Enough of Science and of Art; Close up those barren leaves; Come forth, and bring with you a heart When a Northern Indian, from sickness, is unable to continue his journey with his companions, he is left behind, covered over with deerskins, and is supplied with water, food, and fuel, if the situation of the place will afford it. He is informed of the track which his companions intend to pursue, and if he be unable to follow, or overtake them, he perishes alone in the desert; unless he should have the good fortune to fall in with some other tribes of Indians. The females are equally, or still more, exposed to the same fate. See that very interesting work, "Hearne's Journey from Hudson's Bay to the Northern Ocean." In the high northern latitudes, as the same writer informs us, when the northern lights vary their position in the air, they make a rustling and a crackling noise, as alluded to in the following poem. I. BEFORE I see another day, Oh let my body die away! In sleep I heard the northern gleams; I heard, I saw the flashes drive, 1 Before I see another day, Oh let my body die away! I saw the crackling flashes drive; 1798. 1820. THE COMPLAINT OF A FORSAKEN INDIAN WOMAN. 241 II. My fire is dead: it knew no pain; All stiff with ice the ashes lie; When I was well, I wished to live, III. Alas ye might have dragged me on Too soon I yielded to despair; Why did ye listen to my prayer? 1 When ye were gone my limbs were stronger; For strong and without pain I lay, IV. My Child! they gave thee to another, 1 1815. Too soon despair o'er me prevailed, 1798. Through his whole body something ran, A most strange working did I see;1 That he might pull the sledge for me: Oh mercy! like a helpless child.2 1 V. My little joy my little pride! For I had many things to say. 1815. VI. I'll follow you across the snow; I'll look upon your tents again. For ever left alone am I; Then wherefore should I fear to die? A most strange something did I see. 1798. 1798. VII. 1 Young as I am, my course is run, 2 I shall not see another sun; I cannot lift my limbs to know For once could have thee close to me, 3 [Produced at the same time (as "The Complaint") and for the same purpose. The incident occurred in the village of Holford, close by Alfoxden.] But such a one, on English ground, II. He saw me, and he turned aside, I followed him, and said, "My friend, To-day I fetched him from the rock; III. When I was young, a single man, Though little given to care and thought, Yet, so it was, an ewe I bought; And other sheep from her I raised, Of sheep I numbered a full score, Then with his coat he made essay 1798. |