THE MISSISSIPPI.
231
Past the bayous, still and sombre, where the alligator swims,
And at noonday, on the shore, the paroquet his plumage trims;
Gliding down by green savannas—ho! the wind blows cool and free!
Bright, beyond, the Gulf is gleaming—lo! the River finds the Sea!
Out of mystery, out of silence, now the mighty stream is one,—
Rear the cross, O joyful Boatman! chant sweet hymns at set of sun!
And at noonday, on the shore, the paroquet his plumage trims;
Gliding down by green savannas—ho! the wind blows cool and free!
Bright, beyond, the Gulf is gleaming—lo! the River finds the Sea!
Out of mystery, out of silence, now the mighty stream is one,—
Rear the cross, O joyful Boatman! chant sweet hymns at set of sun!
Ah, La Salle, Marquette, De Soto! boatmen bold in song and story,
Lighting up the river romance there are later deeds of glory.
Lonely was the stream, the forest, as ye dropped, with measured calm,
Down to golden zones of summer through the fresh world's breeze and balm;—
But the Indian, silent- gazing, half in welcome, half in fear;
On the grassy plains the bison, in the dewy glades the deer;
Not a sound to break the stillness save the song of woodland bird,
Or the panther's cry at evening from the cypress thickets heard;
Or the eagle's scream, as northward to his cooler lakes he flew,
Lighting up the river romance there are later deeds of glory.
Lonely was the stream, the forest, as ye dropped, with measured calm,
Down to golden zones of summer through the fresh world's breeze and balm;—
But the Indian, silent- gazing, half in welcome, half in fear;
On the grassy plains the bison, in the dewy glades the deer;
Not a sound to break the stillness save the song of woodland bird,
Or the panther's cry at evening from the cypress thickets heard;
Or the eagle's scream, as northward to his cooler lakes he flew,
