XLVI.
'Twas for our Founder now in turn to pause—
He felt his weakness at rebuff so stern;
The kid had leaped beneath the lion's paws,
Whose fangs began to move, and eyes to burn;
At length he said, "What bold encroachment draws
The Sachem's mind into this deep concern?
How have the Yengees given thee offence?
What deeds of theirs have marred thy confidence?"
XLVII.
At this, the Sachem from his girdle took
His snow-white pipe, and snapt the stem in twain:
"They came intruders, and the pipe was broke,"
Said the stern Sachem, and it snapt again;
"Our subject chiefs their ruling chiefs forsook,
And they were sheltered by the stranger's train.
This fragment shows the serpent's skin they sent,
Filled with round thunders to our royal tent.
XLVIII.
"This shows, they raised their bulwarks high and proud,
And poised their big guns at our distant home.
This, when at Sowams[1] raged our battle loud,
How their round thunders made that battle dumb.
This, the fire-water how they have bestowed,
And with its madness have our youth o'ercome.
This, how amid the Pequot nation they
Build the square lodge, and whet him to the fray.
XLIX.
"This, with the Maqua how a league they made,
And filled with arms his all-destroying hand.
This, how they claim right over quick and dead—
Our fathers' buried bones, their children's land.
- ↑ See note to stanza XXXIII.
