of Schiller as quoted in life in 175 B. Engler telly Khin Story Nome and Thanel p 43: XIII. BLESSING THE CORN-FIELDS. SING, O Song of Hiawatha, In the pleasant land and peaceful! Buried were all warlike weapons, And the war-cry was forgotten. There was peace among the nations; Built the birch canoe for sailing, Made their sugar from the maple, Dressed the skins of deer and beaver. Stood the maize-fields, green and shining, Filling all the land with plenty. 'T was the women who in Spring-time 'T was the women who in Autumn Once, when all the maize was planted, Hiawatha, wise and thoughtful, Spake and said to Minnehaha, To his wife, the Laughing Water: "You shall bless to-night the corn-fields, Draw a magic circle round them, To protect them from destruction, "In the night, when all is silence, So that not an eye can see you, Rise up from your bed in silence, Lay aside your garments wholly, Walk around the fields you planted, Round the borders of the corn-fields, Covered by your tresses only, Robed with darkness as a garment. "Thus the fields shall be more fruitful, And the passing of your footsteps Draw a magic circle round them, So that neither blight nor mildew, Neither burrowing worm nor insect, Shall pass o'er the magic circle; Not the dragon-fly, Kwo-ne-she, Nor the spider, Subbekashe, Nor the grasshopper, Pah-puk-keena, Nor the mighty caterpillar, Way-muk-kwana, with the bear-skin, King of all the caterpillars!" On the tree-tops near the corn-fields Sat the hungry crows and ravens, Kahgahgee, the King of Ravens, With his band of black marauders. And they laughed at Hiawatha, Till the tree-tops shook with laughter, With their melancholy laughter At the words of Hiawatha. "Hear him!” said they; "hear the wise man! Hear the plots of Hiawatha!" When the noiseless night descended And with darkness clothed and guarded, Walked securely round the corn-fields, Of her footprints round the corn-fields. Heard the panting of her bosom ; |