Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-02-29
Miscellany,


OF the many beautiful fancles
with the indian legend wrought,
The bridal Of Winds aud waters
Enfolds the happiest thought
10 grew as the forest blossoms,
without touch or tint Of art,
greenwood spray Of living truth
Fresh out Of Natures heart.
In the East, that realm of story,
Where even the gods were born,
Was the fairest Of all the wigwams,
The lodgings Of tho Dawn;
Behind its rose-red curtains,
In his lonely majesty,
Dwelt the viewleas one, the Heart OF Heaven
Soul Of the azure sky
He saw the new world lying
Barren and droar and cold,
Nor voice nor prayer uplifted
Tothe mornings gate Of gold.
He smoke, and four strong Brothers
From his breath had instant birth,
who came as gOdswith rushing wings
To each corner Of the earth.
OF keen and boundless vision
And swiftor than eagles are,
One made his lodge with the daybreak
Just under the morning star,
jewels Of glstenng amber
Fastened his garments fold,
Aud his head was crowned with tossing plumcs
Yellow as FURNISHED gold.
one few to the glowing southland,
His garments all Of red,
Aud feathers Of lurid crimson
Dropped darkly on his head.
Tue third to tho land Of sunset
Sped with the fading Light
And his lodge was eurtancd with ebon shades
For the slumber couch Of Night.
The last to the ice-world hastoned,
The realm Of the Lord Of Death
Snow.white were his keen, strong pinionF,
And pitiloss cold his breath.
Then to aud fro unceasing,
wilder and forcer still,
Roamed over the earth these four great Winds,
Each seeking his own rude will.
Then murmured the Heart Of Heaven:
Though strong these Brothers be,
They cannot ripen the springtimc
Blossom, nor fruit, nor tree.
must give them loving helpers,
Who, with wiser, gentler hand,
viii guide their aimless power TO bring
New life to the waiting land.
"Come forth, o Falling watcrw
Then a shining one had birth,
And in bright Cascade swift ftspringing
She took her place ON earth.
"COme forth, o Beautiful Water!'
And the great blue Lake was seen,
With dripping lilies lifted up
ON her breast Of azare sheen.
"And thou, o Water Of sorpents!"
In sinuous, gliding grace
went forth the queenly River
Unto her chosen place.
Then called he the youngest, the iaircst:
"step softly, Water of Birdsl'
And the Bilver-fOotcd Brook stole out,
Singing songs that had no words
All! wondering, rejoicing,
Were the fierce Brothers four.
The North Wind sung his greeting
Close to the blue Lakes shore;
The East Winds trumpet music
with the Cataract's voice was blent;
a.. AZ nj. Is.su Nha
His passionate whispers sent.
Long under the forest branches,
swift-footed, playful, shy,
Fair Water Of Birds eyaded
Tho South Winds glowing sigh;
But he gave her the wildwood roses
And violets for her wreath,
And a murmur at last Of sweet response
Stole on her perfumed breath.
Cad was the watching Father,
The soul Of the bending sky,
when he saw this happy wooing
From his hidden lodge on high.
The cloud-birds clapped their piuions
Loud over crag and plain,
And the wine they poured for the bridal chee
Was bountiiul, sparkling rain.
Now ever in happy union
The Winds and the waters live,
Blossom, and fruit, and harvest,
And wealth OF the maize, they give.
And when from Invisible beakers
Dashes the midsummer rain,
They are keeping the feast Of their bridal da!
With the wine Of heaven againl
Frames l.. Mace ia March Hdrpcr's.