STANZA XLVII.
This fragment shows the serpent's skin they sent,
Filled with round thunders to our royal tent.
"The people called Narragansets," says the N. E. Memorial, "sent messengers unto our plantations with a bundle of arrows tied together with a snake-skin, which the interpreter told them was a threatening and a challenge, upon which the Governor of Plymouth sent them a rough answer, viz.: That, if they loved war better than peace, they might begin when they would; they had done them no wrong, neither did they fear them, nor should they find them unprovided; and by another messenger they sent the snake-skin back again, with bullets in it; but they would not receive it, but sent it back again." Mr. Davis in a note adds: "The messenger was accompanied by a friendly Indian, Tockamahamon. The messenger inquired for Squanto, who was absent. The bundle of arrows was left for him, and the messenger departed without any explanation. When Squanto returned, and the dubious present was delivered him, he immediately understood the object." The planters, however, seem to have considered themselves threatened. They immediately began to strengthen their defences, and every precaution was taken against a surprise.
STANZA XLVIII.
This, when at Sowans raged our battle loud,
How their round thunders made that battle dumb.
See the passage from Winthrop, in note to stanza xxxiii.
This how amid the Pequot nation they
Build the square lodge, and whet him to the fray.
The Plymouth Company had established a trading house on the Connecticut, as early as 1633. Their trade with the Pequots in arrow points, knives, hatchets, &c., might very probably give offence to the Narragansets. "We found," says Winthrop, "that all the sachems of Narraganset, except Canonicus and Miantonomi were the contrivers of Mr. Oldham's death, and the occasion was because he went to make peace and trade with the Pequots."
