XXXIX. That night, returning from the accustomed pool, As he displayed the produce of his toils; XL. "Bravely," said Williams, "has my brother done, No more the cunning wights will mock his skill. Waban is rich; will he not hie him soon To the pale wigwams, and his girdle fill XLI. "The hunter goes," said Waban in reply; Then fired his calumet and curled its smoke, And silent sate in all the dignity Which conscious worth can give the human look. But when the fragrant clouds to mount on high Had ceased, he from the bowl the embers shook, And spread on earth the brown deer's rustling hide, Expanding to the eye its naked side. XLII. Then thus he spake: "My brother doth require Waban to show where neighboring Sachems reign; — Doubtless he seeks to light his council fire Within some good and valiant chief's domain, That he may shun the persecutor's ire, And pray his God without the fear of men. On Waban's words my brother may repose, Whilst these far feet imprint the distant snows." XLIII. Then from the hearth a quenchéd brand he took, Here rose the hills, and there the vales decline, XLIV. * "Here's Waban's lodge, thou seest it smokes between "And bend his battle bow. XLV. Strong is he now, * Cohannet, the Indian name for Taunton, is here applied to the river. XLVI. "His highest chief is Corbitant the stern; He bears a fox's head and panther's heart, He 'gainst Awanux does in secret turn, Sharps his keen knife, and points his thirsty dart; His council fires in Mattapoiset* burn, Of Pokanoket's woods his licensed part. Cruel he is, and terrible his train Light not your fires within that wolf's domain. XLVII. "Here, tow'rd the winter, where the fountains feed And rush to war when rings his battle yell; XLVIII. "Here lies Namasket tow'rd the rising sun; XLIX. "Still tow'rd the rising sun might Waban show And count each tribe, and each brave Keenomp name; But then his brother does not wish to go Nearer the pale-face and the fagot's flame e; * Mattapoiset, now Swansey But rather tow'rd the tomahawk and bow, And would the friendship of the red man claim: Therefore will Waban, on the western shores, Count Narraganset's men and sagamores. L. "Two mighty chiefs - one cautious, wise and old, One young and strong, and terrible in fightAll Narraganset and Coweset hold; One lodge they build, one council fire they light; One sways in peace, and one in battle bold; Five thousand warriors give their arrows flight; This is Miantonomi, strong and brave, And that Canonicus, his uncle grave.* LI. "Dark rolling Seekonk does their realm divide Stretches their realm to where the rebel train, LII. "Canonicus is as the beaver wise, Miantonomi as the panther bold; But tow'rd the faces pale their watchful eyes Thoughts that to none but Keenomps they have told; They seem two buffaloes the herds that lead, Scenting the hunters gathering round their mead. * See note. † See note. LIII. "When first his fire Awanux kindled here, Haup's chief was weak, and broken was his heart; Disease had swept his warriors far and near, And at his breast looked Narraganset's dart; He dropt his hatchet; but his hate remains, LIV. "He sees the strangers spreading far around, And for his country strike the deadly blow, And on his left the Nipnet bends the bow And even thus his hatchet scarcely sleeps, It dreams of Haup, and in its slumber leaps. LV. But, brother, still Miantonomi is A valiant Sachem yea, and generous too, And gray Canonicus is just and wise, ; His hands are ever to his tongue most true; LVI. "Brother, attend and hear the reasons why; There at Mooshausick dwells a dark pawaw, Who hates Awanux, doth his God defy, And Chepian worships with the deepest awe ; * Haup, or Mount Hope, the summer residence of Massasoit. |