MISCELLANIES. 371 



[From the New- York Express.] 



THE FREED BIRD. 



Among the superstitions of the Senecas, is one which, for its singular 

 beauty, is already well known. When a maiden dies, they imprison 

 a young bird until it first begins to try its powers of song ; and then 

 loading it with kisses and caresses, they loose its bonds over the 

 grave, in the belief that it will not fold its wing or close its eye until 

 it has flown to the spirit land, and deUvered its precious burden of 

 affection to the " loved and lost." It is not unfrequent, says the 

 Indian history, "to see twenty or thirty birds loosened at once over 

 one grave." 



We find the following beautiful stanzas, founded on this legend, 

 in an exchange paper. It is true poetry, and for such we have al- 

 ways a welcome and a corner. 



Speed away! Speed on the errand of light ! 

 There's a young heart awaiting thy coming tonight : 

 She will fondle thee close; she will ask for the loved, 

 Who pine upon earth since the " Day-Star " has roved : 

 She will ask if we miss her — so long is her stay. 



Speed away ! speed away ! 



Wilt thou tell her, bright songster, the old chief is alone ; 

 That he sits all the day by his cheerless hearthstone ; 

 That his tomahawk lies all unnoted the while, 

 And his thin lips wreathe ever in one sunless smile : 

 That the old chieftain mourns her, and why will he stay ? 



Speed away ! speed away ! 



And, oh ! wilt thou tell her, blest bird on the wing, 

 That her mother hath never a song to sing ; 

 That she standeth alone in the still quiet night. 

 And her fond heart goes forth for the being of light 

 Who had slept in her bosom, but would not stay. 



Speed away ! speed away ! 



Go, bird of the silver wing, fetterless now : 



Sloop not thy bright pinion on yon mountain's brow ; 



But hie thee away, o'er rock, river and glen, 



And find our young "Bay-Star' ere night close again. 



Up ! onward ! Lt nothing thy mission delay ! 



Speed away ! speed away ! 



VOL. II. — NO. II. 



