62 Wesi Peak, and What It Saith. 



Flora and Fauna of that age : 



Your fossils, treasured in my rocks, 



The wisdom of the world engage 

 To find the key these stores unlocks. 



I saw the prehistoric race 



Roam o'er these vales, and climb these hills; 

 The mountain caves their dwelling place, 



Their drinking place the mountain rills. 



Their implements of rudest stone, 



Alike of industry or war j 

 Their needles formed of pointed bone, 



Their garments of the wild beast's fur. 



For centuries they held these lands, 

 But left no mounds to mark their day, 



Dissolved, like snow, their scattered bands; 

 They lived, and died, and passed away. 



I saw the red man when he came. 



And watched him here for many a year; 



Leaving behind him but a name, 

 At last I saw him disappear. 



I saw the lordly white man come, 

 And take possession of this vale ; 



These hills and valleys call his own ; 

 And here begins my modern tale. 



I've seen two centuries come and go. 

 Yea, nearly three, since first was prest 



The Indian's harbinger of woe. 



The white man's foot, upon my breast. 



I've seen the change by centuries wrought 

 Engraved in Progress' deepest lines ; 



To us with greater interest fraught 

 Than those of old Triassic times. 



I've seen the wilderness subdued. 



Fair villages and towns arise ; 

 Cities with energy imbued. 



And art and skill and bold emprise. 



