XLVI. Where stole the paddle-plied and tottering bark Along the rough shores cragg'd and sedgy side,-- Where the fierce hunter, from the forest dark, Pursued the wild deer o'er the mountains wild,-- Now towering cities rise on either hand, And Commerce hastens by to many a strand, Not on her white wings, as upon the sea-- Yet borne as bravely on, and spreading liberty. XLVII. And here, where once the Indian mother dwelt, Cradling her infant on the blast-rocked tree, Feeling the vengeance that her warrior felt, And teaching war to childhood on her knee-- Now dwells the christian mother: O! _her_ heart Has learned far better the maternal part-- Yet, in deep love, in passion for her child, Who has surpass'd thine own, wild woman of the wild? XLVIII. Our homes, and hearts, and Nature, the blue sky, Breathe these affections into all who live-- The flowings of their fountains cannot dry. Who gave us life? 'Tis He, who bids them live! And they have lived, here, in this forest-bower, In all the strength, the constancy, the power, The deep devotion, the unchanging truth Of Eden's early dawn, when Time was in his youth. XLIX. How patient was that red man of the wood! Not like the white man, garrulous of ill-- Starving! who heard his faintest wish for food? Sleeping upon the snow-drift on the hill! Who heard him chide the blast, or say 'twas cold? His wounds are freezing! is the anguish told? Tell him his child was murdered with its mother! He seems like carved out stone that has no woe to smother. L. With front erect, up-looking, dignified-- Behold high Hecla in eternal snows! Yet, while the raging tempest is defied, Deep in its bosom how the pent flame glows! And when it bursts forth in its fiery wrath! How melts the ice-hill from its fearful path, As on it rolls, unquench'd, and all untam'd!-- Thus was it with that chief when his wild passions flam'd. LI. Nature's own statesman, by experience taught, He judged most wisely, and could act as well; With quickest glance could read another's thought, His own, the while, the keenest could not tell; Warrior--with skill to lengthen, or combine, Lead on, or back, the desultory line; Hunter--he passed the trackless forest through,-- Now on the mountain trod, now launch'd the light canoe.