THE COURIER STAR

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.