THE VOYAGEURS, By George T. Marsh

 THE VOYAGEURS

By George T. Marsh

Out of the past they glide

O’er nameless rivers wide,

Phantoms, the craft they ride,

Specters are steering.

Far in the golden haze

Lingers their camp-fires blaze.

Back from the gallant days

Faint floats their cheering.

Comrades of brave Champlain,

O’er lake and mountain chain,

Fighting for Louis’s fame.

Toiled they and traded.

Bullies of Frontenac

Wolves of the forest track,

Hurling the English back,

Roved they and raided.

Wand’ring with Père Marquette

Into the red sunset,

Fair flames their glory yet,

Hennepin’s henchmen.

Bravos of stout LaSalle,

Riding the horns of hell

Where the wild waters fell.

Half-breed and Frenchmen.

Scouring the inland seas,

Scathless through the centuries,

Gambling their destinies;

Not their’s the reaping.

Right of the west they won

Where grey ranges run;

Now their bold task is done,

Deep are they sleeping.

Singing of trail and stream,

Brightly their paddles gleam,

Safely in peace they dream,

Past are their dangers;

Dicing for death with fate,

Flouting the Arctic’s hate,

Vikings insatiate,

Valiant world-rangers!

Poem source: Outing Magazine, Volume 56, page 192, May 1910.

Art source: “Poling Up Rapids” (illustration for “Toilers of the Trails” 1921)