15. Alike to them, it seem'd in their despair, Whither they wander'd from the infected spot. The sole survivors they of all their race, They reck'd not when their fate, nor where,nor what, In this resignment to their hopeless case, Indifferent to all choice or circumstance of place. 16. That palsying stupor past away ere long, And as the spring of health resumed its power, They felt that life was dear, and hope was strong. What marvel? 'Twas with them the morning hour, When bliss appears to be the natural dower Of all the creatures of this joyous earth; And sorrow fleeting like a vernal shower Scarce interrupts the current of our mirth; Such is the happy heart we bring with us at birth. 17. Though of his nature and his boundless love They rightly deem'd the Power who rules above And in their state forlorn they found this thought Of natural faith with hope and consolation fraught. 18. And now they built themselves a leafy bower, The common home of all, their human nest, Where threescore hammocks pendant side by side Were ranged, and on the ground the fires were drest; Alas, that populous hive hath now no living guest! 19. A few firm stakes they planted in the ground, Circling a narrow space, yet large enow; These strongly interknit they closed around With basket-work of many a pliant bough. The roof was like the sides; the door was low, And rude the hut, and trimm'd with little care, For little heart had they to dress it now; Yet was the humble structure fresh and fair, And soon its inmates found that love might sojourn there. 20. Quiara could recall to mind the course Of twenty summers; perfectly he knew Whate'er his fathers taught of skill or force. Right to the mark his whizzing lance he threw, And from his bow the unerring arrow flew With fatal aim: and when the laden bee Buzz'd by him in its flight, he could pursue Its path with certain ken, and follow free Until he traced the hive in hidden bank or tree. 21. Of answering years was Monnema, nor less Its succulent head yet green, sometimes for daintier fare. 22. And how to macerate the bark she knew, And bleaching them in sun, and air, and dew; 23. Time had been when expert in works of clay And wrath and rage and strife and wounds and death ensued. 24. These occupations were gone by: the skill No feverish pulse ensued, nor ireful heat, sweet. 25. She too had learnt in youth how best to trim The honour'd Chief for his triumphal day, And covering with soft gums the obedient limb And body, then with feathers overlay, In regular hues disposed, a rich display. Well-pleased the glorious savage stood and eyed The growing work; then vain of his array Look'd with complacent frown from side to side, Stalk'd with elater step, and swell'd with statelier pride. 26. Feasts and carousals, vanity and strife, 27. The Moon had gather'd oft her monthly store Of light, and oft in darkness left the sky, Since Monnema a growing burthen bore Of life and hope. The appointed weeks go by; And now her hour is come, and none is nigh To help but human help she needed none. A few short throes endured with scarce a cry, Upon the bank she laid her new-born son, Then slid into the stream, and bathed, and all was done. 28. Might old observances have there been kept, Then should the husband to that pensile bed, Like one exhausted with the birth have crept, And laying down in feeble guise his head, For many a day been nursed and dieted With tender care, to childing mothers due. Certes a custom strange, and yet far spread Through many a savage tribe, howe'er it grew, And once in the old world known as widely as the new. 29. This could not then be done; he might not lay Still laid his snares for birds, and still the chase pursued. |