'Tis well. To die as I am dying now--
A soldier's death amid the gladsome shouts
Of victory for which my puny hands
Did their full share, albeit it was small,
Was all my late ambition. Bring the Flag,
And hold it over my head. Let me die thus
Under the stars I've followed. Dear old Flag--"
But here his words became inaudible,
As in the mazes of the Mammoth Cave,
Fainter and fainter on the listening ear,
The low, retreating voices die away.
His eyes were closed; a gentle smile of peace
Sat on his face. I held his nerveless hand,
And bent my ear to catch his latest breath;
And as the spirit fled the pulseless clay,
I heard--or thought I heard--his wonder-words--
"_Pauline,--how beautiful!_"
As I arose
The gray dawn paled the shadows in the east.
THE SEA-GULL.[1]
THE LEGEND OF THE PICTURED ROCKS OF LAKE SUPERIOR. OJIBWAY
_In the measure of Hiawatha._
[The numerals refer to Notes to The Sea-Gull, in Appendix.]
On the shore of Gitchee Gumee[2]--
Deep, mysterious, mighty waters--
Where the manitoes--the spirits--
Ride the storms and speak in thunder,
In the days of Neme-Shomis,[3]
In the days that are forgotten,
Dwelt a tall and tawny hunter--
Gitchee Pez-ze-u the Panther,
Son of Waub-Ojeeg,[4] the warrior,
Famous Waub-Ojeeg, the warrior.
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