USA > Wisconsin > An illustrated history of Wisconsin from prehistoric to present periods : the story of the state interspersed with realistic and romantic events > Part 52
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" IN CUPID'S REALM," PAINTED BY W. BOUGUEREAU.
NISSAWASSA
The Song of the Billows A legend of Milwaukee by LOTTO -SOUBRON
NEAR EAR the lake, upon the terrace, Where in pleasant summer weather Happy lovers gayly wander, Lay I on the velvet greensward, Sunk in visions, dreams and fancies. Far and near the lake lay gleaming In the golden summer sunshine, Steamboats sped across the water, Leaving trails of smoke behind them. Sailboats saw I white and glitt'ring, Gleaming like the swift-wing'd seagull Gayly dancing on the water ; While the heavy smoke in volumes, Blowing from the grimy workshops, Told where man with fire, his servant, Changes ore to rails of steel.
From the promenade above me, Heard I sound of laugh and jesting. And from far I heard the ringing Of the church-bells silver-tongued. It was Sunday, day of worship,
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But the bells did not allure me .- Far my thoughts went .- In the murmur Which, confused, I heard around me, Heard I, too, the sound of waters. Softly moaning, melancholy, Breaking on the shore in music, Sang they of the days forgotten, Sang of olden times, and customs, When another race of people Wander'd here beneath the sun.
"*Here, where palaces are builded
" With gay gardens all about them,
" Here in former time the thistle
" Nodded in the breeze of summer; " Here the foxes dug their coverts,
" And upon the deer's swift footsteps
" Followed fast the swarthy hunter; " Here he in the silv'ry moonlight
" Wooed the dark-eyed, dusky maiden; " And within his lowly wigwam
" Offered to the guest the peace-pipe ;
" In the lake's blue, icy waters " Laved his sturdy limbs at daybreak,
" And his birch canoe went floating
" Like a leaf upon the wave.
" Here resounded cries of battle,
" And the braves' defiant death-song.
" Here rose after fiercest conflict
"The blue peace-smoke to the heavens.
" From the red man's dusky bosom
" Prayer arose, devout and fervent,
" To no God of revelation,
" Who upon a stony tablet
" Wrote the law for one small nation, " But to him who stars of heaven
" Planted deep in human bosoms,
" There to burn and glow forever.
" In the golden beams of noonday, " And the splendor of the evening,
" In the fragrance of the flower
" And the strength of the green fir-tree, " In the silence of the forest,
" And the song of the shy wild-bird-
" In his own brown, stalwart beauty,
"Saw the simple child of Nature
" All of God's best revelation."
Still, upon the tree of mankind Ever bud and fall the blossoms. They who here once lived and suffer'd, Long are fled, and in their places, We, another race of people, Live and love and die as they did. But has not the poet told us, That the dead again are living When their deeds live in our mem'ries ?
*From the prose of Sprague's "American Indians."
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Rise, then, from the realm of shadows ! Come again, thou ancient chieftain, With the sharp glance of the falcon And the wisdom of the sage. Come thon, too, oh youthful warrior Strong in action, death defying ; And arise, thou gentle maiden, Tender, mild, self-sacrificing. All ye dusky forest-children, Wake once more, return to life- Though ye fell as falls the blossom In the first crisp breeze of autumn, Though your wigwams lie in ashes, And your fires are long extinguished, Dried up in the sand your fountains, Bow and arrow both long broken- He recalls you e'r to action Who in mood most reverential Knows to listen, loves to ponder On the song the billows sing.
WHAT THE BILLOWS SANG. I.
ELKA is the chieftain's daughter, Like the fire within his wigwam, Shedding warmth and joy about her. Lone and dreary is the chieftain When afar his loved one tarries. She her mother's heart's delight is, And the life of her twin brother. Tenderly they love their mother, Whom so strongly both resemble. Still what in his face is sternness Is in hers a thoughtful mildness. His eyes gleam with glance of falcon, Hers are gentle as the dove's.
When the warm, soft winds are playing With the flowers on the prairies, As the brother and the sister Happily together wander On the blue lake's level margin, Soft the music of their voices In melodious tender rhythm Rises, and then falls in cadence With the lapping of the waves, When his eyes are moist and tender
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And his look is mild and gentle, Then he seems most like his sister; But when in the council-circle Warriors talk of plenteous seasons, Long before the loathèd pale-face From his own soil drove the red man, When instead of woolen blankets, They did use the thick, soft bearskins, When within their fathers' wigwams Tarried happiness and plenty, When the women and the children In the long and dreary winters Did not languish then and perish, Die of hunger as they now do : Then his look is fierce and cruel, On his lips are savage curses, And within his bosom rankles Pitiless revenge and hate !
When the windstorm splits the oak-tree, When the north-blast, fiercely blowing, Drives the waves, high rearing, crested, Foaming, seething, to the shore, Orkuntah, the bird of thunder, Spreads abroad his sable pinions, And his grumbling voice, in anger, Travels on the trembling air; Then the irate youth is driven By as fierce a storm within him. And the elemental warfare Is a picture of his soul. Then his frail canoe he launches And defies the storm and billows, As he will defy the white men Who destruction grimly threaten To his own beloved people, To his poor, dear, dusky people !
II.
Sound of drumbeats, sharp and rattling, Come from out the chieftain's wigwam; Where, alas! a withered flower, Lies the village idol, Elka. Icy chill, then hottest fever Alternate by turns within her, And she softly moans and shudders; While in motley colored garments, Walking in a circle round her, Goes the wizard Okateh.
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Seven days and nights unwearied, With mysterious arts of magic, Has he striven, so far vainly, To subdue the treach'rous fever. Confidently he had stated That a wanton, wicked beaver By her beauty moved-excited, Had by some unknown enchantment Cast this cruel spell upon her. So he carved out a rough image Of the animal in white-wood, Placed it in a wooden bucket Filled with earth and murky water,
Ordered seven sturdy warriors To hold watch with bow and arrow Over it, outside the tent; Thus the stupid old impostor Wrought his magic in the wigwam, Tried to drive the beaver out. Sullen sat before the entrance Both her parents and her brother, And the old hags chattering cower'd
Round about them on the deerskins .- Okateh now gives the signal- Look ! the arrows whirr and whizzing
Pierce the beaver's wooden image ! Loud rejoicing, almost frantic, All now rush towards the tent.
But alas ! There on the bearskin, Drooping like a withered flower, Softly sighing, sobbing, moaning, As before the poor girl lies. Near her, panting and perspiring, Okateh in deepest sorrow, Wrings his hands, and cries, and curses: " O the malice of this beaver! Scarcely have I exorcised him, When his form he quickly changes And he now appears-a snake." And the foolish " hokuspokus " Is again reiterated. But in spite of conjuration, Prayer and flattery and promise, Still the beast afflicts his victim; And he throbs in vein and muscle, Throbs and beats, till, waxing bolder, Leaves the poor weak, stricken body Taking, too, the gentle spirit .-
V
Parents, brother, she is-dead !- Round their loved one, dumb with sorrow, Stand the parents and the brother, While outside the wailing women Sing the song of lamentation. And their wild, weird "haha, hoho! " From the woods calls shuddering echoes.
III.
Far and wide as eye can wander,
Woods aglow with autumn's splendor! Royal, in their crimson foliage, All enveloped, like proud warriors Close wrapt in their blood-stained blankets, Stand the knotty ancient oaks. Round the elm trees' stately columns Twine the honeysuckle's tendrils, And its tubes with sweetness laden,
Gleam like slender tongues of fire; And the bright leaves of the maple Sparkle, glitter in the sunshine, Like the lake, when sunset's glory Dyes its waves with gold and blood. Over all the mighty walnut, In its smooth, brown, glossy foliage
Seems a sombre priest among them. Far and wide as eye can wander Glow the woods in autumn's splendors. But alas! 'tis passing glory: Soon the turf is decked with spangles,
Borrowed from the frost's fine tinsel, Which now covers all the branches; In the numb, half-frozen forest
Spreads his shroud, the grim king, Winter.
So too thinks the stricken brother,
Who with melancholy aspect Overlooks the gorgeous scene.
As from trees the leaves sink downward, Floating, fluttering in the sunshine, So sank Elka, his loved sister, So will he one day here perish And the foot of hated white-men Then shall tread above his ashes, As he treads on withered leaves .- Since the death of his loved sister Nothing more could soothe or please him, And the deep grief of his parents Was by him each day made deeper.
vi
He was dark, reserved and gloomy, Since his better self had left him; And they called him " Sullen Face." In the council of the wise men It was finally determined Forth to wander from this region Full of want and bitter sorrow To the lands far toward the northward, Where the chase was still successful, And the forest still untouched By the white man's leveling axe .- So Ke-ahsa, heavy-hearted, Bids farewell to lake and forest, To the mound, whose grasses cover The companion of his childhood. Hark! He hears a gentle whisper. Through the almost leafless branches Soughs the wind; like voice of spirits Sorrowful it sighs and moans: Fare thee well, my dearest brother, Fare thee well, and ne'er forget me; My Ke-ahsa, fare thee well !-
IV.
It is winter. O'er the prairie Goes Ke-ahsa with his people, Towards the great lakes in Northland, Sturdy little mustang ponies Drag the bound tent-poles behind them,
While their backs are heavy laden With the household goods and treasures. Other ponies bear the women- Carrying the young pappooses. Near, with hatchet, bow and arrow, Walk the husbands and the fathers. Calm, assured is the expression, Yet the glance is ever wand'ring Toward the distant, dim horizon, Where a storm-filled cloud is threat'ning. Round them trackless desolation- Nothing to afford them shelter.
" Now we may expect the snowstorm," Speaks the wise, gray-headed leader.
" Let the tents be set up quickly, That the storm may find us ready." Close together set, in wedge-shape, Soon arise the airy houses. Darker grows the sky and gloomy, vii
And a long, shrill, piercing whistle Tells them of the coming snow-fiend. Soon the fleecy flakes are falling, Thicker, thicker all about them. It has come, the grim white spectre- Snowstorm, on the trackless prairie- Day and night have alternated Three times, and the storm still rages,
Drives the snow, like icy needles, Ev'rywhere through crack and crevice. Suddenly the storm is over.
Deepest silence reigns around them, But an icy, chilling shiver
Runs through all the snow-bound people- Merciless the cold has seized them;
Brightly shines the moon above now, Clear and full, in silver radiance- But so cold-on fields so desolate,
Ev'rywhere 'neath snow-drifts hidden .--
Hark, they move within the wigwams,
For the cold at first makes restless, As it later numbs and stiffens. Hear the women's sad complaining: "Oh, the cold is cruel, cruel!" And the wailing of the children: "Give us food, for we are starving!" Clear and bright the day is dawning. But no warmth is in the sunshine. Who is cold must move his members, Or they soon will be past moving: And the leader's word is "Forward!" But alas! the little children Scarce can stand upright from weakness. Ah, poor mother, has thy infant Died last night through cold and hunger ? Wrap him in thy woolen blanket, Lay him in his cold white cradle, Thou hast now no time for moaning O'er the little lifeless creature; See, upon thy knee is clamb'ring Still another, who is living.
Him to save is now thy duty. Then she lays the little body In the snow and thinks with horror That upon the barren prairie Prowling wolves are pressed with hunger. Still the children wail unceasing: "Give us food, for we are starving!" viii
And at last when hope seemed dimmest A stray bison, who had wandered From the herd, fell by their arrows, And again life beckons to them,- But alas! grim want and sorrow Robbed the strength and life of many; After cold and sad privation Follows sickness, follows death. So across the snow-clad prairie Toward the great lakes in Northland Goes Ke-ahsa with his people.
v.
Like a proud, victorious warrior Spring triumphantly advances, In the lands far to the northward, Hoary winter flies before her. Light wing'd troops announce in music That the foe anew is conquered. On the heights and in the valleys, Wave already gay green banners. 'Mong the countless spears of grasses, On the heights and in the valleys, Gleam the flowers, bright with color. Broken from their icy fetters, Leap the streams from cliff to lowland How they sparkle in the sunlight, Loud rejoice in their new freedom! Ev'rywhere new life is springing: Joy and hope, by law of nature In the human heart rise, too. After pain and great privation, After danger, want and sorrow, To the Northland comes Ke-ahsa, With his handful of companions. But of all he held the nearest, None are left to call him kinsman. His sad mother, broken-hearted, Died the first of want and hunger, Soon his poor, worn father followed- In the blest land of Hereafter Now they dwell with their loved daughter. Near the great lake camps Ke-ahsa With his hollow-cheeked companions. Leaning 'gainst an ancient oak-tree, Whose strong roots secure are anchored Deep in Nature's rocky bosom, And whose branches break but bend not.
ix
Motionless he stands and gazes
Far into the sun-lit distant,
Where the streams like threads of silver Wind through valleys, meadows, woodland. Dreamingly his eyes are wand'ring, While his weak and haggard followers Gather round the cheering camp-fire And rejoice in warmth and plenty, Little thinking of past dangers, Dreaming not that death approaches, Stealing silently upon them .-
Through the valley rings the war-cry, Shrill, with piercing horror pregnant, And fierce warriors, like a stormcloud, Strike upon them, in wild onslaught. All have fallen but Ke-ahsa,
Who with calm and proud expression Stands and meets the grim-faced foe, Scornfully his eyes are flashing, While his hand rests on his wampum Where his hatchet gleams like silver.
"Come, and take my life, ye warriors, I alone am left to face you, And alone I still defy you!"
Thus he cries, with up-raised weapon,
Thus he stands prepared to die. From the group of dusky warriors Forth there steps a brawny giant. Deep in chest and broad in shoulders,
Features as if cut in granite, Thickly framed in grizzly scalp-locks, Underneath his bushy eye-brows Cold and sharp his eagle glances Scrutinize his young opponent, Who with proud and calm expression Stands to meet the grim-faced foe. Then in accents deep and measured Comes the question from the chieftain:
" Who art thou, and of what nation ?" Then Ke-ahsa proudly answered:
" Sole survivor of my people, Since these lie in their last slumber, Who in life here called Ke-ah-sa, Me, the son of Chief Mo-nehsa!"
"Thou the son of Chief Mo-neh-sa, Sole survivor of, thy people ? By the spirit of my father, This is strange ! But be thou welcome
x
In the wigwam of As-kee-no. Know, Ke-ahsa, that thy father, Long ago, in hours of danger, Proved to me a tried, strong friend. Thee, his son, I now bid welcome, Come, and smoke the pipe of peace."
VI.
In As-kee-no's wigwam brightly Burns the fire and round it gather All the wise men of the village. Calmly with unmoved expression, Now they listen to Ke-ahsa, Who the story of misfortunes That befell him, just has told them,
Picturesque, concise, pathetic.
Then he speaks thus: "I lay freezing,
Outside raved and howled the snow-storm,
While within my heart as fiercely Worked the spirit of destruction. ' Ma-ni-to!' I cried in anguish, ' Lead me, the forlorn, forsaken, To my loved ones in Pa-neh-ma- End my life, O_Ma-ni-to !' Suddenly, by hands of spirits I was borne away, resistless
Through the sky, toward the southward.
Softer grew the air and warmer-
Melting snows dissolved to rivers,
And the woodland, and the meadows,
Took the tender hue of spring-time.
Birds were singing, springs were gushing, Buds spoke of the coming summer, And my heart grew light and happy. Soon I saw a flow'ry hill-top, Which I reached with rapid footsteps Looking thence into the valley I saw waters gleam and glisten; And from out the misty distance Rose, like fairy-realm, an island. Swift descending to the valley I saw women, men and children, Of all ages, who were hast'ning, Like myself down to the shore. There, out of a snow-white wigwam Came an old man forth to greet us. Long, thick hair of silver whiteness
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O'er his breast and shoulders streamed. Like an old acquaintance seemed he, And he pointed tow'rd the water Where canoes, like flocks of seagulls, Lightly floated, rising, sinking. Then he brought me from his wigwam A long, slender, snow-white paddle And, with questioning expression, Offered me his hand at parting. Then I strove to reach the island. Which from far had so allured me.
Looking downward, through the water,
Which was clear as clearest crystal, Strewn upon a sandy bottom Countless human bones lay bleaching.
To the shore then looking backward, I saw many boats were following,
Many stopped just as they started; Many sank-were lost forever. But the light boats of the children Passed my own, and without paddle Made directly for the island,
Which I now could see distinctly. On the shore with happy faces
All my loved ones, who had left me
Waved their hands and smiled and beckoned.
Then with joy I bent the paddle,
My canoe with quick stroke urging Through the wildly dashing waters. But in vain I strove to reach them- From the island, blowing fiercely,
Now the gale my barque drove backwards.
Then I stretched my arms in longing- Would have leaped into the water- But my limbs refused obeyance. My canoe still drifted backwards.
And the island of Pa-neh-ma
Disappeared from view in vapor ; But from out the misty distance Came a voice, like voice of spirit ; 'Though the earth with snow is covered, There will come again the spring time, Though the flowers all lie withered, Yet new hope and fresh endeavor Will the future bring Ke-ahsa !' Then I wakened, shudd'ring, freezing- Still the winter-storm is raging And the starved wolves on the prairie Filled the air with dismal howls !"
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VII.
Twilight spreads her misty mantle O'er the flood of the Mil-wau-kee ; Where the steep embankments tower Deeper shades already lower. Gentlest play the waves are making With the stately water lily; By her broad, green leaves surrounded, Floats her close-shut waxen chalice,
Softly rocked and wrapt in slumber As a child in mother's lap. Wildling roses coy, like maidens, Hidden in the leafy thicket,
Give their scent to passing breezes;
Reeds and sedges in the water
Rustle in the breeze of evening, Blowing hither from the lake. From the sky of softest azure One by one the stars peep downward,
See the splendors of the heavens, Bright reflected, in the stream. Then from out the dusky forest Comes the night-birds' plaintive song.
Through the parted, leafy thicket,
Treading with light rapid footsteps, Tossing high their branching antlers, Thirsty deer come to the river, Drink their fill, then hasten thither, Lost to sight, within the woods. Gliding noiseless through the sedges Comes a boat with branches covered; In the prow a torch is burning, To give light to the dark hunter, And decoy the hapless game .- Once more rustling in the thicket ! See, with light and rapid footsteps Comes a lonely, dusky maiden ; Slowly lays aside her garments, And the stream's concealing wavelets Clasp her form with soft caresses. Now the moon in silver radiance Climbs the azure arch of heaven, And with kisses wakes the lilies Till they gleam in full blown beauty. Likewise rising from the water, Gleaming in unsullied beauty, Like the spirit of the river, Comes the bright-eyed Nis-sa-was-sa.
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Her long hair as dark as midnight, Heavy, wet, entwined with sedges, Clinging to her like a mantle, Covers her from head to foot .- Backward float her raven tresses
And in nude, unconscious beauty, Like a figure cut in copper, Burnished by the silv'ry moonlight, On the rocks above the river Stands the lovely Indian maid.
VIII.
"To embrace the crested billows And to press them to her bosom, In the lake her brown arm stretching Longs and waits our common mother. See, the ever restless billows Overcome by love's warm impulse, Fling themselves with passionate fervor Joyfully upon her bosom; Then with tend'rest, softest murmur Lie caressing at her feet !" In this manner speaks the daughter Of As-kee-no to Ke-ahsa,
As with rapid strokes she rows him O'er the bay towards the shore.
There, embower'd in leaves and.blossoms,
Still enwrapt in dark reflections,
The young chieftain sees the lake now Quiver in the kiss of morning.
" Look, they come," says Nis-sa-was-sa, Gayly pointing to the northward.
" Let us hasten to receive them !" So they leave the forest's shelter And soon stand upon the margin- Hail the boats, bedecked with branches, Bearing Nis-sa-was-sa's people. First the warriors stern and silent, Then the laughing, chattering women, Then the happy, romping children, All arrayed in gayest garments, And they greet the two young people, Welcome them with kindest words. Nis-sa-was-sa leads the bridegroom Smiling to her gray-haired father, Whose stern eyes, alight with pleasure, Rest upon the youthful pair. Now he speaks to the young warrior:
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" Son thou, of my friend Mo-neh-sa, Like a cedar tall and stately --- Like yourself, a son was mine, too, But long since Ha-oh-ka took him, Cut the chief prop of old age. Speak, Ke-ahsa, art thou willing At my side to do his duties ?" And Ke-ahsa answers: "Willing To obey, to serve, to honor Thee, as I would my own father, Dwelling in the land of bliss!"
"It is well." As-kee-no beckons. And three young and sturdy warriors Lead the youth into the water Where they stand, waist deep together And they plunge him once, twice, three times, Under the transparent flood. Then they lead him quickly shoreward, Lay upon him new, dry garments, Made of fine tanned skins of deer; On his head they place the feathers, From the wings of the gold eagle, And around his waist they fasten A broad belt of choicest wampum, Which the lovely bride has made, Bidding him to quickly follow, Up to climb the rugged bluff.
There, beneath old, knotted oak trees
Sits the council of the wise men- Smoking, silent, meditative. Forth to meet him comes As-kee-no Silently, with proudest aspect, Bids Ke-ahsa to be seated, Gravely there to smoke the peace-pipe .- Deepest stillness !- In the tree-tops But the breath of the Great Spirit !- After long and silent waiting To Ke-alısa speaks As-kee-no: " Of my flesh thou art now substance, Of my blood thou art now spirit: Son, I greet thee as a member Of a brave and mighty tribe."
IX.
Fragrant blossoms nod and quiver, Dew-gemmed in the breeze of morning. Ancient oak-trees bend and straighten In the wind their storm-tried branches. XV
Light-winged minstrels sway and warble There aloft in the blue ether. Golden sunbeams find their slantway To the glen where young Ke-ahsa Motionless, inert, is lying Lost again in gloomy dreams. Hark ! swift footsteps are approaching, Tender arms are flung around him, And his head is softly pillowed On the breast of Nis-sa-was-sa.
Her dark bosonı, warm and loving, Swells and throbs with love's own rapture
Sinks and rises like the billows; Which beneath them lave the shore. Shapes of horror in the distance Swarmed about with tempest, famine, He had seen once in his visions. Like grim augurs of the future, Woe-presaging shapes of darkness Made the free air thick about him, Taking forms like sable plumage. Then before his ravished vision Rose a light of roseate radiance: 'Twas the fire that burned within him, 'Twas the light in his own bosom, And it swept away the dream-forms, For great love can vanquish all things. Through the night, so gloomy, hopeless, Up it rose, a constellation, And on his illumined pathway He saw spring a lovely blossom; From its fragrance-laden chalice Seemed to come a gentle whisper:
" Here on fields undesecrated, Unprofaned by foot of white men, Blooms for you a passion flower, Gleams a light for your own wigwam ! Then his joyful heart gave answer:
" Nis-sa-was-sa is the flower, Nis-sa-was-sa is my blessing, Nis-sa-was-sa is my star ! " *
X. .
Dark the night; no star in heaven; Sultry air and sullen light'ning ! In the distance growls the storm; But within the forest blazes xvi
Clear and bright the council fire .- From the land of the Algonquins Came the bloody chief of Erie, Came the crafty Pontiac. Like a demon, threat'ning vengeance, He addresses his dark hearers, Who assembled, sit around. " Mighty chieftains," says the stranger,
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