written ca. 1825Air–Bruce’s Address.
I
Many a day and wasted year
Bright has left its footsteps here,
Since was broke the warrior?s spear,
And our fathers bled.
Still the tall trees, arching, shake
Where the fleet deer by the lake,
As he dash?d through birch and brake,
From the hunter fled.
II
In these ancient woods so bright,
That are full of life and light,
Many a dark, mysterious rite
The stern warriors kept.
But their altars are bereft,
Fall?n to earth, and strewn and cleft,
And a holier faith is left
Where their fathers slept.
III
From their ancient sepulchers,
Where amid the giant firs,
Moaning loud, the high wind stirs,
Have the red men gone.
Tow?rd the setting sun that makes
Bright our western hills and lakes,
Faint and few, the remnant takes
Its sad journey on.
IV
Where the Indian hamlet stood,
In the interminable wood,
Battle broke the solitude,
And the war-cry rose;
Sudden came the straggling shot
Where the sun looked o the spot
That the trace of war would blot
Ere the day’s faint close.
V
Low the smoke of battle hung;
Heavy down the lake it swung,
Till the death wail loud was sung
When the night shades fell;
And the green pine, waving dark,
Held within its shattered bark
Many a lasting scathe and mark,
That a tale could tell.
VI
And the story of that day
Shall not pass from earth away,
Nor the blighting of decay
Waste our liberty;
But within the river’s sweep
Long in peace our vale shall sleep
And free hearts the record keep
Of this jubilee.
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