Classic Poem

The Night is Past, & Civil Wars o're-blown,
And the right Heir advanced to the Throne,
A general Joy runs thro' Great- Britanny ,
At the appearance of His Majesty:
Loud Canons from the Ships upon the Thames ,
And from the Batteries fill'd the Air with Flames:
Whilst from the Tower such mighty Thunders went
As shook the Islands, Seas, and Continent.
The Rich, the Poor, the Old, the Young, agree,
To Celebrate a joyful Jubilee:
And to the utmost all themselves Employ,
To make free Demonstrations of their Joy.
Some quaff full Goblets of the Richest Wine;
And others make the blazing Bonfires shine:
Whil'st the Devout their Prayers to Heaven sent,
For Blessings on the King and Government.

These happy Tidings soon found out their way,
Unto the English in America ;
Who join with Britain in the Celebration,
Of their just Princes happy Restauration.
The Sages of Connecticut do meet,
To pay their Homage at their Princes Feet;
To whom they seek to hasten an Address,
To shew their Duty and their Joys Excess.
Learned WINTHROP then by general Consent,
Sat at the Helm to sway the Government;
Who prudently the People doth Advise,
To ask the King for CHARTER Liberties.

All like his Counsel well; and all reply,
Sir, You must undertake our Agency:
For there is none but You we may expect,
Can make the thing you Counsel take Effect:
Your Serving us in this Important Thing,
And Personating Us before the KING,
Will sure Endear a WINTHROP 's Memory
To Us, and to our Last Posterity.

His Mind, vast as the Heavenly Spheres above,
Was all bespangled with the Stars of Love;
And Zealous Care for their Posterity,
Of all his Acts the Primum Mobile ;
Led on by these bright Stars kind Influence,
He hastens to the Palace of his Prince;
There waiting for an Opportunity,

E're long, Great C HARLES was in his Council sat
With some Choice Nobles of his Cabinet:
His Royal Mind Intent on his Affairs,
He thus Unbosoms to his Counsellers;

What News , My Lords? How go Affairs Abroad ?
What more Remains to do for Englands Good ?
Do distant Parts of our Dominion
Want farther Help or Favour from the Throne?

At this arose one of the Lords of Trade,
And to His Majesty this Answer made,
An Agent from Connecticut doth wait,
With an Address before your Palace Gate.

Let him come in , says C HARLES , and let us Hear ,
What has been done, and what's a doing there?

Winthrop brought in before his Princes Feet,
Prostrates himself with Reverence, the King to Greet ;
And thanks His Majesty for his Access:
Then for his People offers this Address;

" GREATSIR , Since Reconciled Heaven Restores
" YOU to the Throne of Your High Ancestors,
" See how each Subject Emulating tries,
" To Express our National Felicities:
" The Joy of Your Accession to the Throne,
" Is like the Lustre of the Morning Sun;
" Which from the East Salutes the Western Shores,
" Still trampling under foot Nights horrid Powers:
" So the loud Accents of this boundless Joy,
" Ecchoing in our Ears from Britanny ,
" Gave Light & Gladness where-so'ere it came,
" And fill'd our joyful Hearts with equal Flame.
" The sad Remembrance of those days of Wo,
" Which in your Absence we did undergo,
" Transports our present Joys to that Excess,
" As passeth all Expressions to express.
" May Heaven preserve Your Majesty, and Bless
" Your Reign with Honour, & with Length of Days;
" And in Your Line the Regal Power extend,
" Until the Suns last Revolution end.

" And since we are at Mighty Caesar 's Feet,
" O may He Pardon us, while we Entreat,
" Your Royal Favour in the thing we want;
" T' Incorporate us by Your CHARTER-Grant.
" The Land we've Purchas'd, or Subdu'd by Fight,
" And Bought of Fenwick what was Warwick 's Right,
" And all at the Endeavour of our Own,
" Without the least Dis-bursment from the Throne.

Rise up , Quoth Charles ; My Liberal Hand Supplies ,
All needful Help to every One that Cries;
Nor shall I be Illiberal to You:
But, Prithee , Winthrop, Please to let me Know ,
By whom it was your Place did first Commence,
Your Patriarchs that Led your Tribes from Hence?

" If to declare their Worth, is what You ask,
" Then I must beg Your Pardon. That's a task,
" So Worthy due Performance, and so Great,
" As goes beyond my Utterance and Conceipt:
" But Vertue never fails, succeeding Days
" Shall much regard their Merits, and shall Raise
" Men of bright Parts and moving Oratory;
" Who shall Emblazon their immortal Glory.

" But if You ask to gain Intelligence,
" What were the Reasons , why they went from hence,
" What Straits they met with in their Way , & There ?
" These Facts I think I'm able to declare.

" RELIGION was the Cause; Divinity
" Having declared the Gospel shine should be,
" Extensive as the Suns Diurnal Shine;
" This mov'd our Founders to this Great design,
" And sure the Holy Spirit from above,
" That first did Quickning on the Waters move,
" Inspir'd their Minds & fill'd them with Intents,
" To bring to pass such Glorious Events.
" And now they wholly to this Work devote,
" Mind not the Country they are going out:
" Their Ancient Homes they leave to come no more.
" Their Weeping Friends & Kindred on the shore
" They bid adieu, and with an aking Heart
" Shake Hands , 'tis hard when dearest Friends must part.
" But here they part and leave their Parent Isle,
" Their whilome Happy Seat. The Winds a while
" Are Courteous and Conduct them on their way,
" To near the midst of the Atlantick Sea,
" When suddenly their Pleasant Gales they Change
" For dismal Storms that on the Ocean Range.
For Faithless Æolus Meditating Harms,
" Breaks up the Peace and Priding much in Arms,
" Unbars the great Artillery of Heaven
" And at the fatal Signal by him given,
" The Cloudy Chariots Threatning take the Plains;
" Drawn by wing'd Steeds , hard pressing on their reins.
" These Vast Battalions in dire Aspect rais'd,
" Start from the Barriers-night with Lightning blaz'd
" While'st clashing Wheels resounding Thunder cracks,
" Struck Mortals deaf, & Heaven astonished shakes.

" Here the Ship Captain in the midnight Watch,
" Stamps on the Deck & thunders up the Hatch ;
" And to the Mariners aloud he Cries,
" Now all from Safe-recumbency arise:
" All Hands aloft , & stand well to your Tack,
" Engendring Storms have cloath'd the Sky with black,
" Big Tempests threaten to Undo the World:
" Down Top-sail , let the Main-sail soon be furl'd,
" Hast to the Fore-sail , there take up a Rief:
" 'Tis time, Boys, now if ever to be brief:
" Aloof for Life; lets try to stem the Tide,
" The Ship's much Water, thus we may not Ride:
" Stand roomer then, let's run before the Sea,
" That so the Ship may feel her Stearage-way:
" Steady at Helm! Swiftly along she Scuds,
" Before the Wind, and cuts the foaming Suds.
" Sometimes aloft she lifts her Prow so high,
" As if she'd run her Bowsprit thro' the Skie.
" Then from the summit Ebbs and hurries down,
" As if her way were to the Center shown.

" Mean while our Founders in the Cabbin sat,
" Reflecting on their true and sad Estate.
" Whilst holy Warham 's Sacred lips did treat,
" About GOD's Promises, and Mercies Great.

" Still more Gigantick Births spring from the Clouds,
" Which tore the tatter'd Canvis from the Shrouds,
" And dreadful Balls of Lightning fill the Air,
" Shot from the Hand of the Great Thunderer .

" And now a mighty. Sea the Ship or'e rakes,
" Which falling on the Deck the Bulk-head breaks;
" The Sailors cling to Ropes and frighted Cry,
" The Ship is Foundered , We dy! we dy!

" Those in the Cabbin heard the Sailors Screech,
" All rise and Reverend Warham do beseech,
" That he would now lift up to Heaven a Cry,
" For Preservation in Extremity.
" He with a Faith sure bottom'd on the Word,
" Of Him that was of Sea and Winds the LORD.
" His Eyes lifts up to Heaven, his hands Extends,
" And fervent Prayers for deliverence sends.
" The Winds abate, the Threatning Waves appease,
" And a sweet Calm sits Regent on the Seas.
" They bless the Name of their Deliverer,
" Who now they found a God that heareth Prayer.

" Still further West-ward on they keep their way,
" Plowing the Pavement of the briny Sea.
" Till the vast Ocean they had overpast,
" And in Connecticut their Anchors cast.

" Here came Soheage and told the Company,
" The Garden of America did Ly,
" Further up Stream near Fifty Miles from hence,
" Part of which Country he himself was Prince.
" Much ask'd o'th Soil, much of the Government,
" What Kings were there? the Land of what Extent?
" All which by his free answers when they knew,
" They or'e his back a Scarlet Mantle threw.

" And now invited with fresh Southern Gales,
" They weigh their Anchors & they hoise their Sails,
" And Northward for th' Expected Country stood,
" Upon the smiling Pavement of the Flood.
" At length they Entered those awful Streights,
" Where the Stream runs thro' Adamantine Gates.
" Twas strange to see the Banks advanc'd so high,
" As if with Atlas they bore up the Sky.
" But when those dismal Streights were passed thro',
" A Glorious Country opens to their view,
" Cloath'd all in Green and to the Eye presents,
" Natures best Fruits and Richest Ornaments .

" Chear'd with the sight they set all Sails a-trip,
" And rais'd the English Ensign on their Ship.
" Brave Youths with eager Strokes bend knotty Oars,
" Glad shouts bring chearful Eccho's from the Shores.

" As when the Wounded Amorous doth spy,
" His Smiling Fortune in his Ladys Eye,
" O how his Veins and Breast swell with a Flood,
" Of pleasing Raptures that revive his Blood?
" And grown impatient now of all Delays,
" No longer he Deliberating stays;
" But thro' the Force of her resistless Charms,
" He throws him Soul & Body in her Arms.

" So we amazed at these seen Delights,
" Which to fruition every sense Invites,
" Our eager Mind already Captive made,
" Grow most Impatient now to be delay'd.
" This most Delightful Country to Possess,
" And forward with Industrious speed we press
" Upon the Virgin Stream who had as yet,
" Never been Violated with a Ship;

" Upon the Banks King Aramamet Stood,
" And round about his Wondering Multitude,
" Greatly Amazed at such an uncouth show,
" What is't they Cry'd? Some say, A great Canoe .
" Others, a Bird that in the Air doth Fly,
" With her Long Bill, and Wings up to the Skie.
" But other some, whom Fear did Terrify
" Cry'd, tis some Ill Presaging Prodigie .
" Nothing on Earth more Impetuous we find,
" Than Terror when it Seiseth on the Mind.
" Dreadful Effects of this did soon Appear,
" The Multitude Surpriz'd with chilling Fear;
" With Looks Distracted, & out-staring Eyes,
" Each Scares himself and others Terrifys;
" Only the King who had within his Breast,
" A Heart which foolish fear could not Infest;
" Perceiv'd the Matter, and the Ship he hails,
" Now drop your Anchors, and unbend your Sails;
" And if for Peace and Friendship you are come,
" And do Desire this Land shou'd be your Home;
" Let some of your Chief Leaders come to Land,
" And now with Me join their right Hand to Hand .

" Sails lower amain, nor Oars now touch the Flood,
" Down drop the Anchors deep into the Mud.
" Their Chiefs Repair to Land, & with them bring
" Obliging Presents for the Indian King .
" Majestick Aramamet with his Lords,
" Steps forth to meet those Guests without his Guards
" Meeting he paus'd, astonish'd at the sight,
" Such Men, such Airs with Countenances bright,
" He ne'er had seen, nor now to see Expecting;
" Amaz'd he stood! a while, but recollecting,
" His Scattered Intellect, he crys, Who's there?
" Whence come you? Seek you with us Peace or War?

" Brittons you see, say they, and we are come,
" From England happiest Seat in Christendom ,
" Where Mighty CHARLES Obligeth Sea & Land
" To yield Obedience to his Scept'red Hand,
" Nor came we here to Live with you in Wars,
" As He knows best that made Sun Moon & Stars,
" But rather here to Live with you in Peace,
" Till Day and Nights Successive Changes cease.
" This we propose, and this if you approve
" And do Respect our Neighbourhood and Love,
" Then Sell us Land, whereon we Towns may Plant,
" And join with us in Friendly Covenant.

" What you propose, (quoth he,) is Just & Good,
" And I shall e're Respect your Neighbourhood;
" Land you may have, we Value not the Soil,
" Accounting Tillage too severe a Toil.

" Then he his own Right hand to theirs doth join,
" Of his sure Friendship the undoubted sign,
" Then brings them to his House, & from his Boards
" Feasts them with what his Country best affords,
" Whilst here they stay at Aramamets Court,
" Hither the Neighbouring Indian Kings resort,
" And join with them in Articles of Peace,
" And of their Lands make firm Conveyances,
" And being now by Deeds and Leagues Secure,
" Their Towns they Build , their Purchas'd Land Manure .

Thus far he said; Then said His Majesty,
Methinks, I have a Curiosity,
To know this Country, that for Ages Past,
Lay hid and you have now found out at last;
This New-found River, Is it Fresh and Fair ?
What Land adjoins to it? Has't a Pleasant Air?

Learn'd Winthrop bow'd with humble Reverence,
T' Express his Loyalty unto his Prince.
And then these His demands to Satisfy,
He with a Chearful air made this reply;

" This Your Desire, Great Sir , bears mein mind,
" What in the Ancient Register we find.
" Of the first King in Jesurun from whose breast,
" Such vast and ample thoughts themselves exprest,
" That they have by the World been held e're since,
" Of Truth and Wisdom clearest Evidence,
" This mighty Man desired of his GOD
" That he before his Lifes last Period,
" Might be Permitted once to look upon
" The Land, that goodly Mount and Lebanon ,
" Which his desire was thus Accomplished,
" After his Charge was done, then he was led
" Up to the top of Pisgah and his Eye,
" From thence was well enabled to Discry
" The Land of Promise in its full extent,
" And all things in it that were Excellent. "
" Long did he Feast his hungry Eyes and gaz'd
" Upon those Objects, until all amaz'd
" And Ravisht with the sight thus to him given,
" His vast Capacious Soul flew up to Heaven.
" But thus to view fine Countrys from a far
" Must still remain that Man's Peculiar;
" And tho' I think, our Land is near as Good
" As that which then was unto Moses shew'd,
" Yet may it not from me be now expected
" It's worth should be so amply Diffected,
" Yet will I do my best to satisfy
" What is Demanded by Your Majesty.

" This gallent Stream keeps running from the Head
" Four Hundred Miles ere it with Neptune bed,
" Passing along hundreds of Rivolets ,
" From either bank its Christial waves besets,
" Freely to pay their Tributes to this Stream,
" As being Chief and Sovereign unto them,
" It bears no torrent nor Impetuous course
" As if 'twere driven to the Sea by force.
" But calmly on a gentle wave doth move;
" As if 'twere drawn to Thetis house by love.

" The Waters Fresh and Sweet, & he that swims
" In it, Recruits and Cures his Surfeit Limbs.
" The Fisherman the Fry with Pleasure gets,
" With Seins, Pots, Angles, and his Tramel-nets,
" In it Swim Salmon, Sturgion, Crap and Eels ,
" Above fly Cranes, Geese, Duck, Herons and Teals ;
" And Swans which take such Pleasure as they fly,
" They Sing their Hymns oft long before they Dy.

" The Grassy Banks are like a Verdant Bed,
" With Choicest Flowers all Enameled,
" O're which the winged Choristers do fly,
" And Wound th' Air with wonderous Melody.
" Here Philomel high Perch't upon a Thorn,
" Sings chearful Hymns to the approaching Morn.
" The Song once set, each Bird Tunes up his Lyre,
" Responding Heavenly Musick through the quire.
" Within these Fields, fair Banks of Violets grows;
" And near them stand the Air Perfuming Rose ,
" And Yellow Lilies fair Enameled,
" With Ruddy Spots here Blushing hang the Head.

" These Meadows serve not only for the sight,
" To Charm the Eye with wonder and delight,
" But for their Excellent Fertility ,
" Transcends each spot that ere beheld Sol's Eye
" Here Lady Flora's richest Treasure grows,
" And here she bounteously her Gifts bestows.
" The Husband-Man for all his Diligence,
" Receives an ample Liberal Recompence ,
" And Feasting on the Kidneys of the Wheat,
" Doth soon his Labour and his Toil forget.

" After the Meadows thus have took their Place,
" The Champion Plains draw up to fill the space.
" Fair in their Prospect, Pleasant, Fruitful, Wide,
" Here Tellus may be seen in all his Pride.
" Cloud kissing Pines in stately Man groves stand,
" Firm Oaks fair Branches wide and large extend.
" The Fir , the Box , the Balm-Tree here stand mute,
" So do the Nut-Trees Laden down with Fruit.
" In shady Vales the Fruitful Vine o're whelms,
" The Weaving Branches of the bending Elms .

" Within the Covert of these shady Boughs,
" The Loving Turtle and his Lovely Spouse.
" From Bough to Bough in deep Affection move,
" And with Chast Joy reciprocate their Love.
" At the Cool Brooks, the Beavers and the Minks
" Keep House, and here the Hart & Panther Drinks.
" And Partridges here keep in Memory,
" How to their Loss they soared once too high.

" Within these Spacious Forests, Fresh & Green,
" No Monsters of Burn Africk may be seen.
" No hissing Bassalisk stands to affright.
" Nor Seps , nor Hemorhus with Mortal bite,
" The Lybian Lyon n'er set Footing here,
" Nor Tygers of Numedia do appear.
" But here the Moose his spreading Antlers sways,
" And bears down Stubbornstandels with their Sprays ,
" These sport themselves within these Woods & here
" The Fatted Roe-Buck and the Fallow Deer ,
" Yield Venison as good as that which won
" The Partriarchial Bendiction.

" Each Plain is bounded at its utmost Edge
" With a long Chain of Mountains in a ridge,
" Whose Azure tops advance themselves so high
" They seem like pendants hanging in the Skie.
" Twenty Four Miles, Surveyers do account
" Between the Eastern and the Western Mount;
" In which vast Interspace, Pleasant and Fair,
" Zephirus Whispers a Delightful Air.
" These Mountains stand at Equi-distant space,
" From the fair Flood in such Majestick Grace.
" Their looks alone are able to Inspire
" An Active Brain with a Mercurial Fire.
" The Muses hence their ample Dews Distil,
" More than was Feigned from the twy topt Hill.
" And if those Witty Men that have us told
" Strange Tales of Mountains in the Days of Old,
" Had they but seen how these are Elevated,
" We should have found them sar more Celebrated,
" In the Fine Works that they have left to us,
" Than high Olimpus or long Cancassus ;
" Or Latmos which Diana stops upon,
" There to Salute her dear Endimion .

" Hither the Eagles fly and lay their Eggs,
" Then bring their Young ones forth out of those Crags
" And force them to behold Sols Majesty,
" In mid-noon Glory with a steady Eye.
" Here the old Eagle his long beak belays,
" Upon a rock till he renews his days.
" And hence they from afar behold their Prey
" And with a steady pinion wing their way.
" But why so Excellent a Land should Lie,
" So many Ages in Obscurity,
" Unseen, Unheard of, or Unthought upon?
" I think there's no good reason can be shown.
" Unless 'twere as it seems the mind of Fate,
" Your Royal Name long to perpetuate,
" So ordered it that such a Land might own,
" Thanks for it's Libertys, Great Sir , to You.

" The English Settlements when thus begun,
" Were blest and prospered in their carrying on.
" Churches Embody, Heaven they address,
" For Preservation in the Wilderness.
" The Heathen they Invite unto the Lord,
" And teach them the good Knowledge of his word.
" Heav'n heard their Pray'rs & their Labour Crown'd,
" With Health & Peace with all their Nei'bors round.

" Thus all Succeeded well until the Sun,
" Had near one time his Annual Circle run,
" When Great Sasacus rose in Impious Arms,
" And fill'd the Land with Mischiess and Alarms.

" But since I've mention'd Great Sasacus Name,
" That Day so much a Terrour where it came:
" Let me in Prosecuting of my Story,
" Say something of his Pride and Kingdoms Glory.
" Of the brave Pequot Nation he was Head,
" And with such Conduct had their Armies led,
" That by the Power of his Martial Bands,
" He had Subjected all the Neighbouring Lands.
" Upon the Vanquish'd he would Exercise
" The most Inhumane Acts of Cruelties.
" By which, and by his often Victories,
" He grew so dreadful to his Enemies
" That weaponless they fell before his Feet,
" For Pardon and Protection to Intreat.

" Great was his Glory, greater still his Pride,
" Much by himself and others Magnify'd.

" He hears the English in the Eastern Parts,
" Are of such Stoutness and Resolved Hearts,
" That they will do no Homage to the Throne
" Of any Sov'reign Prince, except their own.
" This suiteth not with his Ambitious Breast,
" He'll have their Homage too amongst the rest.
" And Such of them as fall within his Power,
" He like an Hungry Lion doth Devour.

" He Norton, Stone , and Oldham , doth Surprise,
" Then Murthers them and all their Companies;
" Seiseth their goods, and them for Presents sends,
" At once to Comfort and Confirm his Friends.

" Their Death's the Massachusetts doth Resent,
" And Endicott is with an Army sent;
" Who tho' he Wisely did the War Pursue,
" And did what a brave General could do:
" Yet he return'd again without Success,
" And Pequots kept Insulting Ne'rtheless.
" So Great a Work, and Mighty was it found
" To fix Your Englissh on that distant Ground.

" Mean while the English of that Colony,
" On whose account I'm here in Agency,
" Entred the River and Possess'd the same,
" Paying no Defference to his dreadful Name.

" This high affront the Tyrant deep Resents,
" And Vows to Ruinate their Settlements.
" His Priests, his Captains, and Great Men of War,
" He calleth to Consult on this Affair,
" Who being met, the Case to them Relates,
" And thus the Wretch on us Recriminates.

" My Noble Captains and Wife Counsellers,
" You know how that of Old our Ancestors.
" By their know Liberties and Ancient Laws,
" Were well allow'd to Marry many Squaws.

" Their way of Worship was to Dance and Sing,
" By the Religious rules of Powawing ,
" Their Gods always accepted their address,
" And Crown'd their Arms with Glorious Success.
" Then was the Pequot name Greatly Renown'd,
" And terrible to Neighbouring Nations round.
" These Rules and their Estate so prosperous,
" They handed down unblemished to us:
" And we have been as prosperous in our days,
" In following their long approved ways.

" But there's of men a most Audacious Brood,
" Lately come hither from beyond the flood,
" Who teach us other Doctrines to believe,
" Than ever our Fore-fathers did receive.
" These tell the Indians they have got no Eyes,
" But as for they themselves are very Wise.

" They Preach there is no other God but One,
" Him whom your Fathers Worshipt, he is none.
" Their way of Worship was a Cursed way,
" They serv'd the Devil in their Antick Play.
" 'Tis very like they now are all in Hell,
" Where they in Fire & Brimstone Roar & Yell.
" And you for following the steps they tread,
" Are like enough so to be Punished.
" Unless for what is past you soon Repent,
" And turn you from those ways to full Intent.
" You must not have so many handsome Wives,
" That don't consist with Mortifyed lives.
" And we allow no such Pluralities,
" Therefore forsake them, pity not their Cryes.
" The Sabbath you must keep, yea Fast and Pray,
" And watch your Wicked hearts both Night & Day .
" And when all this is done you must complain,
" All stands for nothing till you'r Born again.

" Now shall we all at once be rul'd by them,
" And so our Fathers and our Gods Contemn?
" Shall we at once forsake our pleasant Wives,
" That so we may live Mortified lives?
" Shall we yield them the Empire we command,
" And humbly wait upon them Cap in hand?
" Or shan't we rather curb them now betimes,
" And make them feel the folly of their crimes?

" Speak freely . On the Honour of a Prince,
" I'll hear as freely and without Offence.

" Then an old Panime rose to ease his breast,
" And thus his deep resentments he Exprest;
" Such Horrid words such sayings Blasphemous,
" Comes from no Tongue but the most impious.
" All Nations yet have ever Honoured,
" The sacred Name and Mem'ry of the dead.
" No men till these dare ever yet despise,
" And trample on Immortal Deities,
" No Strangers yet; Till conquest gave them cause,
" Dare once Prescribe to Native Princes Laws.
" Which shews their Blasphemy and Insolence,
" Is Great and doth Surpass all Presidents.
" Our Laws, our Empire, and Religion too,
" Are safely, Sir , deposited with you.
" And you have kept them safely hitherto,
" As 'tis your duty and your praise to do.
" Suffer them not to keep Insulting thus,
" Nor put such Impositions upon us.
" But arm your Warriours, Let us try the odds,
" 'Twixt them and us, 'twixt theirs and our Gods.
" For much I fear Impending Vengeance,
" Will ruin us unless we drive them hence.

" This said, One of his Chiefast Warriours rose,
" And thus his Mind did to his Prince disclose;
" If they are so Audacious while a few,
" When grown a Multitude what will they Do?

" Therefore 'tis my advice to Arm and Try,
" The Quarrel with them in their Infancy.
" Sure now if ever we may well Succeed,
" Whilst Warlike Sasacus doth us Lead:
" Whose very Name and Martial Policy,
" Has always Gain'd us half the Victory.

" To what he said they all agreed as one:
" Now is the Trumpet of Defiance blown
" War with the English Nation is Proclaim'd.
" (Their Priests their Martial men greatly Enflam'd)

" A Bloody Host is sent to Say-Brook Fort,
" To Plunder, Kill, and cut the English short.
" Where they Arriv'd and Diverse Murthered,
" Then round the English Fort Beleaguered.

" Another Army Cross the Land is sent,
" With Fire and Sword to kill the Innocent.
" At Wethersfield they lay an Ambuscade,
" And a sad Slaughter of the People made.
" Others they took and them in Captive Led,
" Unto their Forts there to be Tortured.

" Thus from our Peace most suddenly we are
" Wrapt up in the Calamities of War.
" So have I sometimes in the Summer seen,
" The Sun ascending and the Skie serene.
" Nor Wind nor Cloud in all the Hemisphere,
" All things in such a perfect Calmness were.
" At length a little Cloud doth up arise,
" To which the nitrous sulphiry Vapour flys.
" Soon a dark mantle over Heaven spread,
" With which the Lamp of day was darkened.
" And now the Clouds in tempest loud contend,
" And rain and dreadful Lightning downward send.
" With which such loud and mighty Thunders broke
" As made Earth tremble & the Mountains smoke,
" And the Convulsive world seem drawing on,
" Apace to her own Dissolution
" The awfulness of which amazing Sight,
" Greatly did Earths Inhabitants affright.
" Ev'n so those Halcyon days that were with us,
" Were soon turn'd into Times Tempestuous.
" Mischief on Mischief every day succeeds,
" And Every Mischief Greater Mischief breeds
" The Numerous Nations all the Country ore,
" Who had appeared Friendly heretofore,
" Seeing the Pequots had the War begun,
" And well Succeeded in their carrying on.
" Calling to mind their former Victories,
" The English Men grew Abject in their Eyes.
" Some at the first the Pequot Armies joyn'd
" And all the rest but of a Wavering mind.
" Waiting but for an opportunity,
" To Murther us by Force or Treachery.
" No Confidence in any we repose,
" Our seeming Friends we find our real Foes.
" Fears never to behold the morning Light,
" Encumbered our Natural rest each night.
" Nor had we place of Refuge to Repair,
" Only to the Most High in Heaven by Prayer.
" To whom was offered up the Sacrifice,
" Of Broken Hearts and Penitential Cryes.

" A Council met at Hartford who Conclude,
" We must Subdue the Foe, or be Subdued.
" And that the Gangreen still would further stray,
" 'Till the Infected Limb be cut away.
" And thereupon they Ordered and Decreed,
" To raise our utmost Forces with all Speed.
" This Resolution publisht and declar'd,
" Ninety brave Combatants in Arms appear'd.
" This was the Sum of all our Infantry,
" Yet scarce a Tithe unto the Enemy.
" But what they wanted in their Multitude,
" 'Twas hop'd their Resolution would make Good.

" These were the Men, this was the little Band,
" That durst the force of the new World withstand,
" These were the men that by their Swords made way ,
" For Peace and Safety in America .
" And these are those whose Names fame hath Enrol'd
" Fairly in brightest Characters of Gold.

" The Army now drawn up. To be their Head
" Our Valiant Mason was Commissioned.
" (Whose Name is never mentioned by me,
" Without a special Note of Dignity.)

" The Leader March't them to the River side,
" There to Embark his Army on the Tide;
" Where lay our little Fleet to Wait upon
" Our Army for their Transportation
" (Going on board Oraculous Hooker said,
" Fear not the Foe, they shall become your Bread.)

" 'Twas here that Uncass did the Army Meet,
" With many stout Mohegans at his Feet.
" He to the General goes, and doth Declare,
" He came for our Assistance in the War.

" He was that Saggamore whom great Sasacus 's rage
" Had hitherto kept under Vassalage.
" But weary of his great Severity,
" He now Revolts, and to the English fly.
" With Chearful Air our Captain him Embraces,
" And him and his Chief Men with Titles Graces;
" But over them Preserv'd a Jealous Eye,
" Lest all this might be done in Treachery.

" Then down the River with their Fleet they stood
" But stranding often on the Flats and Mud.
" Uncass Impatient of such long delays,
" Stood forth and freely to the General says,
" Suffer me and my Men to go on shore,
" We are not us'd to Shipping, Sails and Oar.
" I'l Range the Woods to find the Enemy,
" Where they in their close Ambushments may lie.
" And unto you at Say-Brook will repair
" And so attend your further Orders there.

" Consented to, they Land Immediately,
" And Marching down soon met the Enemy:
" And Showers of Arrows on them he bestows,
" Swifter than ever flew from Parthian Bows.

" At length the Pequots left the Field and Fled,
" There Leaving many of their Fellows Dead.

" The News of this our Forces greatly Chears,
" And turn'd to Confidence our Jealous Fears.
" Coming to Say-Brook , Uncass on them Waits,
" Whose good Success our Men Congratulates.

" Here Captain Underhill with our Army join'd
" And being favoured with a Lucky Wind,
" All hast on Board, and soon forsake the Shoar;
" With the rough Winds, both Sails & Tackle roar,
" Their Oaken Oars, they in the Ocean steep,
" And Cuss the foaming Billows of the deep.
" Swiftly thro' Tides & threatning Waves they scud,
" Plowing the pavement of the briny Flood:
" So fetch't about a Compass on the Sea,
" And Landed in the Narraghansetts -Bay
" And marching thro' that Country soon they met,
" The Narraghansett Prince, proud Ninegrett .

" To whom the English says, We Lead these Bands,
" Arm'd in this manner thus into your Lands,
" Without design to do you Injury,
" But only to Invade the Enemy,
" You who to the Expence of so much Blood,
" Have long time born their evil Neighbourhood,
" Will bid us welcom; and will well Excuse,
" That we this way have took our Rendezvouze.

" Quoth Ninegrett , Your War I well approve,
" And so your March Souldiers I alway Love:
" But sure Sasacus is quite unknown to you,
" Else had you never hoped with so few,
" One of his smallest Captains to Suppress,
" Much less to storm him in his Fortresses.
" Never believe it: In these Castles are,
" Brave Captains and Couragious men of War.
" All men have found it so that yet have try'd.
" To whom the English thus in short reply'd;
" Their Strength & Courage doth not us affright,
" 'Tis with such men we use and chuse to Fight.
" Our Army Marching unto Nayantick goes,
" Lying just in our Progress towards the Foes.

" The news of this our march Fame doth transport,
" With speed to great Miaantinomohs Court.
" Nor had that pensive King forgot the Losses,
" He had sustain'd thro' Sasacus 's Forces.
" Chear'd with the news, his Captains all as one,
" In humble manner do address the Throne,
" And press the King to give them his Commission
" To join the English in this Expedition.
" To their request the chearful King assents,
" And now they fill and form their Regiments,
" To War: a Co-hort which came marching down
" To us who lay Encamp'd before the Town.

" Their Chiefs go to our General, and declare
" What's their Intention and whose men they are.
" We come, say they, with heart and hand to join,
" With English men upon this brave design;
" For Pequots pride allows them no Content
" Within the sphere of their own Government:
" Without Essays to wrong their Brethren
" And ravish Freedom from the Sons of men,
" Which makes this work most needful to be done,
" To stop their measureless Ambition.
" But sure the War that you intend to make
" And manage thus must come from your mistake.
" Can these Un-arrowed White men, such a few,
" So much as hope the Pequots to Subdue?
" Yes hope you may while fatal Ignorance,
" Keeps back the knowledge of their Puissance.
" But if you come to be Engaged once,
" You'l Learn more wit by sad Experience.
" But happy you: who thus your selves Expose,
" To be the Prey and Triumph of your Foes.
" Thrice happy you to be preserved thus,
" From your Destruction and such-Deaths by us:
" And since our Numbers and our Features show,
" Us men, as well & better men than you,
" We hope it will offend not you nor yours,
" The chiefest Post of Honour should be ours.

" Mason Harrangues them with high Compliments ,
" And to confirm them he to them Consents.
" Hold on bold Men, says he as you've began:
" I'm Free and Easie, you shall take the Van.

" And in this order Marching on they went
" Towards the Enemy till the day was Spent.
" And now Bright Phaebus had his Chariot driven,
" Down from the Lofty Battlements of Heaven,
" And weary put his tired steeds to rest,
" Chearing himself on blushing Thetis breast.
" But lest the horrid Darkness of the Night,
" Should quite Eclipse the Glory of his light:
" Fair Cynthia towering up did well Embrace,
" Her Brothers light into her Orbed face.

" The Indians still kept up their boasted flame,
" Till near the Enemies Fortresses they came.

" But as we always by Experience find,
" Frost bitten Leaves will not abide the wind.
" Hang Trembling on the limbs a while they may,
" But when once Boreas roars they fly away,
" To hide themselves in the deep Vales below,
" And to his force leave the exposed bough.

" So these who had so often to their harms,
" Felt the great power of Sasacus 's Arms,
" And now again just to Endure the same
" The dreadful sound of great Sasacus 's Name,
" Seem'd every Moment to attach their Ears
" And fill'd them with such heart amazing fears,
" That suddenly they run and seek to hide,
" Swifter than Leaves in the Autumnal Tide.
" The Narrhagansetts quite the Service Clear,
" But the Mohegan followed in the Rear.

" Our Men perceives the Allies all are gone,
" And scarce a Pilot left to lead them on:
" Caused an Alta , and then from the Rear,
" Summon's such Indians as were there.
" At last after long waiting for the same,
" Up Trusty Uncass and Stout Wequash came,
" Of whom the General in strict Terms demands,
" Wherestands the Fort , & how their Judgment stands,
" About the Enter-prise? And what's the Cause,
" They left their Post against all Martial Laws?

" To which we had this Answer from a Prince,
" The Enemies Fort stands on yond Eminence;
" Whose steep Ascent is now before your Eyes:
" And for my Judgment in the enterprize,
" Fain would my willing Heart hope for Success,
" Fain would my eager Tongue such hopes express.
" But Knowledge of the Foe such hope deny's,
" And Sinks my Heart in deep Despondencies.
" You cannot know the Danger of your case,
" Not having yet beheld a Pequots Face.
" But sad Experience hath Instructed me,
" How Dreadful and Invincible they be.
" What mighty Battles often have they won,
" And cut down Armies like the Grass that's Mown.
" And my Heart rues this day because I fear,
" Those Lions will your Lambs in pieces tear.
" When once they are Engag'd, 'tis hard to get,
" A Dispensation from them to Retreat.