Page:The Forest Sanctuary.pdf/147

    —Had they not seen th' untrodden shore,
        And could they 'midst our wilds find rest?
The lightning of their glance was fled,
They dwelt amongst us as the dead!

    They lay beside our glittering rills,
        With visions in their darken'd eye,
    Their joy was not amidst the hills,
        Where elk and deer before us fly;
Their spears upon the cedar hung,
Their javelins to the wind were flung.

    They bent no more the forest-bow,
        They arm'd not with the warrior-band,
The moons wan'd o'er them dim and slow—
        —They left us for the spirit's land!
Beneath our pines yon greensward heap
Shows where the restless found their sleep.

    Son of the stranger! if at eve
        Silence be 'midst us in thy place,
    Yet go not where the mighty leave
        The strength of battle and of chase!
Let no vain dreams thy heart beguile,
Oh! seek thou not the Fountain-Isle!