ODE On the Frigate Constitution "And in those days men settled themselves on the waters, and lived there, not because land was wanting, but that they wished not to be slaves to such as were great and mighty on the land."-Modern History. Thus launch'd at length upon the main Will many an idler find a home T. tread his native soil no more, Dick Brothers said, "The time will come When war no more shall prowl the sea, If Richard proves a prophet true, And turn our bulldogs into lambs, 1797 THE POLITICAL WEATHER-COCK 'Tis strange that things upon the ground Long before your spirit fled, Live, and chatter Caty-did. Tell me, what did Caty do? Why continue to complain? But, while singing, you forgot To tell us what did Caty not: Caty-did not think of cold, Flocks retiring to the fold, Winter, with his wrinkles old, Winter, that yourself foretold When you gave us Caty-did. Stay securely in your nest; Caty now will do her best, All she can, to make you blest; But, you want no human aidNature, when she form'd you, said, "Independent you are made, My dear little Caty-did: Soon yourself must disappear With the verdure of the year," And to go, we know not where, With your song of Caty-did. In "Poems," 1815. TIMOTHY DWIGHT From GREENFIELD HILL PART IV-THE (1752-1817) DESTRUCTION OF THE PEQUODS1 (The text is taken from the original This selection begins with the 13th stanza, In yon small field, that dimly steals from sight, (From yon small field these meditations grow) Turning the sluggish soil, from morn to night, The plodding hind, laborious, drives his plough, Nor dreams, a nation sleeps, his foot below. There, undisturbed by the roaring wave, Releas'd from war, and far from deadly foe, Lies down, in endless rest, a nation brave, 1 The Pequods inhabited the branches of the Thames, which empties itself into the Sound, at New London. This nation, from the first settlement of the English Colonists, regarded them with jealousy; and attempted to engage the neighboring tribes in a combination against them. Several of those tribes were, however, more jealous of the Pequods, than of the English, and rejected their solicitations. Not discouraged by these disappointments, they resolved to attempt the destruction of the English, with the strength of their own tribes only; and cruelly assassinated Captains Stone, Norton, and Old. ham, as they were trading peaceably in their neighborhood. The English demanded the murderers; but were answered with disdain, and insult. Upon this, Captain Mason was dispatched into their country with a body of troops; and attacking one of their principal forts, destroyed it, together with a large number of their warriors. The rest of the nation fled. A large body of them came to a swamp; three miles westward of Fairfield. One of their number loitering behind the rest, was discovered by the English troops, then commanded by Captain Stoughton, of the Massachusetts; and was compelled to disclose their retreat. One hundred of them, it is said, surrendered. The rest, bravely resolving to live and die together, were attacked, and chiefly destroyed. On this piece of History, the following part of the Poem is founded. It is introduced by reflections on the changes, wrought in the world by time. Ancient Empires. Great Britain. America. Story related, with reflections on the savages. Conclusion. (The "Argument" as supplied by the Author.) Ascending castles foreign flags display; Mysterious art new scenes of life devise; And steeds insult the plains, and cannon rend the skies." And frequent heav'd, around the hollow tomb; Scalps hung in rows, and whitening bones were strew'd; Where, round the broiling babe, fresh from the womb, 70 With howls the Powaw fill'd the dark abode, And screams, and midnight prayers, invok'd the Evil god." "There too, with awful rites, the hoary priest, Without, beside the moss-grown altar, stood, His sable form in magic cincture dress'd, And heap'd the mingled offering to his god, What time, with golden light, calm evening glow'd. The mystic dust, the flower of silver bloom, And spicy herb, his hand in order strew'd; Bright rose the curling flame; and rich perfume 80 On smoky wings upflew, or settled round the tomb." |