CANTO FIFTH. Deep in the dale's sequestered solitude, With their brown shadows ever overcast, Where dwelt her hoary chief, whilst still might last The stern dominion of the freezing North To chain his warriors from the work of wrath. II. And near it rose an ample council hall, Where oft the Narraganset senate sate, When came the wise men, at their sachem's call, And still within the shade were shelters all III. Here father Willams must a space remain, Until suspicion and grim wrath despoiled IV. Day after day, he past from man to man, In paints all grim-in horrid arms arrayed— V. Betwixt the tribes, on either side the stream, Still he the belt would hold-the pipe would bearBut never in his hand should lightning gleam For either sachem when he rushed to war; And with the Yengees still it might beseem Him to promote an understanding fair, Till wide the tree of peace its branches spread, And white and red men smoke beneath its shade. VI. But chiefly he did this free converse hold With M'antonomi, sachem young and brave, And great Canonicus, so sage and old, And in his speech deliberate and grave. One eve they sate the storm without was cold- VII. Why will my brother dwell amid our foes, And not surveyed Mooshausick's winding flood? Its banks are green-its forests waving fair→→ VIII. WILLIAMS, Ne'er will I dwell among my brothers' foes, Had I the heart for such unseemly broil. IX. CANONICUS. How could my brother's thoughts his friends offend? What can his speeches with his foes avail?— How dares his foot to print this distant vale; The path was shut between the nations red— How dared my brother on that path to tread? X. WILLIAMS. The white man labors to enthral the mind- And clear her passage to the Deity: XI. CANONICUS, Thy generous confidence has on me won, That ope'd my ears, to other Yengees deaf, Brother, the spirit of my son is gone I burned my lodge to speak my mighty griefIf thou art true I am not left alone Some comfort is there for the gray-haired chiefIf to thy words the fitting deeds be done, I am thy father, thou shalt be my son. XII. The kindest reader would fatigued complain, Of barbarous warriors and their sachems high; XIII. They had their Corbitant's of surly mood, Who scarce would yield obedience to their lord; Alike they thirsted for the Yengees' blood, And Wampanoag's, and alike abhorred. By gaudy presents he their wrath subdued, Or won their kindness by his soothing word; But there was one who spurned all proffers kind— Whose demon hate was to all goodness blind. XIV. It was the grim Pawaw.-He came in ire, From his proud dwelling by Mooshausick's stream; He spoke the voice of gods and omens dire, And loudly chanted his prophetic dream; "The white man's gods had set the woods on fire, And Chepian vanished in its fearful gleam; Their fathers' ghosts came from their hunting ground; Their children sought, and only ashes found." XV. With grave attention did the council hear That crafty priest his awful omens.sing. The warriors ruled by superstitious fear, Half credence gave, and overawed the king. In groups they thronged the forest, far and near, With gathered brows and speech dark muttering; Whilst moved the prophet through the kindling crowds, Like a dire comet through night's lowering clouds. XVI. And as he past, the varying rumors flew Of secret plan's sprung from the Yengees' hate; And still their fears and doubts and wonder grew, Whilst on that dream the chiefs prolonged debate ; For priest was he and politician too, And oft he meddled with affairs of state, Wrought on the fears of superstition's crew, And the best counsels of the wise o'erthrew. XVII. Thus, when the senate dared resist his sway, He still gained triumph with the multitude, Till now the chiefs half yielding to dismay; Yet vext and goaded by his rebel mood, Bade that the clans assemble on a day, And Williams meet the prophet of the wood, And in their wondering presence overthrow, His strange dominion, or each hope forego. XVIII. I will not say that devils did enlist, To do the bidding of this grim pawaw; Formed by rude nature; but the age, which saw XIX. Great was his fame; for wide the rumor went, The demons dark were all at his command, |