Uprose the sun in heaven’s vault slowly—
All hid in mist, full soon
The stars shrank back, and, sweeping lowly,
Low dipped the horned moon.
But Alissa was gone—through the vale they sought her,
And the stranger chief was gone;—
False, false was the heart of Wenonda’s daughter—
Both fled with the breaking dawn.
XII.
And the still, broad lake its secret keeping,
Lay hushed and mute for aye;
But in its depths in silence sleeping
Oneydo lowly lay.
None knew—but War’s dark tempests lowered,
And broke with fiery mood,—
When the moon her light o’er the dim vale showered
Her beams were red as blood.
XIII.
Long waged the war with frightful slaughter,
Long and dismal was its reign,
Till dyed with blood was the vale of water,
And many a chief was slain.
Still Hatred reigned—her fury never
Abated till, came the day
When Wenonda’s tribe had passed forever
From the haunts of men away.
XIV.
Now ages have passed, and the vale lies lonely—
Nor sign of life is there,
And the blasted pines are standing only
In the cold and lifeless air.
Yet oft when the midnight tempests lower
A phantom cloud low swings,
Then is heard o’er the Lake at that solemn hour
The flap of invisible wings.