SCENE THIRD. — The SAME .

A girl's voice singing without, then enter I ENA , W INONA , W EETAMORE and other Indian maidens — some at quill-work, others embroidering .

I ENA . There is within my heart, I know not why,
An apprehension I ne'er felt before.
W INONA . The night-sun set in cloud, and curling mists
Hid the plumed star from sight. Mayhap, those signs
Bode danger to our loves. Sing, Weetamore —
Your tender voice will charm away our fears.
I ENA . Nay, sing no more in strains so sorrowful!
Why is it all our people's songs are sad?

W INONA . I know not why; no more than yon poor bird
Knows why it mourns.
I ENA . It is the wood pewee,
That haunts the deepest forest. 'Tis the bird
Yohewa gave to solitude for voice —
The lonely heart within the lonely heart!
Why comes this feathered sadness from its wilds,
To thrill us with its pain?

Enter M AMATEE .

O Mamatee!
M AMATEE . Alas, alas, the Long-Knife's big canoes
Are on the lake, and sweeping to our shores!
Fort Malden burns; our warriors retreat;
And we, poor souls! must fly to densest woods,
And wait till they return?
I ENA . Till they return —
Ah! when shall they return?

Enter L EFROY .

Here comes my love,
With parting in his eyes.
L EFROY . You speak the word!
But, if we part, we part to meet again.
And, thus, to leave you for love's sake makes sweet
The bitter word, and will uphold my heart.
Tecumseh is already gone — farewell.
I ENA . Farewell, and we shall meet again — here? where?
Yes, yes, I know — there's something tells me where.
Farewell! my love will follow you on wings
High-flighted as the swan's — my soul! my soul!
L EFROY . In loving arms I place this precious charge.
Oh, cherish her! for she is dear to me
As is the Intercessor to your race.
I ENA . Now let me go — see — I am well again!
An impulse rises from the seat of dreams —
Love's apprehension may be cured by love.
Winona, will you help me?
W INONA . Sister, how?
I ENA . Your brother, Chaska, is a slender youth,
With features softly fashioned. 'Tis a boy
Some say resembles me; and like me, too,
His gentle form contains a venturous soul.
You make a young brave's suit for him, I think.
W INONA . Yes, for his huskenaw; you call it that —
We have another name. Look, this completes it!
'Tis from the self-piece cut, and quill'd all o'er —
Your gathered edges show not half so well.
I ENA . Oh, if you love me, let me have this dress.
W INONA . With all my heart; but tell me, Iena,
What means this strange request?
I ENA . Come to your lodge!
I there shall tell you all I have in mind.
M AMATEE . The girl conceives some folly. To my cares!
O weary woman, thine the weary work!
1 ST M AIDEN . Iena asked, and I do marvel why,
Our songs are all so sad. We forest maids
Should sing as lightly as our forest leaves.
'Tis strange!
W EETAMORE . You are too happy-young to think
'Tis else than strange. Now I shall answer you
Ere Iena can come to chide the strain.

(W EETAMORE sings .)

Who would not be a forest-maid,
And ever spend at ease
The flowery season in the shade
Of sighing summer's sweetest trees?
But who would be a forest-maid,
Beset by foes and fears?
To see in every flash a blade,
To start at every sound she hears!

We flit — we fly — no home have we,
And terror is the tale!
A fate is whispered by the tree —
A doom is uttered by the gale.
Short season of delight have we,
But that of pain is long;
And, so, 'tis sorrow, and not glee,
That gives the burden to our song.

Re-enter I ENA , dressed as a young Indian Brave .

I ENA . Now for my bow! my quiver! here it is!
This quiver slung, I'm ready for the field.
1 ST M AIDEN . Why, this is Iena!
I ENA . Yes, Iena.
But, sisters, lock this secret in your hearts.
Love's Spirit whispered in a dream — " Go, shield
Your lover in the fight! "
2 ND M AIDEN . A dream, a dream!
3 RD M AIDEN . A sacred dream!
A LL . We promise to be true,

Spirit of Love! Spirit of Love!
That in Great Nature's heart doth dwell:
Spirit of Love! Spirit of Love!
Go with our sister — shield her well!