LIII.
"When first his fire Awanux kindled here,
Haup's[1] chief was weak, and broken was his heart;
Disease had swept his warriors far and near,
And at his breast looked Narraganset's dart;
Awanux gave him strength, and with strange fear
Did M'antonomi at the big guns start;
He dropt his hatchet; but his hate remains,
And only counsel wise his wrath restrains.
LIV.
"He sees the strangers spreading far around,
And earth turn pale as fast their numbers grow,
And fiercely would he to the battle bound,
And for his country strike the deadly blow,
But that behind the Pequot's yells resound,
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;
If from their lands my brother's smoke should rise,
Whate'er those Sachems promise, they will do;
But Waban still doth not his friend advise
To cross the Seekonk where their country lies.
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.
