Dangerous more than war or hunting! Thus the Love-Song was recorded, Symbol and interpretation. First a human figure standing, Painted in the brightest scarlet; And the meaning is, “My painting Then the figure seated, singing, Playing on a drum of magic, "Tis my voice you hear, my singing!" Then the same red figure seated In the shelter of a wigwam, And the meaning of the symbol, "I will come and sit beside you In the mystery of my passion!" Then two figures, man and woman, Standing hand in hand together, With their hands so clasped together That they seem in one united, And the words thus represented Are, "I see your heart within you, And your cheeks are red with blushes ! ” Next the maiden on an island, In the centre of an island; And the song this shape suggested Was, "Though you were at a distance, Were upon some far-off island, Such the spell I cast upon you, Such the magic power of passion, Still the voice of love would reach you!" Was a heart within a circle, Drawn within a magic circle; And the image had this meaning: On the smooth bark of the birch-tree, On the grave-posts of the village. 198 XV. HIAWATHA'S LAMENTATION. In those days the Evil Spirits, Fearing Hiawatha's wisdom, Jealous of their faithful friendship, Often said to Chibiabos, "O my brother! do not leave me, Lest the Evil Spirits harm you!” Chibiabos, young and heedless, Laughing shook his coal-black tresses, "Do not fear for me, O brother! Changed the pine-trees into wigwams, Covered all the earth with silence, Armed with arrows, shod with snow-shoes, Heeding not his brother's warning, Fearing not the Evil Spirits, Forth to hunt the deer with antlers All alone went Chibiabos. Right across the Big-Sea-Water Sprang with speed the deer before him. With the wind and snow he followed, O'er the treacherous ice he followed, |