CREE FAIRIES.

“Did earth ever see

On thy prairie's line

Tribes older than thine,

Old Chief of the Cree?”

“Before us we know

Of none who lived here;

Our shafts bade them go.

“But others have share

Of lake and of land,

A swift-footed band

No arrow can scare.

“Their coming has been

When flowers are gay;

On islet and bay

Their footprints are seen.

“There dance little feet

Light grasses they break;

Beneath the blue lake

Must be their retreat.

“We listen, and none

Hears ever a sound;

But where, lily-crowned,

Floats the isle in the sun,

“Three children we see

Like sunbeams at play.

And, voiceless as they,

Dogs bounding in glee.

“Of old they were there!

Ever young, who are these

Whom Death cannot seize?

What Spirits of air?”