CANTO FIFTH.

[Scenes.A Sequestered Dale—Open Glade and Grand National Council—TheSummit of Haup.]

Deepin the dale’s sequestered solitude,Screened from the winter’s storm and chilling blastBy branching cedars and thick underwood,And ever with their shadows overcast,Old Narraganset’s regal wigwam stood,Where dwelt her chief, while yet the cold did last,And tempests, driving from the frozen north,Detained his warriors from the work of wrath.

Deepin the dale’s sequestered solitude,

Screened from the winter’s storm and chilling blast

By branching cedars and thick underwood,

And ever with their shadows overcast,

Old Narraganset’s regal wigwam stood,

Where dwelt her chief, while yet the cold did last,

And tempests, driving from the frozen north,

Detained his warriors from the work of wrath.

II.And near it rose an ample council hall,Where oft the Narraganset senate sate,When came the wise men, at their Sachem’s call,On schemes of high emprise to hold debate;And in the shade were shelters meet, for allHis grave advisers who should on him wait;And, with the red men just as with the white,Such free provision did delays invite.

II.

And near it rose an ample council hall,Where oft the Narraganset senate sate,When came the wise men, at their Sachem’s call,On schemes of high emprise to hold debate;And in the shade were shelters meet, for allHis grave advisers who should on him wait;And, with the red men just as with the white,Such free provision did delays invite.

And near it rose an ample council hall,

Where oft the Narraganset senate sate,

When came the wise men, at their Sachem’s call,

On schemes of high emprise to hold debate;

And in the shade were shelters meet, for all

His grave advisers who should on him wait;

And, with the red men just as with the white,

Such free provision did delays invite.

III.Here Father Williams must a while remain.And, with apt converse born of feelings mild,Soothe the stern natures of the warlike train,His destined neighbors in that barbarous wild;Allay distrust and confidence obtain,Until suspicion and fierce wrath, despoiledOf all their terrors, leave the vanquished mindTo generous friendship and full faith inclined.

III.

Here Father Williams must a while remain.And, with apt converse born of feelings mild,Soothe the stern natures of the warlike train,His destined neighbors in that barbarous wild;Allay distrust and confidence obtain,Until suspicion and fierce wrath, despoiledOf all their terrors, leave the vanquished mindTo generous friendship and full faith inclined.

Here Father Williams must a while remain.

And, with apt converse born of feelings mild,

Soothe the stern natures of the warlike train,

His destined neighbors in that barbarous wild;

Allay distrust and confidence obtain,

Until suspicion and fierce wrath, despoiled

Of all their terrors, leave the vanquished mind

To generous friendship and full faith inclined.

IV.Day after day he passed from man to man,Whome’er of note the mightier Sachems swayed,And, to the chieftains of each martial clan,In paints all grim—in horrid arms arrayed—He talked of peace; then o’er the dangers ran,Were war against the Wampanoag made;And then besought them that with friendly eyes,They would behold his smoke from Seekonk rise.

IV.

Day after day he passed from man to man,Whome’er of note the mightier Sachems swayed,And, to the chieftains of each martial clan,In paints all grim—in horrid arms arrayed—He talked of peace; then o’er the dangers ran,Were war against the Wampanoag made;And then besought them that with friendly eyes,They would behold his smoke from Seekonk rise.

Day after day he passed from man to man,

Whome’er of note the mightier Sachems swayed,

And, to the chieftains of each martial clan,

In paints all grim—in horrid arms arrayed—

He talked of peace; then o’er the dangers ran,

Were war against the Wampanoag made;

And then besought them that with friendly eyes,

They would behold his smoke from Seekonk rise.

V.Betwixt the tribes, on either side the stream,Still he the belt would hold—the pipe would bear;But never in his hand should lightning gleamFor either Sachem when he rushed to war;And with the Yengees still might it beseemHim to promote an understanding fair,Till wide the tree of peace its branches spread,And white and red men smoked beneath its shade.

Betwixt the tribes, on either side the stream,Still he the belt would hold—the pipe would bear;But never in his hand should lightning gleamFor either Sachem when he rushed to war;And with the Yengees still might it beseemHim to promote an understanding fair,Till wide the tree of peace its branches spread,And white and red men smoked beneath its shade.

Betwixt the tribes, on either side the stream,

Still he the belt would hold—the pipe would bear;

But never in his hand should lightning gleam

For either Sachem when he rushed to war;

And with the Yengees still might it beseem

Him to promote an understanding fair,

Till wide the tree of peace its branches spread,

And white and red men smoked beneath its shade.

VI.But chiefly did he this free converse holdWith M’antonomi, Sachem young and brave,And great Canonicus, sagacious, oldAnd in his speech deliberate and grave.One eve they sate—the storm without was cold,’Twas ere the council their decision gave,And thus the talk went on among the three,The questions simple and the answers free.

VI.

But chiefly did he this free converse holdWith M’antonomi, Sachem young and brave,And great Canonicus, sagacious, oldAnd in his speech deliberate and grave.One eve they sate—the storm without was cold,’Twas ere the council their decision gave,And thus the talk went on among the three,The questions simple and the answers free.

But chiefly did he this free converse hold

With M’antonomi, Sachem young and brave,

And great Canonicus, sagacious, old

And in his speech deliberate and grave.

One eve they sate—the storm without was cold,

’Twas ere the council their decision gave,

And thus the talk went on among the three,

The questions simple and the answers free.

VII.Miantonomi.Why will my brother dwell amid our foes,Yet seek from us a peaceful neighborhood?May we not think he’ll bend their battle bows,And thirst like them for Narraganset’s blood?Why has he Seekonk’s eastern border chose,And not surveyed Mooshausick’s winding flood?Its banks are green,—its forests waving fair,—Its fountains cool, the deer abundant there.

VII.

Miantonomi.

Why will my brother dwell amid our foes,Yet seek from us a peaceful neighborhood?May we not think he’ll bend their battle bows,And thirst like them for Narraganset’s blood?Why has he Seekonk’s eastern border chose,And not surveyed Mooshausick’s winding flood?Its banks are green,—its forests waving fair,—Its fountains cool, the deer abundant there.

Why will my brother dwell amid our foes,

Yet seek from us a peaceful neighborhood?

May we not think he’ll bend their battle bows,

And thirst like them for Narraganset’s blood?

Why has he Seekonk’s eastern border chose,

And not surveyed Mooshausick’s winding flood?

Its banks are green,—its forests waving fair,—

Its fountains cool, the deer abundant there.

VIII.Williams.Ne’er will I dwell among my brother’s foes,—To make them friends is now thy brother’s toil;Too weak I am to bend their battle bows,Had I the heart for such unseemly broil.The forest fair that by Mooshausick grows,Would long withstand the hardy woodman’s toil.The Seekonk’s marge will easy tillage yield,And soon the spiry maize will clothe its field.

VIII.

Williams.

Ne’er will I dwell among my brother’s foes,—To make them friends is now thy brother’s toil;Too weak I am to bend their battle bows,Had I the heart for such unseemly broil.The forest fair that by Mooshausick grows,Would long withstand the hardy woodman’s toil.The Seekonk’s marge will easy tillage yield,And soon the spiry maize will clothe its field.

Ne’er will I dwell among my brother’s foes,—

To make them friends is now thy brother’s toil;

Too weak I am to bend their battle bows,

Had I the heart for such unseemly broil.

The forest fair that by Mooshausick grows,

Would long withstand the hardy woodman’s toil.

The Seekonk’s marge will easy tillage yield,

And soon the spiry maize will clothe its field.

IX.Canonicus.How could my brother’s thoughts his friends offend?Why flies he to the red from faces pale?How can he still the nations red befriend?What can his speeches with his foes avail?No arms he bears, no Yengees him attend,How dares his foot to print this distant vale?The path was shut between the nations red,—How dared my brother on that path to tread?

IX.

Canonicus.

How could my brother’s thoughts his friends offend?Why flies he to the red from faces pale?How can he still the nations red befriend?What can his speeches with his foes avail?No arms he bears, no Yengees him attend,How dares his foot to print this distant vale?The path was shut between the nations red,—How dared my brother on that path to tread?

How could my brother’s thoughts his friends offend?

Why flies he to the red from faces pale?

How can he still the nations red befriend?

What can his speeches with his foes avail?

No arms he bears, no Yengees him attend,

How dares his foot to print this distant vale?

The path was shut between the nations red,—

How dared my brother on that path to tread?

X.Williams.The white man labors to enthrall the mind,He will not let its thoughts of God be free;I come the soul’s hard bondage to unbind,And clear her access to the Deity;The pale-faced foes whom I have left behind,Would still accept a favor done by me.I trusted God would guard his servant’s head,Open all paths, and soothe my brothers red.

Williams.

The white man labors to enthrall the mind,He will not let its thoughts of God be free;I come the soul’s hard bondage to unbind,And clear her access to the Deity;The pale-faced foes whom I have left behind,Would still accept a favor done by me.I trusted God would guard his servant’s head,Open all paths, and soothe my brothers red.

The white man labors to enthrall the mind,

He will not let its thoughts of God be free;

I come the soul’s hard bondage to unbind,

And clear her access to the Deity;

The pale-faced foes whom I have left behind,

Would still accept a favor done by me.

I trusted God would guard his servant’s head,

Open all paths, and soothe my brothers red.

XI.Canonicus.Thy generous confidence has on me wonAnd oped my ears, to other Yengees deaf.Brother, the spirit of my son is gone—I burned my lodge to speak my mighty grief;If thou art true I am not left alone,Some comfort is there for the gray-haired chief;If to thy words the fitting deeds be done,I am thy father, thou shalt be my son.

XI.

Canonicus.

Thy generous confidence has on me wonAnd oped my ears, to other Yengees deaf.Brother, the spirit of my son is gone—I burned my lodge to speak my mighty grief;If thou art true I am not left alone,Some comfort is there for the gray-haired chief;If to thy words the fitting deeds be done,I am thy father, thou shalt be my son.

Thy generous confidence has on me won

And oped my ears, to other Yengees deaf.

Brother, the spirit of my son is gone—

I burned my lodge to speak my mighty grief;

If thou art true I am not left alone,

Some comfort is there for the gray-haired chief;

If to thy words the fitting deeds be done,

I am thy father, thou shalt be my son.

XII.The kindest reader would fatigued complain,Should I recount each question and reply,That passed between our Father and the trainOf barbarous warriors and their Sachems high;But though he languished o’er my humble strain,Till patience left or dullness closed his eye,To Williams it was not an idle song—The dull reality did days prolong.

XII.

The kindest reader would fatigued complain,Should I recount each question and reply,That passed between our Father and the trainOf barbarous warriors and their Sachems high;But though he languished o’er my humble strain,Till patience left or dullness closed his eye,To Williams it was not an idle song—The dull reality did days prolong.

The kindest reader would fatigued complain,

Should I recount each question and reply,

That passed between our Father and the train

Of barbarous warriors and their Sachems high;

But though he languished o’er my humble strain,

Till patience left or dullness closed his eye,

To Williams it was not an idle song—

The dull reality did days prolong.

XIII.They had their Corbitants of surly mood,Who scarce would yield obedience to their lord;Alike they thirsted for the Yengees’ blood,And Wampanoag’s and alike abhorred.By gaudy gifts their anger he subdued,Or won their kindness by his soothing word;But one there was who spurned all proffers kind,Whose demon hate was to all goodness blind.

XIII.

They had their Corbitants of surly mood,Who scarce would yield obedience to their lord;Alike they thirsted for the Yengees’ blood,And Wampanoag’s and alike abhorred.By gaudy gifts their anger he subdued,Or won their kindness by his soothing word;But one there was who spurned all proffers kind,Whose demon hate was to all goodness blind.

They had their Corbitants of surly mood,

Who scarce would yield obedience to their lord;

Alike they thirsted for the Yengees’ blood,

And Wampanoag’s and alike abhorred.

By gaudy gifts their anger he subdued,

Or won their kindness by his soothing word;

But one there was who spurned all proffers kind,

Whose demon hate was to all goodness blind.

XIV.It was the grim Pawaw.—He came in ireFrom his proud dwelling by Mooshausick’s stream;His was the voice of gods and omens dire,And loud he chanted his prophetic dream;“The white man’s gods had set the woods on fire,And Chepian vanished in its fearful gleam;Their fathers’ ghosts came from their hunting ground—Their children sought, and only ashes found.”

XIV.

It was the grim Pawaw.—He came in ireFrom his proud dwelling by Mooshausick’s stream;His was the voice of gods and omens dire,And loud he chanted his prophetic dream;“The white man’s gods had set the woods on fire,And Chepian vanished in its fearful gleam;Their fathers’ ghosts came from their hunting ground—Their children sought, and only ashes found.”

It was the grim Pawaw.—He came in ire

From his proud dwelling by Mooshausick’s stream;

His was the voice of gods and omens dire,

And loud he chanted his prophetic dream;

“The white man’s gods had set the woods on fire,

And Chepian vanished in its fearful gleam;

Their fathers’ ghosts came from their hunting ground—

Their children sought, and only ashes found.”

XV.Gravely attentive did the council hearThat crafty priest his awful omens sing.The warriors, ruled by superstitious fear,Half credence gave, and overawed the king.In groups they thronged the forest, far and near,With gathered brows and surly muttering;And still the prophet through the kindling crowds,Moved like a comet through night’s lowering clouds.

XV.

Gravely attentive did the council hearThat crafty priest his awful omens sing.The warriors, ruled by superstitious fear,Half credence gave, and overawed the king.In groups they thronged the forest, far and near,With gathered brows and surly muttering;And still the prophet through the kindling crowds,Moved like a comet through night’s lowering clouds.

Gravely attentive did the council hear

That crafty priest his awful omens sing.

The warriors, ruled by superstitious fear,

Half credence gave, and overawed the king.

In groups they thronged the forest, far and near,

With gathered brows and surly muttering;

And still the prophet through the kindling crowds,

Moved like a comet through night’s lowering clouds.

XVI.And as he passed, the varying rumors flewOf secret plans hatched by the Yengees’ hate;And still their fears and doubts and wonder grew,Whilst on that dream the chiefs prolonged debate;For priest he was and politician too,And oft he meddled with affairs of state,Wrought on the fears of superstition’s crew,And the best counsels of the wise o’erthrew.

XVI.

And as he passed, the varying rumors flewOf secret plans hatched by the Yengees’ hate;And still their fears and doubts and wonder grew,Whilst on that dream the chiefs prolonged debate;For priest he was and politician too,And oft he meddled with affairs of state,Wrought on the fears of superstition’s crew,And the best counsels of the wise o’erthrew.

And as he passed, the varying rumors flew

Of secret plans hatched by the Yengees’ hate;

And still their fears and doubts and wonder grew,

Whilst on that dream the chiefs prolonged debate;

For priest he was and politician too,

And oft he meddled with affairs of state,

Wrought on the fears of superstition’s crew,

And the best counsels of the wise o’erthrew.

XVII.Thus, when the senate dared resist his sway,He still gained triumph with the multitude;Till now the chiefs, half yielding to dismay,Yet vexed and goaded by his rebel mood,Bade that the clans assemble on a day,And Williams meet the prophet of the wood,And in their presence front and overthrowHis strange dominion, or all hope forego.

XVII.

Thus, when the senate dared resist his sway,He still gained triumph with the multitude;Till now the chiefs, half yielding to dismay,Yet vexed and goaded by his rebel mood,Bade that the clans assemble on a day,And Williams meet the prophet of the wood,And in their presence front and overthrowHis strange dominion, or all hope forego.

Thus, when the senate dared resist his sway,

He still gained triumph with the multitude;

Till now the chiefs, half yielding to dismay,

Yet vexed and goaded by his rebel mood,

Bade that the clans assemble on a day,

And Williams meet the prophet of the wood,

And in their presence front and overthrow

His strange dominion, or all hope forego.

XVIII.I will not say that devils did enlistTo do the bidding of the grim Pawaw;He may have been a wild ventriloquist,Formed by rude nature; but the age which sawThe marvels that he wrought, would aye insistHis spells surpassed material nature’s law;And that the monarch of the infernal shadeMustered his legions to the wizard’s aid.

XVIII.

I will not say that devils did enlistTo do the bidding of the grim Pawaw;He may have been a wild ventriloquist,Formed by rude nature; but the age which sawThe marvels that he wrought, would aye insistHis spells surpassed material nature’s law;And that the monarch of the infernal shadeMustered his legions to the wizard’s aid.

I will not say that devils did enlist

To do the bidding of the grim Pawaw;

He may have been a wild ventriloquist,

Formed by rude nature; but the age which saw

The marvels that he wrought, would aye insist

His spells surpassed material nature’s law;

And that the monarch of the infernal shade

Mustered his legions to the wizard’s aid.

XIX.Great was his fame; for wide the rumor wentThat all the demons were at his command,And fiends in rocks, and dens, and caverns pent,Came to the beck of his black waving hand;The boldest Keenomps, on resistance bent,Could not the terror of his charms withstand;But still would shrink and shudder at the sound,When spoke his viewless fiends in anger round.

XIX.

Great was his fame; for wide the rumor wentThat all the demons were at his command,And fiends in rocks, and dens, and caverns pent,Came to the beck of his black waving hand;The boldest Keenomps, on resistance bent,Could not the terror of his charms withstand;But still would shrink and shudder at the sound,When spoke his viewless fiends in anger round.

Great was his fame; for wide the rumor went

That all the demons were at his command,

And fiends in rocks, and dens, and caverns pent,

Came to the beck of his black waving hand;

The boldest Keenomps, on resistance bent,

Could not the terror of his charms withstand;

But still would shrink and shudder at the sound,

When spoke his viewless fiends in anger round.

XX.And it was rumored that he daily heldCommunion strange with monsters of the wood,Harked to their voices, and their meanings spelled,And muttered answers which they understood;That he had filled with wisdom unexcelled,A cherished serpent of the sesek’s brood,—Had taught his forky tongue to modulateThe voice of man, and speak impending fate.

XX.

And it was rumored that he daily heldCommunion strange with monsters of the wood,Harked to their voices, and their meanings spelled,And muttered answers which they understood;That he had filled with wisdom unexcelled,A cherished serpent of the sesek’s brood,—Had taught his forky tongue to modulateThe voice of man, and speak impending fate.

And it was rumored that he daily held

Communion strange with monsters of the wood,

Harked to their voices, and their meanings spelled,

And muttered answers which they understood;

That he had filled with wisdom unexcelled,

A cherished serpent of the sesek’s brood,—

Had taught his forky tongue to modulate

The voice of man, and speak impending fate.

XXI.At length the morn of this stern trial rose,And mustering towns poured forth their eager trains,From where wild Pawcatuck’s dark water flows,To where Pawtucket cleaves the sounding plains;From where Aquidnay’s blooming bosom throwsThe ocean back, unto the far domainsOf the rude Nipnet, Narraganset’s woodRendered in eager throngs the multitude.

XXI.

At length the morn of this stern trial rose,And mustering towns poured forth their eager trains,From where wild Pawcatuck’s dark water flows,To where Pawtucket cleaves the sounding plains;From where Aquidnay’s blooming bosom throwsThe ocean back, unto the far domainsOf the rude Nipnet, Narraganset’s woodRendered in eager throngs the multitude.

At length the morn of this stern trial rose,

And mustering towns poured forth their eager trains,

From where wild Pawcatuck’s dark water flows,

To where Pawtucket cleaves the sounding plains;

From where Aquidnay’s blooming bosom throws

The ocean back, unto the far domains

Of the rude Nipnet, Narraganset’s wood

Rendered in eager throngs the multitude.

XXII.Swarm upon swarm, far dark’ning all the ground,They gathered, and on Potowomet’s plain,The dusky rabble filled the borders round,While near the centre stood the warrior train;Wild dance their plumes; fierce looks, fierce threats abound,With war of voices like the murmuring main,Wherein these words continually prevail:—“The priest of Chepian grim!—Awanux weak and pale!”

XXII.

Swarm upon swarm, far dark’ning all the ground,They gathered, and on Potowomet’s plain,The dusky rabble filled the borders round,While near the centre stood the warrior train;Wild dance their plumes; fierce looks, fierce threats abound,With war of voices like the murmuring main,Wherein these words continually prevail:—“The priest of Chepian grim!—Awanux weak and pale!”

Swarm upon swarm, far dark’ning all the ground,

They gathered, and on Potowomet’s plain,

The dusky rabble filled the borders round,

While near the centre stood the warrior train;

Wild dance their plumes; fierce looks, fierce threats abound,

With war of voices like the murmuring main,

Wherein these words continually prevail:—

“The priest of Chepian grim!—Awanux weak and pale!”

XXIII.The council formed upon the open glade;The Sachems sate about the mounting blaze;Five thousand warriors round that senate madeA dreadful ring, and stared with fixed amaze;Within the senate, (so the chieftains bade,)Apart sate Williams, obvious to their gaze;And off a little, but confronting him,Appeared the wizard in his hideous trim.

XXIII.

The council formed upon the open glade;The Sachems sate about the mounting blaze;Five thousand warriors round that senate madeA dreadful ring, and stared with fixed amaze;Within the senate, (so the chieftains bade,)Apart sate Williams, obvious to their gaze;And off a little, but confronting him,Appeared the wizard in his hideous trim.

The council formed upon the open glade;

The Sachems sate about the mounting blaze;

Five thousand warriors round that senate made

A dreadful ring, and stared with fixed amaze;

Within the senate, (so the chieftains bade,)

Apart sate Williams, obvious to their gaze;

And off a little, but confronting him,

Appeared the wizard in his hideous trim.

XXIV.From crown to heel stained black as night he rose,All naked save his waist and heaving chest;The sable fox-hide did his loins enclose,The sable fox-tail formed the nodding crestAbove his inky locks, which, dangling loose,Half veiled his cheeks, and reached unto his breast;Around that breast the same black fox’s hairMoved as he breathed, and seemed as growing there.

XXIV.

From crown to heel stained black as night he rose,All naked save his waist and heaving chest;The sable fox-hide did his loins enclose,The sable fox-tail formed the nodding crestAbove his inky locks, which, dangling loose,Half veiled his cheeks, and reached unto his breast;Around that breast the same black fox’s hairMoved as he breathed, and seemed as growing there.

From crown to heel stained black as night he rose,

All naked save his waist and heaving chest;

The sable fox-hide did his loins enclose,

The sable fox-tail formed the nodding crest

Above his inky locks, which, dangling loose,

Half veiled his cheeks, and reached unto his breast;

Around that breast the same black fox’s hair

Moved as he breathed, and seemed as growing there.

XXV.Tall was his form, and in his dexter handHe bore a barb with deadly venom fraught;Whilst in his left, supported by a band,He held a casket, where the rabble thoughtA manittoo, awaiting his command,Coiled in a serpent’s folds; and there was noughtThat in brave warriors could awaken fright,Save his dire glance and fascinating might.

XXV.

Tall was his form, and in his dexter handHe bore a barb with deadly venom fraught;Whilst in his left, supported by a band,He held a casket, where the rabble thoughtA manittoo, awaiting his command,Coiled in a serpent’s folds; and there was noughtThat in brave warriors could awaken fright,Save his dire glance and fascinating might.

Tall was his form, and in his dexter hand

He bore a barb with deadly venom fraught;

Whilst in his left, supported by a band,

He held a casket, where the rabble thought

A manittoo, awaiting his command,

Coiled in a serpent’s folds; and there was nought

That in brave warriors could awaken fright,

Save his dire glance and fascinating might.

XXVI.For, strange to tell! e’en on the human kind,That serpent ventured his mysterious charm;And there were those who thought the subtle mindOf Chepian’s self inspired his winding form.All sought his omens.—He was aye enshrined,Through winter’s cold, in furs to keep him warm;And never issued to the open light,Till famine roused his rage, or prey provoked his might.

XXVI.

For, strange to tell! e’en on the human kind,That serpent ventured his mysterious charm;And there were those who thought the subtle mindOf Chepian’s self inspired his winding form.All sought his omens.—He was aye enshrined,Through winter’s cold, in furs to keep him warm;And never issued to the open light,Till famine roused his rage, or prey provoked his might.

For, strange to tell! e’en on the human kind,

That serpent ventured his mysterious charm;

And there were those who thought the subtle mind

Of Chepian’s self inspired his winding form.

All sought his omens.—He was aye enshrined,

Through winter’s cold, in furs to keep him warm;

And never issued to the open light,

Till famine roused his rage, or prey provoked his might.

XXVII.Thus, with strange terrors armed, the wizard stood,And on the casket riveted his eyes,And whispered for a while in ghastly mood,Until responses from it seemed to riseFaintly distinct, whereat the vulgar bloodStayed its career, and even Sachems wiseHeard with a thrill,—for these dread accents rose:“Count ye the sands—ye count your pale-faced foes.”

XXVII.

Thus, with strange terrors armed, the wizard stood,And on the casket riveted his eyes,And whispered for a while in ghastly mood,Until responses from it seemed to riseFaintly distinct, whereat the vulgar bloodStayed its career, and even Sachems wiseHeard with a thrill,—for these dread accents rose:“Count ye the sands—ye count your pale-faced foes.”

Thus, with strange terrors armed, the wizard stood,

And on the casket riveted his eyes,

And whispered for a while in ghastly mood,

Until responses from it seemed to rise

Faintly distinct, whereat the vulgar blood

Stayed its career, and even Sachems wise

Heard with a thrill,—for these dread accents rose:

“Count ye the sands—ye count your pale-faced foes.”

XXVIII.The prophet looked around, the throngs to scan;And well he noted by the silence dreadThe moment of effect, and then began,—Beseeching first his fearful demon’s aid:“Chepian, thou power of evil! dread of man!God of destruction! pouring on the headOf thy opposers, ruins, plagues, and pest,—Let all thy might thy serpent form invest.”

XXVIII.

The prophet looked around, the throngs to scan;And well he noted by the silence dreadThe moment of effect, and then began,—Beseeching first his fearful demon’s aid:“Chepian, thou power of evil! dread of man!God of destruction! pouring on the headOf thy opposers, ruins, plagues, and pest,—Let all thy might thy serpent form invest.”

The prophet looked around, the throngs to scan;

And well he noted by the silence dread

The moment of effect, and then began,—

Beseeching first his fearful demon’s aid:

“Chepian, thou power of evil! dread of man!

God of destruction! pouring on the head

Of thy opposers, ruins, plagues, and pest,—

Let all thy might thy serpent form invest.”

XXIX.He said; then turning to the throngs he spoke:“Brothers! dark tempests overcast our sky;The characters upon Cohannet’s rockSet bounds in vain; the stranger doth defyAnd break our spells; dread Chepian feels the shock;In wrath he sees the approaching deityOf the pale man—and, in his coming stride,Feels scathe and death to his dominion wide.

XXIX.

He said; then turning to the throngs he spoke:“Brothers! dark tempests overcast our sky;The characters upon Cohannet’s rockSet bounds in vain; the stranger doth defyAnd break our spells; dread Chepian feels the shock;In wrath he sees the approaching deityOf the pale man—and, in his coming stride,Feels scathe and death to his dominion wide.

He said; then turning to the throngs he spoke:

“Brothers! dark tempests overcast our sky;

The characters upon Cohannet’s rock

Set bounds in vain; the stranger doth defy

And break our spells; dread Chepian feels the shock;

In wrath he sees the approaching deity

Of the pale man—and, in his coming stride,

Feels scathe and death to his dominion wide.

XXX.“Now hearken, brothers:—’twas a dismal night,And in his cave sate Tatoban alone;The fading embers shed a dreary light,And the big owl sent forth a hollow moan;The god of tempests sped his rapid flight,And with his footsteps made the forest groan;And whilst he sate, out from the deepest gloomDid the dread form of awful Chepian come.

XXX.

“Now hearken, brothers:—’twas a dismal night,And in his cave sate Tatoban alone;The fading embers shed a dreary light,And the big owl sent forth a hollow moan;The god of tempests sped his rapid flight,And with his footsteps made the forest groan;And whilst he sate, out from the deepest gloomDid the dread form of awful Chepian come.

“Now hearken, brothers:—’twas a dismal night,

And in his cave sate Tatoban alone;

The fading embers shed a dreary light,

And the big owl sent forth a hollow moan;

The god of tempests sped his rapid flight,

And with his footsteps made the forest groan;

And whilst he sate, out from the deepest gloom

Did the dread form of awful Chepian come.

XXXI.“‘Sleeps Tatoban!’ the awful demon said,‘Sleeps Tatoban! my Priest, my Prophet sleep!Does not a pale man my dominion tread?With hostile gods has he not crossed the deep?Prophet! the spirits of your kindred deadAlready o’er their children’s ashes weep;—Arise! go forth, and by thy serpent quellThe daring stranger, and his gods expel!

XXXI.

“‘Sleeps Tatoban!’ the awful demon said,‘Sleeps Tatoban! my Priest, my Prophet sleep!Does not a pale man my dominion tread?With hostile gods has he not crossed the deep?Prophet! the spirits of your kindred deadAlready o’er their children’s ashes weep;—Arise! go forth, and by thy serpent quellThe daring stranger, and his gods expel!

“‘Sleeps Tatoban!’ the awful demon said,

‘Sleeps Tatoban! my Priest, my Prophet sleep!

Does not a pale man my dominion tread?

With hostile gods has he not crossed the deep?

Prophet! the spirits of your kindred dead

Already o’er their children’s ashes weep;—

Arise! go forth, and by thy serpent quell

The daring stranger, and his gods expel!

XXXII.“‘Hast thou forgot, when, by Cohannet’s stream,To curse the strangers every charm was tried?How, at your mutterings, the moon’s pale beamRetired from Heaven, and backward rushed the tide?How I appeared, and, by the embers’ gleam,To the hard rock my lance’s point applied,And scored my mandate—saying to the foe,Thus far thy gods may come—no further go?[19][19]Seenote.

XXXII.

“‘Hast thou forgot, when, by Cohannet’s stream,To curse the strangers every charm was tried?How, at your mutterings, the moon’s pale beamRetired from Heaven, and backward rushed the tide?How I appeared, and, by the embers’ gleam,To the hard rock my lance’s point applied,And scored my mandate—saying to the foe,Thus far thy gods may come—no further go?[19]

“‘Hast thou forgot, when, by Cohannet’s stream,

To curse the strangers every charm was tried?

How, at your mutterings, the moon’s pale beam

Retired from Heaven, and backward rushed the tide?

How I appeared, and, by the embers’ gleam,

To the hard rock my lance’s point applied,

And scored my mandate—saying to the foe,

Thus far thy gods may come—no further go?[19]

[19]Seenote.

XXXIII.“‘Rouse, Prophet, rouse! A stranger now doth darePass the charmed limits, and our peace invade!’He said, and, resting on the casket there,Melted from sight into the sombre shade:He chose my serpent for his earthly lair;Swelled his huge volumes, and inspired his head,And taught his tongue to speak the future well,And charms most wise that can the bravest quell.

XXXIII.

“‘Rouse, Prophet, rouse! A stranger now doth darePass the charmed limits, and our peace invade!’He said, and, resting on the casket there,Melted from sight into the sombre shade:He chose my serpent for his earthly lair;Swelled his huge volumes, and inspired his head,And taught his tongue to speak the future well,And charms most wise that can the bravest quell.

“‘Rouse, Prophet, rouse! A stranger now doth dare

Pass the charmed limits, and our peace invade!’

He said, and, resting on the casket there,

Melted from sight into the sombre shade:

He chose my serpent for his earthly lair;

Swelled his huge volumes, and inspired his head,

And taught his tongue to speak the future well,

And charms most wise that can the bravest quell.

XXXIV.“And dar’st thou, stranger, brave his glance of fire?Dar’st thou confront the terror of his charms?Confront grim Chepian in the dread attireOf the great Sesek, whose unearthly armsWake fear in Sachems? O, thou fool! retire—Bear off thy gods; for robed in all their harmsThou art unsafe.—No power we yield to thee,Or to thy gods; for Chepian rules by me.”

XXXIV.

“And dar’st thou, stranger, brave his glance of fire?Dar’st thou confront the terror of his charms?Confront grim Chepian in the dread attireOf the great Sesek, whose unearthly armsWake fear in Sachems? O, thou fool! retire—Bear off thy gods; for robed in all their harmsThou art unsafe.—No power we yield to thee,Or to thy gods; for Chepian rules by me.”

“And dar’st thou, stranger, brave his glance of fire?

Dar’st thou confront the terror of his charms?

Confront grim Chepian in the dread attire

Of the great Sesek, whose unearthly arms

Wake fear in Sachems? O, thou fool! retire—

Bear off thy gods; for robed in all their harms

Thou art unsafe.—No power we yield to thee,

Or to thy gods; for Chepian rules by me.”

XXXVI.Williams replied, “Thou Priest of Beelzebub!Chepian, I mean, if that’s his better name—I come not hither to assume thy robePontifical, or emulate thy fame;Or yet to trouble, with the warrior’s club,Such saints as thou and thy dark demon claim;For be but peaceful, and I let thee stillWorship thy manit dark, as suits thy will.

XXXVI.

Williams replied, “Thou Priest of Beelzebub!Chepian, I mean, if that’s his better name—I come not hither to assume thy robePontifical, or emulate thy fame;Or yet to trouble, with the warrior’s club,Such saints as thou and thy dark demon claim;For be but peaceful, and I let thee stillWorship thy manit dark, as suits thy will.

Williams replied, “Thou Priest of Beelzebub!

Chepian, I mean, if that’s his better name—

I come not hither to assume thy robe

Pontifical, or emulate thy fame;

Or yet to trouble, with the warrior’s club,

Such saints as thou and thy dark demon claim;

For be but peaceful, and I let thee still

Worship thy manit dark, as suits thy will.

XXXVII.“But here I sit, to prove thee to thy faceA foul impostor, and thy charms a cheat;—To ope the eyes of a deluded race,Strangely misled by thine infernal feat,That in thy foe they confidence may place,And him, in friendship, as a neighbor greet;So try thy spells, thine utmost powers essay,And if I blench, be thine the victor’s day.”

XXXVII.

“But here I sit, to prove thee to thy faceA foul impostor, and thy charms a cheat;—To ope the eyes of a deluded race,Strangely misled by thine infernal feat,That in thy foe they confidence may place,And him, in friendship, as a neighbor greet;So try thy spells, thine utmost powers essay,And if I blench, be thine the victor’s day.”

“But here I sit, to prove thee to thy face

A foul impostor, and thy charms a cheat;—

To ope the eyes of a deluded race,

Strangely misled by thine infernal feat,

That in thy foe they confidence may place,

And him, in friendship, as a neighbor greet;

So try thy spells, thine utmost powers essay,

And if I blench, be thine the victor’s day.”

XXXVIII.“Die, then!” he said, and down with fury castThe magic casket, and wide open flewIts fur-lined cavern. Forth his volumes vast,Fold following fold, the monstrous serpent drew;Flashed on his burnished scales, the sunbeams pastAlong his flexuous form in many a hue;Proud of his freedom, o’er the glade he rolled,And mocked the rainbow in his hues of gold.

XXXVIII.

“Die, then!” he said, and down with fury castThe magic casket, and wide open flewIts fur-lined cavern. Forth his volumes vast,Fold following fold, the monstrous serpent drew;Flashed on his burnished scales, the sunbeams pastAlong his flexuous form in many a hue;Proud of his freedom, o’er the glade he rolled,And mocked the rainbow in his hues of gold.

“Die, then!” he said, and down with fury cast

The magic casket, and wide open flew

Its fur-lined cavern. Forth his volumes vast,

Fold following fold, the monstrous serpent drew;

Flashed on his burnished scales, the sunbeams past

Along his flexuous form in many a hue;

Proud of his freedom, o’er the glade he rolled,

And mocked the rainbow in his hues of gold.

XXXIX.High towered his head; in many an ample foldHe coiled his volumes, spires o’er spires ascendingAnd lessening as they rose and inward rolled;His rustling scales, their various colors blending,Surpassed the hues of diamond and of gold;Till, from the top pyramidal extending,Swam forth on crooked neck his eyes of flame,Rang his sharp buzz, and on he slowly came.

XXXIX.

High towered his head; in many an ample foldHe coiled his volumes, spires o’er spires ascendingAnd lessening as they rose and inward rolled;His rustling scales, their various colors blending,Surpassed the hues of diamond and of gold;Till, from the top pyramidal extending,Swam forth on crooked neck his eyes of flame,Rang his sharp buzz, and on he slowly came.

High towered his head; in many an ample fold

He coiled his volumes, spires o’er spires ascending

And lessening as they rose and inward rolled;

His rustling scales, their various colors blending,

Surpassed the hues of diamond and of gold;

Till, from the top pyramidal extending,

Swam forth on crooked neck his eyes of flame,

Rang his sharp buzz, and on he slowly came.

XL.Shouted the crowds, as they beheld him rise,“The manittoo! The manittoo!” they cried.In sooth, their demon, from his burning eyes,Seemed looking forth, and his unlabored glideScarce earthly seemed, the while his glistering dyesIn mingling brilliance changed and multiplied,And scarce the curves that moved him did untwist;But o’er them floating, like a globe of mist,

XL.

Shouted the crowds, as they beheld him rise,“The manittoo! The manittoo!” they cried.In sooth, their demon, from his burning eyes,Seemed looking forth, and his unlabored glideScarce earthly seemed, the while his glistering dyesIn mingling brilliance changed and multiplied,And scarce the curves that moved him did untwist;But o’er them floating, like a globe of mist,

Shouted the crowds, as they beheld him rise,

“The manittoo! The manittoo!” they cried.

In sooth, their demon, from his burning eyes,

Seemed looking forth, and his unlabored glide

Scarce earthly seemed, the while his glistering dyes

In mingling brilliance changed and multiplied,

And scarce the curves that moved him did untwist;

But o’er them floating, like a globe of mist,

XLI.His quivering rattles buzzed. With curious eyes,Williams beheld him gradually advance,Then grasped a wand, then paused with fixed surprise,To see the gorgeous radiance, moving, glanceThe hues of heaven;—to see, now sink, now rise,His bending spires,—his wavering colors dance;And at each change of that deep thrilling humThe motions change—the colors go and come.

XLI.

His quivering rattles buzzed. With curious eyes,Williams beheld him gradually advance,Then grasped a wand, then paused with fixed surprise,To see the gorgeous radiance, moving, glanceThe hues of heaven;—to see, now sink, now rise,His bending spires,—his wavering colors dance;And at each change of that deep thrilling humThe motions change—the colors go and come.

His quivering rattles buzzed. With curious eyes,

Williams beheld him gradually advance,

Then grasped a wand, then paused with fixed surprise,

To see the gorgeous radiance, moving, glance

The hues of heaven;—to see, now sink, now rise,

His bending spires,—his wavering colors dance;

And at each change of that deep thrilling hum

The motions change—the colors go and come.

XLII.An odor, strange though not offensive, spreadAbout him, as he near and nearer drew;But, piercing, keen, it filled our Founder’s head,Involved his brain, and passed his senses through;Entranced he sate, while round him rose and playedCelestial hues, and music strange and new;—The heavens, the earth, to various radiance turned,And in a maze of mingling colors burned.

XLII.

An odor, strange though not offensive, spreadAbout him, as he near and nearer drew;But, piercing, keen, it filled our Founder’s head,Involved his brain, and passed his senses through;Entranced he sate, while round him rose and playedCelestial hues, and music strange and new;—The heavens, the earth, to various radiance turned,And in a maze of mingling colors burned.

An odor, strange though not offensive, spread

About him, as he near and nearer drew;

But, piercing, keen, it filled our Founder’s head,

Involved his brain, and passed his senses through;

Entranced he sate, while round him rose and played

Celestial hues, and music strange and new;—

The heavens, the earth, to various radiance turned,

And in a maze of mingling colors burned.

XLIII.The juggling sesek vanished from his sight;No alien object did his trance confuse;So rang the hum, so danced the colors bright,The hues seemed music, and the music hues;Still swelled the sounds, still livelier flashed the light;His limbs obedience to his will refuse;He strove to rise, he yielded to affright,Like one be-nightmared in the dreams of night.

XLIII.

The juggling sesek vanished from his sight;No alien object did his trance confuse;So rang the hum, so danced the colors bright,The hues seemed music, and the music hues;Still swelled the sounds, still livelier flashed the light;His limbs obedience to his will refuse;He strove to rise, he yielded to affright,Like one be-nightmared in the dreams of night.

The juggling sesek vanished from his sight;

No alien object did his trance confuse;

So rang the hum, so danced the colors bright,

The hues seemed music, and the music hues;

Still swelled the sounds, still livelier flashed the light;

His limbs obedience to his will refuse;

He strove to rise, he yielded to affright,

Like one be-nightmared in the dreams of night.

XLIV.“Whence this dread power that steals my strength away?This creeping torpor, this Lethean dew?This strange wild rapture mingling with dismay?Ye dangerous beauties! vanish from my view;Creatures of Evil, come ye to betrayOne victim more, and his sad soul subdueUnto the Tempter, whose infernal spellBrought death to Eden, and gave joy to hell?

XLIV.

“Whence this dread power that steals my strength away?This creeping torpor, this Lethean dew?This strange wild rapture mingling with dismay?Ye dangerous beauties! vanish from my view;Creatures of Evil, come ye to betrayOne victim more, and his sad soul subdueUnto the Tempter, whose infernal spellBrought death to Eden, and gave joy to hell?

“Whence this dread power that steals my strength away?

This creeping torpor, this Lethean dew?

This strange wild rapture mingling with dismay?

Ye dangerous beauties! vanish from my view;

Creatures of Evil, come ye to betray

One victim more, and his sad soul subdue

Unto the Tempter, whose infernal spell

Brought death to Eden, and gave joy to hell?

XLV.“And shall my labors thus inglorious end?Shall my defeat give him a triumph new?”The thought was fire, and did new vigor lend;Back rushed his soul through every avenue.A seeming cloud did from his brain ascend,The magic colors vanished from his view;And at his feet, in many a supple sweep,The odious reptile coiled him for the leap.

XLV.

“And shall my labors thus inglorious end?Shall my defeat give him a triumph new?”The thought was fire, and did new vigor lend;Back rushed his soul through every avenue.A seeming cloud did from his brain ascend,The magic colors vanished from his view;And at his feet, in many a supple sweep,The odious reptile coiled him for the leap.

“And shall my labors thus inglorious end?

Shall my defeat give him a triumph new?”

The thought was fire, and did new vigor lend;

Back rushed his soul through every avenue.

A seeming cloud did from his brain ascend,

The magic colors vanished from his view;

And at his feet, in many a supple sweep,

The odious reptile coiled him for the leap.

XLVI.Swift darts the tongue, the horrid jaws unfold;—Williams beheld—struck—cleft the head away:In many a loosening coil the body rolled,Collapsed, grew still, and there extended lay,A headless reptile;—all its hues of goldAnd diamond deadened in its life’s decay;Whilst the foiled wizard looked upon the slain,And choked and yelled, then choked with rage again.

XLVI.

Swift darts the tongue, the horrid jaws unfold;—Williams beheld—struck—cleft the head away:In many a loosening coil the body rolled,Collapsed, grew still, and there extended lay,A headless reptile;—all its hues of goldAnd diamond deadened in its life’s decay;Whilst the foiled wizard looked upon the slain,And choked and yelled, then choked with rage again.

Swift darts the tongue, the horrid jaws unfold;—

Williams beheld—struck—cleft the head away:

In many a loosening coil the body rolled,

Collapsed, grew still, and there extended lay,

A headless reptile;—all its hues of gold

And diamond deadened in its life’s decay;

Whilst the foiled wizard looked upon the slain,

And choked and yelled, then choked with rage again.

XLVII.The crowds looked on ’twixt terror and surprise;They gazed—they gaped with fixed astonishment;Their serpent manit braved—ay, slaughtered lies!Is it Awanux that is prevalent?But when they gave full credence to their eyes,Wild wondering clamors through the masses went,Which closed in shouts that through the forest rolled,“The wizard conquered by the Yengee bold!”

XLVII.

The crowds looked on ’twixt terror and surprise;They gazed—they gaped with fixed astonishment;Their serpent manit braved—ay, slaughtered lies!Is it Awanux that is prevalent?But when they gave full credence to their eyes,Wild wondering clamors through the masses went,Which closed in shouts that through the forest rolled,“The wizard conquered by the Yengee bold!”

The crowds looked on ’twixt terror and surprise;

They gazed—they gaped with fixed astonishment;

Their serpent manit braved—ay, slaughtered lies!

Is it Awanux that is prevalent?

But when they gave full credence to their eyes,

Wild wondering clamors through the masses went,

Which closed in shouts that through the forest rolled,

“The wizard conquered by the Yengee bold!”

XLVIII.Ill could that juggler a white victor brook,And Hell’s dark passions boiled through all his blood;His eyes shot fire, and from his belt he tookHis deadly dart,—and in stern silence viewedIts poisoned barb, whose short and horrid crookThe jaws of seseks armed,—jaws all imbuedWith the keen venom gathered from the fangsOf such as died by self-inflicted pangs.

XLVIII.

Ill could that juggler a white victor brook,And Hell’s dark passions boiled through all his blood;His eyes shot fire, and from his belt he tookHis deadly dart,—and in stern silence viewedIts poisoned barb, whose short and horrid crookThe jaws of seseks armed,—jaws all imbuedWith the keen venom gathered from the fangsOf such as died by self-inflicted pangs.

Ill could that juggler a white victor brook,

And Hell’s dark passions boiled through all his blood;

His eyes shot fire, and from his belt he took

His deadly dart,—and in stern silence viewed

Its poisoned barb, whose short and horrid crook

The jaws of seseks armed,—jaws all imbued

With the keen venom gathered from the fangs

Of such as died by self-inflicted pangs.

XLIX.Nothing he spake, but with a hideous yell,Raised his long dart, and, backward as he bent,From starting eye-balls shot the light of Hell;At Williams’ breast the vengeful glance was sent,But as his muscles did the barb impel,Red Waban’s grasp obstructed their descent;—On earth the weapon falls and pants for blood;The lifted arm still threatening vengeance stood.

XLIX.

Nothing he spake, but with a hideous yell,Raised his long dart, and, backward as he bent,From starting eye-balls shot the light of Hell;At Williams’ breast the vengeful glance was sent,But as his muscles did the barb impel,Red Waban’s grasp obstructed their descent;—On earth the weapon falls and pants for blood;The lifted arm still threatening vengeance stood.

Nothing he spake, but with a hideous yell,

Raised his long dart, and, backward as he bent,

From starting eye-balls shot the light of Hell;

At Williams’ breast the vengeful glance was sent,

But as his muscles did the barb impel,

Red Waban’s grasp obstructed their descent;—

On earth the weapon falls and pants for blood;

The lifted arm still threatening vengeance stood.

L.Miantonomi, who the scene surveyed,Too long had now his rising wrath concealed;A mighty lance his better hand displayed,And well he knew its haft of length to wield;Backward its hilt the angry Sachem swayed,And ’neath its stroke the staggering wizard reeled;Till from a storm of blows he cringing fled,And madly howling through the forest sped.

Miantonomi, who the scene surveyed,Too long had now his rising wrath concealed;A mighty lance his better hand displayed,And well he knew its haft of length to wield;Backward its hilt the angry Sachem swayed,And ’neath its stroke the staggering wizard reeled;Till from a storm of blows he cringing fled,And madly howling through the forest sped.

Miantonomi, who the scene surveyed,

Too long had now his rising wrath concealed;

A mighty lance his better hand displayed,

And well he knew its haft of length to wield;

Backward its hilt the angry Sachem swayed,

And ’neath its stroke the staggering wizard reeled;

Till from a storm of blows he cringing fled,

And madly howling through the forest sped.

LI.“Go, Priest of Chepian, go!” the Sachem said,“Thy dreams are false—thy charms are all a cheat;Go to thy manit—tell him that his aidHas failed thee once, and thou art sorely beat.Us have thy prophecies too long betrayed,And vacant in the council is thy seat.When aid we need, we will to him applyWho conquers thee, and slays thy deity.”

LI.

“Go, Priest of Chepian, go!” the Sachem said,“Thy dreams are false—thy charms are all a cheat;Go to thy manit—tell him that his aidHas failed thee once, and thou art sorely beat.Us have thy prophecies too long betrayed,And vacant in the council is thy seat.When aid we need, we will to him applyWho conquers thee, and slays thy deity.”

“Go, Priest of Chepian, go!” the Sachem said,

“Thy dreams are false—thy charms are all a cheat;

Go to thy manit—tell him that his aid

Has failed thee once, and thou art sorely beat.

Us have thy prophecies too long betrayed,

And vacant in the council is thy seat.

When aid we need, we will to him apply

Who conquers thee, and slays thy deity.”

LII.A while the throngs sate as in deep amaze—A while ’twas doubtful what might be their mood;At length wild shoutings they began to raise;—One transport filled the total multitude;Their Sachem’s boldness cheerly did they praise,For long had they with dread the wizard viewed;Nor less admired our Founder’s courage true,Which did that juggler and his charms subdue.

LII.

A while the throngs sate as in deep amaze—A while ’twas doubtful what might be their mood;At length wild shoutings they began to raise;—One transport filled the total multitude;Their Sachem’s boldness cheerly did they praise,For long had they with dread the wizard viewed;Nor less admired our Founder’s courage true,Which did that juggler and his charms subdue.

A while the throngs sate as in deep amaze—

A while ’twas doubtful what might be their mood;

At length wild shoutings they began to raise;—

One transport filled the total multitude;

Their Sachem’s boldness cheerly did they praise,

For long had they with dread the wizard viewed;

Nor less admired our Founder’s courage true,

Which did that juggler and his charms subdue.

LIII.Then rose Canonicus, that shrewd old chief;“Brother!” he said, “much glory hast thou won;Thy deeds this day will scantly gain beliefWith warriors red, from rise to set of sun:Great Chepian’s priest, within a moment brief,Thou, with thy fearlessness, hast overdone;And thou art greater than his manits are,—For they were vanquished in the combat fair.

LIII.

Then rose Canonicus, that shrewd old chief;“Brother!” he said, “much glory hast thou won;Thy deeds this day will scantly gain beliefWith warriors red, from rise to set of sun:Great Chepian’s priest, within a moment brief,Thou, with thy fearlessness, hast overdone;And thou art greater than his manits are,—For they were vanquished in the combat fair.

Then rose Canonicus, that shrewd old chief;

“Brother!” he said, “much glory hast thou won;

Thy deeds this day will scantly gain belief

With warriors red, from rise to set of sun:

Great Chepian’s priest, within a moment brief,

Thou, with thy fearlessness, hast overdone;

And thou art greater than his manits are,—

For they were vanquished in the combat fair.

LIV.“Brother! we take thy calumet of peace,And throw the hatchet into quiet shade;The Wampanoag’s terrors may surcease,And thou mayst plant on Seekonk’s eastern glade;But hearken, brother!—better far would pleaseThy council fire if by Mooshausick made;But pass we that; for well our brother knowsTo live our friend surrounded by our foes.

LIV.

“Brother! we take thy calumet of peace,And throw the hatchet into quiet shade;The Wampanoag’s terrors may surcease,And thou mayst plant on Seekonk’s eastern glade;But hearken, brother!—better far would pleaseThy council fire if by Mooshausick made;But pass we that; for well our brother knowsTo live our friend surrounded by our foes.

“Brother! we take thy calumet of peace,

And throw the hatchet into quiet shade;

The Wampanoag’s terrors may surcease,

And thou mayst plant on Seekonk’s eastern glade;

But hearken, brother!—better far would please

Thy council fire if by Mooshausick made;

But pass we that; for well our brother knows

To live our friend surrounded by our foes.

LV.“Brother! thou wilt our belt of friendship take,And for us win the kindness of the White,That when we war against the Pequot make,His hands may aid us, and his counsels light;—His thunders speak and all the forests shake,—His lightnings flash and spread a wild affrightThrough town and fortress, whereso’er we go,Till not a Pequot lives to tell his nation’s woe.

LV.

“Brother! thou wilt our belt of friendship take,And for us win the kindness of the White,That when we war against the Pequot make,His hands may aid us, and his counsels light;—His thunders speak and all the forests shake,—His lightnings flash and spread a wild affrightThrough town and fortress, whereso’er we go,Till not a Pequot lives to tell his nation’s woe.

“Brother! thou wilt our belt of friendship take,

And for us win the kindness of the White,

That when we war against the Pequot make,

His hands may aid us, and his counsels light;—

His thunders speak and all the forests shake,—

His lightnings flash and spread a wild affright

Through town and fortress, whereso’er we go,

Till not a Pequot lives to tell his nation’s woe.

LVI.“Brother! we grant thee quiet neighborhood,—The tree of peace o’ershadows thee and me;And thou mayst hunt in Narraganset’s wood,And catch the fish that in our waters be;But thou must still promote the red man’s good,Keep bright his belt, and make thy counsels freeWhen danger darkens;—and if this be done,I am thy father, thou shalt be my son.”

LVI.

“Brother! we grant thee quiet neighborhood,—The tree of peace o’ershadows thee and me;And thou mayst hunt in Narraganset’s wood,And catch the fish that in our waters be;But thou must still promote the red man’s good,Keep bright his belt, and make thy counsels freeWhen danger darkens;—and if this be done,I am thy father, thou shalt be my son.”

“Brother! we grant thee quiet neighborhood,—

The tree of peace o’ershadows thee and me;

And thou mayst hunt in Narraganset’s wood,

And catch the fish that in our waters be;

But thou must still promote the red man’s good,

Keep bright his belt, and make thy counsels free

When danger darkens;—and if this be done,

I am thy father, thou shalt be my son.”

LVII.Scarce need I say, Sire Williams cheerly gaveThe pipe he bore and took the friendly belt;That thanks he tendered to the Sachems brave;That what he uttered he as deeply felt;That he repeated each assurance graveOf friendly favors, whilst he near them dwelt;Nor pause I, now, the customs to describe,By which the truce was honored by the tribe.

LVII.

Scarce need I say, Sire Williams cheerly gaveThe pipe he bore and took the friendly belt;That thanks he tendered to the Sachems brave;That what he uttered he as deeply felt;That he repeated each assurance graveOf friendly favors, whilst he near them dwelt;Nor pause I, now, the customs to describe,By which the truce was honored by the tribe.

Scarce need I say, Sire Williams cheerly gave

The pipe he bore and took the friendly belt;

That thanks he tendered to the Sachems brave;

That what he uttered he as deeply felt;

That he repeated each assurance grave

Of friendly favors, whilst he near them dwelt;

Nor pause I, now, the customs to describe,

By which the truce was honored by the tribe.

LVIII.He took the Sachem’s friendly calumet,Then scattered wampum mid the warriors all;On Miantonomi’s lofty brow he set,Round waving plumes, the jeweled coronal;The scarlet coat the elder potentateMost trimly graced, and gave delight withal;Then ribbons gave he, various their hue,To counsellors and Keenomps, bold and true.

LVIII.

He took the Sachem’s friendly calumet,Then scattered wampum mid the warriors all;On Miantonomi’s lofty brow he set,Round waving plumes, the jeweled coronal;The scarlet coat the elder potentateMost trimly graced, and gave delight withal;Then ribbons gave he, various their hue,To counsellors and Keenomps, bold and true.

He took the Sachem’s friendly calumet,

Then scattered wampum mid the warriors all;

On Miantonomi’s lofty brow he set,

Round waving plumes, the jeweled coronal;

The scarlet coat the elder potentate

Most trimly graced, and gave delight withal;

Then ribbons gave he, various their hue,

To counsellors and Keenomps, bold and true.

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