XXI.
At length the morn of this stern trial rose,
And mustering towns poured forth their eager trains,
From where wild Pawcatuck's dark water flows,
To where Pawtucket cleaves the sounding plains;
From where Aquidnay's blooming bosom throws
The ocean back, unto the far domains
Of the rude Nipnet, Narraganset's wood
Rendered in eager throngs the multitude.
XXII.
Swarm upon swarm, far dark'ning all the ground,
They gathered, and on Potowomet's plain,
The dusky rabble filled the borders round,
While near the centre stood the warrior train; [abound,
Wild dance their plumes; fierce looks, fierce threats
With war of voices like the murmuring main,
Wherein these words continually prevail:—
"The priest of Chepian grim!—Awanux weak and pale!"
XXIII.
The council formed upon the open glade;
The Sachems sate about the mounting blaze;
Five thousand warriors round that senate made
A dreadful ring, and stared with fixed amaze;
Within the senate, (so the chieftains bade,)
Apart sate Williams, obvious to their gaze;
And off a little, but confronting him,
Appeared the wizard in his hideous trim.
XXIV.
From crown to heel stained black as night he rose,
All naked save his waist and heaving chest;
The sable fox-hide did his loins enclose,
The sable fox-tail formed the nodding crest
