Page:What cheer, or, Roger Williams in banishment (1896).pdf/66

 XI.

There too came Corbitant, austere of mood, And Annawan, who saw, in after times, Brave Metacom, and all of kindred blood, Slain, or enslaved and sold to foreign climes; And strong Appanow, of Pocasset's wood, And other chiefs of names unmeet for rhymes; And round our Father, in the fearful trim Of savage war, they gathered, wroth and grim.

XII.

Each fired his pipe, and seat in silence took; Around the room a dreadful ring they made;— Their eyes stared fiercely through the wreathing smoke, And luridly their gaudy plumage played, The while, obscured, they did scarce earthly look, But seemed like fiends in their infernal shade; And still the vapors rose and naught they spoke, Till Massasoit thus the silence broke:

XIII.

"And is my brother here? What does he seek? Tow'rd Wamponand, upon the passing wing, A singing bird there went; its opening beak  Was by Namasket's wigwam heard to sing That thou art friendless, homeless, poor and weak,  Seeking protection from an Indian King. Do the white Sagamores their vengeance wreak, E'en as the red ones, on their brethren?—Speak."

XIV.

Sire Williams answered: "'Twas no idle song Sung by that bird which passed Namasket near; I am an exile these drear wilds among,  And hope for kindness from the red men here.