AN INDIAN LOVE-SONG.
Reading edition
From his ambush in thy shadowy eyes young Love an arrow shot, When beneath thy father's wigwam my youthful brain grew hot. My heart is all a-quiver, but hear me while I sing; Oh let me be thy beau, and I will never snap the string! Then clad in noiseless moccasons the feet of the years shall fall; For I will cherish thee, my love, till Time shall scalp us all. Not with the glittering wampum have I come thy smiles to woo; But I offer a cabin passage down life's river in my canoe; And to beguile the voyage, if thou wilt come aboard, Till sunset fire the waters the fire-water shall be poured. While clad in noiseless moccasons the feet of the years shall fall; And I will cherish thee, my love, till Time shall scalp us all. Though my pipe of peace thy cruelty has shattered, stem and bowl, A thousand thongs from thy dear hide are knotted round my soul. From every murderous tomahawk my dove shall shielded be; And if famine stare us in the face, I'll jerk my heart for thee. So, clad in noiseless moccasons the feet of the years shall fall; And I will cherish thee, my love, till Time shall scalp us all.