Legends of the Northwest by Hanford Lennox Gordon
page 13 of 186 (06%)
page 13 of 186 (06%)
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The queenly cousin of Wapasa. [8]
Kapoza's chief and his tawny hunters Are gathered to witness the queenly game. The ball is thrown and a bat encounters, And away it flies with a loud acclaim. Swift are the maidens that follow after, And swiftly it flies for the farther bound: And long and loud are the peals of laughter, As some fair runner is flung to ground; While backward and forward, and to and fro, The maidens contend on the trampled snow. With loud "Iho!--Ito!--Iho!" [9] And waving the beautiful prize anon, The dusky warriors cheer them on. And often the limits are almost passed, As the swift ball flies and returns. At last It leaps the line at a single bound From the fair Wiwaste's sturdy stroke, Like a fawn that flies from the baying hound. Wild were the shouts, and they rolled and broke On the beetling bluffs and the hills profound, An echoing, jubilant sea of sound. Wakawa, the chief, and the loud acclaim Announced the end of the well-fought game, And the fair Wiwaste was victor crowned. Dark was the visage of Harpstina When the robe was laid at her rival's feet, And merry maidens and warriors saw Her flashing eyes and her look of hate, |
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