Yet go not where the mighty leave
The strength of battle and of chase!
Let no vain dreams thy heart beguile—
Oh! seek thou not the Fountain Isle!
[317] The Cherokees believe that the recesses of their mountains, overgrown with lofty pines and cedars, and covered with old mossy rocks, are inhabited by the kings or chiefs of rattlesnakes, whom they denominate the “bright old inhabitants.” They represent them as snakes of an enormous size, and which possess the power of drawing to them every living creature that comes within the reach of their eyes. Their heads are said to be crowned with a carbuncle of dazzling brightness.—See Notes to Leyden’s Scenes of Infancy.
[318] The stones on the banks of the Oronoco, called by the South American missionaries Laxas de Musica, and alluded to in a former note.
THE BENDED BOW.
[It is supposed that war was anciently proclaimed in Britain by sending messengers in different directions through the land, each bearing a bended bow; and that peace was in like manner announced by a bow unstrung, and therefore straight.—See the Cambrian Antiquities.]
There was heard the sound of a coming foe,
There was sent through Britain a bended bow;