Poems Sigourney 1827/Remonstrance of the Creek Indians against being removed from their own Territory

by Lydia Sigourney

REMONSTRANCE OF THE CREEK INDIANS

AGAINST BEING REMOVED FROM THEIR OWN TERRITORY.

See ye those mounds so green and fair,
    Where rest the dews, where smiles the sky?
There sleeps our father's dust, and there
                                    Our own shall lie.

See ye these vales? Our children rose
    Like plants within their peaceful glade,
And where our lifeless forms repose
                                    Shall theirs be laid.

Dark are their brows, and wild they rove
    Unnurtur'd o'er their native earth,
Yet deep their rugged bosoms love
                                    Their land of birth.

Drive them not hence!—they only ask
    Their humble cabin's roof to rear,
And ply the hunter's dangerous task
                                    With toil severe:—

To sow with corn the furrow'd glade,
    Dejected sigh o'er buried years,
And sooth their frowning heroes' shade,
                                    With bitter tears.

Though mid those woods no deer should roam,
    Nor fish within these waters glide,
Though haggard famine haunt their home,
                                    And quell their pride.

Though hatred arm oppressive foes,
    And war invade their sad retreat,
Still, where their earliest breath arose,
                                    Their last shall fleet.

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