Part 4 (2/2)
Just sixteen spring-tides hast thou seen Beneath the forest shade, And ever sweet and mild of mien, Like sunbeam hast thou played Around my widowed home and heart-- Yet thou and I must quickly part.
As firmly as the towering oak, Deep rooted in the earth, Can brave the storm and thunder stroke, So, even from thy birth, Deep love for thee hath held my heart, And yet, ungrieving, must we part.
And closely as the ivy clings Around some forest tree, Till from its glossy em'rald rings, No bough or limb is free, So art thou twined around my heart, And yet, rejoicing, must we part!
IV.
OREIKA.
Alas, my sister, do not chide That thoughts of grief, instead of pride, Within my heart lie deep; Fain would I speak with mien elate Of thy predestined glorious fate, And yet I can but weep.
When come the short'ning Autumn days, While gathering in the golden maize, I'll miss thy tender voice, And when our merry maidens say: ”Oreika, join us in our play,”
How can I then rejoice?
And, oh! I will not grieve alone, For when another moon has flown, And Osseo will return, Hopeful, to seek thee for his bride, How deeply will his heart be tried When he thy fate shall learn!
MINAHITA.
Enough, my sister, wouldst make me sad, When my smile should be bright and my heart be glad?
You know 'tis an honor to sire and race, And to shrink from my lot would bring dire disgrace.
For no earthly love must I weakly pine, I yield to a suitor of rank divine.
To my girlhood's love must I say farewell-- To the dreams that were sweeter than words can tell!
The chill embrace of the waters cold, Clasping my form in their viewless hold, Laving my brow in their terrible play, Tangling my locks with their glittering spray, Freezing my warm blood, stifling my breath, With awful kisses that bring but death,-- To such endearments I now must go Where my Spirit bridegroom dwells below.
OREIKA.
'Tis fearful, alas! and must it be?
MINAHITA.
What would'st thou?
OREIKA.
Flee, oh quickly flee!
Through secret paths seek Osseo's side, Who will gladly welcome and s.h.i.+eld his bride; To far-off lands thou with him canst fly, In mutual love to live and die!
MINAHITA.
Thou forgettest, my sister! An Indian maid Not of death, but dishonor, should be afraid.
Thou did'st couple love with dear Osseo's name, But love would be short-lived if joined with shame!
My father bowed 'neath dark disgrace, My name a bye-word to all my race, I would find no joy in my rescued life, Dogged by remorse and inward strife, Till, hiding myself from all friendly ken, I should die, despised by both G.o.ds and men.
No, sister, better an early grave In yon lone dell where the pine-trees wave; Better a fiery death at the stake, While foes fierce sport of the captive make, With cruelest tortures that man can frame,-- Thrice better, than life with dishonored name!
V.
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