Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 10.djvu/158

 150 The First Excursion.

Far swept the coast, marked bj its piny fringe,

And there upon the near horizon's verge

Rose gentle isles,* with verdure clad, that seemed

Fair satellites of the majestic main,

Resting, like emerald bubbles, on the sea.

And all was wonderful and new and grand!

Then up spoke Martin Pring, the SpeedioelVs chief: " Now, by ray hope of sassafras," said he, "But this is Paradise renewed, and here, Again, those scenes that waited primal man! None more enchanting could have met his eye Who by Euphrates set up for himself. With all things his that met his raptured gaze. Great Sassafras! thou marvel of the hour, Deign but to show thyself, and we are blest, Adding thy virtues to this prospect rare. Boatswain, thy pinnace launch, and up This tempting stream will we its track pursue, And drink in draughts of wondrous loveliness, For, since the time when first I was afloat. Ne'er saw I stream with promise fair as this."

The pinnace launched and manned, with Pring to guide,

Now up Piscataqua the bending ash

Propels the little craft, until the tide,

Down-sweeping through the "Narrows," then unnamed,

Resists advance, and struggle scarce avails

To stem the current rushing to the sea.

The Speedwell's crew, unused to strain like this.

Deem it a task exceeding human will;

But Pring, on sassafras and honor bent.

Urges his men to energy renewed.

And, with a splurge, the fearful Point is pass'd

(That mariners in later times have named.

In their emphatic parlance, something rude.

That ears polite are mortified to hearf).

And, bounding free, the inner pool is gained,

Lying in tranquil beauty neath the sun:

A wide, blue stream ti}at laved the verdant shores.

Lying abroad in beautiful expanse.

Backed by wild eminences, timber-crowned,

'Neath skies harmonious in the airs of June.


 * Isles of Shoals.

t " rull-ai)d-be-d— d Point."

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