Were These The First Discoverers Of America?

Milicete Legend Of The Ouangond, Or River St. John.     Though the ebbing ocean listens     To Ugond's throbbing roar,     Calm the conquering flood-tide glistens     Where the river raved before. [1]     So the sea-brought strangers, stronger     Than their Indian foes of old,     Conquered, till were heard no longer     War-songs through the forests rolled.     Yet the land's wild stream, begotten     Where its Red Sons fought and died,     With traditions unforgotten     Strives to stem Oblivion's tide;     Tells the mighty, who, like ocean,     Whelm the native stream, how they     First in far dim days' commotion,     Wrestling, fought for empire's sway.     Hear the sad cascade, ere ever     Sinks in rising tides its moan,     True may be the tale, though never     By the victor ocean known.     Now the chant rings softly, finding     Freedom as the sea retires;     Loudly now, through spray-tears blinding     Throb and thunder silver lyres;     Silenced when the strong sea-water     To its great' heart, limitless,     Rising, takes the valley's daughter,     Soothes the song of her distress.