The Priest stood up, above his head
The holy Cross he raised,
And the words of the "Misereri" said
As heavenwards he gazed.
The bark meanwhile,
Has reached the Isle,
A moment more,
And the test is o'er.
The Priest stepped boldly on the sod,
To prove the power of his God,
And, kneeling on the shore,
Poured forth a psalm of praise to Him
Whom Cherubim and Seraphim
Continually adore.
Then, rising, he addressed the Chief
Who, sitting in the bark canoe,
Felt more of wonder than of grief
At seeing that his old belief
Was wholly false, for now he knew
That all the Priest had said was true.
"I tread this Isle alive, and show
Your Spirit's boasted power
To be but falsehood; will you now
Fulfill your solemn Chieftain's vow,
And own that God, by whom I'm sent
To teach you, is omnipotent,
In this auspicious hour?"
As by the issue stupefied,
The Chieftain doubtingly replied,
"I little thought you now would be
Alive to claim my fealty;
But further proof you yet must give
Before I can fully agree,
Although you tread the Isle, and live,
You have proved conclusively
That the Spirit I've adored so long
Is powerless, and my worship wrong.
Perhaps that Spirit, seeing you cared
So little for death, your life has spared
Thus far, but if you long remain
On the Isle, you surely shall be slain.
So, if you heed my advice, return."
Haughtily spake the Priest, "I spurn
Your advice, so artfully given.
Daring your Spirit, I have shown
The power of death belongs alone
To Him, who on the great white Throne,
Dwelleth forever in Heaven.
Now, ponder well before you speak,
Then tell what further proof you seek."
Answered the Chief, "I leave you here,
With none to aid you, naught to cheer,
And when tomorrow's sun
Is high in the heavens, I'll come again.
If, then, I find you have not been slain
By my Spirit's might,
For your act tonight,
Your victory will be won."
The Priest replied, "I'll give anew
This proof, that all my words are true;
But, do not come till another day
In its rapid flight has passed away.
When, next, the rays of the setting sun
Illumine the Falls, as the day is done,
Go to the spot where tonight we stood,
Close to the edge of the headlong flood,
At that hour, and at this edge
Of that same Fall, on the rocky ledge
Of the Island's shore, I'll take my stand
That you, and all your warrior band,
May see that I live; and then to show
That faith in your Spirit you disavow,
Kneel down, and there, beside the Fall,
In the name of God, I will bless you all.
Then, at this hour, tomorrow night,
In yonder moon's effulgent light,
Bring your bark to this spot once more,
And take me back to the other shore.
Now go, and leave me, despite your fear,
Alone with my Maker, who led me here."