The poem takes immediate hold of the events given in the early
chronicles. The time when the story begins is stated only in a general
way; but as the Mayflower began her return voyage April 5, 1621, the
phrase, “In the Old Colony days,” stands for April 4th of the same
year. The names of the three principal characters are mentioned in
Bradford’s _History of Plymouth Plantation_ as names of immigrants
on the Mayflower. In regard to the instance of the rattlesnake-skin
challenge sent by Canonicus, the time of its occurrence has been
shifted in the poem from January, 1622, when it really took place,
to the date when the poem opens. The incident is historical, and has
been brought in almost in the exact form in which it is recorded.
The real occasion for the Captain’s expedition (488) was to rescue
the neighboring settlement of Weymouth, which was threatened by the
Indians in March, 1623. The chronicles mention the details of the
encounter very much as given (745-815); also the trophy brought back
by the Captain (818, 819). May 12th is mentioned as the date when the
first marriage in the colony took place. The poet’s description of the
ceremony (936-939) is based upon Bradford’s _History_:
“May 12th was the first mariage in this place, which, according to
ye laudable custome of ye Low Countries, in which they had lived, was
thought most requisite to be performed by the magistrate, as being
a civill thing, upon which many questions aboute inheritances doe
depende, with other things most proper to their cognizans, and most
consonant to ye Scriptures, Ruth 4, and no wher found in ye Gospell
to be layed on ye ministers as part of their office.”
These are the main incidents that form the groundwork; but in addition
to these there are numerous minor touches, names and facts from the
old records, all which go to build up the narrative into a faithful
historic picture.
Such is the portrayal of Standish and his previous service in Holland.
He had fought in Flanders (25) against the Spaniards (28); he had
charge of the military organization in the Colony (46-93). The Indian
names mentioned in 53 are found in the chronicles. The death of Rose
Standish (136) is also mentioned. Other names and facts that in one
way or another are matters of historic record are the “Psalm-book
of Ainsworth,” printed in Amsterdam (231, 232); the seven houses of
Plymouth (392); Wat Tyler (415); the Elder and his Words (442, 443
and 457); Stephen, Richard, and Gilbert (547); the Field of the First
Encounter (606). “In autumn the ships of the merchants” (825)--this
refers to the Anne and the Little James, which arrived in Plymouth in
the autumn of 1623. “Still may be seen” (846): the descendants of Alden
still own the lands where his house stood, in Duxbury.