Page:What cheer, or, Roger Williams in banishment (1896).pdf/49

 XXXII.

At last he said, "My brother doubtless knows— He has a book which his Great Spirit wrote: Brave were my fathers, yet did they repose  With hope in Chepian, and his aid besought When forth they marched to shed the blood of foes;  But maybe they, like Waban, never thought That they were cowards, when they fiercely prayed That Evil One to give their vengeance aid.

XXXIII.

"Waban will think, and should it seem like fear— Waban ne'er shrunk when round him battle roared, And at the stake when bound, his torturers near,  Among the clouds thy brother's spirit soared And scorned her foes—but should it seem like fear  To worship Chepian, whom his sires adored, He will no more be that dread demon's slave; For ne'er will Waban fill a coward's grave."

XXXIV.

Thus in grave converse did they pass the day, Till night returning brought them slumbers sweet; And, with the morrow, shone the sun's broad ray Serenely down on Waban's lone retreat. Then Williams might have journeyed on his way, But doubt and darkness still restrained his feet; And so with Waban made he further stay To learn about the tribes that round him lay.

XXXV.

Hence may he secretly to Salem write, And friends approving, still his plans arrange; For Waban soon will bear his peltry light To Salem's mart, and there may interchange