Still _thee_ I sought, the wide west round, But need I say, I never found, Or where thou hadst in solace flown, To what strange people, not thine own. At length I came where I could hear That thou wert living, but not near; But still so balked by wayward fate, My footsteps they were e’er too late; Last, chanced I, with a random aim, For still I heard thy father’s fame, Ethwald’s rapid bark to spy Bound to this magnific sky; Him I followed—but no wail, Word or gesture, told my tale, Trusting some kind chance would ope Fortune, which I scarce could hope; And so led, by heaven’s decree, Ventured in this sylvan sea. Ask me not of other woes, Why I chose not—why I chose? Why I did not—why I did? Time will tell what now is hid; For my joy that thus we meet, Changing bitter scenes to sweet, Is as flowing, fair, and free, As kind heaven could make it be. ALHALLA. Warrior, rest thee. Take the seat Due thy rank and presence meet, By ancient custom, right and power, Deemed sacred in the forest bower. It is our wont, that groom and bride, As heart in heart, so side by side Be-seat them: act and sight Thus simple, seals our forest rite. To-morrow, ere the dawning east The sun illumes, prepare the feast, Where joy and plenty shall preside, To crown the warrior and his bride. MISCELLANIES. Most of the ensuing pieces, having been written at an early period of life, and at widely distant geographical points, and many of them having been published in newspapers, magazines, or other forms, and not before reclaimed, it is conceived that there is a propriety in retaining the local dates. PONTIAC’S APPEAL. [After the taking of Quebec, in 1759, the North Western Indians adhered to their Gallic allies, and formed an extensive combination for retaking all the posts west of the Alleghanies. Pontiac was the leader and master-spirit of this confederacy, the seat of which was Detroit. In 1763 he besieged the garrison at that place, with a large confederated force of Indians, and defeated the besieged at the battle of Bloody Bridge, killing their commander. The next year Gen. Bradstreet advanced from Niagara to break up this confederacy, with an army of 3000 men. The appeal may be supposed to be uttered on this occasion.] Now, the war-cloud gathers fast, See it rising on the blast— Soon our peace-fire shall be quench’d, Soon our blades in gore be drench’d. See the red-robed legions pour From Wyánock’s[9] gulfy shore, Threatening woe to me and mine, Means and power, name and line; None may ’scape whose souls are free, None—who doat on liberty, Who is true, or who is brave, Or who scorns to be a slave. Warriors, up, and hurl them back! ’Tis the voice of Pontiac. [9] The Algic name for Niagara.