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William Priest - Travels in the United States of America
Can wealth and honour give me more?
Or, will the sylvan god deny
The humble treat he gave before?
'Let seraphs reach the bright abode,
And Heav'n's sublimest mansions see: -
I only bow to Nature's God -
The land of shades, will do for me.
'These dreadful secrets of the sky
'Alarm my soul with chilling fear: -
'Do planets in their orbits fly?
'And is the Earth, indeed, a sphere?
'Let planets still their aim pursue,
'And comets round creation run -
'In Him my faithful friend I view,
'The image of my God - the Sun.
'Where Nature's ancient forests grow,
'And mingled laurel never fades,
'My heart is fix'd; and I must go
'To die among my native shades.'
He spoke, - and to the western springs
(His gown discharged, his money spent)
His blanket tied with yellow strings,
The shepherd of the forest went.
Returning to the rural reign,
The Indians welcom'd him with joy;
The council took him home again,
And bless'd the copper-coloured boy.
Our author, brings his hero again upon the stage, under the title of
THE SPLENETIC INDIAN.
"To the best of my recollection, it was about the middle of the month of August; we were sitting on a
green bank by the brook side; the fox grapes were not yet come to maturity; but we were anticipating the
pleasure we should soon experience in eating some fine clusters, that at this instant hung over our heads
in the tall shade of a beech tree; when, upon a sudden clamour raised by some young fellows, who were
advancing rapidly towards us, the learned Indian sachem Tomo-cheeki, who at this time happened to be
my friend and companion, seized me by the hand, and intimated a strong desire, that I should accompany
him to his wigwam, situate at many miles distance in the wilderness.
"A request so unusual, and at such a sultry season of the year (it being now the height of the dog days),
and to all appearance occasioned by so trifling a circumstance as the approach of a few noisy
bacchanalians, could not but give me some surprise. I nevertheless accepted his offer, and we then
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