Indian Names

You say that they have passed away

That noble race, and brave

That their light canoes have vanished

Off the crested wave

That 'mid the forests where they roamed

There rings no hunter's shout

But their name is on your waters

And you may not wash it out

'Tis where Ontario's billow

Like ocean's surge is curled

Where strong Niagara's thunders

Wake the echo of the world

Where red Missouri brings rich tributes

From the west

And the Rappahannock sweetly sings

On green Virginia's breast

You say their cone-like cabins

That clustered o'er the vale

Have fled away like withered leaves

Before the autumn's gale

But their memory lives on in your hills

Their baptism on your shore

Your everlasting rivers speak their

Dialect of yore

Old Massachusetts wears it

Within her lordly crown

And broad Ohio bears it

'Mid all her young renown

Connecticut hath wreathed it

Where her quiet foliage waves

And bold Kentucky breathed it hoarse

Through all her ancient caves

Wachusett hides its lingering voice

Within its rocky heart

And Alleghany graves its tone

Throughout its lofty chart

Monadnock on his forehead hoar

Doth seal the sacred trust

Your mountains build their monument

Though you destroy their dust