Page:American Anthropologist NS vol. 1.djvu/115

7Harken! And thus it was the prayer
Sent by this man, won the consent
Of all the gods. For each god in his place
Speaks out his thought, grants or rejects
Man's suppliant cry, asking for help;
But none can act until the Council grand
Comes to accord, thinks as one mind,
Has but one will, all must obey.
Harken! The Council gave consent;
Harken! And great Ti-ra′-wa, mightier than all!

8Harken! To make their purpose known,
Succor and aid freely to give,
Heralds were called, called by the Winds.
Then in the west uprose the Clouds
Heavy and black, ladened with storm.
Slowly they climbed, dark'ning the skies;
While close on every side the Thunders marched
On their dread way, till all were come
To where the gods in stately council sat
Waiting for them. Then, bade them go
Back to the earth, carrying aid
To him whose prayer had reached their circle vast.
This mandate given, the Thunders turned toward earth,
Taking their course slantwise the sky.

9Harken! Another followed hard—
Lightning broke forth out of the cloud,
Zigzag and dart, cleaving their way
Slantwise to earth, their goal to reach.

10Harken! For these two were not all
That hastened to proclaim the gods' behest—
Swift on their wings, Swallows in flocks
Swept in advance, ranging the path,
Black breasts and Red, Yellow, and White,
Flying about, clearing the way
For those who bore the message of the gods
Granting the man courage to dare,
Strength to endure, power to stand
Invincible, a bulwark 'gainst all foes.