Of good and bad it hath an ample stock;
It cheers its friend, it blasts its enemy—
Ten favors does it for each favor done,
And ten darts sends for every hostile one.
XV.
"Follow the war-chief;—mid yon heavy cloud
Of warriors grim in arms and martial dyes,
Sits the gray Sachem in his numbers proud,
But prouder still in counsels old and wise."
So spake he, striding tow'rd the lowering crowd.
Williams to calmness did his guide advise;
And both with cautious step and slow pursued
The Sachem tow'rd that fearful multitude.
XVI.
Not more horrific gleams the glistering snake,
Where coiled on glowing rocks he basking lies,
When, at the approaching step his rattles shake,
Flickers his forky tongue, and burn his eyes,
Than glared that crowd of warriors round the stake,
Arrayed in murderous arms and martial guise;
Their turbulent murmurs kindling through the whole
The sympathetic wrath of one inspiring soul.
XVII.
But when the Sachem, coming, near them trod,
He raised his open hand, and, pausing, spoke:
"Keenomps! Awanux, prompted by his God,
Brings back the pipe the Wampanoag broke.
Our fathers ever answered good with good,
And for the bearer of the pipe ne'er woke
The storm of vengeance;—list ye to his talk;
He brings no message from the tomahawk."
