Susanna Moodie (1803–1885)

(A Song of the Backwoods)

THROUGH the deep woods, at peep of day,

The careless herd-boy wends his way,

By piny ridge and forest stream,

To summon home his roving team:

Cobos! Cobos! from distant dell

Sly echo wafts the cattle-bell.

A blithe reply he whistles back,

And follows out the devious track,

O’er fallen tree and mossy stone,

A path to all save him unknown:

Cobos! Cobos! far down the dell

More faintly falls the cattle-bell.

See, the dark swamp before him throws

A tangled maze of cedar boughs;

On all around deep silence broods

In Nature’s boundless solitudes:

Cobos! Cobos! the breezes swell

As nearer floats the cattle-bell.

He sees them now; beneath yon trees

His motley herd recline at ease;

With lazy pace and sullen stare

They slowly leave their shady lair:

Cobos! Cobos! far up the dell

Quick jingling comes the cattle-bell.