Around a far uplifted cone, In the warm blush of evening shone; By which the Indian's soul awakes. But soon a funeral hymn was heard, They sang, that by his native bowers A dark cloak of the roebuck's skin And the broad belt, of shells and beads. Before, a dark-haired virgin train Chanted the death dirge of the slain ; Stripped of his proud and martial dress, He came; and oft that eye so proud Asked for his rider in the crowd. They buried the dark chief; they freed Beside the grave his battle steed; And swift an arrow cleaved its way To his stern heart! One piercing neigh Arose, and, on the dead man's plain, The rider grasps his steed again. |