Oh, yes; forgive me, darling,
I did almost forget;
But how can mortal silence keep
By such sweet eyes beset?
Grant me the boon of one more kiss
And gaze into my face;
Light fancy by your radiant eyes,
Tululah's fate to trace!
Still let the pressure of your hand
Chain me in rapture to the earth,
For I must offer thoughts tonight
That ne'er before had birth!
No idle dreamer dares to pierce
The mystery of this stream,
Nor would I dare the bold emprise
Save that your wish I deem
The highest law my loving heart
Can now or ever know,
And 'neath the witchery of your smile
My raptured numbers glow!
My fancy soars on eager wing,
And will, perhaps, at last,
Gladly at your high behest
Unfold the misty past!
Tululah slept till evening shades
Had deepened into night,
And woke, alas! to find herself
Bereft of her brave knight.
Her Indian wit soon taught her
Oguchu was to blame,
And hastily she found him,
Her eyes and cheeks aflame!
"Oguchu knows your mission;
Your paleface lover fled
While Tululah's starlit eyes
Were wandering 'mid the dead.
He is not worthy of your love;
Let my sister choose a mate;
Oguchu's lodge is open,
Will my sister spurn her fate?"
"My paleface lover is a brave!"
Tululah proudly cried;
"He never fled from friend or foe,
Oguchu, thou hast lied!
Thy double tongue is poison-tipped,
Thy words a coward's dart,
Before I clasp thy loathsome form
Let panthers rend my heart!
"Speak, coward, speak! where is my brave?
Tululah asks you where;
Speak, lest I summon by a word
The friends of earth and air
To tear your quivering limbs apart,
You lying, treacherous chief.
Speak the truth! you Indian dog,
The night is growing brief!"
The awestruck chief is conquered,
And tells, with bated breath,
Where last he saw him drifting,
Into the jaws of death!
Tululah heard, and wild despair
Hurled reason from her throne.
Low at her feet the wretches crouched,
Their treachery to atone!
"Up! Up, you cowards! Up, you knaves!
And lead me to the place.
Tululah's hand shall save him yet
Or curse your coward race!
'Tis mine to speak; yours, to obey;—
I am your Virgin Queen:—
I swear to save my lover Or nevermore be seen!"
They led her to the river,
And, pointing to the place,
They stood like criminals abashed
Before the judge's face.
She spurned their pleading counsel,
And, springing in a boat,
She cast the oars from her
And set the skiff afloat!