II

She heard the forest talking,

Across the sea came walking,

And traced the paths of Daniel Boone,

Then westward chased the painted moon.

She passed with wild young feet

On to Kansas wheat,

On to the miners' west,

The echoing cañons' guest,

Then the Pacific sand,

Waking,

Thrilling,

The midnight land....

On Adams street and Jefferson--

Flames coming up from the ground!

On Jackson street and Washington--

Flames coming up from the ground!

And why, until the dawning sun

Are flames coming up from the ground?

Because, through drowsy Springfield sped

This red-skin queen, with feathered head,

With winds and stars, that pay her court

And leaping beasts, that make her sport;

Because, gray Europe's rags august

She tramples in the dust;

Because we are her fields of corn;

Because our fires are all reborn

From her bosom's deathless embers,

Flaming

As she remembers

The springtime

And Virginia,

Our Mother, Pocahontas.

The Chinese Nightingale, and Other Poems · 第 34 / 75 题