There was a time on this fair continent
When all things throve in spacious peacefulness.
The prosperous forests unmolested stood,
For where the stalwart oak grew there it lived
...
Here me, ye smokeless skies and grass-green earth,
Since by your sufferance still I breathe and live!
Through you fond Nature gave me birth,
And food and freedom–all she had to give.
...
EIGHT years have fled since, in the wilderness,
I drew the rein to rest my comrade there-
My supple, clean-limbed pony of the plains.
He was a runner of pure Indian blood
...