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Acadia.
23
In patient ambush scattered round they lay,
Content to linger ere they seized their prey.
They marked the settler at his weary moil,
And smiled to think how they'd repay his toil;
Saw him partake the draught his boy would bring
To cheer his labor, from the crystal spring,
And vow'd, e'er morning's dawn, their souls should laugh,
While the parch'd earth his blood should freely quaff;
And when he sought his home at eventide,
To taste the pleasures of his dear fireside,
With ears attentive--footsteps light and true,
And treacherous hearts, around the eaves they drew,
Listen'd the song the mother sung her child,
Heard the light converse that the hours beguiled,
And joyed to think the time would not be long
Ere midnight's cries would follow evening's song.
Content to linger ere they seized their prey.
They marked the settler at his weary moil,
And smiled to think how they'd repay his toil;
Saw him partake the draught his boy would bring
To cheer his labor, from the crystal spring,
And vow'd, e'er morning's dawn, their souls should laugh,
While the parch'd earth his blood should freely quaff;
And when he sought his home at eventide,
To taste the pleasures of his dear fireside,
With ears attentive--footsteps light and true,
And treacherous hearts, around the eaves they drew,
Listen'd the song the mother sung her child,
Heard the light converse that the hours beguiled,
And joyed to think the time would not be long
Ere midnight's cries would follow evening's song.
When sleep had closed the weary cottar's eyes,
They sought to take the slumberers by surprise—
Essay'd the door, and then the window tried
With gentle pressure, studiously applied,
Nor knew how light a doting mother sleeps,
When near her babes its watch the spirit keeps.
The first faint whisper of alarm within,
Convinced them force, not fraud, their prey must win.
"Twas then their shout of fierce defiance rose,
While fast and vehement their heavy blows
On door and shutter diligently fell,
Each followed by a wild tumultuous yell;
Nor are the inmates idle—logs of wood,
They sought to take the slumberers by surprise—
Essay'd the door, and then the window tried
With gentle pressure, studiously applied,
Nor knew how light a doting mother sleeps,
When near her babes its watch the spirit keeps.
The first faint whisper of alarm within,
Convinced them force, not fraud, their prey must win.
"Twas then their shout of fierce defiance rose,
While fast and vehement their heavy blows
On door and shutter diligently fell,
Each followed by a wild tumultuous yell;
Nor are the inmates idle—logs of wood,