Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-07-20
From the Utica Patriot.

SuHer Tue award OF their crimes. Beyond are
the abodes of the virtuous, those who have been
brave III war, and obelient to their chiefs. Ac.
oording to their traditions, ten days are spent in
the arduous journey from this world TO their ely
SUM. The following poem supposes ,ae period
40 have elapsed, and that the inhabitants OF Es-
knane, surprised that the Chief of Oneida had
not ARRIVED athis mansion, are asking themselves
the cause OF his delay; when he suddenly De.
scends, and informs them that hc IS destined 70
another heaven, and higher felicity.
The breezes were lull'd 10 Their softest repose.
And the mantle of midnight lad curtain'd the
sky;
The night bird had ceasd TO complain of hsr
woes,
And the bosom of anguish forgotten its sigh.
All bewildered in darkness, and roaming for
On path ,infrequented, and weary, strayd;
When a pale cleaning twilight seem'd strangely
TO dawn,
Where Oneida's last chief by his kirkland is laid
Now ghastly that light of eternity hlaz'd
On the dark, dreary mansions ofjdeath and the
tomb.
How wild rose the murmer, as silent gazd,
That invited Oneida's last chief to his home.
twas the revel of spirits, that sought for the
dead
Twas the Death song of warriors in battle fields
slain;
With the scars of past ages, their garments
verercd,
And they spake of the joys Of their bright Es-
kinane.
fbcheld as the war cry was shouted again,
And the dances OF triumph, they seemed to re-
new;
The elk and the deer seem'd to Hy DER the plain,
And the warrior exulting, again TO pursue.
"Why comes not the chief 10 his blissful abodsi
FIr his cabin is empty, his bow is prepar'd;
Ah! fingers he still OH the perilous road"
Has The heart of 0neda's great warrior, de-
parted
Why comes not the Chief to the hunt and the
feast -
Fer the calumet rats, and the deer will have
Fed:
Has the hero forgotten the place of his rest,
70 lnhshit forever, the house Of the dead
Why comes not the Chief for the song is be-
gen,
Where the white men ne'er sever the chain OF
our peace
His ancestors shout TO the fhtre Of their son
AS he crosses the depths Of tue greedy abyss.
Lo he comes from on high, nor in yestmeuts of
war;
All thy glories are great, for unnu1pber'd thy
slam.
Hast thou, warrior, been seeking in yon rolling
For the home of thy ancestors, bright Eski-
naGs !"
Mor the home of my ancestors, bright Eski.
niDe,
Have wandered to seek for, in yon rolling star /;
Nor the robes that are steep'd IN the blood of
the slain,
VIII Ote,da's last chief be persuaded to wear.
Oh crrsd be the war song that hurried nv
soul
On the path ways that led to the battles array,
and woe 10 the chleFtsn whose culver is full
lobe dl?'d in the gore OF MS innocent prey.
10 my war shout is ended, my bow is uhstrune;
And warriors, rise 20 the hl.s of my rest
l meai 'loi your feast, and meet not your song
There's home for ,he Ctnef in the lies of The
Where, sachem, oh where wilt thou rove OIL
the deep "
Besolation aud darkness VIII cover thy path.
An the tempes's of winter around thea will
sweep,
ma The hend WIZ puFauc on the pinions ofdeaih'
"Though the Rend should invade in tic roar of
has storms,
The abyss burst thunder, TO war on my Fight.
Yet the God Of the Christians, to save from Their
harms,
Wonld cisave the dark womb Of old chaos and
night"
Sci he rises! oneids's last cbieftain is gone.
Hask, What music Of heaven attends on his way
While the clouds roll beneath hiro, he walks no,
alone.
AS he sinks rom the sight in the regions of day.
'Ihe night scene hsd fled, IS gaz'd on the sky,
And TIC death lamp of spectros extinp1Iishe,i ne
BEAM
1dy bosom iclt cold as has ed ia fly,
vic rnidnigh departed and 10 'less n drsan,
;-s.gAszs 49, . 100, vi 'a'