University of Virginia Library


36

THE RED EAGLE LOVE SONG

The Forest-Ranger's Courtship

We would be stakers of homesteads and ranches,
Yet have our homes regal.
Then,
We would be breakers of underbrush branches
On that mountain, Red Eagle.
We would be rakers of alfalfa and hay,
By sweat earn our bread.
Yet:—
We would be lazy and sassy and gay,
By the moment be led.
We would be bakers of clams, in lost island sands,
Far from good people;
Be great forsakers of prim and restraining hands,
And the church steeple.
We would be eagles red,
Blazing through all the year,
Lovers of Red Gods and unknown to any fear.
By Red Eagle Mountain I make you my love song,
By Red Eagle Mountain, I lift up my voice, and rejoice.