"One moon had waned—the mystery
No one could solve or tell
If the omen of their heavenly guest
Foreboded ill or well:
When a warrior had a wondrous dream,
A lovely maiden came
And stood by his side—in sweetest tones,
She called him by his name.
"'I love your beautiful lakes,' said she,
'Your mountains clothed in green,
In yonder sky, shining above,
My sisters still are seen. But I have left them to come and live
Among your race, young brave:
To find a suitable home for me
Go ask your sages grave.'
"'And pray what form shall I assume
To be best loved by you?'
The youth awoke and stepped from his lodge
The ominous star to view.
It shone with undimmed luster where
It had stood for many a day:
Yet he firmly believed it the visitor
His waking had driven away.
"At early dawn the crier was sent
Around the camp to call
The warriors at once to the Council Lodge,
And there before them all,
The young brave told his dream so strange.
For love, they said, no doubt
For love of man the star had come
And wandered thereabout.
"To welcome her to earth next night
Five noble braves were sent.
She took the pipe of peace, which herbs
A sweet aroma lent.
Then with expanded wing she came
And hovered near their homes,
Like one who wished to be at rest
But still unwilling roams.
"In dreams she asked the youth again:
'Pray tell where I shall live,
And what form now must I assume
To most enjoyment give?'
He could not decide, so she was told
For herself 'twere best to choose.
The tribe might through their ignorance
Her heavenly wisdom lose.
"On the mountains first in the pure white rose
She dwelt; but all unseen
By the tribe she loved: so next she went
To be the prairie's queen.
She trembled with fear, with ceaseless dread,
At the hoof of the buffalo;
For safety then a rocky cliff
She sought and glanced below.
"'I know where I will live,' she said,
'Where glides the swift canoe
Of the race I most admire, and where,
Dear children, always you
My playmates can be. I will kiss your cheeks
As you slumber by the lake.
Here with you all, my best beloved,
My home I will ever make.'
"These words she spoke and alighted soon
On the water's limpid breast.
Looked down at her image reflected there,
At last she was at rest.