I would take nothing, if the power were mine,
Of all thy lands, lest it should Him displease;
But for just meed shouldst thou some part resign,
Would the Great Spirit blame the deed benign?"
XXII.
"'Tis not the peäg," said the sagamore,
"Nor knives, nor guns, nor garments red as blood,
That buy the lands I hold dominion o'er—
Lands that were fashioned by the red man's God;
But to my friend I give, and take no more
Than to his generous bosom seemeth good;
But still we pass the belt, and for the lands,
He strengthens mine, and I make strong his hands."
XXIII.
"Weak is my hand, brave chief," our Sire replied;
"Aid do I need, but none can I bestow;
Yet on the vacant plain, by Seekonk's tide,
I fain would build, and peaceful neighbors know;
But if my brother has that plain denied,
Far tow'rds the setting sun will Williams go,
And on the lands of other chiefs abide,
Whose blankets are with ampler room supplied."
XXIV.
As thus our Founder spake, this murmur low
Circled that savage group of warriors round,
"The stranger will to Narraganset go!"
"A hungry wolf shall in his path be found!"
Rejoined stern Corbitant, whose eyes did glow
With kindling wrath;—then from his belt unbound
His hatchet and beneath his blanket hid;—
Warrior to warrior glanced, as this he did.
