Gatineau Point
A HALF-BREED, slim, and sallow of face,
Alphonse lies full length on his raft,
The hardy son of a hybrid race.
Lithe and long, with the Indian grace,
Versed in the varied Indian craft,
A half-breed, slim, and sallow of face,
He nurses within mad currents that chase
The swift, the sluggisha foreign graft,
This hardy son of a hybrid race.
What southern airs, what snows embrace
Within his breastsoft airs that waft
The half-breedslim, and sallow of face,
Far from the Gatineau's foaming base!
And what strong potion hath he quaffed,
This hardy son of a hybrid race,
That upon this sun-baked blistered place
He sleeps, with his hand on the burning haft,
A Metisslim and sallow of face,
The hardy son of a hybrid race!