Here, in these hated walls
A prisoner I;
Vainly my young wife calls,
As night-winds sigh.
Brightly the white stars shine:
Upwards I gaze,
Seeking this soul of mine
From earth to raise.
Strong Wind, my comrade brave,
Looks sternly by,
Watching the death-film dim
His brother's eye.
Chained are these useless hands;
Cold is my heart;
Soon to the spirits' land
Must I depart.
Pacing my prison dark,
Arms do I see,—
While measured the sentry's step,—
Glance gleamingly.
Once, like the wild deer,
Or eagle, as free,—
Now, closely guarded here,
Prisoners we!
When has the red man felt
Woman's weak fears?
But from these wearied eyes
Fall warriors' tears.
Father of Waters, I
Ne'er shall see more,—
List to its waves pass by,
Beating the shore.
Sleeps my brave comrade now?—
Dreams he of home?
See, o'er his haughty brow
Dark shadows come.
Like me, he fain would be
Where, from the bow,
Piercing the wild deer's side,
Swift arrows go.
When from the waters bright
Fades the red sun,
Following the evening light,
Darkness comes on.
So has my spirit drooped,
Since from my home
Traced I my weary steps,
Ne'er to return.
Hark! in the evening air
Low voices come,—
Bring they to this sad heart
Breathings of home.
Now do the whispers rise,
Mighty the sound,
Like the thunder-bird,
16 from the skies
Hurled to the ground.
"Come to our hunting-lands!
Proudly we roam
Here, where the white man
Never may come.
From our forests on earth
Oft driven back,
We are free now, and follow
The buffalo's track.
"Here is the bright glance,
From maiden's dark eye;
While the song of the feast and dance
Rings through the sky.
Here do we wait thy step,
While soon, for thee,
Bursted the prison bars,
The warrior free!"