The son of Chief Wazi-kute--
a fearless and eagle-plumed warrior--
Long sighed for Winona,
and he was the pride of the band of _Isantees_.
Three times, in the night at her bed,
had the brave held the torch of the lover, [75]
And thrice had she covered her head
and rejected the handsome Tamdoka. [T]
[T] Tah-mdo-kah, literally, the buck-deer.
'Twas Summer. The merry-voiced birds
trilled and warbled in woodland and meadow;
And abroad on the prairies the herds
cropped the grass in the land of the lilies,--
And sweet was the odor of rose
wide-wafted from hillside and heather;
In the leaf-shaded lap of repose
lay the bright, blue-eyed babes of the summer;
And low was the murmur of brooks,
and low was the laugh of the _Ha-Ha_; [76]
And asleep in the eddies and nooks
lay the broods of _maga_ [60]and the mallard.
'Twas the moon of _Wasunpa_. [71]
The band lay at rest in the tees at _Ka-tha-ga_,
And abroad o'er the beautiful land
walked the spirits of Peace and of Plenty--
Twin sisters, with bountiful hand
wide scattering wild-rice and the lilies.
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