" Can it be the sun descending 

 O'er the level plain of water ? 

 Or the Red Swan flouting, flying, 

 Wounded by the magic arrow, 

 Staining all the waves with crimson. 

 With the crimson of its lifo-blood, 

 Filling all the air with splendor 

 With the splendor of its plumage? 



" Yes; it is the sun descending, 

 linking down into the water ; 

 All the sky is stained with purple, 

 All the water flushed with crimson! 

 No; it is the Hed Swan floating, 

 Diving down beneath the water; 

 To the sky its wings are lifted. 

 With its blood tlie waves are reddened! 

 Over it the Star of Evening 

 Melts and trembles in the purple. 

 Hangs suspended in the twilight. 



No • it is a bead of wampum, 



On the robes of the Great Spirit, 



As he passes through the twilight, 



Walks in silence through the heavens !" 



LOXGFELLOW. 



