 | Ouâbi : or the virtues of nature |  |
16
OUÂBI.
May the endless Source of Good,
Parent of yon rapid flood,
Strike me with the pangs of fear,
Midst the glories of the war,
If Ouâbi does not prove
All a brother's tender love;
If his body cease to be.
Still a sure defence to thee;
If his life-destroying bow
Does not seek thy treach'rous foe.
Parent of yon rapid flood,
Strike me with the pangs of fear,
Midst the glories of the war,
If Ouâbi does not prove
All a brother's tender love;
If his body cease to be.
Still a sure defence to thee;
If his life-destroying bow
Does not seek thy treach'rous foe.
Then amidst yon chiefs retire,
Seated round the sacred fire,
Waiting for the warrior-feast,
Let them hail thee as their guest:
Music reigns with soft control,
Sable bev'rage fires the soul.
Here yon rising orb of flame
Finds each rolling hour the same;
And the star of ev'ning glows
On each bliss, that nature knows.
Seated round the sacred fire,
Waiting for the warrior-feast,
Let them hail thee as their guest:
Music reigns with soft control,
Sable bev'rage fires the soul.
Here yon rising orb of flame
Finds each rolling hour the same;
And the star of ev'ning glows
On each bliss, that nature knows.
17
Say what crimes thy realms disgrace?
Do the natives shun the chase?
Do they fear to bend the bow?
Do they dread the threat'ning foe?
Yet, if courage dwells with thee,
Join the Huron war with me.
Do the natives shun the chase?
Do they fear to bend the bow?
Do they dread the threat'ning foe?
Yet, if courage dwells with thee,
Join the Huron war with me.
The day before battle the sachems and warriors meet together, and with great solemnity join in the war feast.
Sable beverage, which they call the black drink, is made by a decoction of certain herbs, and is similar in appearance to coffee: It is of an exhilarating nature, is prepared by their warriors or head men, and served round at their councils and war feasts, with great solemnity and devotion. The commissioners from the United States were presented with this liquor upon their introduction.
| Ouâbi : or the virtues of nature | |