Literature and Art 



35 



Of its garments green and yellow, 



Of its tassels and its plumage, 



And the maize-ears full and shining 



Gleamed from bursting sheaths of verdure. 



Then Nokomis, the old woman, 

 Spake, and said to Minnehaha: 

 " 'Tis the Moon when leaves are falling; 



"And the maize is ripe and ready" 



All the wild rice has been gathered, 

 And the maize is ripe and ready; 

 Let us gather in the harvest, 

 Let us wrestle with Mondamin, 

 Strip him of his plumes and tassels, 

 Of his garments green and yellow! " 

 And the merry Laughing Water 

 Went rejoicing from the wigwam, 

 With Nokomis, old and wrinkled, 

 And they called the women round them, 



