Complaint of a forsaken Indian Woman.

BEFORE I see another day,

Oh let my body die away!

In sleep I heard the northern gleams;
The stars were mingled with my dreams;
In rustling conflict through the skies,
I heard, I saw the flashes drive,
And yet they are upon my eyes,
And yet I am alive:

Before I see another day,

Oh let my body die away!

My fire is dead: it knew no pain;

Yet is it dead, and I remain.

All stiff with ice the ashes lie;

And they are dead, and I will die.

When I was well, I wish'd to live,

For clothes, for warmth, for food, and fire;

But they to me no joy can give,

No pleasure now, and no desire.

Then here contented will I lie!

Alone I cannot fear to die.

Alas, ye might have dragg'd me on
Another day, a single one!

Too soon, my friends, ye went away;
For I had many things to say.

I'll follow you across the snow;
Ye travel heavily and slow;
In spite of all my weary pain,
I'll look upon your tents again.
My fire is dead, and snowy white

The water which beside it stood;
The wolf has come to me to-night,
And he has stolen away my food.
For ever left alone am I;

Then wherefore should I fear to die?

Young as I am, my course is run,
I shall not see another sun;

I cannot lift my limbs to know
If they have any life or no.
My poor forsaken child, if I

For once could have thee close to me, With happy heart I then would die,

And my last thought would happy be; But thou, dear babe, art far away, Nor shall I see another day.