Oliver Newman A New-England Tale (Unfinished): With Other Poetical Remains. By the late Robert Southey |
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 | Oliver Newman |  |
“'Tis but the easy distance of a day
From Hadley,” quoth the Governor; and he spread
A map before them, rudely drawn, wherein
Wild forests stretching far and wide were seen,
Rivers whose inland course was unexplored,
And infant settlements, as yet ill-stored,
Few, and with dreary intervals between.
“Here in the vale of the Connecticut,”
Said Leverett, “Willoby's allotment lies:
A part from our immediate enemies
Remote, and, if reliance might be put
On distance, safe. From hence it bears due west
Some five days' travel through the woods; and now
The least frequented path will be the best,
That thou may'st leave behind thee on the left
The troubled country. Here thou see'st it, south,
About these creeks and inlets and the mouth
Of Providence river, and the region wide
Of lakes and swamps in woodland interspersed,
That darkens o'er the land on every side.
This then will be thy course, to render first
The damsel to her father's hands; then seek
Thy fortune with thine Indian company
In the Narhaganset lands. If it fall fair,
Thou wilt among their people leave them there,
And to that painful interview proceed,
Which of thy dearest hope, full well I know,
Must undeceive thee. It shall be my care
To the Connecticut thy way to speed;
From thence, alas! I can but follow thee
With anxious thoughts in spirit and in prayer.
But I will suffer no ill bodings now:
The Lord is merciful, and thy intent
Is righteous, and to Him we leave the event.”
From Hadley,” quoth the Governor; and he spread
A map before them, rudely drawn, wherein
Wild forests stretching far and wide were seen,
Rivers whose inland course was unexplored,
And infant settlements, as yet ill-stored,
Few, and with dreary intervals between.
“Here in the vale of the Connecticut,”
Said Leverett, “Willoby's allotment lies:
A part from our immediate enemies
Remote, and, if reliance might be put
On distance, safe. From hence it bears due west
Some five days' travel through the woods; and now
The least frequented path will be the best,
That thou may'st leave behind thee on the left
The troubled country. Here thou see'st it, south,
About these creeks and inlets and the mouth
Of Providence river, and the region wide
Of lakes and swamps in woodland interspersed,
70
This then will be thy course, to render first
The damsel to her father's hands; then seek
Thy fortune with thine Indian company
In the Narhaganset lands. If it fall fair,
Thou wilt among their people leave them there,
And to that painful interview proceed,
Which of thy dearest hope, full well I know,
Must undeceive thee. It shall be my care
To the Connecticut thy way to speed;
From thence, alas! I can but follow thee
With anxious thoughts in spirit and in prayer.
But I will suffer no ill bodings now:
The Lord is merciful, and thy intent
Is righteous, and to Him we leave the event.”
| Oliver Newman | |