Day-yu-da-gont.
6
A baby girl! with eyes as bright as stars,Enwrapped in curling bark, with twigs for bars!
She smiled, and moved the nephew's tender heart."I'll. care for you," he said, "and share a part
Of all my game with you, till you are grown."He'd not have promised this it he had known
His uncle's mind. He took the baby up,And hurried to the wigwam, helped her sup
From out his ladle: stirred the dying fire.In came the uncle.—All his slumburing ire
Awoke "My nephew, drive her out!" In vainThe nephew pleaded, "She will help us gain
An easier living; she will hoe the maize,Supply our fire"—"My nephew, if she stays
"I'll kill her! Get her out! tell her to go!"At daylight she had gone. In feathery snowShe left a woman's track. By night she'd blown.Like opening flower, to womanhood, and flown.
"Well, uncle, she has gone, and let her go!What bad luck she'd have made us we don't know."
She sang a song, and all the beasts and birdsWent after her, charmed by her magic words.
The whole creation flocked where'er she sang;With not a wild bird's note the forest rang.
No squirrel chattered: not a creature stayed:Untimely twilight fell with deep'ning shade.
