If* University of California Berkeley ',///,,, /""/ ''I/"''' . -rumen uowt Id&taru * / and btouuc ohaiactet demands, and ine f which ^J,oli'v hnvate, and a&me&ftc . " // Tvive/Maliu ^ecC'ive f aw a olonti fov tne, foeeaowt, *J now take & / i * % 9 ina tne, %ollo7vma> favoawciiovi , which 1*4 ivhol- lu i/Lin&uca/n, , at uouv fe&t ; convmt&a, C watle, fvo to infert the following Note, the laft effort of a mind, the faculties of which were never impaired. " Mr. Bo WDOIN this morning had the pleafure of receiving Mrs. " 's very polite billet, accompanied with a manufcript Poem, entitled, " The Virtues of Nature." " Her intention of dedicating it to him does him great honor, and " as fuch he fhall accept it, as coming from the well -directed pen of " the ingenious PHILENIA. " In the Dedication, which he wiflies as juftly applied, as it is well written, he begs leave to reverfe one fentiment, that the volume " will be fo far from needing the candor and benevolence of the " reader to recommend it, that it will (land the ted of the moft crit- " ical judgment a$d tafte. " The volume would be enlarged by that Lady's adding to it from " her budget of poetry, fuch a number of pieces, as would make it " refpeclable, not only for the matter, but for its fize. " Mr. Bo WDOIN would propofe that the raanufcript mould re- " main where it is, for a day or two, to give Mrs. BOWDOIN and " her daughter, Lady TEMPLE, an opportunity of reading it. In ** the mean time he begs leave to falute the amiable PHILENIA with " his beft and moft refpectful compliments. " In room of PHILENIA, he thinks it would be beft the real name <' of the fair author fliould be fubftituted." Bojlon t October i6th y 1790. INTRODUCTION. FRO Man idea of being original in my fubjeft, I was induced to undertake tie following Tale. Tl?e manners and cuf- toms of the Aborigines of North America are fo limited and Jim- pie, that they have fcarcely engaged the attention either of the Phi- lofopher or the Poet. Acquainted with fame of their inter ejling ceremonies from tradition, I became defirous of gaining further in- telligence^ and gratefully acknowledge myfslf indebted to the obliging communications of Generallumco'LK, for mojl of the local rites and cuftoms alluded to, where I have not quoted any other authority. The opportunity his public commijjion, in the late negociations be- tween the United States and the Southern Indians, has afforded him to acquire the bejl information, added to the refyeft ability of his character, will render his authority unqueflioncd. As my principal defign in attempting the Poem was to arnufe my retire^ hours, and to gratify a few amiable friends, it is alone in compliance with the felicitations of thofe friends, that I have been prevailed upon to expofe it to the public eye \ but I am led to pre- fume tha^ deficient as the Poetry really is, it will convey feme in- formation^ from the collection of many particidars which are not generally known. The grades cf human nature, and the various propenjities and avocations of mankind, in their different Jl ate $ and foci dies, mnjl always be greatly interejling to the view of the philofepher ; and even the mo ft trifling production may become ufeful, ifitferves to throw light on Jo important a fubjetL It may perhaps be objected, that I have given my favourite Ouabi, a degrec\of infer fibility, with rcfpeft to the love ^Celario, incompatible with the greatnefs and faperiority of his character : To this I reply , that the mind, uyipratlicedin deception, can nev- er be capable of fufpicion ; and that not having hioivn the Euro- pean vices, he could have no idea of their exl/lence. *i INTRODUCTION. // may alfo be imagined, thai, confidering the exalted virtue and refolutiwi of Azakia, which could lead her even to death for the man, to whom /be was controlled) her ready compliance with the proportion of Ouabi, and the joy Jhe evinces on that occaftott, form an unpardonable contradiction ; but it muft be remembered, that from the cujioms and laws of every country its manners and morals are derived. Azakia, bound to her hujband by every tie, would not deceive him - } but when he exprefjed a wifn to refign her, Jhe could have no idea of his infmcerity ; fo much is truth the charaflerijlic of a /late of nature : It then became a duty, a virtue, topurfue the fir Jl wijh of her heart, I am avj&re it may be confidered improbable, that an amiable and polified European foould attach bimfelf to the perfons and manners of an uncivilized people ; bui there is now a living injlance of a like propexfity. A gentleman of fortune^ born in A- mcrica^ and educated in all the refinements and luxuries of Great Britain, has lately attached himfelf to a female favage, in wboi\i lie finds every charm I have given my Azakia ; and in confe- quence of his inclination, has relinquijhtd his own country and connexions, incorporated him/elf into the fociety, and adopted the manners of the virtuous, though uncultivated Indian. Jlfany of the outlines of the Fable are taken from a prof e Jtory in Mr. Carey's entertaining and injlructing Mujeum ; but as the tper.ingfcene cfthat narrative was rather deficient in decency, and the conclufion, in my opinion, very little interejling, I have en- tirely changed it in thofe refpetts, and have introduced a variety of cujioms, the defcription of battles, and many other circumjlanccs, which appeared ejjential to poetry, and necejjary to the plot ; JliU I acknowledge my f elf indebted to that production far many of the events, and for the names of the characters. Should any be induced to think that I have given too many perfections to a rude uncultivated favage, let them read the fol- lowing I N T R O D U C T I to. *3 lrophe Iry a celebrated French author.* " I glanced my eye rapidly over the fcene, and in a vaft country, to us hitherto' unknown, I faw a naked Indian, having nothing but God and nature above him, enjoying the benefits which offer, without analyfing them. His body was fupple and robuft, his eye lively and piercing, his ear attentive, in his deportment a certain air of haughtinefs, of which we have no kind of idea in our degenerate climate. He feems even more graceful and majeftic when befide his female compan- ion, his eye is milder, his countenance more ferene." But the authority by which I have been influenced, and from which I feel myfelf juftified, is William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania^ %vhofe manners 'and principles could not admit of exaggeration^ or extravagancy of exprejjton. In bis letters to bis friends in Eng- hnd) he defcribes the North-American Indians in the following terms, u For their perfons they are generally tall, ftraight, well built, and of fingular proportion : they tread ftrong and clever, and moftly walk with a lofty chin : the thick 3Ip and flat nofe, fo frequent with the Eaft-Indians and blacks, are not common with them ; for I have feen as comely, European-like faces among them of both fexes, as on your fide the fea. And truly an Italian complexion hath not much more of the white, and the nofes of feveral have as much of the Roman." " They are great concealers of their own refentment, but in liberality they excel ; nothing is too good for their friend. Their government is by kings ; every king has his COUP*- cil, and that confifts of all the old and wife men of his na- tion ; nothing of moment is undertaken without adviiing with them, and what is more, with the young men too. It is admirable to confider how powerful their kings are, and yet how they move by the breath of the people. I hav * M. Mercier. toU INTRODUCTION. had occafion to be in council with them ; while any one fpoke, not a man of them was obferved to whifper or fmile^ the old grave, the young reverend, in their deportment ; they fpeak little, but fervently, and with elegance ; I have never feen more natural fagacity, cohiidering them without the help (I was going to fay the fpoil) of tradition." Sanc- tioned by fitch authorities 1 flatter myfelf, allowing for the ju/iifi- able embeltijhm'ents of 'poetry, that I Jball not be confidered an en- thufiaji in my defer iptions* The. liberal reader will, Ilrujl^ make many allowances for the Various imperfections of the work^from. a conftderation of my fex and fituation ; the one by education inci- dent to weaknefs) the other from duty devoted to domejlic avoca- tions. And I am induced to hope^ that the attempting a fubjec3 wholly American will info?ne refpeft entitle me to the partial eye of the patriot j tbat> as a young author^ I Jhall be received with tendernefS) and^ as an involuntary one y be criticifed ivitk candor * A N CANTO I. A IS not the court, in dazzling fplendor gay t Where foft luxuriance fpreads her filken arms, Where gairifli fancy leads the foul aftray, And languid nature mourns her flighted charms ; *Tis not the golden hill, nor flow'ry dale, Which lends my fimple mufe her artlefs theme ; But the black foreft and uncultur'd Vale, The favage warrior, and the lonely ftream. B Where W i : ^ . , : T.H $ t V I RT VES o F NATURE. Where M i ss is IPPI* rolls his parent Jlood With flope impetuous to the furgy main, The defert's painted chiefs explore the wood, Or with the thund'ring war-whoop^" fhake the plain. There the fierce fachcms raife the battle's din, Or in the dream their aftive bodies lave, Or midft the flames their feaiiefs fongs begin J PAIN HAS NO TERRORS TO THE TRULY BRAV1. There young CELARIO, Europe's faireft boaft, In hopelefs exile mourn'd the tedious day ; Now wandering flowly o'er the oozy coaft, Now thro the wild woods urg'd his anxious way. Where the low {looping branch excludes the light, A piercing fhriek affail'd his wounded ear ; Swift as the winged arrow fpeeds its flight, He feeks the piteous harbinger of fear. There a tall Huron rais'd his threat'ning arm, While round his knees a beauteous captive clung, Striving to move him with her matchlefs form, Or charm him by the magic of her tongue. Soon * Miffifippi, an Indian name, fignifying the great father ot rivers. It is fubjeft to no tides, but from its fource in the north of the American .Continent flows with rapid force, till it empties itfelf into the Gulph of Mexico. f War-twhoopi the cry of battle, with which they always make their nfct. J The American Indians, after exhaufting every fpecies of cruelty and torture upon their moft diftinguiftied prifoners, burn them by a tlifctnt fire 5 who expire finging fongs cf glory and defiance* THE VIRTUES OF NATURE. it Soon as Celario view'd the murd'rous fcene, Quick from his veil the deathful tube he drew ; Its leaden vengeance thunder'd o'er the green, While from the favage hand the lingering hatchet flew. Low at his feet the breathlefs warrior lies ; Still the foft captive fickens with alarms, Calls 011 OUABI's name with ftreaming eyes, While the young victor lives upon her charms. Her limbs were flraighter than the mountain pine, Her hair far blacker than the raven's wing ; Beauty had lent her form the waving* line y Her breath gave fragrance to the balmy fpring. Each bright perfection open'd on her face, Her flowing garment wanton'd in the breeze, Her flender feet the glitt'ring fandalst grace, Her look was dignity, her movement eafe. With fplendid beads her braided treffes fhone, Her bending waifl a modeft girdle bound, Her pearly teeth outvi'd the cygnet's down She fpoke and mufic follow'd in the found. SHE. Great ruler of the winged hour,J AZAKI A trembles at thy pow'r ; While * See Hogarth's Line of Beauty. f The fandals are ornamented either with little gliftening bells, or with a great variety of fhining beads and feathers. J It is prefumed that A-zdkla had never before feen an European, or heard the report of a piftol, as fhe confiders one a deity, and the other his thunder. 2f THE VIRTUES or NATURE- While from thy hand the thunders roll, Thy charms with lightnings pierce the foul s Ah ! how unlike our fable race, The fnowy luflre of thy face ! That hair of beaming Cynthia* s hue, Thofe mining eyes of heav'nly blue ! Ah ! didft thou leave thy blifsful land, To fave me from the murderer's hand ? And is Oudbi ftill thy care, The dauntlefs chief, unknown to fear f HE. Ceafe to call Oudbi's name, Give Celario all his claim, No divinity is here : Spare thy praifes, quit thy fear : Bend no more that beauteous knee, For I am a flave to thee : Let my griefs thy pity move, Heal them with the balm of love. Far beyond the orient main, By my rage a youth was flain ; He this daring arm defied, By this arm the ruffian died : Exil'd from my native home, Thro the defert wild I roam ; But if only bleft by thee, All the defert fmiles on me. SHE, THE VIRTUES or NATURE. 3 SHE. See a graceful form arife !* Now it fills my ravifh'd eyes, Brighter than the morning flar, 'Tis Oudbi, fam'd in war : Clofe before my bofom fpread, O'er thy prefence calls a made, Full on him thefe eyes recline, And his perfon fhuts out thine. Let us to his home retire, Where he lights the focial fire : Do not thro the defert roam, Find with me his gen'rous home ; There the Illinois obey Great Oudbi's chofen fway. Aw'd by her virtue, by her charms fubdued, Celario follows o'er the wid'ning plains, Nor dares his hopelefs paflion to intrude, Where conjlant truth, and blefl Oudbi reigns. Now diflant flames aflail his dazzled eyes, High as the clouds the curling fpires afcend, While warlike youths in circling orders^ rife, And midfl the green with graceful filence bend. Far * The Indian women of America are very chafte after marriage, and if any perfon makes love to them, they anfwer, " the Friend that is be* fore my eyes, prevents my feeing you." f At their councils and war-feafts they feat themfelves in femicircles or half moons : the King or Sachem ftands, or fixes himfelf in the mid- dle, with his counfellors on each fide, according to their age and rank. See William Penn's letters to his friends in England'. ti **E VIRTUES OF NATURE, Far o'er the chieftains great Oudbi moves, With flep majeftic thro the boundlefs plain ; Thus tow'rs the cedar o'er the willow-groves, Thus ihines bright Cynthia midft her flany traia. Swift to his arms the fond Azdkia flies, And oft repeats the fear-embelliftVd tale ; How pointed lightnings ^ierc'd her wond'ring eyes, While the near thunder broke the trembling gale ! Oudbi ! form'd by nature's hand divine, Whofe naked limbs the fculptor's art defied, Where nervous flrength and graceful charms combine^ Where dignity with fleetnefs was allied. High from his head the painted plumes arofe, His founding bow was o'er his moulder flung, The hatchet, dreadful to infulting foes, On the low branch in peaceful caution hung. Adown his ears the glift'ning rings defcend^ His manly arms the clafping bracelets bind, From his broad cheft the vari'd beads depend, And all the hero tow'r'd within his mind. His hand he yielded to the gentle youth, Inquired his forrows with benignant air, And, kind as pity, unreferv'd as truth, Sooth'd ev'ry grief, and profFer'd ev'ry care. When THE VIRTUES OF NATURE. When young Celario> breathing many a figh, Difclos'd the warring tumults of his breaft, Low on the ground reclin'd his penfive eye, While his perfuafive voice the chief addrefs'd. CELARIO. On thefe far-extended plains, Truth and godlike juftice reigns ! In my childhood's happy prime, A warrior from this weflern clime, Oft the fleeting day improved, Talking of the home he lov'd, All thy glowing worth impreft On my young enamour'd breaft. Banifh'd from my native fhore, Here I turn'd the ready oar. Tir'd of fcenes, where crimes beguile, Fond of virtue's honeft fmile, From perfidious vice I flee, And devote my life to thee. Sheiter'd in thy focial cot, All the glare of wealth forgot, Let the hatchet grace my hand, Let me bend to thy command : May Cdario claim thy care, Lead him thro the din of war, Think not of his early age, Try him midft the battle's rae. OUAB i6 THE VIRTUES OF NATURE. A OUABL May the endlefs Source of Good, Parent of yon rapid flood, Strike me with the pangs of fear, Midft the glories of the war, If Oudbi does not prove All a brother's tender love j If his body ceafe to be Still a fure defence to thee j If his life-deftroying bow- Does not feek thy treach'rous foe. Then amidft yon chiefs retire, Seated round the facred fire, Waiting for the -warrior- feaji* Let them hail thee as their guefl : Mufic reigns with foft control, Sable bev'rage^ fires the foul. Here yon rifing orb of flame Finds each rolling hour the fame ; And the liar of ev'ning glows On each blifs, that nature knows. Say * The day before battle the fachems and warriors meet together, and with great folemnity join in the war feaft. f Sable beverage, which they call the black drink, is made by a de co&ion of certain herbs, and is fimilar in appearance to coffee : It is of an exhilarating nature, is prepared by their warriors or head men, and ferved round at their councils and war feafts, with great folemnity and devotion. The commiflioners from the United States were prc- fented with this liquor upon their introduction. VIRTUES or NATURE. 17 Say what crimes thy realms difgrace ? Do the natives fhun the chafe ? / Do they fear to bend the bow ? Do they dread the threat'ning foe ? Yet, if courage dwells with thee, Join the Huron war with me. CELARIO. Oft the a dive chafe they dare, Oft they join the glorious war, 'Tis at home their vices grow, There they yield to ev'ry foe ; There unnumber'd demons reign, Led by TERROR, GUILT and PAIN ; Rajh REVENGE, with eye-balls rolling* Hateful M A L i c E, always fcowling, Bafe DUPLICITY deceiving, Cruel SLANDER, ftill believing* INSOLENCE to wealth allied, Rude, unfeeling^ trampling PRIDE* Prudijh ENVY'S ready fneer* Bafe NEGLECT and dajlard FEAR* JEALOUSY with bitter figh, Low SUSPICION'S jaundiced eye, 'Lying FRAUD* with treach'rous fmile, Hard REPROACH, and MEANNESS vile, A F F ECT ATI o N 's fanning form, PASSION, always in ajlorm ; Thefe are foes I leave behind, Thefe the TRAITORS of the mind, C Dreadful i8 THE VIRTUES o* NATURE. Dreadful as the battle's roar, Fearful as the conq'ror's pow'r. Now for the war-feaft all the chiefs prepare, The jetty draught exhaufts the gen'rous bowl, And the fa rce dance* fit emblem of the war, Swells the great mind, and fires the kindling foul. Tho fongs of vengeance ev'ry breaft infpire, The peaceful calumet'}' fucceeds the feaft, Till livid glimmerings mark the finking fire, And the gem'd ikies proclaim the hour of reft. Ere the firfl blufh of day illumes the morn, The chiefs, impatient for the battle, rife ; With warlike arms their coloured limbs adorn, While glowing valour fparkles in their eyes. Onward they move, by great Oudbi led, The young Celario with the painted train, Like white narciflus mid the tulip-bed, Or like a fwan with peacocks on the plain. The golden ringlets of his glofly hair, Intwin'd with beads, the tow'ring feathers grace, No longer floating to the am'rous air, Nor mingling with the beauties of his face. Drefs'd * The dance is rather an aft of devotion, than of recreation, and onftitutes a part of all their public ceremonies. Sec William Pcnn's Letter.. t The calumet is a highly ornamented pipe, which the Indians fmoke as a type of peace and harmony on all public occafions, THE VIRTUES OF NATURE. 19 Drefs'd like a fachem o'er his naked arm With carelefs eafe reel in* d his gaudy* bow, Not bright Apollo boafts fo fair a form, Such ringlets never grac'd his iv'ry brow. On the far field the adverfe heroes join, No dread artill'ry guards the coward fide But dauntlefs flrength, and courage half divine, Command the war, and form the conq'ror's pride. Thus before Illion's heav'n-defended tow'rs, Her godlike Heftor rais'd his crimfon'd arm ; Thus great Atrides led the Grecian pow'rs, And ftern Achilles fpread the loud alarm. Where danger threats the European flies, Eager to follow when Oudbi leads, His feather'd arrows glance along the flues, And many a hero, many a fachem bleeds. Now the jftrong hatchet hews whole nations down, Now deathful Ihow'rs of miffive darts defcend, The echoing war-whoop drowns the dying groan, And Ihouts of vict'ry ev'ry bofom rend. When by fome hand's unerring force applied, Flew a fwift arrow where Cdario flood, Its darting vengeance pierc'd hisguardlefs fide, And drank the living current of his blood. While * Their bows are ftained with a great variety of glaring colours* and othcrwife ornamented. For a fpecimen fee the Mufeum of the Umverf- ity at Cambridge. so THE VIRTUES OF NATURE. While from the wound the barbed fhaft is drawn. O'er his fair fide the drops of crimfon glow, And feem loft rubies on a wint'ry lawn, Adding new luflre to the filv'ry fnow. The Illinois their great Oudbi hail, No more the foe his conq'ring arm defies ; O'er the blue mountain, thro the thorny vale, The vi6tor follows, as the vanquifli'd flies. Fatigu'd by flaughter, ev'ry chief retires To the lov'd folace of his native plain, There ilili regardful of the f acred fires * Till the loud war awakes his ftrength again. By Jlavesi 1 fupported thro the mazy wood, Cclario gains the fachem's diflant home, Where mourning warriors (lop the purple flood, And for each healing flanQ the weedy defert roam. Atakia's * It is a point of religion with the American Indians never to luffer their fires to go out until the clofe of their year, when they are totally extinguished, and others are kindled by friclion of certain wood. The policy of this aft of devotion is evident, as it not only indicates to their youth the neceflity of their being cqnftantly ready for war, but ferves as an annual fchool to inflruct them (in all cafes of emergency) in the method of railing this neceflary element into aftion from the objects of nature, which furround them. f The prifoners of inferior rank, taken in battle, are retained as flaves by the right's of war ; and this is the only kind of flavery known amongft them. % Thefe people are perhaps the firft botanifts in the world ; and from their knowledge of the properties of plants, according to William Penn, have a remedy for almofl every difeafe, to which they are fubjedt. They have certain antidotes to all venomous bites, and it is laid an in- fallible cure for cancers. THE VIRTUES OF NATURE. 2* Jlzakta's hand the chymic juice applies, Her conftant aid the ftrength'ning food prepares, Her plaintive voice beguiles his clofmgeyes, And fooths his (lumbers with unceafing prayers. Now winds his ringlets round her dufky hand, And views the contrail with enamour'd boaft, Now o'er his features bends with accents bland, 'Till ev'ry fwimming fenfe in wonder's loft. Thus the lorn wretch, by ignis fatuus led, Purfues the gleam which charms his lonely way, Nor, 'till deftru&ion whelms his haplefs head, Sufpects the dangers of the treach'rous ray. Celario gazes with renew'd defires, While kindling hopes his doting bofom move ; Yet ftill Ouabi's worth his foul infpires, And much his virtue flruggles with his love. Now each new day increafing ftrength beftows, And hisbrac'd limbs the limping ftaffrefign, His humid lip with rofeate luftre glows, His lucid eyes with wonted brightnefs ihine. CANTO THE VIRTUES OF NATURE. CANTO II. W HAT time red Sirius fheds his baneful pow'r, And fades the verdant beauties of the grove ; When thirfty plants droop for the cooling fhow'r, not a leaf the fleeping zephyrs move, Azakia wander'd from her fultry home, Amid the ftream her languid limbs to lave, Now on the fedgy banks delights to roam, Now her light body curls the mining wave. While thro the woods the fachem chas'd the deer, Cdario mourns Azdkia's long delay, Oft at her ab fence drops th' empaffion'd tear, Counting the tedious moments* leaden way. When half the fcorching day its courfe had run, The wand'rer feeks her lov'd abode again, Nor thinks how fad exiftence lingers on, Unfooth'd by love, and worn by anxious pain. CeLario greets her with a lover's care, t And fees new beauties grace her modeft form, Repeats his fond complaint, his late defpair, And dwells eiiraptur'd on each glowing charm : Till THE VIRTUES or NATURE. 2$ Till, quite regardlefs of Oudbi's name, His yielding foul to defp'rate love refign'd, Urg'd with infidious voice his daring flame, By ev'ry art afTail'd her foften'd mind. CELARIO. Not bright Hefper beams more fair To the love-lorn traveller, Than thofe eyes, where beauty warms, Than that voice, where foftnefs charms, Than that bofom's gentle fwell, And thofe lips, where raptures dwell, To this faithful heart of mine, Truly, only, wholly thine. Now Qiiabi hunts the deer, Love and blifs inhabit here ; Here the downy willows bend, Elms their fringed arms extend, While the finking fun improves Ev'ry fcene, which fancy loves. Let thy heart my refuge be, And my hopes repofe on thee ; Grant me all thofe matchlefs charms, Yield the heav'n within thy arms. AZAKIA. Does the turtle learn to roam, When her mate has left his home ? Will the bee forfake her hive ? In the peopled wigwam thrive ? Can 24 THE VIRTUES OF NATURE, Can Azdkia ever prove, Guardlefs of Oudbi's love ! While the Jhivcrs from the tret* Which the warrior broke with me. Straight as honor, bright as fame, Have not felt the wafting flame ! Think of all his guardian care, How he train'd thy fteps to war ; How, when prefs'd by ev'ry harm, Stretched his life-prote&ing arm; Rais'd thee from the trembling ground, Drew the arrow from thy wound, Brought thee to his peaceful plain, Cloth'dthy cheek with health again ! Shall I from fuch virtue part ? Muft I break that gen'rous heart ? Ev'ry pang, which kills thy reft, Then will pierce his faithful breaft, His and thine I cannot be : Muft I break his heart for thee ? CELARIO. * The marriage contract of the North American Indians is not nec- eflarily during life, but while the parties continue agreeable to each other. The ceremony is performed by their mutually breaking fmall fnivers or flicks of wood in the prefence of their friends, which arc carefully depofited in fome fafe place, till they wifh a reparation ; when with like ceremony the flicks are thrown into the facred fires, and the marriage confequently diffolved. Mrs. Brooks obferves, that the great- eft obftruflion to the converfion of the Canadian Indians to chriftianiry, was their relufiar.ce at forming marriages for life. THE VIRTUES OF NATURE. 25 CELARIO. All the turtle's charms are thine, All her confiant love is mine ; Ev'ry fweet> the bee beftows, On thy fragrant bofom grows : May each blifs defcend on thee, Be thy griefs referv'd for me. Yes ! I mufl thy choice approve ; Give Oudbi all thy love ; But with thee I cannot flay, Soon, ah ! foon I mufl away, Where Scioto's waters flow, Or the fiery Chattaws glow, Or the fnowy mountains rife, Frozen by Canadian ikies : There for refuge will I fly From the ruin of that eye? Yet this heart with love will glow Mid the northern mountains' fnow, On the Cha&aws' fouthern plain Feel the chill of cold difdain. AZAKI A Why, ungrateful youth, ah! why Mufl the poor Azdkia die ! If you leave this blifsful plain, Never fhall we meet again. Tho' to great Oudbi true, Yet this foul refides with you 5 D Still THE VIRTUES OF NATURE, Still will follow all thy care, \Vhile the body wafles to air. Not the golden fource of light, Not the filver queen of night, Not the placid morning dream, Not the tree-refle&ing ftream, Ever can a charm difplay, When thy heav'nly form's away, E'en while (he fpake the great Ouabi Celario' s cheek betrays the confcious glow; But chafte Azdkia, pure from ev'ry fhame, Nor checks her tears, nor hides her blamelefs woe, With foften'd accent, and expreffive eye, The faultlefs chief regards her qwiv'ring fear, His gentle voice repels the fwelling figh, His fond endearment flops the rolling tear. Celario liflens with averted mien, Struck to the foul, by fecret guilt opprefs'd, In fullen filence wanders round the green, While the foft forrower all her grief expre&'cL AZAKIA. Far from Azdkia's kindly eyes The lov'd, the loft Celario flies : For other friends defires to roam, And fcorns Oudbi's lib'ral home f OUABI THE VIRTUES OF NATURE, OUABI. Dear youth, by bounteous nature bleft, fhou chofen brother of my bread, What other friends can claim thy care, For who can hold thee half fo dear ! Does not the chain of friendfhip bind Thy virtues with Oudbi's mind ! And this warm heart's expanding flame, Still kindle at Celario's name ! My faithful warriors all are thine, And all thy treach'rous foes are mine. Perhaps fome wrong, thy foul difdains, Difgufts thee to thefe hated plains; By yon bright ruler of the fkies, The wretch, who wrong'd thee, furely dies. The ftrength'ned foe their arms prepare, Tomorrow leads me to the war; This night we claim thee, as a gueft, To join the facred warrior-feaft. While danger all my fteps attend, Let mild Azdkia find a friend, CELARIO. Native reaforis piercing eye, Melting pity's tender figh, Changelefs -virtue's living flame, Meek contentment, free from 1 blame, Op en friend/hip's gen'rous care, EV'RY BOON OF LIFE is HERE! Yet THE VIRTUES OF NATURE. Yet this heart, to grief a prey, Loaths the morning's purple ray, And the azure hour of reft Plants a fcorpion in my breaft ; But I'll with thee to the war, Only folace for my care : Tho* I cannot heave the blow, -j Yet will bend the fupple bow, f Fatal to the flying foe. J Yes ! and that great, undaunted mind, With equal ftrength and vigor join 'd, Would lead thee with regardlefs hafte Thro' yon illimitable wafte ; But yet thy wounded body fpare, Unfit to meet the toils of war ; Unfit the ambufh'd chiefs to find, To follow fwifter than the wind, Or, if by num'rous foes fubdued, To fly within the tangling wood: With my Azdkia then remain, 'Till her lov'd warrior comes again. Thus great Quabi fooths with gentle care The guilty anguifh of Celario's breaft, Diflfuades his purpofe from the coming Var,, And calms his ftormy paflions into reft. Now THE VIRTUES OF NATURE. 29 Now the brave hero feeks the diftant foe, And leads his warriors with unequall'd grace, Adorn'd with paint their martial bodies glow, A firm, unconquer'd, unforgiving* race* Such as when JULIUS fought Britannia's plain, Withfearlefs ftep approach'd her penfile fhore, Whofe naked limbs the varying colours ftain, Who dare the war, and fcorn the conq'ror's pow'r. Mean time Azdkia for her fachem mourns, Her troubled heart to ceafelefs pangs refign'd ; Now to Qelqrio's ardent love returns, Now native virtue brightens in her rnind. Unbending honor gains her fpotlefs breafl ; Forms the refolve to guard his fatal charms, To feek fome nymph with radiant beauty blefl, To win his love, and grace his envi'd arms. On the young ZISMA all her hopes repofe, Who next herfelf adorn 'd the peopled glade ; Like the green bud beneath the op'ning rofe,t With bright Azdkia fhone the riling maid. To * Revenge is a principle, in which they are very careful to educate their young warriors, confidering it one of their firft virtues ; yet this revenge is rather a deliberate fentiment of the mind, than a ra(h cbul- litioa of pafilon ; for they fuppofe that a man who always feels a difpo- fition to punifh injuries, will not be readily inclined to commit them. Sec Win. Pt-nn's Letters. f Azukia is fuppofed to be ftill in extreme youth, as among the In- dians the women contract marriage at the age of fourteen, and the men at feventeen. Wm. Penn'j Letters. go THE VIRTUES OF NATURE, To the fair ftranger gentle Zifma flies, Prevents each wifh, each luxury prepares, Dwells on his beauties with unweari'd eyes, And lures with iiren voice his froward cares. Much he admires, and much his foul approves ; But when was love by frigid prudence fwa^'d ! In the torn breaft, which burning paffion moves^ Can the cold law of reafon be obey'd ! Still to Azdkia all his thoughts retire, Her flender form, her love-exciting face, Her gentle voice, each tremb'ling nerve infpire. And ev'ry fmile robs Zifma of a grace. Oft tears of tranfport from his eyes diflil, Oft rays of hope thro* darkening forrows beam, Now at her feet the fubjeft of her will, Now wild as loud Ontario's rufhing flream. CANTO VIRTUES OF MATURE. 31 CANTO HI. J UST as the fun awak'd the dewy And rofe refplendent from his wat'ry bed, When vari'd tints the heav'nly arch adorn, And o'er the meads enamell'd radiance fpread, At the far limits of the fpangled lawn A ghaftly figure iffued from the wood, Writhing with anguifh, like the wounded fawn, Cover'd with darts, and ftain'd with clotted blood* Azdkia*$ bofom fweDs with boding woes, Yet to his aid the fweet confoler flies, On his parch'd lips the cooling draught bellows, Binds his deep wounds, and fooths his laboured fighs. When his faint voice, and wafted ftrength returns, Oft he attempts, oft quits the fearful tale, 'Till the fad lift'ner all her forrow learns, Whelm'd in dumb grief, with chilling terrors pale, Too foon, alas ! his broken accents (how, How the great chief approach'd the fatal plain, Tho* nations fell beneath his nervous blow, O'erpow'r'dby numbers funk amidft the (lain. One 32 THE VIRTUES OF NATURE. One equal fate the victor-foes impart, For thepurt town* in vain the vanquifh'd bend, The vengeful tomahawk^ and hurtling dart, Down to the ihades the haplefs heroes fend. While this alone, of all the routed train, From purple heaps, where dying fachems lay, To feek the lov'd Azdkia's peaceful plain, Had turn'd his fad, dark, folitary way. On the far field while great Oudbi lies, Breathlefs and low amid the glorious dead^ No friendly hand to clofe the warrior's eyes, And fhield the plumy honours^ of his head, Ungovern'd rage the young Celario fires, He fcorns his wounds, forgets the nymph he loves ; Revenge is all his fwelling bread defires, Revenge alone his furious foul approves. In Zifma's arms, of wafting grief the prey, The widow'd mourner courts the mitr d'rous dream Shuns the red fplendor of the rifing day, The moon's pale radiance, and the (haded dream. Not * The pure or ivbite towns are places of refuge, in which no blood is ever permitted to befpilt ; even criminals are there protected. f The tomahawk is a fmall hatchet, with a long handle, which is thrown at the enemy with fuccefs at a great diftance ; it is particularly fatal in a purfuit. J " Plumy honours," alluding to their practice of fcalping. ^ It isfaid to have been anciently a cuftom among the Indians, if in the fpace of forty days, a woman, who had loft her hufband, law and converfed with him twice in a dream, to infer from thence, that he re- quired her prefence in the land of fpirits ; and nothing could difpenfe with her pntting.heiTelf to death. VIRTUES OF NATURE, 33 K T ot deeper anguifh rends the promis'd bride, if death relentlefs lifts his ebon dart, And tears her youthful lover from her fide^ Juft when hope warm'd, and pleafure fir'd the heart. Now brave Cdarib feeks his fcatter'd friends, Who raife new pow'rs, and neighboring tribes obtain, Along the darkened green the hoft extends, Breathing revenge, and undifmay'd by pain. For the young champion all their voices rife He can alone their glorious chief fucceed, Who erft, beneath that matchlefs fachem's eyes, Could greatly conquer, and could nobly bleed. Ere he departs Azdkia claims his care, The youthful Zifma at her fide he found, While plung'd in grief, the viftim of defpaji*, The lovely fuff'rer prefs'd the turfy ground. In her cold hand the fatal draught was borne, Of deadly Cytron's* pois'nous root composed, While many a tear, and many a lengthen'd groan, The purpofe of her Heady foul difclos'd. AZAKIA. When angry fpirits make the flues, And 'gairift the good the bdd arife,t The * The root of the North- American cytron tree, commonly called the -candle ivood, produces a juice of a moft deadly poifon. f The American Indians believe, that an cclipfe of the fun is occa- fioned by a contention between the good and evil/fpirit ; and as light finally prevails, they fappoie the good fpirit is always victorious, E 34 THE VIRTUES OF NATURE. The golden orb, which lights the day, Withdraws its clear refulgent ray, 'Till GOODNESS gains his native throne, And hurls the pow'r of darknefs down. Then (runes the FLAMING ORB more clear, More ardent fplendors gild the year. Thus would this fenfual form control The glory of th' immortal foul ; Would all the charms of light forego, And chain it to the gloom of woe ; But foon th' unequal conteft ends, Soon the pure foul to blifs afcends, While thro' the realms of endlefs day Oudbi fpreads his brightened ray. Lafl night the beaming warrior came, Envelop'd in furrounding flame, Stretch'd his heroic arms to me, And rais'd this loit'ring heart from thee; If once again he greets my light, And calls me to the realms of light, This killing draught will waft me o'er The terrors of the win' try Jhore, To wander midft the blifsful train, And meet the fearlefs chief again. CELARIO; How can the dead approach thy fight ! Who guides them thro' the (hades of night! Would that bright foul its blifs refign, To give a lading (lab to- mine! How THE VIRTUES OF NATURE, 35 How could the wretch, who caus'd thy pain, Know when the glorious chief was (lain ? Perhaps, the victors' triumph made, He mourns beneath the filent (hade, Or the flow tortures flrive in vain His great, unconquer'd mind to gain : This daring arm lhall fet him free, Pledge but thy facred oath to me, By all the fhining pow'rs above, By thy Celario's conflant love, 'Till great Oudbi's fate is known, Thou wilt not dare to touch thy own* The foe an eafy prey will be, Now lull'd to calm fecurity : Surprize will feize the guardlefs train, And fnatch the warrior-chief from pain. A Z A K I A Then by the ruler of the fides, By young Celario's heav'nly eyes, By the foft lave, thofe eyes exprefs, By all his varied pow'rs to blefs, His hopelefs tear, impaffion'd figh, And look of fpeechlefs fympathy, Witnefs ye fpirits of the dead, That hover round this widow'd head, The fatal bowl I will not drain, 'Till the young warrior comes again, Or 'till to great Oudbi's ihade The fad fepukhral rites are paid. Charm' d 36 THE VIRTUES or NATURE, Ch^rm'd by her accents, from her fight he fpeeds s Swift as the falcon darting on the prey, With the red train* in eager hafle proceeds, And fires their courage, as he leads their way, Soon as they gain the region of the foe, Some he directs the ambufh'd path to guide, Some with ftrong force to heave the fudden blow, And fome to bear the captur'd chiefs afide. Return'd from conqueft, and to eafe refign'd, Th' inyade'd tribe their hafty arms regain, In ev'ry ftep an ^nftant death to find, Or the fad profpectof a life of pain. In vain Celario checks the favage hand, The helplefs mother with her infant dies,t Revenge infpires his unforgiving band, 'Till all one heap of defolation lies. Now to the town they urge {heir rapid way, With equal fpeed the routed foe retires, There in the midfl a tortur'd warrior lay, Daring the fury of the raging fires. His mangled form the tort'.rers pow'r defies, His changelefs voice the fong of death had fung, No tear of pain pollutes his fteady eyes, No cry of mercy trembles on his tongue. DEATH * The Indians ftile themfelves " The red people ." f Thefe people make it a principle to fpare neither the wives nor children of their enemies ; but, like the patriarchs of old, endeavour te cxtirnate the whole race. THE VIRTUES or NATURE. 37 DEATH SONG. REAR'D midjl the war-empurpled plain^ What Illinois fubmits to PAIN / How can the glory-darting fire The coward chill of death infpire ! The fun a blazing heat bejiows, The moon midjl penfive evening glows, Thejlars infparkling beauty Jhine, And own their FLAMING SOURCE divine. Then let me hail th* IMMORTAL FIRE, And in the facred flames expire ; Nor yet thofe Huron hands rejlrain ; This bofomf corns the throbs of fain. No griefs this warrior-foul can bow, No pangs contracl this even brotu ; Not all your threats excite a fear, Not all your force can Jl art a tear. Think not with me my tribe decays, More glorious chiefs the hatchet raife; Not unrevcng'd their fachem dies, Not unattended greets thefkies. felario liflens with the ear of care, His finking limbs their wonted aid refufe, He calls his warriors with diftra&ed air, Whofe ready hands the fuff'ring victim loofe. Aimirid 3 8 *HE VIRTUES OF NATURE. Around his feet the young deliv'rer clings ; It is Ouabi ! greateft ! firft of iften ! The fong of death the dauntlefs fachem fings, Yet clafps his lov'd Celario once agen. Thro' the deep wood they feek the healing balm, Weep on his hand, or at his feet deplore ; Ah ! how unlike Oudbi's glorious form ! NOW galh'd with wounds,, and bath'd in dreams of gor Snatch'd from the wilh'd oblivion of the field^ Subjected to the vicjor's hard decree, Struck by his form, their iron bofoms yield, They grant a life deprived of liberty. Th' indignant chief the proffer'd boon difdains, Defies their rage, and fcorns their threat'ning ire. Demands the tortures, and their rending pains. The lingering anguilh of the tardy fire. The Death Song echo'd thro' the hollow wood,, Jufl when Celario led his warrior-train, Th' affrighted foe difcard the work of blood, And fly impetuous o'er the arid plain. Thus when a carcafe clogs tjie op'ning vale, And birds of prey in prowling circles throng, If forne fierce hound approach the tainted gale, He drives the wild relentlefs brood along. Pale THE VIRTUES OF NATURE. Pale horror flalks, and fwift deftru6tion reigns, Carnage and death pollute the ruin'd glade, 'Till nature's weari'd arm a refpite gains, When night pacific fp reads her fable (hade. CANTO THE VIRTUES o* NATURE. CANTO IV. WHILE the bent foreft drops the chryftal tearj And frozen HURON chills thefhorten'd day, 'Till the young fpring reftor'd the bloffom'd year^ Rack'd by difeafe the patient fachem lay. O'er his pierc'd limbs > and lacerated form, Celario binds the health-reftoring leaf, And guards bis flumbers from furrounding harrrij With all the filent eloquence of grief. 'Till fov'reign nature, and benignant art, Revive each nerve, each weaken'd fibre brace^ And ev'ry charm, that health and youth impart^ Glows in his veins, and brightens in his face. Still to his love, Celario' s heart returns, Full oft he mourns her life-opprefling woe, 'Till great Ouati all his foul difcerns, And views the fource, from whence his forrows flow, In penlive thought he treads the fenny meads, While for his native home they bend their way, Light as the air each hurried flep proceeds, Thro f the flow moments of the ling'ring day : fill THE VIRTUES or NATURE. 41 'Till time, .whom happy lovers form'd with wings, To his own plains the matchlefs chief reftores ; Around his neck the wild Azdkia clings, Now weeps, now joys, now bleffes, now deplores. Another dream had rack'd her fleeplefs mind, Where the great hero chid her long delay, While all her tortur'd breaft, to death relign'dj Reproached the European's faithlefs flay. The chief returns iri all his native grace, Tho* mark'd with wounds, andfear'd with many a fear, Vet rbanly charms adorn his open face, Still form'd to lead and guide the glorious war. Celario gazes with unfated eye, While down his cheek the tears of rapture flow, His melting boforri heaves the breathing figh, And riling cares contract his polifh/d brow. Not unobferv'd the ne&ar'd figh afcends^ Nor yet in vain the tears of fondnefs roll. With foften'd look the gen'rous fachem bends, While heav'nly muiic fpeaks his yielding foul* O U A B I. In freedom born, to glory bred, Yet like a daftard captive led, When funk in bleft oblivious night, RaiVd to the forrows of the light, F The 42 THE VIRTUES OF NATURE. The life, I fcorn'd, they bafely gave. And dar'd to claim me as a flave, To threat me with the darts of pain, Tho born o'er glorious chiefs to reign ; But, taught Oudbi's foul to know, They fought to bend that foul with woe, By vari'd tortures vainly drove This heav'n-direfted eye to move, When like a God Celario came, And fnatch'd me from the piercing flame. From thee this arm its ftrength receives, By thee this form in freedom lives $ By thee was bright Azdkia's breath, Twice refcu'd from the blafl of death ; Each time a greater bleffing gave Than twice Oudbi's life to fave 5* As he alone her love deferves, Whofe pow'r her riiatchlefs charmS preferveSj That love, thofe charms, 1 now relign, With ev'ry blifs, that once was mine. Since all htr mind thy worth approves, And all thy foul her beauty loves, This grateful heart that hand bellows, Which not to fhuji a life of woes, Which * Ouabl does not fimply mean to compliment Azakla in this expref- fion, but alludes to a cuftom of his country, which in mo'ft cafes admits the payment of a fine, as an expiation for murder. If the deceafed be a e wotnan t the fine is double ; and the reafon they give for this partiality for that fex, i$> that they are capable of bringing warriors to the nation* See Win. Penn's Letters. ThtslaW of expiating murder by pecuniary compenfation has, I be- Here, been obferved by every uncivilized nation upon earth. THE VIRTUES OF NATURE. 4$ Which not to gain undying fame, To fave me from the Hurons* flame, Would this fond bleeding bread refign, Or yield to any worth but thine. CELARIO. Firfl mall the fun forget to lave His bright beams in the red'ning wave, The Pleiades mall forfake their fphere,* And midft the blaze of noon appear, Or cold Bootes' car mail roll In fultry fplendor round the pole, E*e thy Celario hails the day, In which he tears thy foul away. Tho' late with pointed grief I fee, And own my black'ning crimes to thec. When torn by woes, by cares opprefs'd, You clafp'd me to that fhelt'ring breaft, Forbade my exil'd fteps to roam, And led me to this gcn'rous home : Regardlefs of thy facred fame, I dar'd to u*ge my guilty flame ; Tho' to that arm my life was due, And ev'ry blifs deriv'd from you, By * Celario will not be confidered as addreffing the favage in too phi- lofophical language, when it is remembered that people in a hunting flate are neceflarily acquainted with the different ftars and planets, to aid their courfe in their excurfions from, and returns to, their places of rafidence. As no images can with propriety be taken from cujture or civil fociety in the dialogues, I am under the neceflity of frequently r epe.ating the moil ftriking objects of nature. 44 THE VIRTUES OF NATURE. By each perfidious art I drove To win the bright Az dkia's love, With ceafelefs paflion fought to gain Her heav'nly charms but fought in vain. Yet will the wand' ring traitor go To diftant plains, to realms of woe, 5 Till abfenee from his breaft remove The tortures of his impious love, 'Till time with healing on his wing Shall peace and foft oblivion bring. OUABI. Yes ! in thy guilty deeds I trace The crimes which flill thy realms difgrace ; But my Celario, yet I find Each native worth adorns thy mind ; For heav'nly beaming TRUTH is there, Of open brow and heart fincere ! No daring vice could e'er control Azdkia's unpolluted foul. Born amidft virtue's favor'd race, Her mind as faultlefs as her face, Vain muft each daring effort prove. That uncorrupted breaft to move ; For on the pure tranflucid ftream In vain the midnight lightnings beam, It lifts its bofom to the day, Unfullied as the folar ray. THK VIRTUES or NATURE. 45 Yet have I fworn by yon fwift flood, And by this cloud- envelop 'd wood. Ne'er in thefe war-devoted arms To clafp again her matchlefs charms, Nor yet thefe eyes to fleep refign, *Till all thofe matchlefs charms are thine. The youthful Zifma's conftant fmile Will ev'ry rifmg grief beguile. The fhivers from the lofty tree, The gentle rnaid will break with me: In time her rip'ning form and face Will bloom with all Azdkia's grace. But for the war this foul was made, I fcorn the peace-encircled (hade ; Revenge recals me to the plain, To meet the Huron foe again. No friendly calumet fhall glow, 1^ of now-white plume* pafs o'er the brow, 'Till in one blaze of ruin hurPd, I fink them to the nether world : Revenge mail every torment eafe, And e'en the parted foul appeafe. Azdkia * Their mode of making peace is, previous to fmoking the friendly calumet, for the fachem or head-warrior to advance with a ivhiteplume^ in the form of a fan, towards the ambafTadors of the rival nation, and to draw it lightly over their foreheads ; meaning to indicate, that from that moment all former animofities are wiped away, and all parted in- juries configned to oblivion. The luhitenefs of the plume being emble- matical of the purity of their intentions in the treaty they are forming; 4$ THE VIRTUES OF NATURE, Azdkla hears the changelefs chief's reply, Now warm'd with hope, now chill'd with icy fear, Nor dares to meet him with her fwimming eye, Her lab* ring breath, and foul-entrancing care. Tho' the fam'd warrior rul'd her faithful mind, The young Celario ev'ry paflion mov'd ; E^en to his faults her doting heart inclin'd Oudbi was too godlike to be lov'd. While the foft Zifma learns the fix'd decree, In modeft filence and in pleas'd furprife, To the great fachem bends her willing knee With grateful fmiles, and rapture-glancing eye*. In vain Cdario pleads his alter'd breaft, No Illinois his facred word recals ; 'Tis fix'd the young deliverer fhall be bleft The flames afcend the branching cedar falls. Ere the day clofe the folemn rites begin, The broken fhivers feed the hungry blaze ; While the new fpire$ adorn the focial green, And the wild* mufic joins the fong of praife, To his wrapt foul Cdario clafps his bride, Thinks it a dream, fome fweet delufive charm ; Wonder and joy his beating breaft divide, Dart from his eyes, and ev'ry accent warm. Thus * The mufic of the Indians, tho' of a wild and inharmonious kin^ is introduced at all their public fcftivals and folcranities. VIRTUES or NAtURE. 47 Thus the young hero from vilorious war, While the throng'd city fwells the full acclaim, Forgets each bleeding friend, each ghaftly fear. And ev'ry breeze^wafts pleafure, wealth and fame. Oudbi> Hill in matchlefs worth array 'd, Betrays no grief, ho foft, repentant figh ; But like a parent guards the timid maid, And claims her friendship with his afking eye. Her (lender limbs the matron-garb adorn, Her locks no more in bright luxuriance flow, From her fmooth brow the maiden -veil* is drawn^ And glift'ning beads in rainbow-beauty glow. Joy reigns, and pleafure lights the fmiling fcene, The graceful feet in rnazy circles rove, While mufic warbles o'er the peopled green, And wafts the fond Impaflion'd breath of love. Swift flies the funny morn, that gilds the fpring, Sboft is the fhow'r, which bathes the fummer day, But fwifter ft ill gay pleafure's tranfient wing, With fleeter hafte contentment, glides away ! E'en while delight expands each winning charm, Thro' the wide plain the fhrieks of fright arife ; The gentle Zifma fwells the loud alarm, Her great, her lov'd Oudbi falls he dies ! OH * Tlje unmarried women wear a kind of cap, or veil, on their heads, which is takon off at the marriage ceremony. \W"illiam Psnn's Letters.} Te this, it is fa-id, fuecceds a circle ef beads of varictis colours 48 THE VIRTUES OF NATURE. OH THOU, whofe feeling heart, and ready figb, On ev'ry grief foft fympathy be flow, Here turn thy bleft, benignant, melting eye, Here let the tears of full compaffion flow ! Down at his feet the loft Azdkia lies, Her pale Cdario parts the preffing throng, Th' immortal warrior lifts his darkened eyes, And the chok'd words fall quiv'ring from his tongue bUABL . To realrris where godlike valour reigns^ Exempt from ills, and freed from pains, Where this unconquer'd foul will fhine, And all the viclor's prize be mine, I go nor vainly fhed the tear, Oudbi has no glory here ; Unfit the Illinois to guide^ No more the dauntlefs warriors* pride .Since as a haplefs captive led, Rack'd like a flaVe, he bafely bled, No haughty Huron e'er ihall boaft, He deign'd to live, when fame was loflL Cdario ! thou my place fuftain, The chiefs expect thee on the plain. Ah ! ne'er in earth* the hatchet lay, *Till thou haft fwept my foes away* The The principal Indian figure made ufe of to exprefs the making ^ is u buying tbekatcbet t " THE VIRTUES OF NATURE. 49 The flrong convulfions (hake his laboring form, Hard, and with pain, the loit'ring blood retires ; Thus finks the oak, when loud tornados liorm, The kingly lion with fuch pangs expires. Cold to the heart, the peerlefs fachem falls, No heav'nly pow'rs the fleeting breath reftrain, No human aid his parted foul recals, Whofe life was VIRTUE, and whofe fate was PAIN. Now wailing forrow murmurs thro the glade, While to the tomb,* where deep his glorious race, Eretly^ as when a fubjecl; tribe obey'd, The mourn'd Oudbi's facred form they place. Thus the great foul to realms of light afcends ! Down at his feet the conq'ring hatchet*; (lands, O'er his high head the fpreading bow+ extends, The luilral coinj adorns his lifelefs hands ! While * Their tombs, or rather cemetaries, are of great extent, and of cu- rious contraction, and to which the living pay the utmoft veneration. Governor Jeffeifou's Notes on Virginia. f The pofture in which they bury their dead is either fitting or (landing upright, believing that when they rife, they muft inhabit heav- en in the fame pofture in which they are buried. % They not only believe in the immortality of the foul, but alfo of the bodies of men and animals, and even of their Warlike arms, and other inanimate things ; and for this reafon it is a cuPiom with them to bury with their chiefs, his hatchet at his feet, with the handle perpendicular, his bow unftrung over his head, and a coin (made, according to Will- iam Penn, of a fifh's bone highly polifned) in his hand. G 50 THE VIRTUES OF NATURE., While to the fpot, made holy by his fhade, His faithful tribe with annual care return* And, as the folemn obfequies are paid, In pious love, and humble reverence mourn. Each lonely Illinois, who wanders by,t Will with the hero's fame his way beguile, In fond devotion bend the fuppliant eye, And add one pillar to the facred pile. There mall he reft f and if in realms of day, The GOOD, the BRAVE, diffufe a light divine, Redoubled fplendor gilds the brighten'd ray, W T hich bids Oudbi's NATIVE VIRTUES fhine ! LET not the CRITIC, with difdainfuFeye, In the weak verfe condemn the novel flan; But own, that VIRTUE beams in ev'ry Jky t Tho wayward frailty is the lot of man. Beyond * At ftated periods the Indians revifit the fepulchres or cemetaries of their chiefs, and perform certain rites and ceremonies not precifely known to the Anglo-Americans. Governor Jeflferfon, in his Notes, gives one inftance of this cuftom. f Thefe fepulchres or cemetaries are raifed to a very great heighth above the furface of the earth, by immenfe piles of (tones. [See Go