CANTO FOURTH.

[Scene.The Narraganset Camp at Potowomet.]

Thetwain have left the height, and sought the gladeWhere the red warriors wheel the martial dance;A while the thick young cedars round them madeA cover that concealed their still advance;But passing quickly through the denser shade,Sire Williams sent abroad his searching glanceO’er the rude camp, and saw, on every side,Around the blazing fires the dancers glide.

Thetwain have left the height, and sought the glade

Where the red warriors wheel the martial dance;

A while the thick young cedars round them made

A cover that concealed their still advance;

But passing quickly through the denser shade,

Sire Williams sent abroad his searching glance

O’er the rude camp, and saw, on every side,

Around the blazing fires the dancers glide.

II.Hundreds on hundreds thronged the glade, I ween,With painted visages and pluméd hair;There bristled darts, there glittered lances sheen,And brandished knives upon the ambient airCarved fiery circles—whilst, with threatening mien,Their dark locks streaming and their muscles bare,The dancers circled o’er the thundering ground,And leaping, breathed the hard, harsh, aspirated sound.

II.

Hundreds on hundreds thronged the glade, I ween,With painted visages and pluméd hair;There bristled darts, there glittered lances sheen,And brandished knives upon the ambient airCarved fiery circles—whilst, with threatening mien,Their dark locks streaming and their muscles bare,The dancers circled o’er the thundering ground,And leaping, breathed the hard, harsh, aspirated sound.

Hundreds on hundreds thronged the glade, I ween,

With painted visages and pluméd hair;

There bristled darts, there glittered lances sheen,

And brandished knives upon the ambient air

Carved fiery circles—whilst, with threatening mien,

Their dark locks streaming and their muscles bare,

The dancers circled o’er the thundering ground,

And leaping, breathed the hard, harsh, aspirated sound.

III.But chiefly tow’rd the centre pressed the throngsWhere plied the bravest chiefs their dances rude:—There listened to their Sachem’s battle songs,And when he ceased, in leaps his lance pursued;The while the tumult swelled until their lungs,Wrung to the highest effort, filled the woodWith the wild war-whoop, tremulous and shrill,Then hushed itself and suddenly was still;

III.

But chiefly tow’rd the centre pressed the throngsWhere plied the bravest chiefs their dances rude:—There listened to their Sachem’s battle songs,And when he ceased, in leaps his lance pursued;The while the tumult swelled until their lungs,Wrung to the highest effort, filled the woodWith the wild war-whoop, tremulous and shrill,Then hushed itself and suddenly was still;

But chiefly tow’rd the centre pressed the throngs

Where plied the bravest chiefs their dances rude:—

There listened to their Sachem’s battle songs,

And when he ceased, in leaps his lance pursued;

The while the tumult swelled until their lungs,

Wrung to the highest effort, filled the wood

With the wild war-whoop, tremulous and shrill,

Then hushed itself and suddenly was still;

IV.Till from the groups another Sachem sprung,To tell his deeds, and count his foemen slain;Lancing the war-post as his numbers rung,As if he slew his vanquished foe again;Whilst on his words the listening warriors hung,And drank with greedy ears the bloody strain,Cheering at times with plaudits loud and long,The butcheries numbered in the martial song.

IV.

Till from the groups another Sachem sprung,To tell his deeds, and count his foemen slain;Lancing the war-post as his numbers rung,As if he slew his vanquished foe again;Whilst on his words the listening warriors hung,And drank with greedy ears the bloody strain,Cheering at times with plaudits loud and long,The butcheries numbered in the martial song.

Till from the groups another Sachem sprung,

To tell his deeds, and count his foemen slain;

Lancing the war-post as his numbers rung,

As if he slew his vanquished foe again;

Whilst on his words the listening warriors hung,

And drank with greedy ears the bloody strain,

Cheering at times with plaudits loud and long,

The butcheries numbered in the martial song.

V.Amid the tumult of this boisterous rout,Williams, unmarked, had gained the central glade,When all at once an unaccustomed shoutStartled the groups around the fires arrayed,And staring eyes, and pointing hands about,Proclaimed the strangers to their view betrayed;Then died that hum, like the past whirlwind’s roar,When the dust rises on the distant shore.

Amid the tumult of this boisterous rout,Williams, unmarked, had gained the central glade,When all at once an unaccustomed shoutStartled the groups around the fires arrayed,And staring eyes, and pointing hands about,Proclaimed the strangers to their view betrayed;Then died that hum, like the past whirlwind’s roar,When the dust rises on the distant shore.

Amid the tumult of this boisterous rout,

Williams, unmarked, had gained the central glade,

When all at once an unaccustomed shout

Startled the groups around the fires arrayed,

And staring eyes, and pointing hands about,

Proclaimed the strangers to their view betrayed;

Then died that hum, like the past whirlwind’s roar,

When the dust rises on the distant shore.

VI.And all were hushed, while round them, man to manThey glanced, and wonder in their faces grew,Till through the camp the sullen rumor ran,“Pale-faced Awanux! Wampanoag too!”And warriors, kindling at the words, beganTo grasp their weapons all that gathering through;When, lo! they opened like a parting tide,And once again their murmurs lulled and died.

VI.

And all were hushed, while round them, man to manThey glanced, and wonder in their faces grew,Till through the camp the sullen rumor ran,“Pale-faced Awanux! Wampanoag too!”And warriors, kindling at the words, beganTo grasp their weapons all that gathering through;When, lo! they opened like a parting tide,And once again their murmurs lulled and died.

And all were hushed, while round them, man to man

They glanced, and wonder in their faces grew,

Till through the camp the sullen rumor ran,

“Pale-faced Awanux! Wampanoag too!”

And warriors, kindling at the words, began

To grasp their weapons all that gathering through;

When, lo! they opened like a parting tide,

And once again their murmurs lulled and died.

VII.And Williams paused; for, from the severed crowd,A chief advancing trod the breathing plain;Bold was his port, his bearing high and proud,A lance of length did his right hand sustain;The glittering wampum did his brows enshroud,His nodding plumage wore a crimson stain;His armlets gleamed—his belt, with figures traced,Supported skirts with purple pëag laced.

VII.

And Williams paused; for, from the severed crowd,A chief advancing trod the breathing plain;Bold was his port, his bearing high and proud,A lance of length did his right hand sustain;The glittering wampum did his brows enshroud,His nodding plumage wore a crimson stain;His armlets gleamed—his belt, with figures traced,Supported skirts with purple pëag laced.

And Williams paused; for, from the severed crowd,

A chief advancing trod the breathing plain;

Bold was his port, his bearing high and proud,

A lance of length did his right hand sustain;

The glittering wampum did his brows enshroud,

His nodding plumage wore a crimson stain;

His armlets gleamed—his belt, with figures traced,

Supported skirts with purple pëag laced.

VIII.His naked limbs were stained a sable hue,His naked chest and face a crimson red;Streamed backward from his brow two ribbons blue,And with his long black hair wild dalliance made;Suspended from his belt, half sheathed from view,His scalping knife and tomahawk were stayed;His eyes below his lowering forehead glowedLike two bright stars beneath a thunder cloud.

VIII.

His naked limbs were stained a sable hue,His naked chest and face a crimson red;Streamed backward from his brow two ribbons blue,And with his long black hair wild dalliance made;Suspended from his belt, half sheathed from view,His scalping knife and tomahawk were stayed;His eyes below his lowering forehead glowedLike two bright stars beneath a thunder cloud.

His naked limbs were stained a sable hue,

His naked chest and face a crimson red;

Streamed backward from his brow two ribbons blue,

And with his long black hair wild dalliance made;

Suspended from his belt, half sheathed from view,

His scalping knife and tomahawk were stayed;

His eyes below his lowering forehead glowed

Like two bright stars beneath a thunder cloud.

IX.With strong majestic stride and lofty gait,He neared our Founder and his dusky guide,Who, in half tone, could but ejaculate,“Miantonomi!” when his Indian prideChoked further utterance, though still elate,Grasping his axe, with nostrils spreading wide,Self-poised he stood; appearing to awaitThe approaching chief, who glanced disdainful hate.

IX.

With strong majestic stride and lofty gait,He neared our Founder and his dusky guide,Who, in half tone, could but ejaculate,“Miantonomi!” when his Indian prideChoked further utterance, though still elate,Grasping his axe, with nostrils spreading wide,Self-poised he stood; appearing to awaitThe approaching chief, who glanced disdainful hate.

With strong majestic stride and lofty gait,

He neared our Founder and his dusky guide,

Who, in half tone, could but ejaculate,

“Miantonomi!” when his Indian pride

Choked further utterance, though still elate,

Grasping his axe, with nostrils spreading wide,

Self-poised he stood; appearing to await

The approaching chief, who glanced disdainful hate.

X.Our Founder chid his guide, and high displayedThe calumet in one white hand, the whileHe raised the other, and mild gesture madeBespeaking peace. Well did the act beguileAnd soothe the Sachem’s passion, and he said,Turning from Waban, with a scornful smile:“Has, then, Awanux come to hear the song?Our darts are thirsty, and our arms are strong!”

Our Founder chid his guide, and high displayedThe calumet in one white hand, the whileHe raised the other, and mild gesture madeBespeaking peace. Well did the act beguileAnd soothe the Sachem’s passion, and he said,Turning from Waban, with a scornful smile:“Has, then, Awanux come to hear the song?Our darts are thirsty, and our arms are strong!”

Our Founder chid his guide, and high displayed

The calumet in one white hand, the while

He raised the other, and mild gesture made

Bespeaking peace. Well did the act beguile

And soothe the Sachem’s passion, and he said,

Turning from Waban, with a scornful smile:

“Has, then, Awanux come to hear the song?

Our darts are thirsty, and our arms are strong!”

XI.Then Williams: “Sachem, in the cause of Him,The great Good Spirit whom we all adore—Who smiles not on the contests fierce and grimOf his red children in the field of gore—I have come hither, in unwarlike trim,To crave thy friendship, and of thee imploreThat these black clouds portending bloody rainMay go, and let the sky shine out again.”

XI.

Then Williams: “Sachem, in the cause of Him,The great Good Spirit whom we all adore—Who smiles not on the contests fierce and grimOf his red children in the field of gore—I have come hither, in unwarlike trim,To crave thy friendship, and of thee imploreThat these black clouds portending bloody rainMay go, and let the sky shine out again.”

Then Williams: “Sachem, in the cause of Him,

The great Good Spirit whom we all adore—

Who smiles not on the contests fierce and grim

Of his red children in the field of gore—

I have come hither, in unwarlike trim,

To crave thy friendship, and of thee implore

That these black clouds portending bloody rain

May go, and let the sky shine out again.”

XII.So answering, the calumet of peaceHe tendered to that warlike Sagamore,Who clenched his hands, and backward stept a pace,“Nay! Nay, Awanux! Wampanoag goreWill M’antonomi’s feet in battle traceEre dies another moon. He hears no more;’Tis not for him, amid these Keenomps bold,To talk of peace—that suits his uncle old.”

XII.

So answering, the calumet of peaceHe tendered to that warlike Sagamore,Who clenched his hands, and backward stept a pace,“Nay! Nay, Awanux! Wampanoag goreWill M’antonomi’s feet in battle traceEre dies another moon. He hears no more;’Tis not for him, amid these Keenomps bold,To talk of peace—that suits his uncle old.”

So answering, the calumet of peace

He tendered to that warlike Sagamore,

Who clenched his hands, and backward stept a pace,

“Nay! Nay, Awanux! Wampanoag gore

Will M’antonomi’s feet in battle trace

Ere dies another moon. He hears no more;

’Tis not for him, amid these Keenomps bold,

To talk of peace—that suits his uncle old.”

XIII.Williams to this: “Then the gray chief is wise;His glance is forward, and around him turns;But o’er the young chief clouds of anger rise,He sees but backward, and his vengeance burns;Show me to him who looks with wisdom’s eyesUpon the nations, and most truly learns,From by-gone toils and dangers of his life,To prize the pipe above the scalping-knife.”

XIII.

Williams to this: “Then the gray chief is wise;His glance is forward, and around him turns;But o’er the young chief clouds of anger rise,He sees but backward, and his vengeance burns;Show me to him who looks with wisdom’s eyesUpon the nations, and most truly learns,From by-gone toils and dangers of his life,To prize the pipe above the scalping-knife.”

Williams to this: “Then the gray chief is wise;

His glance is forward, and around him turns;

But o’er the young chief clouds of anger rise,

He sees but backward, and his vengeance burns;

Show me to him who looks with wisdom’s eyes

Upon the nations, and most truly learns,

From by-gone toils and dangers of his life,

To prize the pipe above the scalping-knife.”

XIV.At this his bosom the young Sachem struck,And braced his frame, and flashed his kindling eye—“This breast is generous,” he proudly spoke,“Of like for like abundant its supply;Of good and bad it hath an ample stock;It cheers its friend, it blasts its enemy—Ten favors does it for each favor done,And ten darts sends for every hostile one.

XIV.

At this his bosom the young Sachem struck,And braced his frame, and flashed his kindling eye—“This breast is generous,” he proudly spoke,“Of like for like abundant its supply;Of good and bad it hath an ample stock;It cheers its friend, it blasts its enemy—Ten favors does it for each favor done,And ten darts sends for every hostile one.

At this his bosom the young Sachem struck,

And braced his frame, and flashed his kindling eye—

“This breast is generous,” he proudly spoke,

“Of like for like abundant its supply;

Of good and bad it hath an ample stock;

It cheers its friend, it blasts its enemy—

Ten favors does it for each favor done,

And ten darts sends for every hostile one.

XV.“Follow the war-chief;—mid yon heavy cloudOf warriors grim in arms and martial dyes,Sits the gray Sachem in his numbers proud,But prouder still in counsels old and wise.”So spake he, striding tow’rd the lowering crowd.Williams to calmness did his guide advise;And both with cautious step and slow pursuedThe Sachem tow’rd that fearful multitude.

XV.

“Follow the war-chief;—mid yon heavy cloudOf warriors grim in arms and martial dyes,Sits the gray Sachem in his numbers proud,But prouder still in counsels old and wise.”So spake he, striding tow’rd the lowering crowd.Williams to calmness did his guide advise;And both with cautious step and slow pursuedThe Sachem tow’rd that fearful multitude.

“Follow the war-chief;—mid yon heavy cloud

Of warriors grim in arms and martial dyes,

Sits the gray Sachem in his numbers proud,

But prouder still in counsels old and wise.”

So spake he, striding tow’rd the lowering crowd.

Williams to calmness did his guide advise;

And both with cautious step and slow pursued

The Sachem tow’rd that fearful multitude.

XVI.Not more horrific gleams the glistering snake,Where coiled on glowing rocks he basking lies,When, at the approaching step his rattles shake,Flickers his forky tongue, and burn his eyes,Than glared that crowd of warriors round the stake,Arrayed in murderous arms and martial guise;Their turbulent murmurs kindling through the wholeThe sympathetic wrath of one inspiring soul.

XVI.

Not more horrific gleams the glistering snake,Where coiled on glowing rocks he basking lies,When, at the approaching step his rattles shake,Flickers his forky tongue, and burn his eyes,Than glared that crowd of warriors round the stake,Arrayed in murderous arms and martial guise;Their turbulent murmurs kindling through the wholeThe sympathetic wrath of one inspiring soul.

Not more horrific gleams the glistering snake,

Where coiled on glowing rocks he basking lies,

When, at the approaching step his rattles shake,

Flickers his forky tongue, and burn his eyes,

Than glared that crowd of warriors round the stake,

Arrayed in murderous arms and martial guise;

Their turbulent murmurs kindling through the whole

The sympathetic wrath of one inspiring soul.

XVII.But when the Sachem, coming, near them trod,He raised his open hand, and, pausing, spoke:“Keenomps! Awanux, prompted by his God,Brings back the pipe the Wampanoag broke.Our fathers ever answered good with good,And for the bearer of the pipe ne’er wokeThe storm of vengeance;—list ye to his talk;He brings no message from the tomahawk.”

XVII.

But when the Sachem, coming, near them trod,He raised his open hand, and, pausing, spoke:“Keenomps! Awanux, prompted by his God,Brings back the pipe the Wampanoag broke.Our fathers ever answered good with good,And for the bearer of the pipe ne’er wokeThe storm of vengeance;—list ye to his talk;He brings no message from the tomahawk.”

But when the Sachem, coming, near them trod,

He raised his open hand, and, pausing, spoke:

“Keenomps! Awanux, prompted by his God,

Brings back the pipe the Wampanoag broke.

Our fathers ever answered good with good,

And for the bearer of the pipe ne’er woke

The storm of vengeance;—list ye to his talk;

He brings no message from the tomahawk.”

XVIII.As thus he spake, the sullen murmurs died,And, hushed and listening, all the warriors stood;Again he moved—and at his onward strideThe deep mass parted like a severing flood;And, yielding either way, the living tideLeft clear the space through which our Founder trod:Their breath alone he heard—like the hoarse breezeForeboding tempests to the shuddering trees.

XVIII.

As thus he spake, the sullen murmurs died,And, hushed and listening, all the warriors stood;Again he moved—and at his onward strideThe deep mass parted like a severing flood;And, yielding either way, the living tideLeft clear the space through which our Founder trod:Their breath alone he heard—like the hoarse breezeForeboding tempests to the shuddering trees.

As thus he spake, the sullen murmurs died,

And, hushed and listening, all the warriors stood;

Again he moved—and at his onward stride

The deep mass parted like a severing flood;

And, yielding either way, the living tide

Left clear the space through which our Founder trod:

Their breath alone he heard—like the hoarse breeze

Foreboding tempests to the shuddering trees.

XIX.At last he came where the old Sachems sate,Who formed the Narraganset senate grave;Renownéd were they once, in fierce debateOf battle dire, as bravest of the brave;But now, as guardians of their little state,To younger hands they prudent counsel gave.Their youth was gone, but their experience sageHad thrice its value in a wise old age.

XIX.

At last he came where the old Sachems sate,Who formed the Narraganset senate grave;Renownéd were they once, in fierce debateOf battle dire, as bravest of the brave;But now, as guardians of their little state,To younger hands they prudent counsel gave.Their youth was gone, but their experience sageHad thrice its value in a wise old age.

At last he came where the old Sachems sate,

Who formed the Narraganset senate grave;

Renownéd were they once, in fierce debate

Of battle dire, as bravest of the brave;

But now, as guardians of their little state,

To younger hands they prudent counsel gave.

Their youth was gone, but their experience sage

Had thrice its value in a wise old age.

XX.On settles, raised around the mounting blaze,Sit gray Wauontom, Keenomp, Sagamore;But he who most attracts our Founder’s gazeIs sage Canonicus, whose tresses hoarFloat on the passing breeze; whose brow displaysThe care-worn soul in many a furrowed score;But whose bright eyes, that underneath it glow,Still show the chief of sixty years ago.

XX.

On settles, raised around the mounting blaze,Sit gray Wauontom, Keenomp, Sagamore;But he who most attracts our Founder’s gazeIs sage Canonicus, whose tresses hoarFloat on the passing breeze; whose brow displaysThe care-worn soul in many a furrowed score;But whose bright eyes, that underneath it glow,Still show the chief of sixty years ago.

On settles, raised around the mounting blaze,

Sit gray Wauontom, Keenomp, Sagamore;

But he who most attracts our Founder’s gaze

Is sage Canonicus, whose tresses hoar

Float on the passing breeze; whose brow displays

The care-worn soul in many a furrowed score;

But whose bright eyes, that underneath it glow,

Still show the chief of sixty years ago.

XXI.Beside him lay the calumet of peace—It was his sceptre mid the din of arms;No martial dyes did on his visage traceThe lines of wrath—for him they had no charms;The neyhom’s[17]mantle did his shoulders grace,With ample folds that stayed the winter’s harms;At every movement, changing in the sun,From plume to plume its glistering glories run.[17]The neyhom, or wild turkey. Seenote.

XXI.

Beside him lay the calumet of peace—It was his sceptre mid the din of arms;No martial dyes did on his visage traceThe lines of wrath—for him they had no charms;The neyhom’s[17]mantle did his shoulders grace,With ample folds that stayed the winter’s harms;At every movement, changing in the sun,From plume to plume its glistering glories run.

Beside him lay the calumet of peace—

It was his sceptre mid the din of arms;

No martial dyes did on his visage trace

The lines of wrath—for him they had no charms;

The neyhom’s[17]mantle did his shoulders grace,

With ample folds that stayed the winter’s harms;

At every movement, changing in the sun,

From plume to plume its glistering glories run.

[17]The neyhom, or wild turkey. Seenote.

XXII.Mute were the chiefs and seemed to meditate;Nor turned their heads, nor cast a glance aside,When on the offered mat our Founder sate,And close behind him came his watchful guide.Then spread the warriors round in circle great,And did the earth beneath their numbers hide;They sit, kneel, stand, or climb the forest boughs,Till all around the live enclosure grows.

XXII.

Mute were the chiefs and seemed to meditate;Nor turned their heads, nor cast a glance aside,When on the offered mat our Founder sate,And close behind him came his watchful guide.Then spread the warriors round in circle great,And did the earth beneath their numbers hide;They sit, kneel, stand, or climb the forest boughs,Till all around the live enclosure grows.

Mute were the chiefs and seemed to meditate;

Nor turned their heads, nor cast a glance aside,

When on the offered mat our Founder sate,

And close behind him came his watchful guide.

Then spread the warriors round in circle great,

And did the earth beneath their numbers hide;

They sit, kneel, stand, or climb the forest boughs,

Till all around the live enclosure grows.

XXIII.When ceased the crowd to stir, and died their hum,Long on our Sire the old chief kept his gaze;At length he said: “And has Awanux come?He’s welcome to the red man’s council blaze.What news brings he from the pale stranger’s home?Or from the dog that near his wigwam strays?Our young men see the pipe—what does it seek?Our ears are open—let Awanux speak.”

XXIII.

When ceased the crowd to stir, and died their hum,Long on our Sire the old chief kept his gaze;At length he said: “And has Awanux come?He’s welcome to the red man’s council blaze.What news brings he from the pale stranger’s home?Or from the dog that near his wigwam strays?Our young men see the pipe—what does it seek?Our ears are open—let Awanux speak.”

When ceased the crowd to stir, and died their hum,

Long on our Sire the old chief kept his gaze;

At length he said: “And has Awanux come?

He’s welcome to the red man’s council blaze.

What news brings he from the pale stranger’s home?

Or from the dog that near his wigwam strays?

Our young men see the pipe—what does it seek?

Our ears are open—let Awanux speak.”

XXIV.Sire Williams rose;—a thousand staring eyesWere on him fixed; a thousand ears were spreadTo catch his words, whilst all around him liesThat mass of life hushed in a calmness dread,Like that of dark Ontario, when the skiesAre mustering their tempests overhead;And the round moon looks through the gathering stormAnd, glassed mid tempest shapes, beholds her form.

XXIV.

Sire Williams rose;—a thousand staring eyesWere on him fixed; a thousand ears were spreadTo catch his words, whilst all around him liesThat mass of life hushed in a calmness dread,Like that of dark Ontario, when the skiesAre mustering their tempests overhead;And the round moon looks through the gathering stormAnd, glassed mid tempest shapes, beholds her form.

Sire Williams rose;—a thousand staring eyes

Were on him fixed; a thousand ears were spread

To catch his words, whilst all around him lies

That mass of life hushed in a calmness dread,

Like that of dark Ontario, when the skies

Are mustering their tempests overhead;

And the round moon looks through the gathering storm

And, glassed mid tempest shapes, beholds her form.

XXV.He paused a while; at last he thus began:“Sachem of many moons, and wise as gray!Well knowest thou how short the life of man;These aged oaks have witnessed the decayOf many a generation of thy clan,Which flourished like their leaves, and past away;Why war ye, then, upon a life so brief!—Why fill its little span with wretchedness and grief?

XXV.

He paused a while; at last he thus began:“Sachem of many moons, and wise as gray!Well knowest thou how short the life of man;These aged oaks have witnessed the decayOf many a generation of thy clan,Which flourished like their leaves, and past away;Why war ye, then, upon a life so brief!—Why fill its little span with wretchedness and grief?

He paused a while; at last he thus began:

“Sachem of many moons, and wise as gray!

Well knowest thou how short the life of man;

These aged oaks have witnessed the decay

Of many a generation of thy clan,

Which flourished like their leaves, and past away;

Why war ye, then, upon a life so brief!—

Why fill its little span with wretchedness and grief?

XXVI.“But they who seek the pure unmingled goodsThat last for aye,—to strenuous duty true,—Count freedom of the soul, in her high moods,The first of gifts from the Great Manittoo:—For this I wander to these distant woods;For this from persecution’s brands I flew,And left my friends, my kindred, and my home,Through stormy skies and snowy wilds to roam.

XXVI.

“But they who seek the pure unmingled goodsThat last for aye,—to strenuous duty true,—Count freedom of the soul, in her high moods,The first of gifts from the Great Manittoo:—For this I wander to these distant woods;For this from persecution’s brands I flew,And left my friends, my kindred, and my home,Through stormy skies and snowy wilds to roam.

“But they who seek the pure unmingled goods

That last for aye,—to strenuous duty true,—

Count freedom of the soul, in her high moods,

The first of gifts from the Great Manittoo:—

For this I wander to these distant woods;

For this from persecution’s brands I flew,

And left my friends, my kindred, and my home,

Through stormy skies and snowy wilds to roam.

XXVII.“Some thoughts of mine, that the Great Spirit mightRule better His own kingdom than frail men,Awoke the anger of my brothers white,And sent me forth to seek some far-off glen,Where I, unharmed, my council fire might light,And share its freedom with my kindred, whenUnder the tree of peace, the red men shouldSmoke the white pipe in friendly neighborhood.

XXVII.

“Some thoughts of mine, that the Great Spirit mightRule better His own kingdom than frail men,Awoke the anger of my brothers white,And sent me forth to seek some far-off glen,Where I, unharmed, my council fire might light,And share its freedom with my kindred, whenUnder the tree of peace, the red men shouldSmoke the white pipe in friendly neighborhood.

“Some thoughts of mine, that the Great Spirit might

Rule better His own kingdom than frail men,

Awoke the anger of my brothers white,

And sent me forth to seek some far-off glen,

Where I, unharmed, my council fire might light,

And share its freedom with my kindred, when

Under the tree of peace, the red men should

Smoke the white pipe in friendly neighborhood.

XXVIII.“On Seekonk’s eastern marge I chose a glade,Fertile and fair, with hope to plant thereon;The Wampanoag would the grant have made,But, momently, the startling rumor runThat all Coweset was in arms arrayedAgainst that chief, and, had the dance begun;Then paused your brother—for he would not bringHis friends to sit beneath the hatchet’s swing.

XXVIII.

“On Seekonk’s eastern marge I chose a glade,Fertile and fair, with hope to plant thereon;The Wampanoag would the grant have made,But, momently, the startling rumor runThat all Coweset was in arms arrayedAgainst that chief, and, had the dance begun;Then paused your brother—for he would not bringHis friends to sit beneath the hatchet’s swing.

“On Seekonk’s eastern marge I chose a glade,

Fertile and fair, with hope to plant thereon;

The Wampanoag would the grant have made,

But, momently, the startling rumor run

That all Coweset was in arms arrayed

Against that chief, and, had the dance begun;

Then paused your brother—for he would not bring

His friends to sit beneath the hatchet’s swing.

XXIX.“Then did he take Haup’s calumet to craveThat peace between the hostile nations be;Not that the Wampanoag warriors braveSought from the Narraganset storm to flee;But that no guilty stain, on Seekonk’s wave,Rebuke the Pokanoket Chief or thee,—The work, perchance, of darts from heedless bows,Confounding pale-faced friends with warring foes.

XXIX.

“Then did he take Haup’s calumet to craveThat peace between the hostile nations be;Not that the Wampanoag warriors braveSought from the Narraganset storm to flee;But that no guilty stain, on Seekonk’s wave,Rebuke the Pokanoket Chief or thee,—The work, perchance, of darts from heedless bows,Confounding pale-faced friends with warring foes.

“Then did he take Haup’s calumet to crave

That peace between the hostile nations be;

Not that the Wampanoag warriors brave

Sought from the Narraganset storm to flee;

But that no guilty stain, on Seekonk’s wave,

Rebuke the Pokanoket Chief or thee,—

The work, perchance, of darts from heedless bows,

Confounding pale-faced friends with warring foes.

XXX.“My motives these; now let the wise chief tellWhat wrongs he suffers; what redress he seeks.Do not his buried kindred slumber well?What murdered victim’s ghost for vengeance shrieks—Sends through the echoing woods the warrior’s yell,And from its iron sleep the hatchet wakes?Or does some impious tongue his anger brave,By speaking names made sacred by the grave?”

XXX.

“My motives these; now let the wise chief tellWhat wrongs he suffers; what redress he seeks.Do not his buried kindred slumber well?What murdered victim’s ghost for vengeance shrieks—Sends through the echoing woods the warrior’s yell,And from its iron sleep the hatchet wakes?Or does some impious tongue his anger brave,By speaking names made sacred by the grave?”

“My motives these; now let the wise chief tell

What wrongs he suffers; what redress he seeks.

Do not his buried kindred slumber well?

What murdered victim’s ghost for vengeance shrieks—

Sends through the echoing woods the warrior’s yell,

And from its iron sleep the hatchet wakes?

Or does some impious tongue his anger brave,

By speaking names made sacred by the grave?”

XXXI.Then passed a murmur through that concourse wide,And man on man cast the inquiring eye;At length the old chief laid his pipe aside,And, musing, sate, as pondering his reply;Then slowly rose, and drew the pluméd hideFrom his right shoulder, and, with stature high,Stretched forth his long bare arm and shriveled hand,And pointing round the sky-encircled land;—

XXXI.

Then passed a murmur through that concourse wide,And man on man cast the inquiring eye;At length the old chief laid his pipe aside,And, musing, sate, as pondering his reply;Then slowly rose, and drew the pluméd hideFrom his right shoulder, and, with stature high,Stretched forth his long bare arm and shriveled hand,And pointing round the sky-encircled land;—

Then passed a murmur through that concourse wide,

And man on man cast the inquiring eye;

At length the old chief laid his pipe aside,

And, musing, sate, as pondering his reply;

Then slowly rose, and drew the pluméd hide

From his right shoulder, and, with stature high,

Stretched forth his long bare arm and shriveled hand,

And pointing round the sky-encircled land;—

XXXII.“As far,” he said, and solemn was his tone,“As from Coweset’s hill the hunter’s sightGoes tow’rd the Nipnet—tow’rd the rising sun—And o’er the mighty billows, foaming bright,Where bleak Manisses’ shores they thunder on,Moved Narraganset warriors,—till the WhiteCame from the east, and o’er the waters blue,Brought his loud thunders in the big canoe:

XXXII.

“As far,” he said, and solemn was his tone,“As from Coweset’s hill the hunter’s sightGoes tow’rd the Nipnet—tow’rd the rising sun—And o’er the mighty billows, foaming bright,Where bleak Manisses’ shores they thunder on,Moved Narraganset warriors,—till the WhiteCame from the east, and o’er the waters blue,Brought his loud thunders in the big canoe:

“As far,” he said, and solemn was his tone,

“As from Coweset’s hill the hunter’s sight

Goes tow’rd the Nipnet—tow’rd the rising sun—

And o’er the mighty billows, foaming bright,

Where bleak Manisses’ shores they thunder on,

Moved Narraganset warriors,—till the White

Came from the east, and o’er the waters blue,

Brought his loud thunders in the big canoe:

XXXIII.“Yes, ere he came, Pocasset’s martial bandDid at our bidding come to fight the foe,And the tall warriors of the Nipnet landRushed with swift foot to bend our battle bow;And e’en the dog of Haup did cringing standBeside our wigwam, and his tribute show.Then we were strong—we fought the Maquas fell,And laughed to hear the bordering Pequot’s yell.

XXXIII.

“Yes, ere he came, Pocasset’s martial bandDid at our bidding come to fight the foe,And the tall warriors of the Nipnet landRushed with swift foot to bend our battle bow;And e’en the dog of Haup did cringing standBeside our wigwam, and his tribute show.Then we were strong—we fought the Maquas fell,And laughed to hear the bordering Pequot’s yell.

“Yes, ere he came, Pocasset’s martial band

Did at our bidding come to fight the foe,

And the tall warriors of the Nipnet land

Rushed with swift foot to bend our battle bow;

And e’en the dog of Haup did cringing stand

Beside our wigwam, and his tribute show.

Then we were strong—we fought the Maquas fell,

And laughed to hear the bordering Pequot’s yell.

XXXIV.“But, Yengee, hear: The pale-faced strangers came;No runners told us that they trod our shores;Near the big waters rose their council flame,And to it ran our eastern Sagamores;Haup’s dog forgot the Narraganset name,And ate the offal cast from white men’s doors,Moved at their heels, and after him he drewThe strong Pocassets, and the Nipnets too.

XXXIV.

“But, Yengee, hear: The pale-faced strangers came;No runners told us that they trod our shores;Near the big waters rose their council flame,And to it ran our eastern Sagamores;Haup’s dog forgot the Narraganset name,And ate the offal cast from white men’s doors,Moved at their heels, and after him he drewThe strong Pocassets, and the Nipnets too.

“But, Yengee, hear: The pale-faced strangers came;

No runners told us that they trod our shores;

Near the big waters rose their council flame,

And to it ran our eastern Sagamores;

Haup’s dog forgot the Narraganset name,

And ate the offal cast from white men’s doors,

Moved at their heels, and after him he drew

The strong Pocassets, and the Nipnets too.

XXXV.“Then the fierce Pequots on our borders broke,—We sent the belt to claim the accustomed aid;The rebel chiefs the angry hatchet shook—They were the Yengee’s men, not ours, they said;We stood alone; and, like a steadfast rock,Turned back the torrent to its fountain head,Which else had swept those sluggard tribes away,That by Awanux’ wigwam slumbering lay.

XXXV.

“Then the fierce Pequots on our borders broke,—We sent the belt to claim the accustomed aid;The rebel chiefs the angry hatchet shook—They were the Yengee’s men, not ours, they said;We stood alone; and, like a steadfast rock,Turned back the torrent to its fountain head,Which else had swept those sluggard tribes away,That by Awanux’ wigwam slumbering lay.

“Then the fierce Pequots on our borders broke,—

We sent the belt to claim the accustomed aid;

The rebel chiefs the angry hatchet shook—

They were the Yengee’s men, not ours, they said;

We stood alone; and, like a steadfast rock,

Turned back the torrent to its fountain head,

Which else had swept those sluggard tribes away,

That by Awanux’ wigwam slumbering lay.

XXXVI.“These are our wrongs, and who can ever mendThe belt thus broken by the rebel train?The falling waters with earth’s bosom blend,And who shall hold them in his palm again?Against the common foe our warriors spendTheir blood like rivers—who can wake the slain?Heal up the wounds for other men endured—Give back the blood which has their rest secured?”

XXXVI.

“These are our wrongs, and who can ever mendThe belt thus broken by the rebel train?The falling waters with earth’s bosom blend,And who shall hold them in his palm again?Against the common foe our warriors spendTheir blood like rivers—who can wake the slain?Heal up the wounds for other men endured—Give back the blood which has their rest secured?”

“These are our wrongs, and who can ever mend

The belt thus broken by the rebel train?

The falling waters with earth’s bosom blend,

And who shall hold them in his palm again?

Against the common foe our warriors spend

Their blood like rivers—who can wake the slain?

Heal up the wounds for other men endured—

Give back the blood which has their rest secured?”

XXXVII.The Sachem ceased, and mingled murmurs ranThrough all that crowd—“He speaks a manittoo!Base Wampanoag! we’ll devour that clan,And drive the Yengees back o’er ocean blue!”And through the concourse motions mixed began,With clash of arms, and twanging of the yew;But when they saw our Founder rise again,Mute stillness hushed the murmurs of the train.

XXXVII.

The Sachem ceased, and mingled murmurs ranThrough all that crowd—“He speaks a manittoo!Base Wampanoag! we’ll devour that clan,And drive the Yengees back o’er ocean blue!”And through the concourse motions mixed began,With clash of arms, and twanging of the yew;But when they saw our Founder rise again,Mute stillness hushed the murmurs of the train.

The Sachem ceased, and mingled murmurs ran

Through all that crowd—“He speaks a manittoo!

Base Wampanoag! we’ll devour that clan,

And drive the Yengees back o’er ocean blue!”

And through the concourse motions mixed began,

With clash of arms, and twanging of the yew;

But when they saw our Founder rise again,

Mute stillness hushed the murmurs of the train.

XXXVIII.“Brother,” said Williams, “thou art old and wise,And know’st the pipe is better than the dart.The barb can drink the blood of enemies;But the pipe’s conquest is the foeman’s heart;It gives to us his strength and energies,And makes the Pequot from our path depart.This, to the good, gives triumph long and just—That, to the bad, a victory over dust.

XXXVIII.

“Brother,” said Williams, “thou art old and wise,And know’st the pipe is better than the dart.The barb can drink the blood of enemies;But the pipe’s conquest is the foeman’s heart;It gives to us his strength and energies,And makes the Pequot from our path depart.This, to the good, gives triumph long and just—That, to the bad, a victory over dust.

“Brother,” said Williams, “thou art old and wise,

And know’st the pipe is better than the dart.

The barb can drink the blood of enemies;

But the pipe’s conquest is the foeman’s heart;

It gives to us his strength and energies,

And makes the Pequot from our path depart.

This, to the good, gives triumph long and just—

That, to the bad, a victory over dust.

XXXIX.“If, then, my brother can subdue his foesBy the white pipe, he will be very strong!The offending chiefs once more will bend his bows,And shout around his fire their battle song;No more will Pequot harass his repose,Or Maqua yells resound these hills among.See not my brothers whence all this distrust?—The belt between them and the Yengees rust.

XXXIX.

“If, then, my brother can subdue his foesBy the white pipe, he will be very strong!The offending chiefs once more will bend his bows,And shout around his fire their battle song;No more will Pequot harass his repose,Or Maqua yells resound these hills among.See not my brothers whence all this distrust?—The belt between them and the Yengees rust.

“If, then, my brother can subdue his foes

By the white pipe, he will be very strong!

The offending chiefs once more will bend his bows,

And shout around his fire their battle song;

No more will Pequot harass his repose,

Or Maqua yells resound these hills among.

See not my brothers whence all this distrust?—

The belt between them and the Yengees rust.

XL.“Hearken a space—Deem not the Yengee weak;Betwixt him and Haup’s chief the chain is bright;If thou on him a finger’s vengeance wreak,The conscious chain will vibrate to the White,And, roused from slumber, will the big guns speak,And flames will flash from every woodland height.Pause, brother, pause—and to the pale-faced trainExtend thy friendship, and keep bright the chain.

XL.

“Hearken a space—Deem not the Yengee weak;Betwixt him and Haup’s chief the chain is bright;If thou on him a finger’s vengeance wreak,The conscious chain will vibrate to the White,And, roused from slumber, will the big guns speak,And flames will flash from every woodland height.Pause, brother, pause—and to the pale-faced trainExtend thy friendship, and keep bright the chain.

“Hearken a space—Deem not the Yengee weak;

Betwixt him and Haup’s chief the chain is bright;

If thou on him a finger’s vengeance wreak,

The conscious chain will vibrate to the White,

And, roused from slumber, will the big guns speak,

And flames will flash from every woodland height.

Pause, brother, pause—and to the pale-faced train

Extend thy friendship, and keep bright the chain.

XLI.“But hearken still—Thy brother knows no guile;His tongue speaks truly what his heart conceives;Against the Pequots do your bosoms boil,And for the Pequot deeds Awanux grieves;Their hands are laden with the white man’s spoil,And crimsoned with the stain that murder leaves;Soon will the big guns to their nation speak,And, in their aid, may’st thou just vengeance wreak.

XLI.

“But hearken still—Thy brother knows no guile;His tongue speaks truly what his heart conceives;Against the Pequots do your bosoms boil,And for the Pequot deeds Awanux grieves;Their hands are laden with the white man’s spoil,And crimsoned with the stain that murder leaves;Soon will the big guns to their nation speak,And, in their aid, may’st thou just vengeance wreak.

“But hearken still—Thy brother knows no guile;

His tongue speaks truly what his heart conceives;

Against the Pequots do your bosoms boil,

And for the Pequot deeds Awanux grieves;

Their hands are laden with the white man’s spoil,

And crimsoned with the stain that murder leaves;

Soon will the big guns to their nation speak,

And, in their aid, may’st thou just vengeance wreak.

XLII.“Thou would’st compel the Wampanoag’s aidTo guard thy borders, and chastise thy foes;Will not my brothers let me them persuadeTo get them warriors armed with more than bows?Even Awanux, in his strength arrayed,Whose thunder roars and whose red lightning glows?Make him your friend and victory follows sure,And Narraganset rests in peace secure.”

XLII.

“Thou would’st compel the Wampanoag’s aidTo guard thy borders, and chastise thy foes;Will not my brothers let me them persuadeTo get them warriors armed with more than bows?Even Awanux, in his strength arrayed,Whose thunder roars and whose red lightning glows?Make him your friend and victory follows sure,And Narraganset rests in peace secure.”

“Thou would’st compel the Wampanoag’s aid

To guard thy borders, and chastise thy foes;

Will not my brothers let me them persuade

To get them warriors armed with more than bows?

Even Awanux, in his strength arrayed,

Whose thunder roars and whose red lightning glows?

Make him your friend and victory follows sure,

And Narraganset rests in peace secure.”

XLIII.The old chief downward gazed; the warriors round,Some in stern silence sate of doubtful mood,Some gave a scornful smile, some fiercely frowned,And others toiled to sharp their darts for blood;At length the Sachem, rising from the ground,With piercing eyes, full in the visage viewedOur anxious Founder.—“Thou dost speak,” he said,“The words of wisdom, but these ears are dead;

XLIII.

The old chief downward gazed; the warriors round,Some in stern silence sate of doubtful mood,Some gave a scornful smile, some fiercely frowned,And others toiled to sharp their darts for blood;At length the Sachem, rising from the ground,With piercing eyes, full in the visage viewedOur anxious Founder.—“Thou dost speak,” he said,“The words of wisdom, but these ears are dead;

The old chief downward gazed; the warriors round,

Some in stern silence sate of doubtful mood,

Some gave a scornful smile, some fiercely frowned,

And others toiled to sharp their darts for blood;

At length the Sachem, rising from the ground,

With piercing eyes, full in the visage viewed

Our anxious Founder.—“Thou dost speak,” he said,

“The words of wisdom, but these ears are dead;

XLIV.“Dead to a Yengee’s voice. When did the tongueOf the white stranger fail to speak most fair?When did his actions not his speeches wrong,And lay the falsehood of his bosom bare?Fain would I die in peace, and leave this throngTo have their glory down the ages fare;But still I feel the stranger’s grasping hand,And still he soothes me with his accents bland.

XLIV.

“Dead to a Yengee’s voice. When did the tongueOf the white stranger fail to speak most fair?When did his actions not his speeches wrong,And lay the falsehood of his bosom bare?Fain would I die in peace, and leave this throngTo have their glory down the ages fare;But still I feel the stranger’s grasping hand,And still he soothes me with his accents bland.

“Dead to a Yengee’s voice. When did the tongue

Of the white stranger fail to speak most fair?

When did his actions not his speeches wrong,

And lay the falsehood of his bosom bare?

Fain would I die in peace, and leave this throng

To have their glory down the ages fare;

But still I feel the stranger’s grasping hand,

And still he soothes me with his accents bland.

XLV.“If true he speak—that should his actions show;May not his heart be darker than yon cloud,And yet his words white as its falling snow?Still, if his speech were true, and not a shroudTo hide dark thought, these gray hairs yet might goDown to the grave in peace—and of my bloodMight all, whilst rivers roll, or rain descends,Live with the Yengee, kind and loving friends.”

XLV.

“If true he speak—that should his actions show;May not his heart be darker than yon cloud,And yet his words white as its falling snow?Still, if his speech were true, and not a shroudTo hide dark thought, these gray hairs yet might goDown to the grave in peace—and of my bloodMight all, whilst rivers roll, or rain descends,Live with the Yengee, kind and loving friends.”

“If true he speak—that should his actions show;

May not his heart be darker than yon cloud,

And yet his words white as its falling snow?

Still, if his speech were true, and not a shroud

To hide dark thought, these gray hairs yet might go

Down to the grave in peace—and of my blood

Might all, whilst rivers roll, or rain descends,

Live with the Yengee, kind and loving friends.”

XLVI.’Twas for our Founder now in turn to pause—He felt his weakness at rebuff so stern;The kid had leaped beneath the lion’s paws,Whose fangs began to move, and eyes to burn;At length he said, “What bold encroachment drawsThe Sachem’s mind into this deep concern?How have the Yengees given thee offence?What deeds of theirs have marred thy confidence?”

XLVI.

’Twas for our Founder now in turn to pause—He felt his weakness at rebuff so stern;The kid had leaped beneath the lion’s paws,Whose fangs began to move, and eyes to burn;At length he said, “What bold encroachment drawsThe Sachem’s mind into this deep concern?How have the Yengees given thee offence?What deeds of theirs have marred thy confidence?”

’Twas for our Founder now in turn to pause—

He felt his weakness at rebuff so stern;

The kid had leaped beneath the lion’s paws,

Whose fangs began to move, and eyes to burn;

At length he said, “What bold encroachment draws

The Sachem’s mind into this deep concern?

How have the Yengees given thee offence?

What deeds of theirs have marred thy confidence?”

XLVII.At this, the Sachem from his girdle tookHis snow-white pipe, and snapt the stem in twain:“They came intruders, and the pipe was broke,”Said the stern Sachem, and it snapt again;“Our subject chiefs their ruling chiefs forsook,And they were sheltered by the stranger’s train.This fragment shows the serpent’s skin they sent,Filled with round thunders to our royal tent.

XLVII.

At this, the Sachem from his girdle tookHis snow-white pipe, and snapt the stem in twain:“They came intruders, and the pipe was broke,”Said the stern Sachem, and it snapt again;“Our subject chiefs their ruling chiefs forsook,And they were sheltered by the stranger’s train.This fragment shows the serpent’s skin they sent,Filled with round thunders to our royal tent.

At this, the Sachem from his girdle took

His snow-white pipe, and snapt the stem in twain:

“They came intruders, and the pipe was broke,”

Said the stern Sachem, and it snapt again;

“Our subject chiefs their ruling chiefs forsook,

And they were sheltered by the stranger’s train.

This fragment shows the serpent’s skin they sent,

Filled with round thunders to our royal tent.

XLVIII.“This shows, they raised their bulwarks high and proud,And poised their big guns at our distant home.This, when at Sowams[18]raged our battle loud,How their round thunders made that battle dumb.This, the fire-water how they have bestowed,And with its madness have our youth o’ercome.This, how amid the Pequot nation theyBuild the square lodge, and whet him to the fray.[18]Seenote to stanzaXXXIII.

XLVIII.

“This shows, they raised their bulwarks high and proud,And poised their big guns at our distant home.This, when at Sowams[18]raged our battle loud,How their round thunders made that battle dumb.This, the fire-water how they have bestowed,And with its madness have our youth o’ercome.This, how amid the Pequot nation theyBuild the square lodge, and whet him to the fray.

“This shows, they raised their bulwarks high and proud,

And poised their big guns at our distant home.

This, when at Sowams[18]raged our battle loud,

How their round thunders made that battle dumb.

This, the fire-water how they have bestowed,

And with its madness have our youth o’ercome.

This, how amid the Pequot nation they

Build the square lodge, and whet him to the fray.

[18]Seenote to stanzaXXXIII.

XLIX.“This, with the Maqua how a league they made,And filled with arms his all-destroying hand.This, how they claim right over quick and dead—Our fathers’ buried bones, their children’s land.This, how the earth grows pale, as fast they spreadFrom glade to glade, like snow from Wamponand,When borne o’er ocean on the sounding gales,It crowns the hills and whitens through the vales.

XLIX.

“This, with the Maqua how a league they made,And filled with arms his all-destroying hand.This, how they claim right over quick and dead—Our fathers’ buried bones, their children’s land.This, how the earth grows pale, as fast they spreadFrom glade to glade, like snow from Wamponand,When borne o’er ocean on the sounding gales,It crowns the hills and whitens through the vales.

“This, with the Maqua how a league they made,

And filled with arms his all-destroying hand.

This, how they claim right over quick and dead—

Our fathers’ buried bones, their children’s land.

This, how the earth grows pale, as fast they spread

From glade to glade, like snow from Wamponand,

When borne o’er ocean on the sounding gales,

It crowns the hills and whitens through the vales.

L.“Take thou the fragments—count their numbers well—Ten times complains our violated right;They’ll help thy memory, and perchance will tell,Ten causes have we to distrust the White;Scarce can the grave our fathers’ spirits quell—They come complaining in the dreams of night;Ten times the pipe was by the strangers broke,Ten times the hatchet from its slumbers woke.”

“Take thou the fragments—count their numbers well—Ten times complains our violated right;They’ll help thy memory, and perchance will tell,Ten causes have we to distrust the White;Scarce can the grave our fathers’ spirits quell—They come complaining in the dreams of night;Ten times the pipe was by the strangers broke,Ten times the hatchet from its slumbers woke.”

“Take thou the fragments—count their numbers well—

Ten times complains our violated right;

They’ll help thy memory, and perchance will tell,

Ten causes have we to distrust the White;

Scarce can the grave our fathers’ spirits quell—

They come complaining in the dreams of night;

Ten times the pipe was by the strangers broke,

Ten times the hatchet from its slumbers woke.”

LI.Williams the fragments took, and, counting ten,He promptly answered with this calm reply:“Sachem, some charity is due to menWho tread upon thy pipe unwittingly.Long had the waters tossed those wanderers, when,Hungry and cold, they came thy borders nigh;And, Sachem, they were ignorant of thy race,They only sought a safe abiding place.

LI.

Williams the fragments took, and, counting ten,He promptly answered with this calm reply:“Sachem, some charity is due to menWho tread upon thy pipe unwittingly.Long had the waters tossed those wanderers, when,Hungry and cold, they came thy borders nigh;And, Sachem, they were ignorant of thy race,They only sought a safe abiding place.

Williams the fragments took, and, counting ten,

He promptly answered with this calm reply:

“Sachem, some charity is due to men

Who tread upon thy pipe unwittingly.

Long had the waters tossed those wanderers, when,

Hungry and cold, they came thy borders nigh;

And, Sachem, they were ignorant of thy race,

They only sought a safe abiding place.

LII.“And this they found in that deserted strand,Where slept the dead—where living men were not;They knew no wrong in this—a rightful handAppeared, and welcomed to the vacant spot;Each Sachem seemed as sovereign of his band—They took his belt, for ’twas a token broughtOf friendly greeting—who can this condemn?They aid the Whites, the Whites in turn aid them.

LII.

“And this they found in that deserted strand,Where slept the dead—where living men were not;They knew no wrong in this—a rightful handAppeared, and welcomed to the vacant spot;Each Sachem seemed as sovereign of his band—They took his belt, for ’twas a token broughtOf friendly greeting—who can this condemn?They aid the Whites, the Whites in turn aid them.

“And this they found in that deserted strand,

Where slept the dead—where living men were not;

They knew no wrong in this—a rightful hand

Appeared, and welcomed to the vacant spot;

Each Sachem seemed as sovereign of his band—

They took his belt, for ’twas a token brought

Of friendly greeting—who can this condemn?

They aid the Whites, the Whites in turn aid them.

LIII.“Bound in the skin of the great sachem snake,My brother sent his barbs—but to his foe,Awanux took the challenge by mistake,And let his bullets for an answer go;They deemed the Sachem angry, and did takeSome wise precaution ’gainst a secret blow;They raise their bulwarks, and their guns they poise;This was respect to sovereign brave and wise.

LIII.

“Bound in the skin of the great sachem snake,My brother sent his barbs—but to his foe,Awanux took the challenge by mistake,And let his bullets for an answer go;They deemed the Sachem angry, and did takeSome wise precaution ’gainst a secret blow;They raise their bulwarks, and their guns they poise;This was respect to sovereign brave and wise.

“Bound in the skin of the great sachem snake,

My brother sent his barbs—but to his foe,

Awanux took the challenge by mistake,

And let his bullets for an answer go;

They deemed the Sachem angry, and did take

Some wise precaution ’gainst a secret blow;

They raise their bulwarks, and their guns they poise;

This was respect to sovereign brave and wise.

LIV.“No leagues have they with the fierce Maqua made,Nor with the Pequot hostile is the race;But if my brothers, for the fight arrayed,O’er Pokanoket’s borders speed their pace,I dare not say they would forego the aidOf any tribe that would thy battle face;Mohegans, Pequots, Tarrateens would flyTo join their force, and swell their battle cry.

LIV.

“No leagues have they with the fierce Maqua made,Nor with the Pequot hostile is the race;But if my brothers, for the fight arrayed,O’er Pokanoket’s borders speed their pace,I dare not say they would forego the aidOf any tribe that would thy battle face;Mohegans, Pequots, Tarrateens would flyTo join their force, and swell their battle cry.

“No leagues have they with the fierce Maqua made,

Nor with the Pequot hostile is the race;

But if my brothers, for the fight arrayed,

O’er Pokanoket’s borders speed their pace,

I dare not say they would forego the aid

Of any tribe that would thy battle face;

Mohegans, Pequots, Tarrateens would fly

To join their force, and swell their battle cry.

LV.“To these six fragments of the pipe I’ve spoke;Take them again, if I have answered well;But those which tell me that the stem was brokeBy the fire-water, and of what befelThee upon Haup—of claims thou canst not brook,Made by those strangers from the nations paleTo these broad forests as their own domain—These will I ask Awanux to explain.

LV.

“To these six fragments of the pipe I’ve spoke;Take them again, if I have answered well;But those which tell me that the stem was brokeBy the fire-water, and of what befelThee upon Haup—of claims thou canst not brook,Made by those strangers from the nations paleTo these broad forests as their own domain—These will I ask Awanux to explain.

“To these six fragments of the pipe I’ve spoke;

Take them again, if I have answered well;

But those which tell me that the stem was broke

By the fire-water, and of what befel

Thee upon Haup—of claims thou canst not brook,

Made by those strangers from the nations pale

To these broad forests as their own domain—

These will I ask Awanux to explain.

LVI.“This fragment tells me that his numbers grow,That they are spreading fast, from glade to glade;If the Great Spirit does increase bestow,Will the wise Sachem that great Power upbraid?The lands they take, well does my brother know,They fairly purchase of the nations red;E’en thus would I on Seekonk’s marge abide,If peaceful nations dwelt on either side.

LVI.

“This fragment tells me that his numbers grow,That they are spreading fast, from glade to glade;If the Great Spirit does increase bestow,Will the wise Sachem that great Power upbraid?The lands they take, well does my brother know,They fairly purchase of the nations red;E’en thus would I on Seekonk’s marge abide,If peaceful nations dwelt on either side.

“This fragment tells me that his numbers grow,

That they are spreading fast, from glade to glade;

If the Great Spirit does increase bestow,

Will the wise Sachem that great Power upbraid?

The lands they take, well does my brother know,

They fairly purchase of the nations red;

E’en thus would I on Seekonk’s marge abide,

If peaceful nations dwelt on either side.

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