All the lilies of the prairie, When on earth they fade and perish, Blossom in that heaven above us.' When he heard the owls at midnight, Hooting, laughing in the forest, "What is that?" he said, "Nokomis? And the good Nokomis answered: "That is but the owl and owlet, Talking in their native language, Talking, scolding at each other." Then the little Hiawatha Learned of every bird its language, Learned their names and all their secrets, How they built their nests in Summer, Where they hid themselves in Winter, Talked with them whene'er he met them, Called them "Hiawatha's Chickens." Of all beasts he learned the language, Learned their names and all their secrets, How the beavers built their lodges, Why the rabbit was so timid, Talked with them whene'er he met them, Then Iagoo, the great boaster, He the traveller and the talker, He the friend of old Nokomis, Made a bow for Hiawatha; From a branch of ash he made it, From an oak-bough made the arrows, Tipped with flint, and winged with feathers, And the cord he made of deer-skin. Then he said to Hiawatha: "Go, my son, into the forest, Where the red deer herd together, Forth into the forest straightway All alone walked Hiawatha Proudly, with his bow and arrows; And the birds sang round him, o'er him, Sang the blue-bird, the Owaissa, In and out among the branches, Coughed and chattered from the oak-tree, Laughed, and said between his laughing, "Do not shoot me, Hiawatha !" And the rabbit from his pathway Leaped aside, and at a distance Half in fear and half in frolic, "Do not shoot me, Hiawatha ! " But he heeded not, nor heard them, For his thoughts were with the red deer; Leading downward to the river, And as one in slumber walked he. There he waited till the deer came, Saw two eyes look from the thicket, As the deer came down the pathway. Scarce a twig moved with his motion, Scarce a leaf was stirred or rustled, Like a wasp it buzzed and stung him! By the ford across the river; Beat his timid heart no longer, But the heart of Hiawatha Throbbed and shouted and exulted, Hailed his coming with applauses. From the red deer's hide Nokomis Made a cloak for Hiawatha, From the red deer's flesh Nokomis Made a banquet in his honor. All the village came and feasted, |