Page:Poems Davidson.djvu/86

And sparkling eye, and burning brand,
Which gleamed athwart both lake and strand,
Still echoed back the lengthened yell
Which startled wildwood, rock and dell!
And more were there, so dread, so wild,
Nature might shudder at her child,
And curse the hand that e'er had made
So dark a stain, so deep a shade!

On, on they flew, with lengthened stride;
 But, ah! the victims, where are they?—
Naught but the lake lies open wide,
 And the broad bosom of the bay!
But, ah! 'tis well; that shrill shriek tolled
 The death-knell of their chief once more!
Yes, Rathmond, yes, the deed was bold,
 That stretched yon white plume on the shore!

Safe crouched 'neath fern-bush, dark and low,
Rathmond had truly bent his bow,
And Montonoc, with steady eye,
From 'mid the oak's arms, broad and high,
Took aim as sure; his arrows sped,
And many a bloody foe is dead!
Wide tumult spreads! afar they fly,
Each rustling brake, which meets the eye,
Seems shrouding still some warrior there,
With bloody brand and eye of fire.
Slow dropping from his safe retreat,
The prophet glides to Rathmond's seat;
Then raised loud yells of various tone,
Such as are given at victory won,