THE FORESTERS. 07 



Nor stoops, in dull rehearsal to detail 



Each roaring rapid and each adverse gale, 



What vagrant tribes, what islands met our view ; 



How down Osweo-o's foaming Falls we flew, 



Now plunging in our sinking bark to save, 



Now headlong hurried down th' outrageous wave; 



How through the still clear flood, with sounding oars, 



We swept, and hailed with songs the echoing shores. 



These had their pleasures, and perhaps their fears ; 



But terrors fly when daring courage steers. 



A thousand toils, a thousand dangers past, 



The long-expected Lake appears at last, 



•Seen through the trees, like Ocean's boundless blue, 



Huzza ! huzza ! Ontario is in view ! 



With flying hats we hail the glorious spot, 

 And every care and every fear 's forgot. 

 •So, when of old we crossed th' Atlantic waves, 

 And left a land of despots and cf slaves, 

 With equal joy Columbia's shores we spyed, 

 And gave our cares and sorrows to the tide. 



Here, ere we lanch the boundless deep along, 

 Surrounding scenes demand their share of song. 



Mark yon bleak hill, where rolling billows break, 

 Just where the river joins the spacious lake, 

 High on its brow, deserted and forlorn, 

 Its bastions levelled, and its buildings torn, 

 Stands Fort Oswego ;(48) there the winds that blow 

 Howl to the restless surge that groans below ; 



