Classic Poem

SCENE SECOND. — T ECUMSEH'S Cabin IN THE P ROPHET'S T OWN .

Enter I ENA and M AMATEE , agitated .

I ENA . My heart is sad, and I am faint with fear.
My friend, my more than mother, go again —
Plead with the Prophet for a single day!
Perchance within his gloomy heart will stir
Some sudden pulse of pity for a girl.
M AMATEE . Alas, my Iena, it is in vain!
He swore by Manitou this very morn,
That thou shouldst wed the chief, Tarhay, to-night.
I ENA . Nay, try once more, oh, Mamatee, once more!
I had a dream, and heard the gusty breeze
Hurtle from out a sea of hissing pines,
Then dwindle into voices, faint and sweet,
Which cried — we come! It was my love and yours!
They spoke to me — I know that they are near,
And waft their love to us upon the wind.
M AMATEE . Some dreams are merely fancies in our sleep;
I'll make another trial, but I feel
Your only safety is in instant flight.
I ENA . Flight! Where and how — beset by enemies?
My fear sits like the partridge in the tree,
And cannot fly whilst these dogs bark at me.