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The White Canoe
by
VIII.
TOLONGA. Duet
My daughter, let me press thee
Close to my yearning heart,
Ah! once more softly bless thee
Ere we for ever part!
I adjure thee not to falter
In the trial now so nigh,
But, as victim on the altar,
A Sachem’s daughter die.
MINAHITA.
Father, courage will be given
In that awful hour supreme,
When all earth’s ties are riven,
And I float down death’s dark stream.
Both Voices.
Yes, courage not to falter
In the trial now so nigh,
But, as victim on the altar,
A Sachem’s daughter die.
IX.
OREIKA.
One lingering, last, farewell embrace I take!
MINAHITA.
Yes, one for thine and one for Osseo’s sake.
OREIKA.
How solace him beneath his trial sore?
MINAHITA.
Tell him I loved him well, but honor more.
Chorus–Voices approaching.
The moon is gilding the Cataract’s brow,
And tinging his foam-robe as white as snow,–
Like silver it gleams
‘Neath the bright moon beams,
Whilst soft and slow
The waters flow;
For his lovely bride he is waiting now!
OREIKA.
The hour is come! despair–despair!
TOLONGA.
Girl, such idle words forbear!
MINAHITA.
In the Spirit Land we shall meet again,
Where unknown are parting and grief and pain.
X.
OREIKA.
Ah! the cruel rite is over
And the fearful Spirit Lover
Clasps the dear pearl of our race;
Like the blushing summer flower,
Or the clouds of sunset hour,
She has passed, and left no trace!
DOLBREKA.
Thou wast not there? Then listen, child,
Unto a tale of sorrow wild,
That has o’erwhelmed with gloom and grief
Heart of warrior brave and chief:
Rose from the banks the sound of song,
Lights were gleaming the trees among,
All were awaiting the hour of fate
When the white canoe and precious freight
From shore swept out and swiftly sped
Into the boiling rapid dread–
OREIKA.
Ah me! in that last moment drear
How looked she?
DOLBREKA.
Tranquil, without fear,
But steered her course with quiet mien,
And the stately grace of a maiden Queen.
Then rose beneath the moon’s full rays
Glad voices, blent in love and praise,
Till, sudden as arrow from the bow,
Flashed ‘mid the rapid’s dark, swift flow
Another bark–it held–oh grief!
Tolonga, our brave, Beloved chief.
OREIKA.
What! her father, didst thou say?
Our chief–our Sachem?
DOLBREKA.
Aye!
‘Neath his strong arm the bark swift flew;
It soon o’ertook the White Canoe,
And then, amid our outcries wild
The eyes of father and of child
Met in one long, last, loving look,
That ne’er each other’s glance forsook
Till they glided o’er Niagara’s steep,
And plunged into the darkness deep.
Final Chorus.
Ah! never since first with thundering roar
Niagara shook the trembling shore,
Hath earth bestowed him such offering bright,
As he’s clasped to his mighty breast to-night.