing eastwardLengthened over field and forestTill the sun dropped from the heavenFloatingon the waters westwardAs a red leaf in the Autumn Falls and floats upon thewaterFalls and sinks into its bosom.
Round about him spun the landscapeSky and forest reeled togetherAnd hisstrong heart leaped within himAs the sturgeon leaps and struggles In a net tobreak its meshes. Like a ring of fire around him Blazed and flared the redhorizonAnd a hundred suns seemed looking At the combat of the wrestlers.
And victorious Hiawatha Made the grave as he commandedStripped the garmentsfrom MondaminStripped his tattered plumage from himLaid him in the earthand made it Soft and loose and light above him; And the heronthe Shuh-shuh-gahFrom the melancholy moorlandsGave a cry of lamentationGave a cry of pain andanguish!
Day by day did Hiawatha Go to wait and watch beside it; Kept the dark mouldsoft above itKept it clean from weeds and insectsDrove awaywith scoffs andshoutingsKahgahgeethe king of ravens.
Then he called to old Nokomis And Iagoothe great boasterShowed them wherethe maize was growingTold them of his wondrous visionOf his wrestling andhis triumphOf this new gift to the nationsWhich should be their foodforever.
Chapter VI
Hiawatha's FriendsTwo good friends had HiawathaSingled out from all the othersBound to himin closest unionAnd to whom he gave the right hand Of his heartin joy andsorrow; Chibiabosthe musicianAnd the very strong manKwasind.
Most beloved by Hiawatha Was the gentle ChibiabosHe the best of allmusiciansHe the sweetest of all singers. Beautiful and childlike was heBraveas man issoft as womanPliant as a wand of willowStately as a deer withantlers.
From the hollow reeds he fashioned Flutes so musical and mellowThat thebrookthe SebowishaCeased to murmur in the woodlandThat the wood-birdsceased from singingAnd the squirrelAdjidaumoCeased his chatter in theoak-treeAnd the rabbitthe WabassoSat upright to look and listen.
Yesthe bluebirdthe OwaissaEnvioussaid"O ChibiabosTeach metones as wild and waywardTeach me songs as full of frenzy!"
And the whippoorwillWawonaissaSobbingsaid"O ChibiabosTeach metones as melancholyTeach me songs as full of sadness!"
Very dear to Hiawatha Was the gentle ChibiabosHe the best of all musiciansHe the sweetest of all singers; For his gentleness he loved himAnd the magicof his singing.
Idle in his youth was KwasindVery listlessdulland dreamyNever playedwith other childrenNever fished and never huntedNot like other children washe; But they saw that much he fastedMuch his Manito entreatedMuch besoughthis Guardian Spirit.
Slowlyfrom the ashesKwasind Rosebut made no angry answer; From thelodge went forth in silenceTook the netsthat hung togetherDrippingfreezing at the doorway; Like a wisp of straw he wrung themLike a wisp ofstraw he broke themCould not wring them without breakingSuch the strengthwas in his fingers.
Down a narrow pass they wanderedWhere a brooklet led them onwardWhere thetrail of deer and bison Marked the soft mud on the marginTill they found allfurther passage Shut against thembarred securely By the trunks of treesuprootedLying lengthwiselying crosswiseAnd forbidding further passage.
"Lazy Kwasind!" said the young menAs they sported in the meadow:"Why stand idly looking at usLeaning on the rock behind you? Come andwrestle with the othersLet us pitch the quoit together!"
Once as down that foaming riverDown the rapids of PauwatingKwasind sailedwith his companionsIn the stream he saw a beaverSaw Ahmeekthe King ofBeaversStruggling with the rushing currentsRisingsinking in the water.
And these twoas I have told youWere the friends of HiawathaChibiabosthe musicianAnd the very strong manKwasind. Long they lived in peacetogetherSpake with naked hearts togetherPondering much and much contrivingHow the tribes of men might prosper.
Chapter VII
Hiawatha's Sailing"Give me of your barkO Birch-tree! Of your yellow barkO Birch-tree!Growing by the rushing riverTall and stately in the valley! I a light canoewill build meBuild a swift Cheemaun for sailingThat shall float on theriverLike a yellow leaf in AutumnLike a yellow water-lily!
"Lay aside your cloakO Birch-tree! Lay aside your white-skin wrapperFor the Summer-time is comingAnd the sun is warm in heavenAnd you need nowhite-skin wrapper!"
And the tree with all its branches Rustled in the breeze of morningSayingwith a sigh of patience"Take my cloakO Hiawatha!"
"Give me of your boughsO Cedar! Of your strong and pliant branchesMycanoe to make more steadyMake more strong and firm beneath me!"
Down he hewed the boughs of cedarShaped them straightway to a frame-workLike two bows he formed and shaped themLike two bended bows together.
And the Larchwith all its fibresShivered in the air of morningTouchedhis forehead with its tasselsSlidwith one long sigh of sorrow. "Takethem allO Hiawatha!"
"Give me of your balmO Fir-tree! Of your balsam and your resinSo toclose the seams together That the water may not enterThat the river may notwet me!"
And he took the tears of balsamTook the resin of the Fir-treeSmearedtherewith each seam and fissureMade each crevice safe from water.
From a hollow tree the Hedgehog With his sleepy eyes looked at himShot hisshining quillslike arrowsSaying with a drowsy murmurThrough the tangle ofhis whiskers"Take my quillsO Hiawatha!"
Thus the Birch Canoe was builded In the valleyby the riverIn the bosom ofthe forest; And the forest's life was in itAll its mystery and its magicAllthe lightness of the birch-treeAll the toughness of the cedarAll the larch'ssupple sinews; And it floated on the river Like a yellow leaf in AutumnLike ayellow water-lily.
Then he called aloud to KwasindTo his friendthe strong manKwasindSaying"Help me clear this river Of its sunken logs and sand-bars."
And thus sailed my Hiawatha Down the rushing TaquamenawSailed through allits bends and windingsSailed through all its deeps and shallowsWhile hisfriendthe strong manKwasindSwam the deepsthe shallows waded.
Chapter VIII
Hiawatha's FishingForth upon the Gitche GumeeOn the shining Big-Sea-WaterWith hisfishing-line of cedarOf the twisted bark of cedarForth to catch the sturgeonNahmaMishe-NahmaKing of FishesIn his birch canoe exulting All alone wentHiawatha.
At the stern sat HiawathaWith his fishing-line of cedar; In his plumes thebreeze of morning Played as in the hemlock branches; On the bowswith tailerectedSat the squirrelAdjidaumo; In his fur the breeze of morning Played asin the prairie grasses.
There he lay in all his armor; On each side a shield to guard himPlates ofbone upon his foreheadDown his sides and back and shoulders Plates of bonewith spines projecting Painted was he with his war-paintsStripes of yellowredand azureSpots of brown and spots of sable; And he lay there on thebottomFanning with his fins of purpleAs above him Hiawatha In his birchcanoe came sailingWith his fishing-line of cedar.
Quiet lay the sturgeonNahmaFanning slowly in the waterLooking up atHiawathaListening to his call and clamorHis unnecessary tumultTill hewearied of the shouting; And he said to the KenozhaTo the piketheMaskenozha"Take the bait of this rude fellowBreak the line ofHiawatha!"
Reeling downward to the bottom Sank the pike in great confusionAnd themighty sturgeonNahmaSaid to Ugudwashthe sun-fishTo the breamwithscales of crimson"Take the bait of this great boasterBreak the line ofHiawatha!"
But when Hiawatha saw him Slowly rising through the waterLifting up hisdisk refulgentLoud he shouted in derision"Esa! esa! shame upon you! Youare Ugudwashthe sun-fishYou are not the fish I wantedYou are not the Kingof Fishes!"
From the white sand of the bottom Up he rose with angry gestureQuivering ineach nerve and fibreClashing all his plates of armorGleaming bright with allhis war-paint; In his wrath he darted upwardFlashing leaped into the sunshineOpened his great jawsand swallowed Both canoe and Hiawatha.
And he smote it in his angerWith his fistthe heart of NahmaFelt themighty King of Fishes Shudder through each nerve and fibreHeard the watergurgle round him As he leaped and staggered through itSick at heartand faintand weary.
Then said Hiawatha to him"O my little friendthe squirrelBravelyhave you toiled to help me; Take the thanks of HiawathaAnd the name which nowhe gives you; For hereafter and forever Boys shall call you AdjidaumoTail-in-air the boys shall call you!"
Then he heard a clang and flappingAs of many wings assemblingHeard ascreaming and confusionAs of birds of prey contendingSaw a gleam of lightabove himShining through the ribs of NahmaSaw the glittering eyes ofsea-gullsOf Kayoshkthe sea-gullspeeringGazing at him through theopeningHeard them saying to each other"'T is our brotherHiawatha!"
And the wild and clamorous sea-gulls Toiled with beak and claws togetherMade the rifts and openings wider In the mighty ribs of NahmaAnd from periland from prisonFrom the body of the sturgeonFrom the peril of the waterThey released my Hiawatha.
"I have slain the Mishe-NahmaSlain the King of Fishes!" said he'"Look! the sea-gulls feed upon himYesmy friends Kayoshkthe sea-gulls;Drive them not awayNokomisThey have saved me from great peril In the body ofthe sturgeonWait until their meal is endedTill their craws are full withfeastingTill they homeward flyat sunsetTo their nests among the marshes;Then bring all your pots and kettlesAnd make oil for us in Winter."
To his sleep went HiawathaAnd Nokomis to her laborToiling patient in themoonlightTill the sun and moon changed placesTill the sky was red withsunriseAnd Kayoshkthe hungry sea-gullsCame back from the reedy islandsClamorous for their morning banquet.
Chapter IX
Hiawatha and the Pearl-Feather
On the shores of Gitche GumeeOf the shining Big-Sea-WaterStood Nokomisthe old womanPointing with her finger westwardO'er the water pointingwestwardTo the purple clouds of sunset.
And Nokomisthe old womanPointing with her finger westwardSpake thesewords to Hiawatha: "Yonder dwells the great Pearl-FeatherMegissogwontheMagicianManito of Wealth and WampumGuarded by his fiery serpentsGuarded bythe black pitch-water. You can see his fiery serpentsThe Kenabeekthe greatserpentsCoilingplaying in the water; You can see the black pitch-waterStretching far away beyond themTo the purple clouds of sunset!
"Take your bowO HiawathaTake your arrowsjasper-headedTake yourwar-clubPuggawaugunAnd your mittensMinjekahwunAnd your birch-canoe forsailingAnd the oil of Mishe-NahmaSo to smear its sidesthat swiftly You maypass the black pitch-water; Slay this merciless magicianSave the people fromthe fever That he breathes across the fen-landsAnd avenge my father'smurder!"
Forward leaped Cheemaun exultingAnd the noble Hiawatha Sang his war-songwild and wofulAnd above him the war-eagleThe Keneuthe great war-eagleMaster of all fowls with feathersScreamed and hurtled through the heavens.
But the fearless Hiawatha Cried aloudand spake in this wise"Let mepass my wayKenabeekLet me go upon my journey!" And they answeredhissing fiercelyWith their fiery breath made answer: "Backgo back! OShaugodaya! Back to old NokomisFaint-heart!"
Weltering in the bloody waterDead lay all the fiery serpentsAnd amongthem Hiawatha Harmless sailedand cried exulting: "OnwardO Cheemaunmydarling! Onward to the black pitch-water!"
All night long he sailed upon itSailed upon that sluggish waterCoveredwith its mould of agesBlack with rotting water-rushesRank with flags andleaves of liliesStagnantlifelessdrearydismalLighted by the shimmeringmoonlightAnd by will-o'-the-wisps illuminedFires by ghosts of dead menkindledIn their weary night-encampments.
Westward thus fared HiawathaToward the realm of MegissogwonToward theland of the Pearl-FeatherTill the level moon stared at him In his face staredpale and haggardTill the sun was hot behind himTill it burned upon hisshouldersAnd before him on the upland He could see the Shining Wigwam Of theManito of WampumOf the mightiest of Magicians.
Straight he took his bow of ash-treeOn the sand one end he restedWith hisknee he pressed the middleStretched the faithful bow-string tighterTook anarrowjasperheadedShot it at the Shining WigwamSent it singing as a heraldAs a bearer of his messageOf his challenge loud and lofty: "Come forthfrom your lodgePearl-Feather! Hiawatha waits your coming!"
"Well I know youHiawatha!" Cried he in a voice of thunderIn atone of loud derision. "Hasten backO Shaugodaya! Hasten back among thewomenBack to old NokomisFaint-heart! I will slay you as you stand thereAsof old I slew her father!"
Then began the greatest battle That the sun had ever looked onThat thewar-birds ever witnessed. All a Summer's day it lastedFrom the sunrise to thesunset; For the shafts of Hiawatha Harmless hit the shirt of wampumHarmlessfell the blows he dealt it With his mittensMinjekahwunHarmless fell theheavy war-club; It could dash the rocks asunderBut it could not break themeshes Of that magic shirt of wampum.
Suddenly from the boughs above him Sang the Mamathe woodpecker: "Aimyour arrowsHiawathaAt the head of MegissogwonStrike the tuft of hair uponitAt their roots the long black tresses; There alone can he be wounded!"
Swifter flew the second arrowIn the pathway of the otherPiercing deeperthan the otherWounding sorer than the other; And the knees of MegissogwonShook like windy reeds beneath himBent and trembled like the rushes.
Then the grateful Hiawatha Called the Mamathe woodpeckerFrom his perchamong the branches Of the melancholy pine-treeAndin honor of his serviceStained with blood the tuft of feathers On the little head of Mama; Even to thisday he wears itWears the tuft of crimson feathersAs a symbol of his service.
From the wigwam Hiawatha Bore the wealth of MegissogwonAll his wealth ofskins and wampumFurs of bison and of beaverFurs of sable and of ermineWampum belts and strings and pouchesQuivers wrought with beads of wampumFilled with arrowssilver-headed.
On the shore stood old NokomisOn the shore stood ChibiabosAnd the verystrong manKwasindWaiting for the hero's comingListening to his songs oftriumph. And the people of the village Welcomed him with songs and dancesMadea joyous feastand shouted: 'Honor be to Hiawatha! He has slain the greatPearl-FeatherSlain the mightiest of MagiciansHimwho sent the fiery feverSent the white fog from the fen-landsSent disease and death among us!"
Chapter X
Hiawatha's Wooing"As unto the bow the cord isSo unto the man is woman; Though she bendshimshe obeys himThough she draws himyet she follows; Useless each withoutthe other!"
"Wed a maiden of your people" Warning said the old Nokomis;"Go not eastwardgo not westwardFor a strangerwhom we know not! Like afire upon the hearth-stone Is a neighbor's homely daughterLike the starlightor the moonlight Is the handsomest of strangers!"
Gravely then said old Nokomis: "Bring not here an idle maidenBring nothere a useless womanHands unskilfulfeet unwilling; Bring a wife with nimblefingersHeart and hand that move togetherFeet that run on willingerrands!"
Still dissuading said Nokomis: "Bring not to my lodge a stranger Fromthe land of the Dacotahs! Very fierce are the DacotahsOften is there warbetween usThere are feuds yet unforgottenWounds that ache and still mayopen!"
Thus departed Hiawatha To the land of the DacotahsTo the land of handsomewomen; Striding over moor and meadowThrough interminable forestsThroughuninterrupted silence.
On the outskirts of the forests'Twixt the shadow and the sunshineHerds offallow deer were feedingBut they saw not Hiawatha; To his bow he whispered"Fail not!" To his arrow whispered"Swerve not!" Sent itsinging on its errandTo the red heart of the roebuck; Threw the deer acrosshis shoulderAnd sped forward without pausing.
He was thinkingas he sat thereOf the days when with such arrows He hadstruck the deer and bisonOn the Muskodaythe meadow; Shot the wild gooseflying southward On the wingthe clamorous Wawa; Thinking of the greatwar-partiesHow they came to buy his arrowsCould not fight without hisarrows. Ahno more such noble warriors Could be found on earth as they were!Now the men were all like womenOnly used their tongues for weapons!
Through their thoughts they heard a footstepHeard a rustling in thebranchesAnd with glowing cheek and foreheadWith the deer upon his shouldersSuddenly from out the woodlands Hiawatha stood before them.
At the feet of Laughing Water Hiawatha laid his burdenThrew the red deerfrom his shoulders; And the maiden looked up at himLooked up from her mat ofrushesSaid with gentle look and accent"You are welcomeHiawatha!"
Then uprose the Laughing WaterFrom the ground fair MinnehahaLaid asideher mat unfinishedBrought forth food and set before themWater brought themfrom the brookletGave them food in earthen vesselsGave them drink in bowlsof bass-woodListened while the guest was speakingListened while her fatheransweredBut not once her lips she openedNot a single word she uttered.
"After many years of warfareMany years of strife and bloodshedThereis peace between the Ojibways And the tribe of the Dacotahs." Thuscontinued HiawathaAnd then addedspeaking slowly"That this peace maylast foreverAnd our hands be clasped more closelyAnd our hearts be moreunitedGive me as my wife this maidenMinnehahaLaughing WaterLoveliest ofDacotah women!"
And the lovely Laughing Water Seemed more lovely as she stood thereNeitherwilling nor reluctantAs she went to HiawathaSoftly took the seat beside himWhile she saidand blushed to say it"I will follow youmyhusband!"
From the wigwam he departedLeading with him Laughing Water; Hand in handthey went togetherThrough the woodland and the meadowLeft the old manstanding lonely At the doorway of his wigwamHeard the Falls of MinnehahaCalling to them from the distanceCrying to them from afar off"Fare theewellO Minnehaha!"
Pleasant was the journey homewardThrough interminable forestsOver meadowover mountainOver riverhilland hollow. Short it seemed to HiawathaThoughthey journeyed very slowlyThough his pace he checked and slackened To thesteps of Laughing Water.
All the travelling winds went with themO'er the meadowsthrough theforest; All the stars of night looked at themWatched with sleepless eyes theirslumber; From his ambush in the oak-tree Peeped the squirrelAdjidaumoWatchedwith eager eyes the lovers; And the rabbitthe WabassoScampered from the pathbefore themPeeringpeeping from his burrowSat erect upon his haunchesWatched with curious eyes the lovers.
From the sky the sun benignant Looked upon them through the branchesSayingto them"O my childrenLove is sunshinehate is shadowLife ischeckered shade and sunshineRule by loveO Hiawatha!"
Thus it was they journeyed homeward; Thus it was that Hiawatha To the lodgeof old Nokomis Brought the moonlightstarlightfirelightBrought the sunshineof his peopleMinnehahaLaughing WaterHandsomest of all the women In theland of the DacotahsIn the land of handsome women.
Chapter XI
Hiawatha's Wedding-FeastYou shall hear how Pau-Puk-KeewisHow the handsome Yenadizze Danced atHiawatha's wedding; How the gentle ChibiabosHe the sweetest of musiciansSanghis songs of love and longing; How Iagoothe great boasterHe the marvellousstory-tellerTold his tales of strange adventureThat the feast might be morejoyousThat the time might pass more gaylyAnd the guests be more contented.
She had sent through all the village Messengers with wands of willowAs asign of invitationAs a token of the feasting; And the wedding guestsassembledClad in all their richest raimentRobes of fur and belts of wampumSplendid with their paint and plumageBeautiful with beads and tassels.
But the gracious HiawathaAnd the lovely Laughing WaterAnd the careful oldNokomisTasted not the food before themOnly waited on the others Only servedtheir guests in silence.
Then she said"O Pau-Puk-KeewisDance for us your merry dancesDancethe Beggar's Dance to please usThat the feast may be more joyousThat thetime may pass more gaylyAnd our guests be more contented!"
Skilled was he in sports and pastimesIn the merry dance of snow-shoesInthe play of quoits and ball-play; Skilled was he in games of hazardIn allgames of skill and hazardPugasaingthe Bowl and CountersKuntassoothe Gameof Plum-stones. Though the warriors called him Faint-HeartCalled him cowardShaugodayaIdlergamblerYenadizzeLittle heeded he their jestingLittlecared he for their insultsFor the women and the maidens Loved the handsomePau-Puk-Keewis.
Barred with streaks of red and yellowStreaks of blue and bright vermilionShone the face of Pau-Puk-Keewis. From his forehead fell his tressesSmoothand parted like a woman'sShining bright with oiland plaitedHung withbraids of scented grassesAs among the guests assembledTo the sound of flutesand singingTo the sound of drums and voicesRose the handsome Pau-Puk-KeewisAnd began his mystic dances.
Then along the sandy margin Of the lakethe Big-Sea-WaterOn he sped withfrenzied gesturesStamped upon the sandand tossed it Wildly in the air aroundhim; Till the wind became a whirlwindTill the sand was blown and sifted Likegreat snowdrifts o'er the landscapeHeaping all the shores with Sand DunesSand Hills of the Nagow Wudjoo!
Then they said to ChibiabosTo the friend of HiawathaTo the sweetest ofall singersTo the best of all musicians"Sing to usO Chibiabos! Songsof love and songs of longingThat the feast may be more joyousThat the timemay pass more gaylyAnd our guests be more contented!"
"Onaway! Awakebeloved! Thou the wild-flower of the forest! Thou thewild-bird of the prairie! Thou with eyes so soft and fawn-like!
"Sweet thy breath is as the fragrance Of the wild-flowers in themorningAs their fragrance is at eveningIn the Moon when leaves are falling.
"Onaway! my heart sings to theeSings with joy when thou art near meAs the sighingsinging branches In the pleasant Moon of Strawberries!
"When thou smilestmy belovedThen my troubled heart is brightenedAsin sunshine gleam the ripples That the cold wind makes in rivers.
"I myselfmyself! behold me! Blood of my beating heartbehold me! Ohawakeawakebeloved! Onaway! awakebeloved!"
Very boastful was Iagoo; Never heard he an adventure But himself had met agreater; Never any deed of daring But himself had done a bolder; Never anymarvellous story But himself could tell a stranger.
None could run so fast as he couldNone could dive so deep as he couldNonecould swim so far as he could; None had made so many journeysNone had seen somany wondersAs this wonderful IagooAs this marvellous story-teller! Thus hisname became a by-word And a jest among the people; And whene'er a boastfulhunter Praised his own address too highlyOr a warriorhome returningTalkedtoo much of his achievementsAll his hearers cried"Iagoo! Here's Iagoocome among us!"
And they said"O good IagooTell us now a tale of wonderTell us ofsome strange adventureThat the feast may be more joyousThat the time maypass more gaylyAnd our guests be more contented!"
Chapter XII
The Son of the Evening Star
Can it be the sun descending O'er the level plain of water? Or the Red SwanfloatingflyingWounded by the magic arrowStaining all the waves withcrimsonWith the crimson of its life-bloodFilling all the air with splendorWith the splendor of its plumage?
Over it the Star of Evening Melts and trembles through the purpleHangssuspended in the twilight. No; it is a bead of wampum On the robes of the GreatSpirit As he passes through the twilightWalks in silence through the heavens.
"Oncein days no more rememberedAges nearer the beginningWhen theheavens were closer to usAnd the Gods were more familiarIn the North-landlived a hunterWith ten young and comely daughtersTall and lithe as wands ofwillow; Only Oweeneethe youngestShe the wilful and the waywardShe thesilentdreamy maidenWas the fairest of the sisters.
"Ahbut beautiful within him Was the spirit of OsseoFrom the EveningStar descendedStar of EveningStar of WomanStar of tenderness and passion!All its fire was in his bosomAll its beauty in his spiritAll its mystery inhis beingAll its splendor in his language!
'Once to some great feast invitedThrough the damp and dusk of eveningWalked together the ten sistersWalked together with their husbands; Slowlyfollowed old OsseoWith fair Oweenee beside him; All the others chatted gaylyThese two only walked in silence.
'Listen!' said the eldest sister'He is praying to his father! What a pitythat the old man Does not stumble in the pathwayDoes not break his neck byfalling!' And they laughed till all the forest Rang with their unseemlylaughter.
"Thus Osseo was transfiguredThus restored to youth and beauty; Butalas for good OsseoAnd for Oweeneethe faithful! Strangelytoowas shetransfigured. Changed into a weak old womanWith a staff she tottered onwardWastedwrinkledoldand ugly! And the sisters and their husbands Laugheduntil the echoing forest Rang with their unseemly laughter.
"Wrapt in visionslost in dreamingAt the banquet sat Osseo; All weremerryall were happyAll were joyous but Osseo. Neither food nor drink hetastedNeither did he speak nor listen; But as one bewildered sat heLookingdreamily and sadlyFirst at Oweeneethen upward At the gleaming sky abovethem.
"'Taste the food that stands before you: It is blessed and enchantedIthas magic virtues in itIt will change you to a spirit. All your bowls and allyour kettles Shall be wood and clay no longer; But the bowls be changed towampumAnd the kettles shall be silver; They shall shine like shells ofscarletLike the fire shall gleam and glimmer.
"What Osseo heard as whispersWhat as words he comprehendedWas butmusic to the othersMusic as of birds afar offOf the whippoorwill afar offOf the lonely Wawonaissa Singing in the darksome forest.
"Forth with cheerful words of welcome Came the father of OsseoHe withradiant locks of silverHe with eyes serene and tender. And he said: `My sonOsseoHang the cage of birds you bring thereHang the cage with rods ofsilverAnd the birds with glistening feathersAt the doorway of my wigwam.'
"`In the lodge that glimmers yonderIn the little star that twinklesThrough the vaporson the left handLives the envious Evil SpiritThe Wabenothe magicianWho transformed you to an old man. Take heed lest his beams fallon youFor the rays he darts around him Are the power of his enchantmentArethe arrows that he uses.'
"And the boy grew up and prosperedAnd Osseoto delight himMade himlittle bows and arrowsOpened the great cage of silverAnd let loose his auntsand unclesAll those birds with glossy feathersFor his little son to shootat.
"ButO wondrous transformation! `T was no bird he saw before him`Twas a beautiful young womanWith the arrow in her bosom!
"After him he saw descending All the birds with shining feathersFlutteringfallingwafted downwardLike the painted leaves of Autumn; And thelodge with poles of silverWith its roof like wings of beetlesLike theshining shards of beetlesBy the winds of heaven upliftedSlowly sank upon theislandBringing back the good OsseoBringing Oweeneethe faithful.
"Still their glittering lodge is seen thereOn the tranquil SummereveningsAnd upon the shore the fisher Sometimes hears their happy voicesSeesthem dancing in the starlight !"
All the wedding guests delighted Listened to the marvellous storyListenedlaughing and applaudingAnd they whispered to each other: "Does he meanhimselfI wonder? And are we the aunts and uncles?"
"When I think of my belovedAh me! think of my belovedWhen my heartis thinking of himO my sweetheartmy Algonquin!
"`I will go with youhe whisperedAh me! to your native country; Letme go with youhe whisperedO my sweetheartmy Algonquin!
"When I looked back to behold himWhere we partedto behold himAfterme he still was gazingO my sweetheartmy Algonquin!
Chapter XIII
Blessing the CornfieldsSingO Song of HiawathaOf the happy days that followedIn the land of theOjibwaysIn the pleasant land and peaceful! Sing the mysteries of MondaminSing the Blessing of the Cornfields!
Buried was the bloody hatchetBuried was the dreadful war-clubBuried wereall warlike weaponsAnd the war-cry was forgotten. There was peace among thenations; Unmolested roved the huntersBuilt the birch canoe for sailingCaughtthe fish in lake and riverShot the deer and trapped the beaver; Unmolestedworked the womenMade their sugar from the mapleGathered wild rice in themeadowsDressed the skins of deer and beaver.
Oncewhen all the maize was plantedHiawathawise and thoughtfulSpakeand said to MinnehahaTo his wifethe Laughing Water: "You shall blessto-night the cornfieldsDraw a magic circle round themTo protect them fromdestructionBlast of mildewblight of insectWageminthe thief ofcornfieldsPaimosaidwho steals the maize-ear
"Thus the fields shall be more fruitfulAnd the passing of yourfootsteps Draw a magic circle round themSo that neither blight nor mildewNeither burrowing worm nor insectShall pass o'er the magic circle; Not thedragon-flyKwo-ne-sheNor the spiderSubbekasheNor the grasshopperPah-puk-keena; Nor the mighty caterpillarWay-muk-kwanawith the bear-skinKing of all the caterpillars!"
When the noiseless night descended Broad and dark o'er field and forestWhenthe mournful Wawonaissa Sorrowing sang among the hemlocksAnd the Spirit ofSleepNepahwinShut the doors of all the wigwamsFrom her bed rose LaughingWaterLaid aside her garments whollyAnd with darkness clothed and guardedUnashamed and unaffrightedWalked securely round the cornfieldsDrew thesacredmagic circle Of her footprints round the cornfields.
On the morrowas the day dawnedKahgahgeethe King of RavensGathered allhis black maraudersCrows and blackbirdsjays and ravensClamorous on thedusky tree-topsAnd descendedfast and fearlessOn the fields of HiawathaOnthe grave of the Mondamin.
But the wary HiawathaEver thoughtfulcarefulwatchfulHad o'erheard thescornful laughter When they mocked him from the tree-tops. "Kaw!" hesaid"my friends the ravens! Kahgahgeemy King of Ravens! I will teachyou all a lesson That shall not be soon forgotten!"
Soon they came with caw and clamorRush of wings and cry of voicesTo theirwork of devastationSettling down upon the cornfieldsDelving deep with beakand talonFor the body of Mondamin. And with all their craft and cunningAlltheir skill in wiles of warfareThey perceived no danger near themTill theirclaws became entangledTill they found themselves imprisoned In the snares ofHiawatha.
Only Kahgahgeethe leaderKahgahgeethe King of RavensHe alone wasspared among them As a hostage for his people. With his prisoner-string he boundhimLed him captive to his wigwamTied him fast with cords of elm-bark To theridge-pole of his wigwam.
And he left himgrim and sulkySitting in the morning sunshine On thesummit of the wigwamCroaking fiercely his displeasureFlapping his greatsable pinionsVainly struggling for his freedomVainly calling on his people!
Then Nokomisthe old womanSpakeand said to Minnehaha:
And the merry Laughing Water Went rejoicing from the wigwamWith Nokomisold and wrinkledAnd they called the women round themCalled the young men andthe maidensTo the harvest of the cornfieldsTo the husking of the maize-ear.
And whene'er some lucky maiden Found a red ear in the huskingFound amaize-ear red as blood is"Nushka!" cried they all together"Nushka! you shall have a sweetheartYou shall have a handsomehusband!" "Ugh!" the old men all responded From their seatsbeneath the pine-trees.
Till the cornfields rang with laughterTill from Hiawatha's wigwamKahgahgeethe King of RavensScreamed and quivered in his angerAnd from allthe neighboring tree-tops Cawed and croaked the black marauders."Ugh!" the old men all respondedFrom their seats beneath thepine-trees!
Chapter XIV
Picture-WritingIn those days said Hiawatha"Lo! how all things fade and perish! From thememory of the old men Pass away the great traditionsThe achievements of thewarriorsThe adventures of the huntersAll the wisdom of the MedasAll thecraft of the WabenosAll the marvellous dreams and visions Of the Jossakeedsthe Prophets!
"Great men die and are forgottenWise men speak; their words of wisdomPerish in the ears that hear themDo not reach the generations Thatas yetunbornare waiting In the greatmysterious darkness Of the speechless daysthat shall be!
"Face to face we speak togetherBut we cannot speak when absentCannotsend our voices from us To the friends that dwell afar off; Cannot send a secretmessageBut the bearer learns our secretMay pervert itmay betray itMayreveal it unto others." Thus said Hiawathawalking In the solitary forestPonderingmusing in the forestOn the welfare of his people.
Gitche Manito the MightyHethe Master of Lifewas painted As an eggwithpoints projecting To the four winds of the heavens. Everywhere is the GreatSpiritWas the meaning of this symbol.
Life and Death he drew as circlesLife was whitebut Death was darkened;Sun and moon and stars he paintedMan and beastand fish and reptileForestsmountainslakesand rivers.
All these things did Hiawatha Show unto his wondering peopleAnd interpretedtheir meaningAnd he said: "Beholdyour grave-posts Have no marknosignnor symbolGo and paint them all with figures; Each one with itshousehold symbolWith its own ancestral Totem; So that those who follow afterMay distinguish them and know them."
And the Jossakeedsthe ProphetsThe Wabenosthe MagiciansAnd theMedicine-menthe MedasPainted upon bark and deer-skin Figures for the songsthey chantedFor each song a separate symbolFigures mystical and awfulFigures strange and brightly colored; And each figure had its meaningEach somemagic song suggested.
Such as these the shapes they painted On the birch-bark and the deer-skin;Songs of war and songs of huntingSongs of medicine and of magicAll werewritten in these figuresFor each figure had its meaningEach its separatesong recorded.
First a human figure standingPainted in the brightest scarlet; `T Is theloverthe musicianAnd the meaning is"My painting Makes me powerfulover others."
Then the same red figure seated In the shelter of a wigwamAnd the meaningof the symbol"I will come and sit beside you In the mystery of mypassion!"
Next the maiden on an islandIn the centre of an Island; And the song thisshape suggested Was"Though you were at a distanceWere upon some far-offislandSuch the spell I cast upon youSuch the magic power of passionI couldstraightway draw you to me!"
And the last of all the figures Was a heart within a circleDrawn within amagic circle; And the image had this meaning: "Naked lies your heart beforemeTo your naked heart I whisper!"
Chapter XV
Hiawatha's LamentationIn those days the Evil SpiritsAll the Manitos of mischiefFearingHiawatha's wisdomAnd his love for ChibiabosJealous of their faithfulfriendshipAnd their noble words and actionsMade at length a league againstthemTo molest them and destroy them.
Once when Peboanthe WinterRoofed with ice the Big-Sea-WaterWhen thesnow-flakeswhirling downwardHissed among the withered oak-leavesChangedthe pine-trees into wigwamsCovered all the earth with silenceArmed witharrowsshod with snow-shoesHeeding not his brother's warningFearing not theEvil SpiritsForth to hunt the deer with antlers All alone went Chibiabos.
But beneaththe Evil Spirits Lay in ambushwaiting for himBroke thetreacherous ice beneath himDragged him downward to the bottomBuried in thesand his body. Unktaheethe god of waterHe the god of the DacotahsDrownedhim in the deep abysses Of the lake of Gitche Gumee.
Then his face with black he paintedWith his robe his head he coveredInhis wigwam sat lamentingSeven long weeks he sat lamentingUttering still thismoan of sorrow:
And the melancholy fir-trees Waved their dark green fans above himWavedtheir purple cones above himSighing with him to console himMingling with hislamentation Their complainingtheir lamenting.
From the tree-tops sang the bluebirdSang the bluebirdthe Owaissa"Chibiabos! Chibiabos! He is deadthe sweet musician!"
And at night through all the forest Went the whippoorwill complainingWailing went the Wawonaissa"Chibiabos! Chibiabos! He is deadthe sweetmusician! He the sweetest of all singers!"
When he heard their steps approaching~Hiawatha ceased lamentingCalled nomore on Chibiabos; Naught he questionednaught he answeredBut his mournfulhead uncoveredFrom his face the mourning colors Washed he slowly and insilenceSlowly and in silence followed Onward to the Sacred Wigwam.
"I myselfmyself! behold me! `T Is the great Gray Eagle talking; Comeye white crowscome and hear him! The loud-speaking thunder helps me; All theunseen spirits help me; I can hear their voices callingAll around the sky Ihear them! I can blow you strongmy brotherI can heal youHiawatha!"
Friends of mine are all the serpents! Hear me shake my skin of hen-hawk!Mahngthe white loonI can kill him; I can shoot your heart and kill it! I canblow you strongmy brotherI can heal youHiawatha !"
"I myselfmyself! the prophet! When I speak the wigwam tremblesShakesthe Sacred Lodge with terrorHands unseen begin to shake it! When I walkthesky I tread on Bends and makes a noise beneath me! I can blow you strongmybrother! Rise and speakO Hiawatha!"
Then they shook their medicine-pouches O'er the head of HiawathaDancedtheir medicine-dance around him; And upstarting wild and haggardLike a manfrom dreams awakenedHe was healed of all his madness. As the clouds are sweptfrom heavenStraightway from his brain departed All his moody melancholy; Asthe ice is swept from riversStraightway from his heart departed All his sorrowand affliction.
Through a chink a coal they gave himThrough the door a burning fire-brand;Ruler in the Land of SpiritsRuler o'er the deadthey made himTelling him afire to kindle For all those that died thereafterCamp-fires for their nightencampments On their solitary journey To the kingdom of PonemahTo the land ofthe Hereafter.
Four whole days he journeyed onward Down the pathway of the dead men; On thedead-man's strawberry feastedCrossed the melancholy riverOn the swinging loghe crossed itCame unto the Lake of SilverIn the Stone Canoe was carried Tothe Islands of the BlessedTo the land of ghosts and shadows.
"Ay! why do the living" said they"Lay such heavy burdens onus! Better were it to go nakedBetter were it to go fastingThan to bear suchheavy burdens On our long and weary journey!" Forth then issued HiawathaWandered eastwardwandered westwardTeaching men the use of simples And theantidotes for poisonsAnd the cure of all diseases. Thus was first made knownto mortals All the mystery of MedaminAll the sacred art of healing.
Chapter XVI
Pau-Puk-KeewisYou shall hear how Pau-Puk-KeewisHethe handsome YenadizzeWhom the peoplecalled the Storm-FoolVexed the village with disturbance; You shall hear of allhis mischiefAnd his flight from HiawathaAnd his wondrous transmigrationsAnd the end of his adventures.
On the shores of Gitche GumeeOn the dunes of Nagow WudjooBy the shiningBig-Sea-Water Stood the lodge of Pau-Puk-Keewis. It was he who in his frenzyWhirled these drifting sands togetherOn the dunes of Nagow WudjooWhenamongthe guests assembledHe so merrily and madly Danced at Hiawatha's weddingDanced the Beggar's Dance to please them.
He was telling them the story Of Ojeegthe Summer-MakerHow he made a holein heavenHow he climbed up into heavenAnd let out the summer-weatherTheperpetualpleasant Summer; How the Otter first essayed it; How the BeaverLynxand Badger Tried in turn the great achievementFrom the summit of themountain Smote their fists against the heavensSmote against the sky theirforeheadsCracked the skybut could not break it; How the WolverineuprisingMade him ready for the encounterBent his knees downlike a squirrelDrew hisarms backlike a cricket.
"Hark you!" shouted Pau-Puk-Keewis As he entered at the doorway;"I am tired of all this talkingTired of old Iagoo's storiesTired ofHiawatha's wisdom. Here is something to amuse youBetter than this endlesstalking."
In a wooden bowl he placed themShook and jostled them togetherThrew themon the ground before himThus exclaiming and explaining: "Red side up areall the piecesAnd one great Kenabeek standing On the bright side of a brasspieceOn a burnished Ozawabeek; Thirteen tens and eight are counted."
Thus he taught the game of hazardThus displayed it and explained itRunning through its various chancesVarious changesvarious meanings: Twentycurious eyes stared at himFull of eagerness stared at him.
So they sat and played togetherAll the old men and the young menPlayedfor dressesweaponswampumPlayed till midnightplayed till morningPlayeduntil the YenadizzeTill the cunning Pau-Puk-KeewisOf their treasures haddespoiled themOf the best of all their dressesShirts of deer-skinrobes ofermineBelts of wampumcrests of feathersWarlike weaponspipes and pouches.Twenty eyes glared wildly at himLike the eyes of wolves glared at him.
As the fire burns in a pipe-head Dusky red beneath the ashesSo beneath hisshaggy eyebrows Glowed the eyes of old Iagoo. "Ugh!" he answered veryfiercely; "Ugh!" they answered all and each one.
Red were both the great KenabeeksRed the Ininewugthe wedge-menRed theSheshebwugthe ducklingsBlack the four brass OzawabeeksWhite alone thefishthe Keego; Only five the pieces counted!
Twenty eyes glared at him fiercelyLike the eyes of wolves glared at himAshe turned and left the wigwamFollowed by his MeshinauwaBy the nephew ofIagooBy the tall and graceful striplingBearing in his arms the winningsShirts of deer-skinrobes of ermineBelts of wampumpipes and weapons.
Hot and red with smoke and gambling Were the eyes of Pau-Puk-Keewis As hecame forth to the freshness Of the pleasant Summer morning. All the birds weresinging gaylyAll the streamlets flowing swiftlyAnd the heart ofPau-Puk-Keewis Sang with pleasure as the birds singBeat with triumph like thestreamletsAs he wandered through the villageIn the early gray of morningWith his fan of turkey-feathersWith his plumes and tufts of swan's downTillhe reached the farthest wigwamReached the lodge of Hiawatha.
"All are gone! the lodge Is empty!" Thus it was spakePau-Puk-KeewisIn his heart resolving mischief "Gone is wary HiawathaGone the silly Laughing WaterGone Nokomisthe old womanAnd the lodge isleft unguarded!"
With a stealthy step he enteredRound the lodge in wild disorder Threw thehousehold things about himPiled together in confusion Bowls of wood andearthen kettlesRobes of buffalo and beaverSkins of otterlynxand ermineAs an insult to NokomisAs a taunt to Minnehaha.
Then he climbed the rocky headlandsLooking o'er the Gitche GumeePerchedhimself upon their summitWaiting full of mirth and mischief The return ofHiawatha.
And he killed them as he lay thereSlaughtered them by tens and twentiesThrew their bodies down the headlandThrew them on the beach below himTill atlength Kayoshkthe sea-gullPerched upon a crag above themShouted: "Itis Pau-Puk-Keewis! He is slaying us by hundreds! Send a message to our brotherTidings send to Hiawatha!"
Chapter XVII
The Hunting of Pau-Puk-Keewis
Full of wrath was Hiawatha When he came into the villageFound the people inconfusionHeard of all the misdemeanorsAll the malice and the mischiefOfthe cunning Pau-Puk-Keewis.
Then in swift pursuit departed Hiawatha and the hunters On the trail ofPau-Puk-KeewisThrough the forestwhere he passed itTo the headlands wherehe rested; But they found not Pau-Puk-KeewisOnly in the trampled grassesInthe whortleberry-bushesFound the couch where he had restedFound the impressof his body.
Over rock and over riverThrough bushand brakeand forestRan thecunning Pau-Puk-Keewis; Like an antelope he boundedTill he came unto astreamlet In the middle of the forestTo a streamlet still and tranquilThathad overflowed its marginTo a dam made by the beaversTo a pond of quietwaterWhere knee-deep the trees were standingWhere the water lilies floatedWhere the rushes waved and whispered.
On the dam stood Pau-Puk-KeewisO'er his ankles flowed the streamletFlowedthe bright and silvery waterAnd he spake unto the beaverWith a smile hespake in this wise:
Cautiously replied the beaverWith reserve he thus made answer: "Let mefirst consult the othersLet me ask the other beavers." Down he sank intothe waterHeavily sank heas a stone sinksDown among the leaves andbranchesBrown and matted at the bottom.
From the bottom rose the beaversSilently above the surface Rose one headand then anotherTill the pond seemed full of beaversFull of black andshining faces.
"Yes!" replied Ahmeekthe beaverHe the King of all the beavers"Let yourself slide down among usDown into the tranquil water."
"Make me large" said Pau-Puk-Keewis"Make me large and makeme largerLarger than the other beavers." "Yes" the beaverchief responded"When our lodge below you enterIn our wigwam we willmake you Ten times larger than the others."
Here they made him large and largerMade him largest of the beaversTentimes larger than the others. "You shall be our ruler" said they;"Chief and King of all the beavers."
Then they heard a cry above themHeard a shouting and a trampingHeard acrashing and a rushingAnd the water round and o'er them Sank and sucked awayin eddiesAnd they knew their dam was broken.
Through the roof looked HiawathaCried aloud"O Pau-Puk-Keewis Vainare all your craft and cunningVain your manifold disguises! Well I know youPau-Puk-Keewis!" With their clubs they beat and bruised himBeat to deathpoor Pau-Puk-KeewisPounded him as maize is poundedTill his skull was crushedto pieces.
And it flutteredstroveand struggledWaving hitherwaving thitherAsthe curtains of a wigwam Struggle with their thongs of deer-skinWhen thewintry wind is blowing; Till it drew itself togetherTill it rose up from thebodyTill it took the form and features Of the cunning Pau-Puk-Keewis Vanishinginto the forest.
To a lake with many islands Came the breathless Pau-Puk-KeewisWhere amongthe water-lilies Pishnekuhthe brantwere sailing; Through the tufts of rushesfloatingSteering through the reedy Islands. Now their broad black beaks theyliftedNow they plunged beneath the waterNow they darkened in the shadowNowthey brightened in the sunshine.
Straightway to a brant they changed himWith two huge and dusky pinionsWith a bosom smooth and roundedWith a bill like two great paddlesMade himlarger than the othersTen times larger than the largestJust asshoutingfrom the forestOn the shore stood Hiawatha.
Fast and far they fled to northwardFast and far through mist and sunshineFed among the moors and fen-landsSlept among the reeds and rushes.
For the people of the village Saw the flock of brant with wonderSaw thewings of Pau-Puk-Keewis Flapping far up in the etherBroader than two doorwaycurtains.
All in vain did Pau-Puk-Keewis Struggle to regain his balance! Whirling roundand round and downwardHe beheld in turn the village And in turn the flockabove himSaw the village coming nearerAnd the flock receding fartherHeardthe voices growing louderHeard the shouting and the laughter; Saw no more theflocks above himOnly saw the earth beneath him; Dead out of the empty heavenDead among the shouting peopleWith a heavy sound and sullenFell the brantwith broken pinions.
And so near he cameso near himThat his hand was stretched to seize himHis right hand to seize and hold himWhen the cunning Pau-Puk-Keewis Whirledand spun about in circlesFanned the air into a whirlwindDanced the dust andleaves about himAnd amid the whirling eddies Sprang into a hollow oak-treeChanged himself into a serpentGliding out through root and rubbish.
And the Old Man of the MountainHe the Manito of MountainsOpened wide hisrocky doorwaysOpened wide his deep abyssesGiving Pau-Puk-Keewis shelter Inhis caverns dark and drearyBidding Pau-Puk-Keewis welcome To his gloomy lodgeof sandstone.
Then he raised his hands to heavenCalled imploring on the tempestCalledWaywassimothe lightningAnd the thunderAnnemeekee; And they came with nightand darknessSweeping down the Big-Sea-Water From the distant ThunderMountains; And the trembling Pau-Puk-Keewis Heard the footsteps of the thunderSaw the red eyes of the lightningWas afraidand crouched and trembled.
Ended were his wild adventuresEnded were his tricks and gambolsEnded allhis craft and cunningEnded all his mischief-makingAll his gambling and hisdancingAll his wooing of the maidens.
And the name of Pau-Puk-Keewis Lingers still among the peopleLingers stillamong the singersAnd among the story-tellers; And in Winterwhen thesnow-flakes Whirl in eddies round the lodgesWhen the wind in gusty tumult O'erthe smoke-flue pipes and whistles"There" they cry"comesPau-Puk-KeewisHe is dancing through the villageHe is gathering in hisharvest!"
Chapter XVIII
The Death of KwasindFar and wide among the nations Spread the name and fame of Kwasind; No man daredto strive with KwasindNo man could compete with Kwasind. But the mischievousPuk-WudjiesThey the envious Little PeopleThey the fairies and the pygmiesPlotted and conspired against him.
"If this hateful Kwasind" said they"If this greatoutrageous fellow Goes on thus a little longerTearing everything he touchesRending everything to piecesFilling all the world with wonderWhat becomes ofthe Puk-Wudjies? Who will care for the Puk-Wudjies? He will tread us down likemushroomsDrive us all into the waterGive our bodies to be eaten By thewicked Nee-ba-naw-baigsBy the Spirits of the water!
Now this wondrous strength of Kwasind In his crown alone was seated; In hiscrown too was his weakness; There alone could he be woundedNowhere else couldweapon pierce himNowhere else could weapon harm him.
So they gathered cones togetherGathered seed-cones of the pine-treeGathered blue cones of the fir-treeIn the woods by TaquamenawBrought them tothe river's marginHeaped them in great piles togetherWhere the red rocksfrom the margin Jutting overhang the river. There they lay in wait for KwasindThe malicious Little People.
Down the river came the Strong ManIn his birch canoe came KwasindFloatingslowly down the current Of the sluggish TaquamenawVery languid with theweatherVery sleepy with the silence.
To his ear there came a murmur As of waves upon a sea-shoreAs of far-offtumbling watersAs of winds among the pine-trees; And he felt upon his foreheadBlows of little airy war-clubsWielded by the slumbrous legions Of the Spiritof SleepNepahwinAs of some one breathing on him.
So he floated down the riverLike a blind man seated uprightFloated downthe TaquamenawUnderneath the trembling birch-treesUnderneath the woodedheadlandsUnderneath the war encampment Of the pygmiesthe Puk-Wudjies.
And he sideways swayed and tumbledSideways fell into the riverPlungedbeneath the sluggish water Headlongas an otter plunges; And the birch canoeabandonedDrifted empty down the riverBottom upward swerved and drifted:Nothing more was seen of Kwasind.
Chapter XIX
The GhostsNever stoops the soaring vulture On his quarry in the desertOn the sick orwounded bisonBut another vulturewatching From his high aerial look-outSeesthe downward plungeand follows; And a third pursues the secondComing fromthe invisible etherFirst a speckand then a vultureTill the air is darkwith pinions.
Nowo'er all the dreary North-landMighty Peboanthe WinterBreathing onthe lakes and riversInto stone had changed their waters. From his hair heshook the snow-flakesTill the plains were strewn with whitenessOneuninterrupted levelAs ifstoopingthe Creator With his hand had smoothedthem over. Through the forestwide and wailingRoamed the hunter on hissnow-shoes; In the village worked the womenPounded maizeor dressed thedeer-skin; And the young men played together On the ice the noisy ball-playOnthe plain the dance of snow-shoes.
On their faces gleamed the firelightPainting them with streaks of crimsonIn the eyes of old Nokomis Glimmered like the watery moonlightIn the eyes ofLaughing Water Glistened like the sun in water; And behind them crouched theirshadows In the corners of the wigwamAnd the smoke In wreaths above themClimbed and crowded through the smoke-flue.
From their aspect and their garmentsStrangers seemed they in the village;Very pale and haggard were theyAs they sat there sad and silentTremblingcowering with the shadows.
Homeward now came Hiawatha From his hunting in the forestWith the snow uponhis tressesAnd the red deer on his shoulders. At the feet of Laughing WaterDown he threw his lifeless burden; Noblerhandsomer she thought himThan whenfirst he came to woo herFirst threw down the deer before herAs a token ofhis wishesAs a promise of the future.
When the evening meal was readyAnd the deer had been dividedBoth thepallid gueststhe strangersSpringing from among the shadowsSeized upon thechoicest portionsSeized the white fat of the roebuckSet apart for LaughingWaterFor the wife of Hiawatha; Without askingwithout thankingEagerlydevoured the morselsFlitted back among the shadows In the corner of thewigwam.
Many a daylight dawned and darkenedMany a night shook off the daylight Asthe pine shakes off the snow-flakes From the midnight of its branches; Day byday the guests unmoving Sat there silent in the wigwam; But by nightin stormor starlightForth they went into the forestBringing fire-wood to the wigwamBringing pine-cones for the burningAlways sad and always silent.
Never once had Hiawatha By a word or look reproved them; Never once had oldNokomis Made a gesture of impatience; Never once had Laughing Water Shownresentment at the outrage. All had they endured in silenceThat the rights ofguest and strangerThat the virtue of free-givingBy a look might not belessenedBy a word might not be broken.
From his couch rose HiawathaFrom his shaggy hides of bisonPushed asidethe deer-skin curtainSaw the pallid gueststhe shadowsSitting upright ontheir couchesWeeping in the silent midnight.
Then the shadows ceased from weepingCeased from sobbing and lamentingAndthey saidwith gentle voices: "We are ghosts of the departedSouls ofthose who once were with you. From the realms of Chibiabos Hither have we cometo try youHither have we come to warn you.
"Think of thisO Hiawatha! Speak of it to all the peopleThathenceforward and forever They no more with lamentations Sadden the souls of thedeparted In the Islands of the Blessed.
"Four days is the spirit's journey To the land of ghosts and shadowsFour its lonely night encampments; Four times must their fires be lighted.Thereforewhen the dead are buriedLet a fireas night approachesFour timeson the grave be kindledThat the soul upon its journey May not lack thecheerful firelightMay not grope about in darkness.
When they ceaseda sudden darkness Fell and filled the silent wigwam.Hiawatha heard a rustle As of garments trailing by himHeard the curtain of thedoorway Lifted by a hand he saw notFelt the cold breath of the night airFora moment saw the starlight; But he saw the ghosts no longerSaw no more thewandering spirits From the kingdom of PonemahFrom the land of the Hereafter.
Chapter XX
The Famine
Oh the famine and the fever! Oh the wasting of the famine! Oh the blasting ofthe fever! Oh the wailing of the children! Oh the anguish of the women!
Into Hiawatha's wigwam Came two other guestsas silent As the ghosts wereand as gloomyWaited not to be invited Did not parley at the doorway Sat therewithout word of welcome In the seat of Laughing Water; Looked with haggard eyesand hollow At the face of Laughing Water.
And the lovely Minnehaha Shuddered as they looked upon herShuddered at thewords they utteredLay down on her bed in silenceHid her facebut made noanswer; Lay there tremblingfreezingburning At the looks they cast upon herAt the fearful words they uttered.
Wrapped in furs and armed for huntingWith his mighty bow of ash-treeWithhis quiver full of arrowsWith his mittensMinjekahwunInto the vast andvacant forest On his snow-shoes strode he forward.
Through the far-resounding forestThrough the forest vast and vacant Rangthat cry of desolationBut there came no other answer Than the echo of hiscryingThan the echo of the woodlands"Minnehaha! Minnehaha!"
In the wigwam with NokomisWith those gloomy guests that watched herWiththe Famine and the FeverShe was lyingthe BelovedShethe dying Minnehaha.
And the desolate HiawathaFar away amid the forestMiles away among themountainsHeard that sudden cry of anguishHeard the voice of MinnehahaCalling to him in the darkness"Hiawatha! Hiawatha!"
And he rushed into the wigwamSaw the old Nokomis slowly Rocking to and froand moaningSaw his lovely Minnehaha Lying dead and cold before himAnd hisbursting heart within him Uttered such a cry of anguishThat the forest moanedand shudderedThat the very stars in heaven Shook and trembled with hisanguish.
With both hands his face he coveredSeven long days and nights he sat thereAs if in a swoon he sat thereSpeechlessmotionlessunconscious Of thedaylight or the darkness.
And at night a fire was lightedOn her grave four times was kindledFor hersoul upon its journey To the Islands of the Blessed. From his doorway HiawathaSaw it burning In the forestLighting up the gloomy hemlocks; From hissleepless bed uprisingFrom the bed of MinnehahaStood and watched it at thedoorwayThat it might not be extinguished
Chapter XXI
The White Man's FootIn his lodge beside a riverClose beside a frozen riverSat an old mansadand lonely. White his hair was as a snow-drift; Dull and low his fire wasburningAnd the old man shook and trembledFolded in his WaubewyonIn histattered white-skin-wrapperHearing nothing but the tempest As it roared alongthe forestSeeing nothing but the snow-stormAs it whirled and hissed anddrifted.
"Ahmy son!" exclaimed the old man"Happy are my eyes to seeyou. Sit here on the mat beside meSit here by the dying embersLet us passthe night togetherTell me of your strange adventuresOf the lands where youhave travelled; I will tell you of my prowessOf my many deeds of wonder."
And the young man answeredsmiling: "When I blow my breath about meWhen I breathe upon the landscapeFlowers spring up o'er all the meadowsSingingonward rush the rivers!"
"When I shake my flowing ringlets" Said the young mansoftlylaughing"Showers of rain fall warm and welcomePlants lift up theirheads rejoicingBack Into their lakes and marshes Come the wild goose and theheronHomeward shoots the arrowy swallowSing the bluebird and the robinAndwhere'er my footsteps wanderAll the meadows wave with blossomsAll thewoodlands ring with musicAll the trees are dark with foliage!"
Then the old man's tongue was speechless And the air grew warm and pleasantAnd upon the wigwam sweetly Sang the bluebird and the robinAnd the streambegan to murmurAnd a scent of growing grasses Through the lodge was gentlywafted.
From his eyes the tears were flowingAs from melting lakes the streamletsAnd his body shrunk and dwindled As the shouting sun ascendedTill into the airit fadedTill into the ground it vanishedAnd the young man saw before himOnthe hearth-stone of the wigwamWhere the fire had smoked and smoulderedSawthe earliest flower of Spring-timeSaw the Beauty of the Spring-timeSaw theMiskodeed in blossom.
Sailing on the wind to northwardFlying in great flockslike arrowsLikehuge arrows shot through heavenPassed the swanthe MahnahbezeeSpeakingalmost as a man speaks; And in long lines wavingbending Like a bow-stringsnapped asunderCame the white gooseWaw-be-wawa; And in pairsor singlyflyingMahng the loonwith clangorous pinionsThe blue herontheShuh-shuh-gahAnd the grousethe Mushkodasa.
From his wanderings far to eastwardFrom the regions of the morningFromthe shining land of WabunHomeward now returned IagooThe great travellerthegreat boasterFull of new and strange adventuresMarvels many and manywonders.
He had seenhe saida water Bigger than the Big-Sea-WaterBroader than theGitche GumeeBitter so that none could drink it! At each other looked thewarriorsLooked the women at each otherSmiledand said"It cannot beso!" Kaw!" they saidit cannot be so!"
From its mouthhe saidto greet himCame Waywassimothe lightningCamethe thunderAnnemeekee! And the warriors and the women Laughed aloud at poorIagoo; "Kaw!" they said"what tales you tell us!"
Only Hiawatha laughed notBut he gravely spake and answered To their jeeringand their jesting: "True is all Iagoo tells us; I have seen it in a visionSeen the great canoe with pinionsSeen the people with white facesSeen thecoming of this bearded People of the wooden vessel From the regions of themorningFrom the shining land of Wabun.
"Let us welcomethenthe strangersHail them as our friends andbrothersAnd the heart's right hand of friendship Give them when they come tosee us. Gitche Manitothe MightySaid this to me in my vision.
"Then a darkerdrearier vision Passed before mevague and cloud-like;I beheld our nation scatteredAll forgetful of my counselsWeakenedwarringwith each other: Saw the remnants of our people Sweeping westwardwild andwofulLike the cloud-rack of a tempestLike the withered leaves ofAutumn!"
Chapter XXII
Hiawatha's DepartureBy the shore of Gitche GumeeBy the shining Big-Sea-WaterAt the doorway ofhis wigwamIn the pleasant Summer morningHiawatha stood and waited. All theair was full of freshnessAll the earth was bright and joyousAnd before himthrough the sunshineWestward toward the neighboring forest Passed in goldenswarms the AhmoPassed the beesthe honey-makersBurningsinging In thesunshine.
Bright above him shone the heavensLevel spread the lake before him; Fromits bosom leaped the sturgeonSparklingflashing in the sunshine; On itsmargin the great forest Stood reflected in the waterEvery tree-top had itsshadowMotionless beneath the water.
Toward the sun his hands were liftedBoth the palms spread out against itAnd between the parted fingers Fell the sunshine on his featuresFlecked withlight his naked shouldersAs it falls and flecks an oak-tree Through the riftedleaves and branches.
Was it Shingebis the diver? Or the pelicanthe Shada? Or the herontheShuh-shuh-gah? Or the white gooseWaw-be-wawaWith the water drippingflashingFrom its glossy neck and feathers?
And the noble HiawathaWith his hands aloft extendedHeld aloft in sign ofwelcomeWaitedfull of exultationTill the birch canoe with paddles Grated onthe shining pebblesStranded on the sandy marginTill the Black-Robe chiefthe Pale-faceWith the cross upon his bosomLanded on the sandy margin.
"Never bloomed the earth so gaylyNever shone the sun so brightlyAsto-day they shine and blossom When you come so far to see us! Never was our lakeso tranquilNor so free from rocksand sand-bars; For your birch canoe inpassing Has removed both rock and sand-bar.
And the Black-Robe chief made answerStammered In his speech a littleSpeaking words yet unfamiliar: "Peace be with youHiawathaPeace be withyou and your peoplePeace of prayerand peace of pardonPeace of Christandjoy of Mary!"
All the old men of the villageAll the warriors of the nationAll theJossakeedsthe ProphetsThe magiciansthe WabenosAnd the Medicine-mentheMedasCame to bid the strangers welcome; "It is well"they said"O brothersThat you come so far to see us!"
Then the Black-Robe chiefthe ProphetTold his message to the peopleToldthe purport of his missionTold them of the Virgin MaryAnd her blessed Sonthe SaviourHow in distant lands and ages He had lived on earth as we do; Howhe fastedprayedand labored; How the Jewsthe tribe accursedMocked himscourged himcrucified him; How he rose from where they laid himWalked againwith his disciplesAnd ascended into heaven.
Then they rose up and departed Each one homeward to his wigwamTo the youngmen and the women Told the story of the strangers Whom the Master of Life hadsent them From the shining land of Wabun.
Slowly o'er the simmering landscape Fell the evening's dusk and coolnessAndthe long and level sunbeams Shot their spears into the forestBreaking throughits shields of shadowRushed into each secret ambushSearched each thicketdinglehollow; Still the guests of Hiawatha Slumbered In the silent wigwam.
"I am goingO NokomisOn a long and distant journeyTo the portals ofthe Sunset. To the regions of the home-windOf the Northwest-WindKeewaydin.But these guests I leave behind meIn your watch and ward I leave them; Seethat never harm comes near themSee that never fear molests themNever dangernor suspicionNever want of food or shelterIn the lodge of Hiawatha!"
I am goingO my peopleOn a long and distant journey; Many moons and manywinters Will have comeand will have vanishedEre I come again to see you. Butmy guests I leave behind me; Listen to their words of wisdomListen to thetruth they tell youFor the Master of Life has sent them From the land of lightand morning!"
And the evening sun descending Set the clouds on fire with rednessBurnedthe broad skylike a prairieLeft upon the level water One long track andtrail of splendorDown whose streamas down a riverWestwardwestwardHiawatha Sailed into the fiery sunsetSailed into the purple vaporsSailedinto the dusk of evening:
And they said"Farewell forever!" Said"FarewellOHiawatha!" And the forestsdark and lonelyMoved through all their depthsof darknessSighed"FarewellO Hiawatha!" And the waves upon themargin Risingrippling on the pebblesSobbed"FarewellOHiawatha!" And the heronthe Shuh-shuh-gahFrom her haunts among thefen-landsScreamed"FarewellO Hiawatha!"
VOCABULARY
Adjidau'mothe red squirrelAhdeek'the reindeer
Annemee'keethe thunder
Baim-wa'wathe sound of the thunder
Chemaun'a birch canoe
Chibia'bosa musician; friend of Hiawatha; ruler of the Land of Spirits
Dush-kwo-ne'-she or Kwo-ne'-shethe dragon fly
Ewa-yea'lullaby
Gitche Man'itothe Great Spiritthe Master of Life
Hiawa'thathe Prophet. the Teacherson of Mudjekeewisthe West-Wind andWenonahdaughter of Nokomis
Inin'ewugmenor pawns in the Game of the Bowl
Jee'bia ghosta spirit
Kabibonok'kathe North-Wind
Kahgahgee'the raven
Kaween'no indeed
Kee'goa fish
Kena'beeka serpent
Keno'zhathe pickerel
Kuntasoo'the Game of Plumstones
Kwo-ne'-sheor Dush-kwo-ne'-shethe dragon-fly
Mahngthe loon
Ma'mathe woodpecker
Meenah'gathe blueberry
Meshinau'waa pipe-bearer
Minneha'haLaughing Water; wife of Hiawatha; a water-fall in a streamrunning into the Mississippi between Fort Snelling and the Falls of St. Anthony
Mishe-Mo'kwathe Great Bear
Miskodeed'the Spring-Beautythe Claytonia Virginica
Moon of Bright NightsApril
Moon of StrawberriesJune
Moon of Snow-shoesNovember
Mudway-aush'kasound of waves on a shore
Nah'mathe sturgeon
Na'gow Wudj'oothe Sand Dunes of Lake Superior
Nenemoo'shasweetheart
Noko'misa grandmothermother of Wenonah
Nush'kalook! look!
Okahha'wisthe fresh-water herring
Ona'gona bowl
Osse'oSon of the Evening Star
Oweenee'wife of Osseo
Pah-puk-kee'nathe grasshopper
Pau-Puk-Kee'wisthe handsome Yenadizzethe son of Storm Fool
Pem'icanmeat of the deer or buffalo dried and pounded
Pishnekuh'the brant
Puggawau'guna war-club
Sah-sah-je'wunrapids
Sha'dathe pelican
Shah-shahlong ago
Shawgashee'the craw-fish
Shaw-shawthe swallow
Shin'gebisthe diveror grebe
Shuh-shuh-gah'the blue heron
Subbeka'shethe spider
To'temfamily coat-of-arms
Ugudwash'the sun-fish
Wabas'sothe rabbitthe North
Wabe'no-wuskyarrow
Wa'bun An'nungthe Star of the Eastthe Morning Star
Wah-wah-tay'seethe fire-fly
Wa'wathe wild goose
Wawonais'sathe whippoorwill
Weno'nahthe eldest daughter; Hiawatha's motherdaughter of Nokomis
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