The Pilgrims landed, worthy men,
And, saved from wreck on raging seas,
They fell upon their knees, and then
Upon the Aborigines.

In thankfulness they planned a feast
On all the country might afford.
(The grace consumed an hour at least,
Whence rose the phrase, " The festive bored. " )

And some through groves of pine and oak
Pursued the doe; and even so
All patriotic Yankee folk
Unceasingly pursue the dough.

They bearded bruin in his lair
Or stalked the stag in forests drear.
Alas! their festal dish was bear,
Or venison — though that was deer.

Still, native viands pleased them most —
The native maize, for that was new;
They ate the native boiled and roast
And even ate the native stew!