Micmac

Kes saak.

This is a story of the olden time. It chanced that great Kulóskap met a witch, An evil being who had made herself Look like a fair young girl, and that so well By all the deepest art of sorcery, That she was sure the Lord could never see Through her disguise—wherein she was a fool, Because he read her at a single glance.

She bade him take her out in his canoe; So forth they sailed over a summer sea With a sweet breeze. The witch upon the way Sought to beguile the Lord with loving words To which he made no answer, knowing well What kind of passenger he had on board.

And so she played all her cajoleries, While he remained as grim as any bear, Replying with a growl to loving words; Till in a rage she changed her melody Into the curse which raises up the storm As if to show defiance of his power. And it was terrible when the wind howled Over the waves which madly rose and fell Like great white wolves a-jumping while they run; And the red lightnings flashed, while the great sea Grew dark as if to show their fire the more.

And then the Master was enraged indeed, That a vile witch should dare to play such tricks With him, the mighty Lord of Beasts and Men; And, driving the canoe unto the beach, He leaped ashore, and giving it a push He sent it headlong out to sea again, And cried: “Sail with the devil if you will, But ne’er on earth again in human form!”

Then she in terror cried: “What must I be? Oh, Master, say what shape shall I assume?” And he replied: “Whatever form you please— That grace alone I give thee.” In despair She plunged into the deep and there became The wĕbĕtumekw, a ferocious shark Which has upon its back a mighty fin Like a great sail when swimming in the sea.

So the canoe and witch were changed as one To the great evil fish, and to this day The Indians when they see it, ever cry: “Behold the girl, who in the olden time Was punished by the Master.” That is all! L.