🧚 Opening, part 5

And many a thing he taught them: The noble art of hunting, How to build huts and canoes, And weirs to catch the fishes, And how to trap the beaver, And net the shad and salmon.1 Before he came they knew not How to make nets or weapons; Then he, the Mighty Master, Showed them the hidden virtues Of plants and roots and blossoms, And all the herbs which Indians Could use for any purpose; And also every creature, Beasts, birds, and all the fishes, All things which could be eaten Or serve for joy to man.2

Then, pointing to the heaven, He taught the names of the stars, With all the wonderful stories, The very old traditions, Of all that the planets had been.3

He greatly loved mankind, And wherever he might be, Though afar in the wilderness, He never was far away, Away from his Indian children.4 He dwelt in a lonely land, But whoever went to seek him The Master ever found.5 L.6

FOOTNOTES:7

[17] Long ago before Kulóskap was seen.8

II9

HOW KULÓSKAP GRANTED GIFTS AND FAVORS TO MANY INDIANS10

[_Micmac and Passamaquoddy_]11

Long ere Kulóskap the Master Had left the land and his people, And before he had ceased to wander In the ways of man, he called The loons his faithful servants, And bade them make it known That for many years to come He would still remain on earth, And that whoever would seek him Might have one wish full granted, Whatever that wish might be.12

Although the journey was long And the trials were terrible Which all must endure who would find The Lord of Men and Beasts, There were many who ventured on The wonderful pilgrimage.13 Now you may hear what happened To several of these seekers, Even as I heard the tales From a Passamaquoddy _Sénap_.14

When all the land had heard That the Master would grant a wish To any who would seek him, Three Indians resolved That they would try this thing.15 One was a Milicete Who came from near St. John, And the other two were Penobscots From Oldtown, that is in Maine.16 And they went upon the journey And found that the path was long, And the way was very hard; Their sufferings were great, It was well nigh seven years Before they saw the Lord.17 But while it was yet three months Ere they came unto his dwelling, They heard the bark of his dogs, And, as day by day they drew nearer The sound grew louder and louder, Till after many trials Led by the bay of the hounds They found the mighty one, The Lord of Men and Beasts, And he made them very welcome And entertained them all.18

Then in due time he asked them What was it they desired.19 And then the first replied--An honest simple man Who was of but little account Among the Indian people Because he hunted badly-- He prayed that he might excel In killing or catching game; Then the Master gave him a flute, Or the magic pipe which pleases The ear of everyone, And has the power to bring By wonderful fascination All animals to that piper Who plays it in their haunts.20 He thanked the Lord and left.21

But, smiling anew, he gave him A bag which was tightly tied.]22

Now the second of the three, A reckless amorous youth Yet who never could succeed In winning women’s love, When asked what he would have Said: “I would win my way To many maidens’ hearts!”23 And being questioned, “How many?”24 Replied, “I would know no limit.25 Let there be only enough, And more than enough beside.”26 Thereat the Master frowned, But, smiling anew, he gave him A bag which was tightly tied, And said to him, “Do not open Till you shall have reached your home.”27 So he thanked the Lord and left.28

Now the third who had come with these Was a gay and handsome youth, Yet very foolish withal Since he cared for nothing whatever Save to make the Indians laugh, And to cut a figure with jests At every gathering.29 He, being asked what he sought, Replied that he fain would have The power to make a sound Which when uttered would startle all, And make them laugh indeed As they never had laughed before.30 This was a wondrous cry Which the sorcerers of yore Uttered to gladden hearts, But now that the art is lost.31 That is indeed the cause That our times are so sorrowful, Since that magic, merry cry Is heard no more in the land.32

And unto him likewise The Master was truly kind Sending Marten into the woods To seek for a certain root Which, when eaten by any one, Conferred the mystic power Of making the wondrous sound.33 But when it was bestowed He was warned not to touch The root till he reached his home.34

It had taken them seven years To reach the Master’s lodge, But seven days were enough To tread the path to their huts-- That is, for him who got there, For indeed there was only one, And that was the hunter, who With his marvellous pipe in his pocket, And never a care in his heart, Trudged on well satisfied To think that all his life He never should want a joint Of venison in his cabin Or a bear-skin to lie upon, As indeed he never did.35

Now the one who so loved women And never had won a wife, Was wild with wistfulness And great anxiety.36 Therefore he could not wait, And he had not gone very far Into the woods, ere he Sat down and opened the bag.37 There was a whirr as of wings And they came flying forth By hundreds round his head Like beautiful white doves Swarming all about-- Wonderful lovely girls With large black burning eyes, And torrents of flowing hair.38 Wild with passion the witches Threw their fair arms around him And kissed him as he responded To their ardent, fond embraces.39 But ever more and more They came, more glowing with love, Till he bade them give way for a space, Till he bade them let him be; But they only pressed the more.40 So, panting, crying for breath, And smothered in love, he died, And those who came that way Found him a silent corpse, But what became of the witches Kulóskap only can tell!41

Now the third went merrily on, Tramping along through the woods, When it flashed upon his mind In an instant, that Kulóskap Had bestowed on him a gift; And, without the slightest heed To what the Master had said Of waiting till he got home, He took out the magic root And ate it, then and there; When all at once he found He could utter the magic cry Which startles all who hear it, Inspiring them to joy And making them laugh aloud; Then, as it rang afar O’er many a forest dale Waking the ringing echo Of the far-distant hill, Until it was answered by A solemn snowy owl, He felt that he had won A wondrous power indeed; So he walked gayly on O’er many a hill and dale, Whistling or trumpeting As happy as a bird.42

But he ere long began To weary of himself, When, seeing in a glade A deer, he bent his bow; When, just as he would shoot, The wild unearthly sound Broke out, despite himself, Even like a demon warble, The deer took flight and fled; And the young man cursed aloud!43

And when he reached the town Half dead with hunger, he Indeed was little worth To make the others laugh, Though for a time he did, Which somewhat cheered his heart, But, as the days went on, They wearied of the sound, And, when they saw him come, Turned off another way; Which vexed him to the heart, So that one day he went Alone into the woods And there he slew himself.44