And they speak not from cave or hill;
We know, thou bird! that their land is bright,
But say, do they love there still?[316]
[315] An expedition was actually undertaken by Juan Ponce de Leon, in the 16th century, with a view of discovering a wonderful fountain, believed by the natives of Puerto Rico to spring in one of the Lucayo Isles, and to possess the virtue of restoring youth to all who bathed in its waters.—See Robertson’s History of America.
[316] ANSWER TO “THE MESSENGER BIRD.”
BY AN AMERICAN QUAKER LADY.
Yes! I came from the spirits’ land,
From the land that is bright and fair;
I came with a voice from the shadowy band,
To tell that they love you there.