Into a New World wandered I, A strong vast realm afar; And down the white peaks of its sky, Beckoned my courier star. It hailed me to mine ancient North,— The meadows of the Pole; It whistled my gay hunters forth, It bugled in my soul. On plateaux of the constant snow I heard the meteors whir; I saw the red wolves nor’ward go From my low huts of fir. The dun moose ran the deep ravine, The musk-ox ranged the plain; The hunter’s song dripped in between In notes of scarlet rain. The land was mine: its lonely pride, Its distant deep desires; And I abode, as hunters bide, With joy beside its fires. Into a New World wandered I, A world austere, sublime; And unseen feet came sauntering by; A voice with ardent chime Rang down the idle lanes of sleep; I waked: the night was still; I saw my star its sentry keep Along a southern hill. O flaming star! my courier star! My herald, fine and tall! You gestured from your opal car, I answered to that call. I rose; the flumes of snow I trod, I trailed to southward then; I left behind the camps of God, And sought the tents of men. And where a princely face looked through The curtains of the play Of life, O star, you paused; I knew The comrade of my day. And good the trails that I have trod, My courier star before; And good the nor’land camps of God: And though I lodge no more Where stalwart deeds and dreams rejoice, And gallant hunters roam, Where I can hear your voice, your voice, I drive the tent-peg home. |