Lyons there are none in New England:[380] it is contrary to the Nature

of the beast to frequent places accustomed to snow; being like the

Catt, that will hazard the burning of her tayle rather than abide from

the fire.

CHAP. VI.

_Of Stones and Minerals._[381]

Now, (for as much as I have in a breife abstract shewed you the

Creatures whose specificall Natures doe simpathise with the elements of

fire and aire,) I will come to speake of the Creatures that participate

of earth more then the other two, which is stones.

~_Marble._~

And first of the Marble for building; whereof there is much in those

parts, in so much there is one bay in the land that beareth the name of

Marble harber, because of the plenty of Marble there:[382] and these

{84} are usefull for building of Sumpteous Pallaces.

~_Limestone._~

And because no good building can be made permanent, or durable, without

Lime, I will let you understand that there is good Limestone neere to

the river of Monatoquinte,[383] at Uttaquatock,[384] to my knowledge;

and we hope other places too, (that I have not taken so much notice

of,) may have the like, or better: and those stones are very convenient

for building.

~_Chalk._~

Chalke stones there are neere Squantos Chappell,[385] shewed me by a

Salvage.

~_Slate._~

There is abundance of excellent Slate[386] in divers places of the

Country; and the best that ever I beheld for covering of howses: and

the inhabitants have made good use of these materials for building.

~_Whetstones._~

There is a very usefull Stone in the Land, and as yet there is found

out but one place where they may be had, in the whole Country: Ould

Woodman, (that was choaked at Plimmouth after hee had played the

unhappy Markes man when hee was pursued by a carelesse fellow that was

new come into the Land,) they say laboured to get a patent of it to

himselfe. Hee was beloved of many, and had many sonnes that had a minde

to engrosse that commodity. And I cannot spie any mention made of it

in the woodden prospect.[387]

Therefore I begin to suspect his aime, that it was for himselfe; and

therefore will I not discover it: it is the Stone so much commended by

_Ovid_, because love delighteth to make his habitation in a building of

those materials, where hee advises those that seeke for love to doe it,

_Duris in Cotibus illum_.[388]

This stone the Salvages doe call _Cos_;[389] {85} and of these, (on the

North end of Richmond Iland,) are store, and those are very excellent

good for edg’d tooles.[390] I envy not his happinesse. I have bin

there:[391] viewed the place: liked the commodity: but will not plant

so Northerly for that, nor any other commodity that is there to be had.

~_Loadstones._~

There are Loadestones[392] also in the Northerne parts of the land: and

those which were found are very good, and are a commodity worth the

noteing.

~_Ironstones._~

Iron stones[393] there are abundance: and severall sorts of them knowne.

~_Lead._~

Lead ore[394] is there likewise, and hath bin found by the breaking of

the earth, which the Frost hath made mellow.

~_Blacklead._~

Black Leade[395] I have likewise found very good, which the Salvages

use to paint their faces with.

~_Read lead._~

Red Leade[396] is there likewise in great abundance.

~_Boll._~

There is very excellent Boll Armoniack.[397]

~_Vermilion._~

There is most excellent Vermilion.[398] All these things the Salvages

make some litle use of, and doe finde them on the circumference of the

Earth.

~_Brimstone._~

Brimstone[399] mines there are likewise.

~_Tinne._~

Mines of Tinne[400] are likewise knowne to be in those parts: which

will in short time be made use of: and this cannot be accompted a meane

commodity.

~_Copper._~

Copper mines[401] are there found likewise, that will enrich the

Inhabitants. But untill theire younge Cattell be growne hardy labourers

in the yoake, that the Plough and the Wheate may be seene more

plentifully, it is a worke must be forborne.

~_Silver._~

{86} They say there is a Silver, and a gold mine[402] found by Captaine

Littleworth:[403] if hee get a patent of it to himselfe hee will surely

change his name.

CHAP. VII.

_Of the Fishes, and what commodity they proove._[404]

Among Fishes, first I will begin with the Codd, because it is the most

commodious of all fish, as may appeare by the use which is made of them

in forraigne parts.

~_Codd._~

The Codd fishing is much used in America, (whereof New England is a

part,) in so much as 300. Sayle of shipps, from divers parts, have used

to be imployed yearely in that trade.

~_15. Shipps at one time for Codd._~

I have seene in one Harboure,[405] next Richmond Iland, 15. Sayle of

shipps at one time, that have taken in them driyed Codds for Spaine and

the Straights, and it has bin found that the Saylers have made 15. 18.

20. 22. p. share for a common man.

~_Oyle mayd of the livers of the Codd._~

The Coast aboundeth with such multitudes of Codd[406] that the

inhabitants of New England doe dunge their grounds with Codd; and it

is a commodity better than the golden mines of the Spanish Indies; for

without dried Codd the Spaniard, Portingal and Italian would not be

able to vittel of a shipp for the Sea; and I am sure at the Canaries it

is the principall commodity: which place lyeth neere New Eng{87}land,

very convenient for the vending of this commodity, one hundred of these

being at the price of 300. of New found land Codds: greate store of

traine oyle[407] is mayd of the livers of the Codd, and is a commodity

that without question will enrich the inhabitants of New England

quicly; and is therefore a principall commodity.

~_A 100 Basse sould for 5. p._~

The Basse[408] is an excellent Fish, both fresh and Salte; one hundred

whereof salted, (at a market,) have yeilded 5. p. They are so large,

the head of one will give a good eater a dinner; and for daintinesse of

diet they excell the Mary-bones of Beefe. There are such multitudes,

that I have seene stopped into the river close adjoyning to my howse,

with a sand at one tide, so many as will loade a ship of a 100. Tonnes.

Other places have greater quantities, in so much as wagers have bin

layed that one should not throw a stone in the water but that hee

should hit a fish.

I my selfe, at the turning of the tyde, have seene such multitudes

passe out of a pound, that it seemed to mee that one might goe over

their backs drishod.

These follow the bayte up the rivers, and sometimes are followed for

bayte and chased into the bayes, and shallow waters, by the grand

pise:[409] and these may have also a prime place in the Catalogue of

Commodities.

~_Mackarell are baite for Basse._~

The Mackarels are the baite for the Basse, and these have bin chased

into the shallow waters where so many thousands have shott themselves

a shore with the surfe of the Sea, that whole hogges-heads have bin

taken up on the Sands; and for length, they excell {88} any of other

parts: they have bin measured 18. and 19. inches in length and seaven

in breadth: and are taken with a drayle,[410] (as boats use to passe to

and froe at Sea on businesse,) in very greate quantities all alonge the

Coaste.

The Fish is good, salted, for store against the winter, as well as

fresh; and to be accounted a good Commodity.

~_Sturgeon._~

This Sturgeon in England is _regalis piscis_;[411] every man in New

England may catch what hee will: there are multitudes of them, and they

are much fatter then those that are brought into England from other

parts, in so much as by reason of their fatnesse they doe not looke

white, but yellow, which made a Cooke presume they were not so good as

them of Roushea: silly fellow that could not understand that it is the

nature of fish salted, or pickelled, the fatter the yellower being best

to preserve.[412]

For the taste, I have warrant of Ladies of worth, with choise pallats

for the commendations, who liked the taste so well that they esteemed

it beyond the Sturgeon of other parts, and sayd they were deceaved in

the lookes: therefore let the Sturgeon passe for a Commodity.

~_Salmon._~

Of Salmons there is greate abundance: and these may be allowed for a

Commodity, and placed in the Catallogue.

~_Herrings._~

Of Herrings there is greate store, fat and faire: and, (to my minde,)

as good as any I have seene; and these may be preserved, and made a

good commodity at the Canaries.

~_Great plenty of Eeles._~

{89} Of Eeles there is abundance, both in the Salt-waters and in the

fresh: and the fresh water Eele there, (if I may take the judgement

of a London Fishmonger,) is the best that hee hath found in his life

time. I have with 2.[413] eele potts found my howsehold, (being nine

persons, besides doggs,) with them, taking them every tide, (for 4.

moneths space,) and preserving of them for Winter store:[414] and these

may proove a good commodity.

~_Smelts._~

Of Smelts there is such abundance that the Salvages doe take them up in

the rivers with baskets, like sives.

~_Shadds or Allizes taken to dunge ground._~

There is a Fish, (by some called shadds, by some allizes,)[415] that

at the spring of the yeare passe up the rivers to spaune in the ponds;

and are taken in such multitudes in every river, that hath a pond at

the end, that the Inhabitants doung their ground with them. You may see

in one towneship a hundred acres together set with these Fish, every

acre taking 1000. of them: and an acre thus dressed will produce and

yeald so much corne as 3. acres without fish: and, least any Virginea

man would inferre hereupon that the ground of New England is barren,

because they use no fish in setting their corne, I desire them to be

remembred the cause is plaine, in Virginea they have it not to sett.

But this practise is onely for the Indian Maize, (which must be set by

hands,) not for English graine: and this is therefore a commodity there.

~_Turbut or Hallibut._~

There is a large sized fish called Hallibut, or Turbut:[416] some are

taken so bigg that two men have much a doe to hale them into the boate;

but there is {90} such plenty, that the fisher men onely eate the heads

and finnes, and throw away the bodies: such in Paris would yeeld 5. or

6. crownes a peece: and this is no discommodity.

~_Plaice._~

There are excellent Plaice,[417] and easily taken. They, (at flowing

water,) do almost come ashore, so that one may stepp but halfe a foote

deepe and prick them up on the sands and this may passe with some

allowance.

~_Hake._~

Hake[418] is a dainty white fish, and excellent vittell fresh; and may

passe with other commodities, because there are multitudes.

~_Pilchers._~

There are greate store of Pilchers:[419] at Michelmas, in many places,

I have seene the Cormorants[420] in length 3. miles feedinge upon the

Sent.

~_Lobsters._~

Lobsters are there infinite in store in all the parts of the land, and

very excellent. The most use that I made of them, in 5. yeares after I

came there, was but to baite my Hooke for to catch Basse; I had bin so

cloyed with them the first day I went a shore.

This being knowne, they shall passe for a commodity to the inhabitants;

for the Salvages will meete 500, or 1000. at a place where Lobsters

come in with the tyde, to eate, and save dried for store; abiding in

that place, feasting and sporting, a moneth or 6. weekes together.[421]

~_Oysters._~

There are greate store of Oysters in the entrance of all Rivers: they

are not round as those of England, but excellent fat, and all good. I

have seene an Oyster banke a mile at length.

~_Mustles._~

Mustles there are infinite store; I have often gon {91} to Wassaguscus,

where were excellent Mustles, to eate for variety, the fish is so fat

and large.[422]

~_Clames._~

Clames is a shellfish, which I have seene sold in Westminster for

12. pe. the skore. These our swine feede upon, and of them there is

no want; every shore is full; it makes the swine proove exceedingly,

they will not faile at low water to be with them. The Salvages are

much taken with the delight of this fishe, and are not cloyed,

notwithstanding the plenty: for our swine we finde it a good commodity.

~_Rarer fish._~

Rarer fishes there are.

~_Freele._~

Freeles there are, Cockles and Scallopes;[423] and divers other sorts

of Shellfishe, very good foode.

Now that I have shewed you what commodities are there to be had in

the Sea, for a Market; I will shew what is in the Land, also, for the

comfort of the inhabitants, wherein it doth abound. And because my

taske is an abstract, I will discover to them the commodity thereof.

~_Fresh fish, Trouts, Carpes, Breames, Pikes, Roches,

Perches, Tenches, and Eeles._~

There are in the rivers, and ponds, very excellent Trouts, Carpes,

Breames, Pikes, Roches, Perches, Tenches, Eeles, and other fishes such

as England doth afford, and as good for variety; yea, many of them much

better; and the Natives of the inland parts doe buy hookes of us, to

catch them with: and I have knowne the time that a Trouts hooke hath

yeelded a beaver skinne, which hath bin a good commodity to those that

have bartered them away.

These things I offer to your consideration, (curteous Reader,) and

require you to shew mee the like in any part of the knowne world, if

you can.

{92} CHAP. VIII.

_Of the goodnes of the Country and the Waters._

~_Foode and Fire._~

Now since it is a Country so infinitely blest with foode, and fire, to

roast or boyle our Flesh and Fish, why should any man feare for cold

there, in a Country warmer in the winter than some parts of France, and

neerer the Sunne: unles hee be one of those that Salomon bids goe to

the Ant and the Bee.

~_Noe Boggs._~

~_Perfumed aire with sweet herbes._~

There is no boggy ground knowne in all the Country, from whence the

Sunne may exhale unwholsom vapors: But there are divers arematicall

herbes and plants, as Sassafras, Muske Roses, Violets, Balme, Lawrell,

Hunnisuckles, and the like, that with their vapors perfume the aire;

and it has bin a thing much observed that shipps have come from

Virginea where there have bin scarce five men able to hale a rope,

untill they have come within 40. Degrees of latitude and smell the

sweet aire of the shore, where they have suddainly recovered.[424]

~_Of Waters._~

And for the water, therein it excelleth Canaan by much; for the Land

is so apt for Fountaines, a man cannot digg amisse: therefore if

the Abrahams and Lots of our times come thether, there needs be no

contention for wells.

Besides there are waters of most excellent vertues, worthy admiration.

~_The Cure of mellancolly at Maremount._~

{93} At Ma-re-Mount there was a water,[425] (by mee discovered,) that

is most excellent for the cure of Melancolly probatum.

~_The cure of Barrennesse._~

At Weenasemute is a water, the vertue whereof is to cure barrennesse.

The place taketh his name of that Fountaine which signifieth quick

spring, or quickning spring probatum.[426]

~_Water procuring a dead sleepe._~

~_New Engl. excels Canaan in fountaines._~

Neere Squantos Chappell,[427] (a place so by us called,) is a Fountaine

that causeth a dead sleepe for 48. howres to those that drinke 24.

ounces at a draught, and so proportionably. The Salvages, that are

Powahs, at set times use it, and reveale strang things to the vulgar

people by meanes of it. So that in the delicacy of waters, and the

conveniency of them, Canaan came not neere this Country.

~_Milke and Hony supplied._~

As for the Milke and Hony, which that Canaan flowed with, it is

supplyed by the plenty of birds, beasts and Fish; whereof Canaan could

not boast her selfe.

~_A plain paralell to Canaan._~

Yet never the lesse, (since the Milke came by the industry of the first

Inhabitants,) let the cattell be chereshed that are at this time in

New England, and forborne but a litle, I will aske no long time, no

more but untill the Brethren have converted one Salvage and made him

a good Christian, and I may be bold to say Butter and cheese will be

cheaper there then ever it was in Canaan. It is cheaper there then in

old England at this present; for there are store of Cowes, considering

the people, which, (as my intelligence gives,) is 12000.[428] persons:

and in gods name let the people have their desire, who write to their

freinds to come out of Sodome to the land of Canaan, a land that flowes

with Milke and Hony.

~_The Request for the Nomination of New Canaan._~

{94} And I appeale to any man of judgement, whether it be not a Land

that for her excellent indowments of Nature may passe for a plaine

paralell to Canaan of Israell, being in a more temporat Climat, this

being in 40. Degrees and that in 30.

CHAP. IX.

_A Perspective to view the Country by._

~_The Soyle._~

As for the Soyle, I may be bould to commend the fertility thereof, and

preferre it before the Soyle of England, (our Native Country); and I

neede not to produce more then one argument for proffe thereof, because

it is so infallible.

~_The grouth of Hempe._~

Hempe is a thing by Husband men in generall ageed upon to prosper best

in the most fertile Soyle: and experience hath taught this rule, that

Hempe seede prospers so well in New England that it shewteth up to be

tenne foote high and tenne foote and a halfe, which is twice so high as

the ground in old England produceth it; which argues New England the

more fertile of the two.[429]

~_The aire._~

As for the aire, I will produce but one proffe for the maintenance of

the excellency thereof; which is so generall, as I assure myselfe it

will suffice.

~_No cold cough or murre._~

No man living there was ever knowne to be troubled with a cold, a

cough, or a murre; but many men, comming sick out of Virginea to New

Canaan have instantly recovered with the helpe of the purity {95} of

that aire;[430] no man ever surfeited himselfe either by eating or

drinking.

~_The plenty of the Land._~

As for the plenty of that Land, it is well knowne that no part of Asia,

Affrica or Europe affordeth deare that doe bring forth any more then

one single faune; and in New Canaan the Deare are accustomed to bring

forth 2. and 3. faunes at a time.[431]

Besides, there are such infinite flocks of Fowle and Multitudes of

fish, both in the fresh waters and also on the Coast, that the like

hath not else where bin discovered by any traveller.

~_Windes._~

The windes there are not so violent as in England; which is prooved

by the trees that grow in the face of the winde by the Sea Coast; for

there they doe not leane from the winde as they doe in England: as we

have heard before.[432]

~_Raine._~

The Raine is there more moderate then in England; which thing I have

noted in all the time of my residence to be so.

~_The Coast._~

The Coast is low Land, and not high Land: and hee is of a weake

capacity that conceaveth otherwise of it, because it cannot be denied

but that boats may come a ground in all places along the Coast, and

especially within the Compas of the Massachusets patent, where the

prospect is fixed.[433]

~_Harboures._~

The Harboures are not to be bettered for safety and goodnesse of

ground, for ancorage, and, (which is worthy observation,) shipping will

not there be furred; neither are they subject to wormes, as in Virginea

and other places.

~_Scituation._~

{96} Let the Scituation also of the Country be considered, (together

with the rest which is discovered in the front of this abstract,) and

then I hope no man will hold this land unworthy to be intituled by the

name of the second Canaan.

~_The Nomination._~

And, since the Seperatists are desirous to have the denomination

thereof, I am become an humble Suter on their behalfe for your

consents, (courteous Readers,) to it, before I doe shew you what Revels

they have kept in New Canaan.[434]

CHAP. X.

_Of the Great Lake of Erocoise in New England, and the commodities

thereof._

~_Fowle innumerable._~

Westwards from the Massachusetts bay, (which lyeth in 42. Degrees and

30. Minutes of Northerne latitude,) is scituated a very spacious Lake,

(called of the Natives the Lake of Erocoise[435]) which is farre more

excellent then the Lake of Genezereth, in the Country of Palestina,

both in respect of the greatnes and properties thereof, and likewise of

the manifould commodities it yealdeth: the circumference of which Lake

is reputed to be 240. miles at the least: and it is distant from the

Massachussetts bay 300. miles, or there abouts:[436] wherein are very

many faire Islands, where innumerable flocks of severall sorts of Fowle

doe breede, Swannes, Geese, Ducks, Widgines, Teales, and other water

Fowle.

~_Multitudes of Fish._~

~_The prime place of New Canaan._~

{97} There are also more abundance of Beavers, Deare and Turkies breed

about the parts of that lake then in any place in all the Country of

New England; and also such multitudes of fish, (which is a great part

of the foode that the Beavers live upon,) that it is a thing to be

admired at: So that about this Lake is the principallst place for a

plantation in all New Canaan, both for pleasure and proffit.

~_Canada, so named of Monsier de Cane._~

Here may very many brave Townes and Citties be erected, which may

have intercourse one with another by water, very commodiously: and it

is of many men of good judgement accounted the prime seate for the

Metropolis of New Canaan.[437] From this Lake, Northwards, is derived

the famous River of Canada, (so named of Monsier de Cane,[438] a French

Lord that first planted a Colony of French in America, there called

Nova Francia,) from whence Captaine Kerke[439] of late, by taking that

plantation, brought home in one shipp, (as a Seaman of his Company

reported in my hearing,) 25000. Beaver skinnes.[440]

~_Patomack._~

And from this Lake, Southwards, trends that goodly River, called of the

Natives Patomack, which dischardgeth herselfe in the parts of Virginea;

from whence it is navigable by shipping of great Burthen up to the

Falls, (which lieth in 41. Degrees and a halfe of North latitude,) and

from the Lake downe to the Falls by a faire current. This River is

navigable for vessels of good Burthen; and thus much hath often bin

related by the Natives, and is of late found to be certaine.[441]

~_Great heards of Beasts as bigg as Cowes._~

{98} They have also made description of great heards of well growne

beasts, that live about the parts of this Lake, such as the Christian

world, (untill this discovery,) hath not bin made acquainted with.

These beasts are of the bignesse of a Cowe; their Flesh being very

good foode, their hides good lether, their fleeces very usefull, being

a kinde of wolle as fine almost as the wolle of the Beaver; and the

Salvages doe make garments thereof.

It is tenne yeares since first the relation of these things came to the

eares of the English: at which time wee were but slender proficients in

the language of the Natives, and they, (which now have attained to more

perfection of English,) could not then make us rightly apprehend their

meaninge.[442]

Wee supposed, when they spake of Beasts thereabouts as high as men,

they have made report of men all over hairy like Beavers, in so much

as we questioned them whether they eate of the Beavers, to which they

replyed Matta,[443] (noe) saying they were almost Beavers Brothers.

This relation at that time wee concluded to be fruitles, which, since,

time hath made more apparent.

~_Henry Ioseline imployed for discovery._~

About the parts of this Lake may be made a very greate Commodity by

the trade of furres, to inrich those that shall plant there; a more

compleat discovery of those parts is, (to my knowleadge,) undertaken by

Henry Ioseline,[444] Esquier, sonne of Sir Thomas Ioseline of Kent,

Knight, by the approbation and appointement of that Heroick and very

good Common wealths man, Captaine Iohn Mason,[445] Esquier, a {99} true

foster Father and lover of vertue, (who at his owne chardge,) hath

fitted Master Ioseline and imployed him to that purpose; who no doubt

will performe as much as is expected, if the Dutch, (by gettinge into

those parts before him,) doe not frustrate his so hopefull and laudable

designes.

It is well knowne they aime at that place, and have a possibility to

attaine unto the end of their desires therein, by meanes of the River

of Mohegan, which of the English is named Hudsons River, where the

Dutch have setled two well fortified plantations already. If that River

be derived from the Lake, as our Country man in his prospect[446]

affirmes it to be, and if they get and fortifie this place also,

they will gleane away the best of the Beaver both from the French and

the English, who have hitherto lived wholely by it; and very many old

planters have gained good estates out of small beginnings by meanes

thereof.

~_The Dutch have a great trade of Beaver in Hudsons River._~

And it is well knowne to some of our Nation that have lived in the

Dutch plantation that the Dutch have gained by Beaver 20000. pound a

yeare.[447]

The Salvages make report of 3. great Rivers that issue out of this

Lake, 2. of which are to us knowne, the one to be Patomack, the other

Canada: and why may not the third be found there likewise, which they

describe to trend westward, which is conceaved to discharge herselfe

into the South Sea? The Salvages affirme that they have seene shipps in

this Lake with 4. Masts, which have taken from thence for their ladinge

earth, that is conjectured to be some minerall stuffe.

~_The passage to the East-Indies._~

~_The Country of Erocois as fertile as Delta in Ægypt._~

{100} There is probability enough for this; and it may well be thought

that so great a confluxe of waters as are there gathered together, must

be vented by some great Rivers; and that if the third River, (which

they have made mention of,) proove to be true, as the other two have

done, there is no doubt but that the passage to the East India may be

obtained without any such daingerous and fruitlesse inquest by the

Norwest, as hetherto hath bin endeavoured: And there is no Traveller of

any resonable capacity but will graunt that about this Lake must be

innumerable springes, and by that meanes many fruitfull and pleasant

pastures all about it. It hath bin observed that the inland part,

(witnes Neepnet,[448]) are more pleasant and fertile then the borders

of the Sea coaste. And the Country about Erocoise is, (not without

good cause,) compared to Delta, the most fertile parte in all Ægypt,

that aboundeth with Rivers and Rivalets derived from Nilus fruitfull

channell, like vaines from the liver; so in each respect is this famous

Lake of Erocoise.

And, therefore, it would be adjudged an irreparable oversight to

protract time, and suffer the Dutch, (who are but intruders upon his

Majesties most hopefull Country of New England,) to possesse themselves

of that so plesant and commodious Country of Erocoise before us: being,

(as appeareth,) the principall part of all New Canaan for plantation,

and not elsewhere to be paralelld in all the knowne world.

[Illustration]

{101}

NEW CANAANS GENIVS.

EPILOGVS.

_Thou that art by Fates degree,

Or Providence, ordain’d to see

Natures wonder, her rich store

Ne’-r discovered before,

Th’ admired Lake of Erocoise

And fertile Borders, now rejoyce.

See what multitudes of fish

Shee presents to fitt thy dish.

If rich furres thou dost adore,

And of Beaver Fleeces store,

See the Lake where they abound,

And what pleasures els are found.

There chast Leda, free from fire,

Does enjoy her hearts desire;

Mongst the flowry bancks at ease

Live the sporting Najades,

Bigg lim’d Druides, whose browes

Bewtified with greenebowes.

See the Nimphes, how they doe make

Fine Meanders from the Lake,

Twining in and out, as they

Through the pleasant groves make way,

Weaving by the shady trees

Curious Anastomases,

{102} Where the harmeles Turtles breede,

And such usefull Beasts doe feede

As no Traveller can tell

Els where how to paralell.

Colcos golden Fleece reject;

This deserveth best respect.

In sweete Peans let thy voyce,

Sing the praise of Erocoise,

Peans to advaunce her name,

New Canaans everlasting fame._

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

{103}

NEW ENGLISH CANAAN,

OR NEW CANAAN.

_The Third Booke._

Containing a description of the People that are planted there, what

remarkable Accidents have happened there since they were setled, what

Tenents they hould, together with the practise of their Church.

CHAP. I.

_Of a great League made with the Plimmouth Planters after their

arrivall, by the Sachem of those Territories._[449]

~_A Salvage sent an Ambassador to the English at their

first-comminge._~

~_The Sachem feared the Plague._~

The Sachem of the Territories where the Planters of New England are

setled, that are the first of the now Inhabitants of New Canaan, not

knowing what they were, or whether they would be freindes or foes, and

{104} being desirous to purchase their freindship that hee might have

the better Assurance of quiet tradinge with them, (which hee conceived

would be very advantagious to him,) was desirous to prepare an

ambassador, with commission to treat on his behalfe, to that purpose;

and having one that had beene in England (taken by a worthlesse

man[450] out of other partes, and after left there by accident,) this

Salvage[451] hee instructed how to behave himselfe in the treaty of

peace; and the more to give him incouragement to adventure his person

amongst these new come inhabitants, which was a thinge hee durst not

himselfe attempt without security or hostage, promised that Salvage

freedome, who had beene detained there as theire Captive: which offer

hee accepted, and accordingly came to the Planters, salutinge them

with wellcome in the English phrase, which was of them admired to

heare a Salvage there speake in their owne language, and used him

great courtesie: to whome hee declared the cause of his comminge,

and contrived the businesse so that hee brought the Sachem and the

English together, betweene whome was a firme league concluded, which

yet continueth. After which league the Sachem, being in company with

the other whome hee had freed and suffered to live with the English,

espijnge a place where a hole had been made in the grounde, where

was their store of powder layed to be preserved from danger of fire,

(under ground,) demaunded of the Salvage what the English had hid there

under ground; who answered the plague;[452] at which hee starteled,

because of the great mortality lately {105} happened by meanes of

the plague,[453] (as it is conceaved,) and the Salvage, the more to

encrease his feare, told the Sachem if he should give offence to the

English party they would let out the plague to destroy them all, which

kept him in great awe. Not longe after, being at varience with another

Sachem borderinge upon his Territories, he came in solemne manner and

intreated the governour that he would let out the plague to destroy the

Sachem and his men who were his enemies, promising that he himselfe

and all his posterity would be their everlasting freindes, so great an

opinion he had of the English.

CHAP. II.

_Of the entertainement of Mr. Westons people sent to settle a

plantation there._

~_Court holy bread at Plimmouth._~

Master Thomas Weston,[454] a Merchant of London that had been at some

cost to further the Brethren of new Plimmouth in their designes for

these partes, shipped a company of Servants, fitted with provision of

all sorts, for the undertaking of a Plantation to be setled there;

with an intent to follow after them in person. These servants at first

arived at new Plimmouth, where they were entertained with court holy

bread by the Brethren: they were made very wellcome, in shew at least:

there these servants goodes were landed, with promises to be assisted

in the choise of a convenient place; and still the good cheare went

forward, and the strong liquors walked. In the meane time the Brethren

were in consultation what was best for their advantage, singing the

songe, _Frustra sapit, qui sibi non sapit_.

{106} This plantation would hinder the present practice and future

profit; and Master Weston, an able man, would want for no supplies

upon the returne of Beaver, and so might be a plantation that might

keepe them under, who had a Hope to be the greatest: besides his

people were no chosen Seperatists, but men made choice of at all

adventures, fit to have served for the furtherance of Master Westons

undertakinges: and that was as much as hee neede to care for: ayminge

at Beaver principally for the better effecting of his purpose. Now when

the Plimmouth men began to finde that Master Westons mens store of

provition grew short with feasting, then they hasted them to a place

called Wessaguscus, in a weake case, and there left them fasting.

CHAP. III.

_Of a Battle fought at the Massachussets, between the English and the

French._[455]

~_The Sachems Oration._~

~_A spirit mooving the Sachem to Warre._~

~_The grand Captaine makes a speech._~

~_The maine Battaile._~

~_The feild wonne by the English._~

The Planters of Plimmouth, at their last being in those parts,

having defaced the monument of the ded at Pasonagessit, (by taking

away the herse Cloath, which was two greate Beares skinnes sowed

together at full length, and propped up over the grave of Chuatawbacks

mother,[456]) the Sachem of those territories, being inraged at the

same, stirred up his men in his bee halfe to take revenge: and,

having gathered his men together, hee begins to make an oration in

this manner. When last the glorious light of all the {107} skey was

underneath this globe, and Birds grew silent, I began to settle, (as

my custome is,) to take repose; before mine eies were fast closed,

mee thought I saw a vision, (at which my spirit was much troubled,)

and, trembling at that dolefull sight, a spirit cried aloude behold,

my sonne, whom I have cherisht, see the papps that gave thee suck,

the hands that lappd thee warme and fed thee oft, canst thou forget

to take revenge of those uild people that hath my monument defaced in

despitefull manner, disdaining our ancient antiquities and honourable

Customes? See now the Sachems grave lies like unto the common people

of ignoble race, defaced; thy mother doth complaine, implores thy aide

against this theevish people new come hether; if this be suffered I

shall not rest in quiet within my everlasting habitation. This said,

the spirit vanished; and I, all in a sweat, not able scarce to speake,

began to gett some strength, and recollect my spirits that were fled:

all which I thought to let you understand, to have your Councell, and

your aide likewise; this being spoken, straight way arose the grand

Captaine and cried aloud, come, let us to Armes, it doth concerne us

all, let us bid them Battaile; so to Armes they went, and laid weight

for the Plimmouth boate; and, forceinge them to forsake their landinge

place, they seeke another best for their convenience; thither the

Salvages repaire, in hope to have the like successe; but all in vaine,

for the English Captaine warily foresaw, and, perceavinge their plot,

knew the better how to order his men fit for Battaile in that place;

hee, bouldly leading his men on, rainged about the feild to and fro,

{108} and, taking his best advantage, lets fly, and makes the Salvages

give ground: the English followed them fiercely on, and made them take

trees for their shelter, (as their custome is,) from whence their

Captaine let flie a maine; yet no man was hurt; at last, lifting up

his right arm to draw a fatall shaft, (as hee then thought to end this

difference), received a shott upon his elbow,[457] and straight way

fled; by whose example all the army followed the same way, and yealded

up the honor of the day to the English party; who were such a terror to

them after that the Salvages durst never make to a head against them

any more.

CHAP. IV.

_Of a Parliament held at Wessaguscus, and the Actes._

~_Some lazy people._~

Master Westons Plantation beinge setled at Wessaguscus, his Servants,

many of them lazy persons that would use no endeavour to take the

benefit of the Country, some of them fell sicke and died.

~_A lusty fellow._~

One amongst the rest, an able bodied man that ranged the woodes to see

what it would afford, lighted by accident on an Indian barne, and from

thence did take a capp full of corne; the Salvage owner of it, finding

by the foote some English had bin there, came to the Plantation, and

made complaint after this manner.

~_A poore complaint. Edward Iohnson a cheife Iudge. Maide a

hainous fact._~

~_A fine device._~

~_A wise Sentence._~

~_To hange a sick man in the others steede._~

{109} The cheife Commander of the Company one this occation called a

Parliament of all his people, but those that were sicke and ill at

ease. And wisely now they must consult upon this huge complaint, that

a privy knife or stringe of beades would well enough have qualified;

and Edward Iohnson was a spetiall judge of this businesse; the fact was

there in repetition; construction made that it was fellony, and by the

Lawes of England punished with death; and this in execution must be

put for an example, and likewise to appease the Salvage: when straight

wayes one arose, mooved as it were with some compassion, and said hee

could not well gaine say the former sentence, yet hee had conceaved

within the compasse of his braine an Embrion that was of spetiall

consequence to be delivered and cherished; hee said that it would most

aptly serve to pacifie the Salvages complaint, and save the life of

one that might, (if neede should be,) stand them in some good steede,

being younge and stronge, fit for resistance against an enemy, which

might come unexspected for any thinge they knew. The Oration made was

liked of every one, and hee intreated to proceede to shew the meanes

how this may be performed: sayes hee, you all agree that one must die,

and one shall die; this younge mans cloathes we will take of, and put

upon one that is old and impotent, a sickly person that cannot escape

death, such is the disease one him confirmed that die hee must; put the

younge mans cloathes on this man, and let the sick person be hanged in

the others steede: Amen sayes one; and so sayes many more.

~_Very fit Iustice._~

~_A dangerous Attempt._~

~_Iesting turned to earnest._~

{110} And this had like to have prooved their finall sentence, and,

being there confirmed by Act of Parliament, to after ages for a

President: But that one with a ravenus voyce begunne to croake and

bellow for revenge; and put by that conclusive motion, alledging such

deceipts might be a meanes hereafter to exasperate the mindes of

the complaininge Salvages, and that by his death the Salvages should

see their zeale to Iustice; and therefore hee should die: this was

concluded; yet neverthelesse a scruple was made; now to countermaund

this act, did represent itselfe unto their mindes, which was, how

they should doe to get the mans good wil? this was indeede a spetiall

obstacle: for without that, they all agreed it would be dangerous for

any man to attempt the execution of it, lest mischeife should befall

them every man; hee was a person that in his wrath did seeme to be a

second Sampson, able to beate out their branes with the jawbone of an

Asse: therefore they called the man, and by perswation got him fast

bound in jest; and then hanged him up hard by in good earnest,[458] who

with a weapon, and at liberty, would have put all those wise judges of

this Parliament to a pittifull _non plus_, (as it hath beene credibly

reported,) and made the cheife Iudge of them all buckell to him.

{111} CHAP. V.

_Of a Massacre made upon the Salvages at Wessaguscus._

~_Good quarters with the Salvages._~

~_A plott from Plimmouth._~

~_Salvages killed with their one weapons._~

After the end of that Parliament, some of the plantation there, about

three persons,[459] went to live with Checatawback and his company;

and had very good quarter, for all the former quarrell with the

Plimmouth planters: they are not like Will Sommers,[460] to take

one for another. There they purposed to stay untill Master Westons

arrivall: but the Plimmouth men, intendinge no good to him, (as appered

by the consequence,) came in the meane time to Wessaguscus, and there

pretended to feast the Salvages of those partes, bringing with them

Porke and thinges for the purpose, which they sett before the Salvages.

They eate thereof without suspition of any mischeife, who were taken

upon a watchword given, and with their owne knives, (hanging about

their neckes,) were by the Plimmouth planters stabd and slaine: one of

which were hanged up there, after the slaughter.[461]

~_News carried._~

~_A revenge._~

In the meane time the Sachem had knowledge of this accident, by one

that ranne to his Countrymen, at the Massachussets, and gave them

intelligence of the newes; after which time the Salvages there,

consultinge of the matter, in the night, (when the other English

feareles of danger were a sleepe,) knockt them all in the head, in

revenge of the death of their {112} Countrymen: but if the Plimmouth

Planters had really intended good to Master Weston, or those men,

why had they not kept the Salvages alive in Custody, untill they had

secured the other English? Who, by meanes of this evill mannaginge of

the businesse, lost their lives, and the whole plantation was dissolved

thereupon; as was likely, for feare of a revenge to follow, as a

relatione to this cruell antecedent; and when Master Weston came over

hee found thinges at an evill exigent, by meanes thereof: But could not

tell how it was brought about.

~_The Salvages call the English cutthroats._~

The Salvages of the Massachussets, that could not imagine from

whence these men should come, or to what end, seeing them performe

such unexpected actions; neither could tell by what name properly

to distinguish them; did from that time afterwards call the English

Planters Wotawquenange,[462] which in their language signifieth

stabbers, or Cutthroates: and this name was received by those that came

there after for good, being then unacquainted with the signification

of it, for many yeares following; untill, from a Southerly Indian

that understood English well, I was by demonstration made to conceave

the interpretation of it, and rebucked these other that it was not

forborne: The other callinge us by the name of Wotoquansawge, what that

doth signifie, hee said, hee was not able by any demonstration to

expresse; and my neighbours durst no more, in my hearinge, call us by

the name formerly used, for feare of my displeasure.

{113} CHAP. VI.

_Of the surprizinge of a Merchants Shipp in Plimmouth harbour._

~_The Merchant with Supply._~

~_A glosse upon the false text._~

~_Where two nations meet one must rule the other must be

ruled or no quietnes._~

~_A Machivell plot._~

~_The Vaile._~

~_Shipp and goodes confiscated._~

~_When every Conspirator had his share the shipp delivered

againe._~

~_Bonds taken not to prosecute._~

~_Report Mr. Weston was mad in New England._~

~_Honest men in particular._~

This Merchant, a man of worth, arrivinge in the parts of New Canaan and

findinge that his Plantation was dissolved, some of his men slaine,

some dead with sicknes, and the rest at Plimmouth, hee was perplexed

in his minde about the matter; comminge as hee did with supply, and

meanes to have rased their fortunes and his one exceedingly: and

seeinge what had happened resolved to make some stay in the Plimmouth

harbour.[463] And this suted to their purpose; wherefore the Brethren

did congratulate with him at his safe arrivall, and their best of

entertainement for a swetning cast, deploring the disaster of his

Plantation, and glozing upon the text, alledging the mischeivous

intent of the Salvages there, which by freindly intelligence of

their neighbours was discovered before it came to be full summed: so

that they lost not all, allthough they saved not all: and this they

pretended to proceede from the Fountaine of love and zeale to him

and Christianity, and to chastise the insolency of the Salvages, of

which that part had some dangerous persons. And this, as an article

of the new creede of Canaan, would they have received of every new

commer there to inhabit, that the Salvages are a dangerous people,

subtill, secreat and mischeivous; and that it is dangerous to live

seperated, but {114} rather together: and so be under their Lee, that

none might trade for Beaver, but at their pleasure, as none doe or

shall doe there: nay they will not be reduced to any other song yet

of the Salvages to the southward of Plimmouth, because they would

have none come there, sayinge that hee that will sit downe there must

come stronge: but I have found the Massachussets Indian more full of

humanity then the Christians; and haue had much better quarter with

them; yet I observed not their humors, but they mine; althoug my great

number that I landed were dissolved, and my Company as few as might

be:[464] for I know that this falls out infallibly where two Nations

meete, one must rule and the other be ruled, before a peace can be

hoped for: and for a Christian to submit to the rule of a Salvage,

you will say, is both shame and dishonor: at least it is my opinion,

and my practice was accordingly, and I have the better quarter by

the meanes thereof. The more Salvages the better quarter, the more

Christians the worser quarter, I found; as all the indifferent minded

Planters can testifie. Now, whiles the Merchant was ruminatinge on this

mishapp, the Plimmouth Planters perceivinge that hee had furnished

himselfe with excellent Commodities, fit for the Merchandise of the

Country, (and holding it good to fish in trobled waters, and so get

a snatch unseene,) practised in secret with some other in the land,

whom they thought apt to imbrace the benefit of such a cheat, and it

was concluded and resolved upon that all this shipp and goodes should

be confiscated, for businesse done by him, the Lord knowes when, or

where:[465] {115} a letter must be framed to them, and handes unto

it, to be there warrant; this should shadow them. That is the first

practise; they will insane a man, and then pretend that Iustice must

be done. They cause the Merchant (secure) to come a shore, and then

take him in hold, shewing they are compelled unto it legally, and enter

strait abord, peruse the Cargazowne, and then deliver up the Charge

of her to their Confederates: and how much lesse this is then Piraty,

let any practise in the Admiralty be judge. The Merchant, his shipp

and goodes confiscated, himselfe a prisoner and threatned so to be

sent and conveyed to England, there to receave the somme of all that

did belonge to him a malefactor, (and a great one to); this hee, good

man, indured with patience longe time, untill the best of all his

goodes were quite dispersed, and every actor [had] his proportion;

the Merchant was [then] inlarged; his shipp, a burthen to the owner

now, his undertakinges in these partes beinge quite overthrowne, was

redelivered, and bondes of him were taken not to prosecute: hee, being

greived hereat, betakes him to drive a trade betweene that and Virginea

many yeares. The brethren, (sharpe witted,) had it spread by and by

amongst his freinds in England, that the man was mad. So thought his

wife, so thought his other freindes that had it from a Planter of the

Towne. So was it thought of those, that did not know the Brethren

could dissemble: why, thus they are all of them honest men in their

particular, and every man, beinge bound to seeke anothers good, shall

in the generall doe the best hee can to effect it, and so they may be

excused I thinke.

{116} CHAP. VII.

_Of Thomas Mortons entertainment at Plimmouth, and castinge away upon

an Island._[466]

~_Brave entertainement in a wildernes._~

~_The meanes._~

This man arrived in those parts, and, hearing newes of a Towne that

was much praised, he was desirous to goe thither, and see how thinges

stood; where his entertainement was their best, I dare be bould to

say: for, although they had but 3. Cowes in all,[467] yet had they

fresh butter and a sallet of egges in dainty wise, a dish not common

in a wildernes. There hee bestowed some time in the survey of this

plantation. His new come servants, in the meane time, were tane to

taske, to have their zeale appeare, and questioned what preacher was

among their company; and finding none, did seeme to condole their

estate as if undone, because no man among them had the guift to be in

Ionas steade, nor they the meanes to keepe them in that path so hard to

keepe.

~_Booke learning despised._~

Our Master, say they, reades the Bible and the word of God, and useth

the booke of common prayer: but this is not the meanes, the answere

is: the meanes, they crie, alas, poore Soules where is the meanes? you

seeme as if betrayed, to be without the meanes: how can you be stayed

from fallinge headlonge to perdition? _Facilis descensus averni_:[468]

the booke of common prayer, sayd they, what poore thinge is that, for a

man to reade in a booke? No, no, good sirs, I would you were neere us,

you might receave comfort by in{117}struction: give me a man hath the

guiftes of the spirit, not a booke in hand. I doe profess sayes one,

to live without the meanes is dangerous, the Lord doth know.

~_Villanous plots of knaves._~

~_Prevented by discretion._~

~_And discovered in drinke._~

~_The Shallop billedged._~

~_Two men of the Company cast away swim to shore upon trees._~

By these insinuations, like the Serpent, they did creepe and winde

into the good opinion of the illiterate multitude, that were desirous

to be freed and gone to them, no doubdt, (which some of them after

confessed); and little good was to be done one them after this charme

was used: now plotts and factions how they might get loose: and here

was some 35. stout knaves; and some plotted how to steale Master

Westons barque, others, exasperated knavishly to worke, would practise

how to gett theire Master to an Island, and there leave him; which hee

had notice of, and fitted him to try what would be done; and steps

aborde his shallop bound for Cape Anne, to the Massachussets, with an

Hogshead of Wine; Sugar hee tooke along, the Sailes hoist up, and one

of the Conspirators aboard to steere; who in the mid way pretended

foule weather at the harboure mouth, and therefore, for a time, hee

would put in to an Island neere, and make some stay where hee thought

to tempt his Master to walke the woods, and so be gone: but their

Master to prevent them caused the sales and oares to be brought a

shore, to make a tilt if neede should be, and kindled fire, broched

that Hogshed, and caused them fill the can with lusty liqour, Claret

sparklinge neate; which was not suffered to grow pale and flatt, but

tipled of with quick dexterity: the Master makes a shew of keepinge

round, but with close lipps did seeme {118} to make longe draughts,

knowinge the wine would make them Protestants; and so the plot was

then at large disclosed and discovered, and they made drowsie; and the

inconstant windes shiftinge at night did force the kellecke home,[469]

and billedge the boat, that they were forced to leave her so, and cut

downe trees that grew by the shore, to make Caffes: two of them went

over by helpe of a fore saile almost a mile to the maine; the other

two stayed five dayes after, till the windes would serve to fill the

sailes. The first two went to cape Ann by land, and had fowle enough,

and fowle wether by the way; the Islanders had fish enough, shel-fish

and fire to roast, and they could not perish for lacke of foode, and

wine they had to be sure; and by this you see they were not then in

any want: the wine and goodes brought thence; the boat left there so

billedgd that it was not worth the labor to be mended.

CHAP. VIII.

_Of the Banishment of Master Iohn Layford, and Iohn Oldam from

Plimmouth._[470]

~_A Minister required to renounce his callinge._~

Master Layford was at the Merchants chardge sent to Plimmouth

plantation to be their Pastor: But the Brethren, before they would

allow of it, would have him first renounce his calling to the office

of the Ministery, received in England, as hereticall and Papisticall,

(so hee confest,) and then to receive a new callinge from them, after

their fantasticall invention:[471] {119} which hee refused, alledging

and maintaining that his calling as it stood was lawfull, and that

hee would not renounce it; and so Iohn Oldam, his opinion was one the

affirmative; and both together did maintaine the Church of England to

be a true Church, although in some particulars, (they said,) defective;

concludinge so against the Tenents there: and by this meanes cancelled

theire good opinion amonst the number of the Seperatists, that stay

they must not, lest they should be spies: and to fall fowle on this

occation the Brethren thought it would betray their cause, and make it

fall under censure, therefore against Master Layford they had found out

some scandall to be laid on his former corse of life, to blemish that;

and so, to conclude, hee was a spotted beast, and not to be allowed

where they ordained to have the Passover kept so zealously: as for Iohn

Oldam, they could see hee would be passionate and moody, and proove

himselfe a mad Iack in his mood, and as soone mooved to be moody, and

this impatience would Minister advantage to them to be ridd of him.

~_Impatience confuted by example._~

~_New Plimmouth presse money._~

~_The Solemnity of banishment._~

Hanniball when hee had to doe with Fabius was kept in awe more by the

patience of that one enemy, then by the resolution of the whole army: A

well tempered enemy is a terrible enemy to incounter. They injoyne him

to come to their needeles watch howse in person, and for refusinge give

him a cracked Crowne for presse money, and make the blood run downe

about his eares; a poore trick, yet a good vaile, though Luscus may

see thorough it; and, for his further behaviour in the Case, proceed

to sentence {120} him with banishment, which was performed after a

solemne invention in this manner: A lane of Musketiers was made, and

hee compelled in scorne to passe along betweene, and to receave a bob

upon the bumme be every musketier; and then a board a shallop, and so

convayed to Wessaguscus shoare, and staid at Massachussets: to whome

Iohn Layford and some few more did resort; where Master Layford freely

executed his office and preached every Lords day, and yet maintained

his wife and children foure or five upon his industry there, with the

blessing of God and the plenty of the Land, without the helpe of his

auditory, in an honest and laudable manner; till hee was wearied and

made to leave the Country.[472]

CHAP. IX.

_Of a barren doe of Virginea growne fruithfull in New Canaan._[473]

Children, and the fruit of the Wombe, are said in holy writt to be an

inheritance that commeth of the Lord; then they must be coupled in Gods

name first, and not as this, and some other, have done.

~_A great happines comes by propagation._~

They are as arrowes in the hand of a Gyant; and happy, saith David, is

the man that hath his quiver full of them; and by that rule, happy is

that Land, and blessed to, that is apt and fit for increase of children.

I have shewed you before, in the second part of the discourse, how apt

it is for the increase of Minerals, Vegetables, and sensible Creatures.

Now I will shew you how apt New Canaan is like{121}wise for the

increase of the reasonable Creatures; Children, of all riches, being

the principall: and I give you this for an instance.

This Country of New Canaan in seaven yeares time could show more

Children livinge, that have beene borne there, then in 27. yeares

could be shewen in Virginea;[474] yet here are but a handful of weomen

landed, to that of Virginea.

~_More Children in New Canaan in 7. yeares, then in Virginea

in 27._~

The Country doth afford such plenty of Lobsters and other delicate

shellfish, and Venus is said to be borne of the Sea; or else it

was some sallet herbe proper to the Climate, or the fountaine at

Weenaseemute[475] made her become teeming here that had tried a campe

royall in other partes where shee had been; and yet never the neere,

till shee came in to New Canaan.

~_Delivered neare Bussards bay._~

~_Dead and buried._~

Shee was delivered, (in a voyage to Virginea,) about Bussardes bay,

to west of Cape Cod, where shee had a Sonne borne, but died without

baptisme and was buried; and being a thinge remarkable, had this

Epitaph followinge made of purpose to memorize the worth of the persons.

EPITAPH.

_Time, that bringes all thinges to light,

Doth hide this thinge out of sight:

Yet fame hath left behinde a story,

A hopefull race to shew the glory:

For underneath this heape of stones

Lieth a percell of small bones;

What hope at last can such impes have,

That from the wombe goes to the grave._

{122} CHAP. X.[476]

_Of a man indued with many spetiall guifts sent over to be Master of

the Ceremonies._

~_Stenography one guift._~

This was a man approoved of the Brethren, both for his zeale and

guiftes, yet but a Bubble, and at the publike Chardge conveyed to New

England, I thinke to be Master of the Ceremonies betweene the Natives,

and the Planters: for hee applied himselfe cheifly to pen the language

downe in Stenography: But there for want of use, which hee rightly

understood not, all was losse of labor; somethinge it was when next it

came to view, but what hee could not tell.

~_Oratory another guift._~

~_A great Merchant a third guift._~

This man, Master Bubble, was in the time of Iohn Oldams absence made

the howse Chaplaine there, and every night hee made use of his guifts,

whose oratory luld his auditory fast a sleepe, as Mercuries pipes did

Argus eies: for, when hee was in, they sayd hee could not tell how to

get out; nay, hee would hardly out till hee were fired out, his zeale

was such: (one fire they say drives out another): hee would become a

great Merchant, and by any thinge that was to be sold so as hee might

have day and be trusted never so litle time: the price it seemed

hee stood not much upon, but the day: for to his freind hee shewed

commodities, so priced as caused him to blame the buyer, till the man

this Bubble did declare that it was tane up at day, {123} and did

rejoyce in the bargaine, insistinge on the day; the day, yea, marry,

quoth his friend, if you have doomesday for payment you are then well

to passe. But if he had not, it were as good hee had; they were payed

all alike.

~_His day made a common prouerbe._~

~_Trophies of honor._~

And now this Bubbles day is become a common proverbe. Hee obtained

howse roome at Passonagessit and remooved thether, because it stood

convenient for the Beaver trade: and the rather because the owner of

Passonagessit had no Corne left, and this man seemed a bigg boned man,

and therefore thought to be a good laborer, and to have store of corne;

but, contrary wise, hee had none at all, and hoped upon this freind his

host: thithere were brought the trophies of this Master Bubbles honor,

his water tankard and his Porters basket, but no provision; so that one

gunne did serve to helpe them both to meat; and now the time for fowle

was almost past.

~_His long grace made the meat cold._~

This man and his host at dinner, Bubble begins to say grace; yea, and

a long one to, till all the meate was cold; hee would not give his

host leave to say grace: belike, hee thought mine host past grace,

and further learned as many other Schollers are: but in the usage and

custome of this blinde oratory his host tooke himselfe abused, and the

whiles fell to and had halfe done before this man Bubble would open

his eies to see what stood afore him, which made him more cautius, and

learned that _brevis oratio penetrat Cælum_. Together Bubbles and hee

goes in the Canaw to Nut Island[477] for brants, and there his host

makes a shotte and breakes the winges of many: Bubble, {124} in hast

and single handed, paddels out like a Cow in a cage: his host cals back

to rowe two handed like to a pare of oares; and, before this could be

performed, the fowle had time to swimme to other flockes, and so to

escape: the best part of the pray being lost mayd his host to mutter at

him, and so to parte for that time discontended.

CHAP. XI.

_Of a Composition made by the Sachem for a Theft committed by some of

his men, shewinge their honest meaninge._

~_The Salvages betake the howse & take the Corne._~

~_A dishonest tricke._~

~_A consenting tricke. The Heathen more just, then the

Christians._~

The owner of Passonagessit, to have the benefit of company, left his

habitation in the Winter and reposed at Wessaguscus, (to his cost):

meane time, in the Depth of Winter, the neighbour Salvages, accustomed

to buy foode, came to the howse, (for that intent perhaps,) and

peepinge in all the windowes, (then unglased,) espied corne, but no

body to sell the same; and having company and helpe at hand did make a

shift to get into the howse, and, take out corne to serve but for the

present, left enough behinde: the Sachem having knowledge of the facte,

and being advertised likewise of the displeasure that had ben conceaved

by the Proprietor thereof at this offence, prepares a Messenger, the

Salvage that had lived in England, and sends him with commission for

the trespasse of his men, who had tenne skinnes perposed {125} for

it to bee payd by a day certaine: The Sachem, at the time appointed,

bringes the Beaver to Wessaguscus where the owner lived, but just then

was gone abroade: meane time the skinnes were by the Wessaguscus men

gelded, and the better halfe by them juggled away before the owner

came; and hee by the Actors perswaded to bee contended with the rest,

who not so pleased did draw the Sachem then to make a new agreement,

and so to pay his remnant left in hand, and tenne skinnes more by a

new day asigned, and then to bringe them to Passonagessit; but the

Wessaguscus men went the day before to the Salvages with this sayinge,

that they were sent to call upon him there for payement; and received

tenne skinnes, and tooke a Salvage there to justifie that at their

howse the owner stayed the while; hee verified this, because hee saw

the man before at Wessaguscus: the Sachem did beleive the tale, and

at that time delivered up tenne skinnes on that behalfe, in full

dischardge of all demandes against the trespasse and the trespassers,

to them; who consented to him, and them, to the owner, and kept

nine[478] to themselves, and made the Salvage take the tenth, and give

the owner all that yet was to bee had, themselves confessinge their

demaunds for him, and that there was but onely one as yet prepared: so

that by this you may easily perceive the uncivilized people are more

just than the civilized.

{126} CHAP. XII.

_Of a voyadge made by the Master of the Ceremonies of New Canaan to

Neepenett, from whence hee came away; and of the manifold dangers hee

escaped._

~_Two Salvage guides conduct Iohn, to Neepenett alone._~

~_They take a note of what was in the sack._~

~_Mr. Bubble must be found againe or else they shall be

destroyed._~

This woorthy member Master Bubble, a new Master of the Ceremonies,

having a conceipt in his head that hee had hatched a new device for

the purchase of Beaver, beyond Imagination, packes up a sacke full of

odde implements, and without any company but a couple of Indians for

guides, (and therefore you may, if you please, beeleive they are so

dangerous as the Brethren of Plimmouth give it out,) hee betakes him

to his progresse into the Inlande for Beaver, with his carriadge on

his shoulders like Milo: his guides and hee in processe of time come

to the place appointed, which was about Neepenett,[479] thereabouts

being more Beavers to be had then this Milo could carry, and both his

journey men: glad hee was good man, and his guides were willing to

pleasure him: there the Salvages stay: night came on, but, before they

were inclined to sleepe, this good man Master Bubble had an evation

crept into his head, by misapplying the Salvages actions, that hee must

needs be gone in all hast, yea and without his errand: hee purposed to

doe it so cunningely that his flight should not {127} be suspected:

hee leaves his shooes in the howse, with all his other implements,

and flies: as hee was on his way, to increase his feare, suggestinge

himselfe that hee was pressed[480] by a company of Indians and that

there shafts were let fly as thick as haile at him, hee puts of his

breeches and puts them one his head, for to save him from the shafts

that flew after him so thick that no man could perceave them, and

cryinge out, avoyd Satan, what have yee to doe with mee! thus running

one his way without his breeches hee was pittifully scratched with

the brush of the underwoods, as hee wandred up and downe in unknowne

wayes: The Salvages in the meane time put up all his implements in

the sack hee left behinde and brought them to Wessaguscus, where they

thought to have found him; but, understanding hee was not returned,

were ferefull what to doe, and what would be conceaved of the English

was become of this mazed man, the Master of the Ceremonies; and were

in consultation of the matter. One of the Salvages was of opinion the

English would suppose him to be made away; fearefull hee was to come

in sight. The other, better acquainted with the English, (having lived

some time in England,[481]) was more confident, and hee perswaded his

fellow that the English would be satisfied with relation of the truth,

as having had testimony of his fidelity. So they boldly adventured to

shew what they had brougt and how the matter stood. The English, (when

the sack was opened,) did take a note in writing of all the particulers

that were in the sack; and heard what was by the Salvages related of

the acci{128}dents: but, when his shoes were showne, it was thought

hee would not have departed without his shoes; and therefore they did

conceave that Master Bubble was made away by some sinister practise of

the Salvages, who unadvisedly had bin culpable of a crime which now

they sought to excuse; and straightly chardged the Salvages to finde

him out againe, and bring him dead, or alive, else their wifes and

children should be destroyed. The poore Salvages, being in a pittifull

perplexity, caused their Countrymen to seeke out for this maz’d man;

who, being in short time found, was brought to Wessaguscus; where hee

made a discourse of his travels, and of the perrillous passages, which

did seeme to be no lesse dangerous then these of that worthy Knight

Errant, Don Quixote,[482] and how miraculously hee had bin preserved;

and, in conclusion, lamented the greate losse of his goods, whereby hee

thought himselfe undone.

~_Not any thing diminished._~

The perticuler whereof being demaunded, it appeared that the Salvages

had not diminished any part of them; no, not so much as one bit of

bread: the number being knowne, and the fragments laid together, it

appeared all the bisket was preserved, and not any diminished at all:

whereby the Master of the Ceremonies was overjoyed, and the whole

Company made themselves merry at his discourse of all his perrillous

adventures.

And by this you may observe whether the Salvage people are not full of

humanity, or whether they are a dangerous people, as Master Bubble and

the rest of his tribe would perswade you.

{129} CHAP. XIII.

_Of a lamentable fit of Mellancolly that the Barren doe fell into,

(after the death of her infant, seeing herselfe despised of her

Sweete hart,) whereof shee was cured._

Whether this goodly creature of incontinency went to worke upon even

termes like Phillis, or noe, it does not appeare by any Indenture

of covenants then extant; whereby shee might legally challenge

the performance of any compleate Marriage at his hands that had

bin tradeing with her, as Demopheon here to fore had bin with his

ostis.[483]

~_Shee cannot one the sodaine resolve which dore to goe in

att._~

Neverthelesse, (for his future advantage,) shee indeavoured, (like

Phillis,) to gaine this Demopheon all to herselfe; who, (as it

seemes,) did meane nothing lesse by leaving her for the next commer,

that had any minde to coole his courage by that meanes; the whipping

post, (as it seemes,) at that time not being in publike use for such

kinde of Cony katchers; but seeing herselfe rejected, shee grew into

such a passion of Mellancolly, on a sodaine, that it was thought shee

would exhibit a petition for redresse to grim Pluto, who had set her a

worke; and knowing that the howse of fate has many entrances, shee was

pusseld to finde the neerest way. Shee could not resolve on a sodaine

which doore would soonest bring her to his presence handsomely.

{130} If shee should make way with a knife, shee thought shee might

spoyle her drinking in after ages; if by poyson, shee thought it might

prolonge her passage thether; if by drowning, shee thought Caron might

come the while with his boate, and waft her out of sight; if shee

should tie up her complaint in a halter, shee thought the Ropmakers

would take exceptions against her good speede. And in this manner shee

debated with herselfe, and demurred upon the matter: So that shee did

appeare willing enough, but a woman of small resolution.

Which thing when it was publikely knowne, made many come to comfort

her. One amongst the rest was by hir requested, on her behalfe, to

write to her late unkinde Demopheon. The Gentleman, being merrily

disposed, in steed of writing an heroicall Epistle composed this Elegi,

for a memoriall of some mirth upon the Circumstance of the matter, to

be sent unto hir, as followeth:

_CARMEN ELEGIACVM._

_Melpomene, (at whose mischeifous love

The screech owles voyce is heard the mandraks grove,)

Commands my pen in an Iambick vaine

To tell a dismall tale, that may constraine

The hart of him to bleede, that shall discerne

How much this foule amisse does him concerne.

Alecto, (grim Alecto,) light thy tortch

To thy beloved sister next the porch

{131} That leads unto the mansion howse of fate,

Whose farewell makes her freind more fortunate.

A Great Squa Sachem can shee poynt to goe

Before grim Minos; and yet no man know

That knives and halters, ponds, and poysonous things

Are alwayes ready, when the Divell once brings

Such deadly sinners to a deepe remorse

Of conscience selfe accusing, that will force

Them to dispaire, like wicked Kain, whiles death

Stands ready with all these to stopp their breath.

The beare comes by that oft hath bayted ben

By many a Satyres whelpe; unlesse you can

Commaund your eies to drop huge milstones forth,

In lamentation of this losse on earth

Of her, of whome so much prayse wee may finde,

Goe when shee will, shee’l leave none like behinde;

Shee was too good for earth, too bad for heaven.

Why then for hell the match is somewhat even._

After this, the water of the fountaine at Ma-re Mount was thought fit

to be applyed unto her for a remedy, shee willingly used according to

the quality thereof.

And when this Elegy came to be divulged, shee was so conscious of

her crime that shee put up her pipes, and with the next shipp shee

packt away to Virginea, (her former habitation,) quite cured of her

mellancolly, with the helpe of the water of the fountaine at Ma-re

Mount.

{132} CHAP. XIV.

_Of the Revells of New Canaan._[484]

~_A Maypole._~

The Inhabitants of Pasonagessit, (having translated the name of their

habitation from that ancient Salvage name to Ma-re Mount,[485] and

being resolved to have the new name confirmed for a memorial to after

ages,) did devise amongst themselves to have it performed in a solemne

manner, with Revels and merriment after the old English custome; [they]

prepared to sett up a Maypole upon the festivall day of Philip and

Iacob, and therefore brewed a barrell of excellent beare and provided a

case of bottles, to be spent, with other good cheare, for all commers

of that day. And because they would have it in a compleat forme, they

had prepared a song fitting to the time and present occasion. And upon

Mayday they brought the Maypole to the place appointed, with drumes,

gunnes, pistols and other fitting instruments, for that purpose;

and there erected it with the help of Salvages, that came thether

of purpose to see the manner of our Revels. A goodly pine tree of

80. foote longe was reared up, with a peare of buckshorns nayled one

somewhat neare unto the top of it: where it stood, as a faire sea marke

for directions how to finde out the way to mine Hoste of Ma-re Mount.

And because it should more fully appeare to what end it was placed

there, they had a poem in readines made, which was fixed to the

Maypole, to shew the new name confirmed upon that plantation; which,

allthough it were made according to the occurrents {133} of the time,

it, being Enigmattically composed, pusselled the Seperatists most

pittifully to expound it, which, (for the better information of the

reader,) I have here inserted.

THE POEM.

~_The man who brought her over was named Samson Iob._~

_Rise Oedipeus, and, if thou canst, unfould

What meanes Caribdis underneath the mould,

When Scilla sollitary on the ground

(Sitting in forme of Niobe) was found,

Till Amphitrites Darling did acquaint

Grim Neptune with the Tenor of her plaint,

And causd him send forth Triton with the sound

Of Trumpet lowd, at which the Seas were found

So full of Protean formes that the bold shore

Presented Scilla a new parramore

So stronge as Sampson and so patient

As Job himselfe, directed thus, by fate,

To comfort Scilla so unfortunate.

I doe professe, by Cupids beautious mother,

Heres Scogans choise[486] for Scilla, and none other;

Though Scilla’s sick with greife, because no signe

Can there be found of vertue masculine.

Esculapius come; I know right well

His laboure’s lost when you may ring her Knell.

The fatall sisters doome none can withstand,

nor Cithareas powre, who poynts to land

With proclamation that the first of May

At Ma-re Mount shall be kept hollyday._

~_The Maypole called an Idoll the Calfe of Horeb._~

{134} The setting up of this Maypole was a lamentable spectacle to the

precise seperatists, that lived at new Plimmouth. They termed it an

Idoll; yea, they called it the Calfe of Horeb, and stood at defiance

with the place, naming it Mount Dagon; threatning to make it a woefull

mount and not a merry mount.

The Riddle, for want of Oedipus, they could not expound; onely they

made some explication of part of it, and sayd it was meant by Sampson

Iob, the carpenter of the shipp that brought over a woman to her

husband, that had bin there longe before and thrived so well that hee

sent for her and her children to come to him; where shortly after hee

died: having no reason, but because of the sound of those two words;

when as, (the truth is,) the man they applyed it to was altogether

unknowne to the Author.

There was likewise a merry song made, which, (to make their Revells

more fashionable,) was sung with a Corus, every man bearing his part;

which they performed in a daunce, hand in hand about the Maypole,

whiles one of the Company sung and filled out the good liquor, like

gammedes and Iupiter.

THE SONGE.

_Cor.

Drinke and be merry, merry, merry boyes;

Let all your delight be in the Hymens ioyes;

Jô to Hymen, now the day is come,

About the merry Maypole take Roome.

Make greene garlons, bring bottles out

And fill sweet Nectar freely about.

{135} Vncover thy head and feare no harme

For hers good liquor to keepe it warme.

Then drinke and be merry, &c.

Iô to Hymen, &c.

Nectar is a thing assign’d

By the Deities owne minde

To cure the hart opprest with greife,

And of good liquors is the cheife.

Then drinke, &c.

Iô to Hymen, &c._

_Give to the Mellancolly man

A cup or two of ’t now and than;

This physick will soone revive his bloud,

And make him be of a merrier moode.

Then drinke, &c.

Iô to Hymen, &c.

Give to the Nymphe thats free from scorne

No Irish stuff nor Scotch over worne.

Lasses in beaver coast come away,

Yee shall be welcome to us night and day.

To drinke and be merry &c.

Jô to Hymen, &c._

This harmeles mirth made by younge men, (that lived in hope to have

wifes brought over to them, that would save them a laboure to make

a voyage to fetch any over,) was much distasted of the precise

Seperatists, that keepe much a doe about the tyth of Muit and Cummin,

troubling their braines more then reason would require about things

that are indifferent: and from that time sought occasion against my

{136} honest Host of Ma-re Mount, to overthrow his ondertakings and to

destroy his plantation quite and cleane. But because they presumed with

their imaginary gifts, (which they have out of Phaos box,[487]) they

could expound hidden misteries, to convince them of blindnes, as well

in this as in other matters of more consequence, I will illustrate the

poem, according to the true intent of the authors of these Revells, so

much distasted by those Moles.

Oedipus is generally receaved for the absolute reader of riddles, who

is invoaked: Silla and Caribdis are two dangerous places for seamen to

incounter, neere unto Vennice; and have bin by poets formerly resembled

to man and wife. The like licence the author challenged for a paire of

his nomination, the one lamenting for the losse of the other as Niobe

for her children. Amphitrite is an arme of the Sea, by which the newes

was carried up and downe of a rich widow, now to be tane up or laid

downe. By Triton is the fame spread that caused the Suters to muster,

(as it had bin to Penellope of Greece;) and, the Coast lying circuler,

all our passage to and froe is made more convenient by Sea then Land.

Many aimed at this marke; but hee that played Proteus best and could

comply with her humor must be the man that would carry her; and hee

had need have Sampsons strenght to deale with a Dallila, and as much

patience as Iob that should come there, for a thing that I did observe

in the life-time of the former.

But marriage and hanging, (they say,) comes by desteny and Scogans

choise[488] tis better [than] none at all. Hee that {137} playd

Proteus, (with the helpe of Priapus,) put their noses out of joynt, as

the Proverbe is.

And this the whole company of the Revellers at Ma-re Mount knew to

be the true sence and exposition of the riddle that was fixed to

the Maypole, which the Seperatists were at defiance with. Some of

them affirmed that the first institution thereof was in memory of a

whore;[489] not knowing that it was a Trophe erected at first in honor

of Maja, the Lady of learning which they despise, vilifying the two

universities with uncivile termes, accounting what is there obtained by

studdy is but unnecessary learning; not considering that learninge does

inable mens mindes to converse with eliments of a higher nature then is

to be found within the habitation of the Mole.

CHAP. XV.

_Of a great Monster supposed to be at Ma-re-Mount; and the

preparation made to destroy it._[490]

The Seperatists, envying the prosperity and hope of the Plantation at

Ma-re Mount, (which they perceaved beganne to come forward, and to

be in a good way for gaine in the Beaver trade,) conspired together

against mine Host especially, (who was the owner of that Plantation,)

and made up a party against him; and mustred up what aide they could,

accounting of him as of a great Monster.

{138} Many threatening speeches were given out both against his person

and his Habitation, which they divulged should be consumed with fire:

And taking advantage of the time when his company, (which seemed little

to regard theire threats,) were gone up into the Inlands to trade with

the Salvages for Beaver, they set upon my honest host at a place called

Wessaguscus, where, by accident, they found him. The inhabitants there

were in good hope of the subvertion of the plantation at Mare Mount,

(which they principally aymed at;) and the rather because mine host

was a man that indeavoured to advaunce the dignity of the Church of

England; which they, (on the contrary part,) would laboure to vilifie

with uncivile termes: enveying against the sacred booke of common

prayer, and mine host that used it in a laudable manner amongst his

family, as a practise of piety.

There hee would be a meanes to bringe sacks to their mill, (such is the

thirst after Beaver,) and helped the conspiratores to surprise mine

host, (who was there all alone;) and they chardged him, (because they

would seeme to have some reasonable cause against him to sett a glosse

upon their mallice,) with criminall things; which indeede had beene

done by such a person, but was of their conspiracy; mine host demaunded

of the conspirators who it was that was author of that information,

that seemed to be their ground for what they now intended. And because

they answered they would not tell him, hee as peremptorily replyed,

that hee would not say whether he had, or he had not done as they had

bin informed.

{139} The answere made no matter, (as it seemed,) whether it had bin

negatively or affirmatively made; for they had resolved what hee should

suffer, because, (as they boasted,) they were now become the greater

number: they had shaked of their shackles of servitude, and were become

Masters, and masterles people.

It appeares they were like beares whelpes in former time, when mine

hosts plantation was of as much strength as theirs, but now, (theirs

being stronger,) they, (like overgrowne beares,) seemed monsterous. In

breife, mine host must indure to be their prisoner untill they could

contrive it so that they might send him for England, (as they said,)

there to suffer according to the merrit of the fact which they intended

to father upon him; supposing, (belike,) it would proove a hainous

crime.

Much rejoycing was made that they had gotten their cappitall enemy, (as

they concluded him;) whome they purposed to hamper in such sort that

hee should not be able to uphold his plantation at Ma-re Mount.

The Conspirators sported themselves at my honest host, that meant them

no hurt, and were so joccund that they feasted their bodies, and fell

to tippeling as if they had obtained a great prize; like the Trojans

when they had the custody of Hippeus pinetree horse.

~_Mine Host got out of prison._~

Mine host fained greefe, and could not be perswaded either to eate

or drinke; because hee knew emptines would be a meanes to make him

as watchfull as the Geese kept in the Roman Cappitall: whereon, the

contrary part, the conspirators would be so drowsy that hee might have

an opportunity to give them a {140} slip, insteade of a tester. Six

persons of the conspiracy were set to watch him at Wessaguscus: But

hee kept waking; and in the dead of night, (one lying on the bed for

further suerty,) up gets mine Host and got to the second dore that

hee was to passe, which, notwithstanding the lock, hee got open, and

shut it after him with such violence that it affrighted some of the

conspirators.

The word, which was given with an alarme, was, ô he’s gon, he’s gon,

what shall wee doe, he’s gon! The rest, (halfe a sleepe,) start up in

a maze, and, like rames, ran theire heads one at another full butt in

the darke.

~_The Captain tore his clothes._~

Theire grande leader, Captaine Shrimp, tooke on most furiously and tore

his clothes for anger, to see the empty nest, and their bird gone.

The rest were eager to have torne theire haire from theire heads; but

it was so short that it would give them no hold. Now Captaine Shrimp

thought in the losse of this prize, (which hee accoumpted his Master

peece,) all his honor would be lost for ever.

~_Mine host got home to ma-re mount._~

~_Hee provides for his enemies._~

In the meane time mine Host was got home to Ma-re Mount through the

woods, eight miles round about the head of the river Monatoquit that

parted the two Plantations, finding his way by the helpe of the

lightening, (for it thundred as hee went terribly;) and there hee

prepared powther, three pounds dried, for his present imployement, and

foure good gunnes for him and the two assistants left at his howse,

with bullets of severall sizes, three hounderd or thereabouts, to be

used if the conspirators should pursue {141} him thether: and these

two persons promised theire aides in the quarrell, and confirmed that

promise with health in good rosa solis.

Now Captaine Shrimp, the first Captaine in the Land, (as hee supposed,)

must doe some new act to repaire this losse, and, to vindicate his

reputation, who had sustained blemish by this oversight, begins now to

study, how to repaire or survive his honor: in this manner, callinge of

Councell, they conclude.

Hee takes eight persons more to him, and, (like the nine Worthies of

New Canaan,) they imbarque with preparation against Ma-re-Mount, where

this Monster of a man, as theire phrase was, had his denne; the whole

number, had the rest not bin from home, being but seaven, would have

given Captaine Shrimpe, (a quondam Drummer,) such a wellcome as would

have made him wish for a Drume as bigg as Diogenes tubb, that hee might

have crept into it out of sight.

Now the nine Worthies are approached, and mine Host prepared: having

intelligence by a Salvage, that hastened in love from Wessaguscus to

give him notice of their intent.

One of mine Hosts men prooved a craven: the other had prooved his wits

to purchase a little valoure, before mine Host had observed his posture.

~_A Parly._~

{142} The nine worthies comming before the Denne of this supposed

Monster, (this seaven headed hydra, as they termed him,) and began,

like Don Quixote against the Windmill, to beate a parly, and to offer

quarter, if mine Host would yeald; for they resolved to send him for

England; and bad him lay by his armes.

But hee, (who was the Sonne of a Souldier,) having taken up armes

in his just defence, replyed that hee would not lay by those armes,

because they were so needefull at Sea, if hee should be sent over. Yet,

to save the effusion of so much worty bloud, as would haue issued out

of the vaynes of these 9. worthies of New Canaan, if mine Host should

have played upon them out at his port holes, (for they came within

danger like a flocke of wild geese, as if they had bin tayled one to

another, as coults to be sold at a faier,) mine Host was content to

yeelde upon quarter; and did capitulate with them in what manner it

should be for more certainety, because hee knew what Captaine Shrimpe

was.

~_Captaine Shrimpe promiseth that no violence should bee

offered to his person._~

Hee expressed that no violence should be offered to his person, none

to his goods, nor any of his Howsehold: but that hee should have his

armes, and what els was requisit for the voyage: which theire Herald

retornes, it was agreed upon, and should be performed.

~_The Worthies rebuked for their unworthy practises._~

But mine Host no sooner had set open the dore, and issued out, but

instantly Captaine Shrimpe and the rest of the worties stepped to him,

layd hold of his armes, and had him downe: and so eagerly was every

{143} man bent against him, (not regarding any agreement made with such

a carnall man,) that they fell upon him as if they would have eaten

him: some of them were so violent that they would have a slice with

scabbert, and all for haste; untill an old Souldier, (of the Queenes,

as the Proverbe is,) that was there by accident, clapt his gunne under

the weapons, and sharply rebuked these worthies for their unworthy

practises. So the matter was taken into more deliberate consideration.

Captaine Shrimpe, and the rest of the nine worthies, made themselves,

(by this outragious riot,) Masters of mine Hoste of Ma-re Mount, and

disposed of what hee had at his plantation.

This they knew, (in the eye of the Salvages,) would add to their glory,

and diminish the reputation of mine honest Host; whome they practised

to be ridd of upon any termes, as willingly as if hee had bin the very

Hidra of the time.

CHAP. XVI.

_How the 9. worthies put mine Host of Ma-re-Mount into the inchaunted

Castle at Plimmouth, and terrified him with the Monster Briareus._

The nine worthies of New Canaan having now the Law in their owne hands,

(there being no generall {144} Governour in the Land; nor none of the

Seperation that regarded the duety they owe their Soveraigne, whose

naturall borne Subjects they were, though translated out of Holland,

from whence they had learned to worke all to their owne ends, and make

a great shewe of Religion, but no humanity,) for they were now to sit

in Counsell on the cause.

And much it stood mine honest Host upon to be very circumspect, and to

take Eacus[491] to taske; for that his voyce was more allowed of then

both the other: and had not mine Host confounded all the arguments

that Eacus could make in their defence, and confuted him that swaied

the rest, they would have made him unable to drinke in such manner of

merriment any more. So that following this private counsell, given him

by one that knew who ruled the rost, the Hiracano ceased that els would

split his pinace.

~_Mine host set upon an Island without anything, to shift for

himselfe._~

A conclusion was made and sentence given that mine Host should be sent

to England a prisoner. But when hee was brought to the shipps for

that purpose, no man durst be so foole hardy as to undertake carry

him.[492] So these Worthies set mine Host upon an Island, without

gunne, powther, or shot or dogge or so much as a knife to get any

thinge to feede upon, or any other cloathes to shelter him with at

winter then a thinne suite which hee had one at that time. Home hee

could not get to Ma-re-Mount. Upon this Island hee stayed a moneth at

least, and was releeved by Salvages that tooke notice that mine Host

was a Sachem of Passonagessit, and would bringe bottles of strong

liquor to him, and unite themselves {145} into a league of brother hood

with mine Host; so full of humanity are these infidels before those

Christians.

From this place for England sailed mine Host in a Plimmouth shipp,

(that came into the Land to fish upon the Coast,) that landed him safe

in England at Plimmouth: and hee stayed in England untill the ordinary

time for shipping to set forth for these parts, and then retorned:[493]

Noe man being able to taxe him of any thinge.

But the Worthies, (in the meane time,) hoped they had bin ridd of him.

CHAP. XVII.

_Of the Baccanall Triumphe of the nine worthies of New Canaan._

The Seperatists were not so contended, (when mine Host of Ma-re-Mount

was gone,) but they were as much discontended when hee was retorned

againe: and the rather because theire passages about him, and the

businesse, were so much derided and in songes exemplified: which, (for

better satisfaction of such as are in that kinde affected,) I have set

forth, as it was then in use by the name of the _Baccanall Triumphe_,

as followeth:

{146} THE POEM.[494]

~_Master Ben: Iohnson._~

_I sing th’ adventures of nine worthy wights,

And pitty ’tis I cannot call them Knights,

Since they had brawne and braine, and were right able

To be installed of Prince Arthures table;

Yet all of them were Squires of low degree,

The Magi tould of a prodigeous birth

That shortly should be found upon the earth,

By Archimedes art, which they misconster

Vnto their Land would proove a hiddeous monster;

Seaven heades it had, and twice so many feete,

Arguing the body to be wondrous greate,

Besides a forked taile heav’d up on highe

As if it threaten’d battell to the skie.

The Rumor of this fearefull prodigy

Did cause th’ effeminate multitude to cry

For want of great Alcides aide, and stood

Like People that have seene Medusas head.

Great was the greife of hart, great was the mone,

And great the feare conceaved by every one

Of Hydras hiddeous forme and dreadfull powre,

Doubting in time this Monster would devoure

All their best flocks, whose dainty wolle consorts

It selfe with Scarlet in all Princes Courts.

Not Iason nor the adventerous youths of Greece

Did bring from Colcos any richer Fleece.

In Emulation of the Gretian force

These Worthies nine prepar’d a woodden horse,

{147} And, prick’d with pride of like successe, divise

How they may purchase glory by this prize;

And, if they give to Hidreas head the fall,

It will remaine a plat forme unto all

Theire brave atchivements, and in time to comme,

Per fas aut nefas, they’l erect a throne.

Cloubs are turn’d trumps: so now the lott is cast:

With fire and sword to Hidras den they haste,

Mars in th’ assendant, Soll in Cancer now,

And Lerna Lake to Plutos court must bow.

What though they [be] rebuk’d by thundring Iove,

Tis neither Gods nor men that can remove

Their mindes from making this a dismall day.

These nine will now be actors in this play

And Sumon Hidra to appeare anon

Before their witles Combination:

But his undaunted spirit, nursd with meate

Such as the Cecrops gave their babes to eate,

Scorn’d their base accons; for with Cecrops charme

Hee knew he could defend himselfe from harme

Of Minos, Eacus, and Radamand,

Princes of Limbo; who must out of hand

Consult bout Hidra, what must now be done:

Who, having sate in Counsell, one by one

Retorne this answere to the Stiggean feinds;

And first grim Minos spake: most loving freinds,

Hidra prognosticks ruine to our state

And that our Kingdome will grow desolate;

But if one head from thence be tane away

The Body and the members will decay.

{148} To take in hand, quoth[495] Eacus, this taske,

Is such as harebraind Phaeton did aske

Of Phebus, to begird the world about;

Which graunted put the Netherlands to rout;

Presumptious fooles learne wit at too much cost,

For life and laboure both at once hee lost.

Sterne Radamantus, being last to speake,

Made a great hum and thus did silence breake:

What if, with ratling chaines or Iron bands,

Hidra be bound either by feete or hands,

And after, being lashd with smarting rodds,

Hee be conveyd by Stix unto the godds

To be accused on the upper ground

Of Lesæ Majestatis, this crime found

T’will be unpossible from thence, I trowe,

Hidra shall come to trouble us belowe.

This sentence pleasd the friends exceedingly,

That up they tost their bonnets, and did cry,

Long live our Court in great prosperity.

The Sessions ended, some did straight devise

Court Revells, antiques and a world of joyes,

Brave Christmas gambols:[496] there was open hall

Kept to the full, and sport, the Divell and all:

Laboure’s despised, the loomes are laid away,

And this proclaim’d the Stigean Holliday.

In came grim Mino, with his motly beard,

And brought a distillation well prepar’d;

And Eacus, who is as suer as text,

Came in with his preparatives the next;

Then Radamantus, last and principall,

Feasted the Worthies in his sumptuous hall.

{149} There Charon Cerberous and the rout of feinds

Had lap enough: and so their pastims ends._

THE ILLVSTRATIONS.

Now to illustrate this Poem, and make the sence more plaine, it is to

be considered that the Persons at Ma-re-Mount were seaven, and they had

seaven heads and 14. feete; these were accounted Hidra with the seaven

heads: and the Maypole, with the Hornes nailed neere the topp, was the

forked tayle of this supposed Monster, which they (for want of skill)

imposed: yet feared in time, (if they hindred not mine Host), hee would

hinder the benefit of their Beaver trade, as hee had done, (by meanes

of this helpe,) in Kynyback river finely, ere they were awares; who,

comming too late, were much dismaide to finde that mine Host his boate

had gleaned away all before they came; which Beaver is a fitt companion

for Scarlett: and I beleeve that Iasons golden Fleece was either the

same, or some other Fleece not of so much value.

This action bred a kinde of hart burning in the Plimmouth Planters, who

after sought occasion against mine Host to overthrowe his undertakings

and to destroy his Plantation; whome they accoumpted a maine enemy to

theire Church and State.

{150} Now when they had begunne with him, they thought best to

proceede: forasmuch as they thought themselves farre enough from any

controule of Iustice, and therefore resolved to be their owne carvers:

(and the rather because they presumed upon some incouragement they had

from the favourites of their Sect in England:) and with fire and sword,

nine in number, pursued mine Host, who had escaped theire hands, in

scorne of what they intended, and betooke him to his habitation in a

night of great thunder and lightening, when they durst not follow him,

as hardy as these nine worthies seemed to be.

It was in the Moneth of Iune that these Marshallists had appointed to

goe about this mischeifous project, and deale so crabbidly with mine

Host.

After a parly, hee capitulated with them about the quarter they

proffered him, if hee would consent to goe for England, there to

answere, (as they pretended,) some thing they could object against him

principall to the generall: But what it would be hee cared not, neither

was it any thing materiall.

Yet when quarter was agreed upon, they, contrary wise, abused him, and

carried him to theire towne of Plimmouth, where, (if they had thought

hee durst have gone to England,) rather then they would have bin any

more affronted by him they would have dispatched him, as Captaine

Shrimp in a rage profest that hee would doe with his Pistoll, as mine

Host should set his foote into the boate. Howsoever, the cheife Elders

voyce in that place was more powerfull than any of the rest, who

concluded {151} to send mine Host without any other thing to be done

to him. And this being the finall agreement, (contrary to Shrimpe and

others,) the nine Worthies had a great Feast made, and the furmity[497]

pott was provided for the boats gang by no allowance: and all manner of

pastime.

Captaine Shrimpe was so overjoyed in the performance of this exployt,

that they had, at that time, extraordinary merriment, (a thing not

usuall amongst those presisians); and when the winde served they tooke

mine Host into their Shallop, hoysed Saile, and carried him to the

Northern parts; where they left him upon a Island.

CHAP. XVIII.

_Of a Doctor made at a Commencement in New Canaan._[498]

~_A Councell called._~

The Church of Plimmouth, having due regard to the weale publike and

the Brethren that were to come over, and knowing that they would

be busily imployed to make provision for the cure of Soules, and

therefore might neglect the body for that time, did hold themselves

to be in duety bound to make search for a fitting man, that might be

able, (if so neede requir’d,) to take the chardge upon him in that

place of imployment: and therefore called a Counsell of the whole

Synagoge: amongst which company, they chose out a man that long time

had bin nurst up in the tender bosome of the Church: one that had {152}

speciall gifts: hee could wright and reade; nay, more: hee had tane

the oath of abjuration, which is a speciall stepp, yea, and a maine

degree unto perferment. Him they weane, and out of Phaos boxe[499] fitt

him with speciall guifts of no lesse worth: they stile him Doctor, and

forth they send him to gaine imployement and opinion.

What luck is it I cannot hit on his name: but I will give you him by

a periphrasis, that you may know him when you meete him next.

Hee was borne at Wrington, in the County of Somerset, where hee was

bred a Butcher. Hee weares a longe beard, and a Garment like the Greeke

that beggd in Pauls Church.[500] This new made Doctor, comes to Salem

to congratulate:[501] where hee findes some are newly come from Sea,

and ill at ease.

He takes the patient, and the urinall: eies the State there; finds the

Crasis Syptomes, and the attomi natantes: and tells the patient that

his disease was winde, which hee had tane by gapeing feasting over

board[502] at Sea; but hee would quickly ease him of that greife, and

quite expell the winde. And this hee did performe, with his gifts hee

had: and then hee handled the patient so handsomely, that hee eased him

of all the winde hee had in an instant.

And yet I hope this man may be forgiven, if hee were made a fitting

Plant for Heaven.

How hee went to worke with his gifts is a question; yet hee did a great

cure for Captaine Littleworth, hee cured him of a disease called a

wife:[503] and yet I hope this man may be forgiven, if shee were made

a fitting plant for heaven.

{153} By this meanes hee was allowed 4. p. a moneth, and the chirgeon’s

chest, and made Phisition generall of Salem: where hee exercised his

gifts so well, that of full 42. that there hee tooke to cure, there is

not one has more cause to complaine, or can say black’s his eie. This

saved Captaine Littleworths credit, that had truck’d away the vittels:

though it brought forth a scandall on the Country by it: and then I

hope this man may be forgiven, if they were all made fitting plants for

Heaven.

But in mine opinion, hee deserves to be set upon a palfrey and lead

up and downe in triumph throw new Canaan, with a coller of Iurdans

about his neck, as was one of like desert in Richard the seconds time

through the streets of London, that men might know where to finde a

Quacksaluer.[504]

CHAP. XIX.

_Of the silencing of a Minister in new Canaan._[505]

A silenced Minister, out of coveteousnesse,[506] came over into new

Canaan to play the spie: Hee pretended, out of a zealous intent to doe

the Salvages good, and to teach them. Hee brought a great Bundell of

Horne books with him, and carefull hee was, (good man,) to blott out

all the crosses of them, for feare least the people of the land should

become Idolaters. Hee was in hope, with his gifts, to prepare a great

auditory against greate Iosua should arive there.

{154} Hee applyed himselfe on the weeke dayes to the trade of Beaver,

but it was, (as might seeme,) to purchase the principall benefite of

the Lande, when the time should come; for hee had a hope to be the

Caiphas of the Country: and well hee might, for hee was higher by the

head than any of his tribe that came after him.

~_This Caiphas that condemneth Covetousnesse, and committeth

it himselfe._~

This man, it seemes, played the spie very handsomely; for in the

exercise of his guifts on the Lords day at Weenasimute,[507] hee espied

a Salvage come in with a good Beaver coate, and tooke occasion to

reproove the covetous desire of his auditory to trade for Beaver on

those dayes; which made them all use so much modesty about the matter

for the present, that hee found opportunity, the same day, to take the

Salvage a side into a corner, where (with the helpe of his Wampampeack

hee had in his pocket for that purpose in a readinesse,) hee made a

shifte to get that Beaver coate, which their mouthes watered at; and so

deceaved them all.

But shortly after, when Iosua[508] came into the Land, hee had soone

spied out Caiphas practice, and put him to silence; and either hee

must put up his pipes and be packing, or forsake Ionas posture, and

play Demas part alltogether.[509]

{155} CHAP. XX.

_Of the Practise of the Seperatists to gett a snare to hamper mine

Host of Ma-re-Mount._

~_The generall collection made._~

Although the nine Worthies had left mine Hoste upon an Island,[510] in

such an inhumane manner as yee heard before; yet when they understood

that hee had got shipping and was gone to England of his owne accord,

they dispatched letters of advise to an Agent they had there: and by

the next shipp sent after to have a snare made, that might hamper

mine Host so as hee might not any more trouble theire conscience:

and to that end made a generall collection of Beaver to defray the

chardge,[511] and hee was not thought a good Christian that would not

lay much out for that imployment.

Some contributed three pounds, some foure, some five pounds; and

procured a pretty quantity by that Devise, which should be given to a

cunning man that could make a snare to hamper him.

~_Noe cost spared for the getting of a skillfull man._~

The Agent, (according to his directions,) does his endeavoure, (in

the best manner hee could,) to have this instrument made: and used

no little diligence to have it effected.[512] His reputation stood

upon the taske imposed upon him against mine Host, the onely enemy

(accounted) of their Church and State.

Much inquiry was made in London, and about, for a skillfull man that

would worke the feate. Noe cost {156} was spared, for gold hee had

good store: first hee inquires of one, and then another: at the last

hee heard newes of a very famous man, one that was excellent at making

subtile instruments, such as that age had never bin acquainted with.

Hee was well knowne to be the man, that had wit and wondrous skill to

make a cunning instrument where with to save himselfe and his whole

family, if all the world besides should be drown’d; and this the best;

yea, and the best cheap too, for, no good done, the man would nothing

take.

To him this agent goes, and praies his aide: Declares his cause, and

tells the substance of his greivance, all at large, and laid before his

eies a heape of gold.

~_The heape of gold._~

When all was shewd, that could be she’d, and said, what could be said,

and all too little for to have it done, the agent then did see his gold

refused, his cause despised, and thought himselfe disgraced to leave

the worke undone: so that hee was much dismaid, yet importun’d the

cunning [man], who found no reason to take the taske in hand.

Hee thought, perhaps, mine Host, (that had the slight to escape from

the nine Worthies, to chaine Argus eies, and by inchauntment make

the doores of the watch tower fly open at an instant,) would not be

hampered, but with much a doe: and so hee was unwilling to be troubled

with that taske.

~_Mine Host arrived againe in Plimmouth._~

The agent wondring to see that his gold would doe no good, did aske the

cunning man if hee could give him no advise? who said, hee would: and

what was that, thinke you? To let mine Host alone. Who, {157} being

ship’d againe for the parts of New Canaan, was put in at Plimmouth

in the very faces of them, to their terrible amazement to see him at

liberty: and told him hee had not yet fully answered the matter they

could object against him. Hee onely made this modest reply, that hee

did perceave they were willfull people, that would never be answered:

and derided them for their practises and losse of laboure.[513]

CHAP. XXI.

_Of Captaine Littleworth his new devise for the purchase of Beaver._

~_Charter party Treasorer._~

In the meane time, whiles these former passages were, there was a

great swelling fellow, of Littleworth, crept over to Salem, (by the

helpe of Master Charter party,[514] the Tresorer, and Master Ananias

Increase,[515] the Collector for the Company of Seperatists,) to take

upon him their imployments for a time.

Hee, resolving to make hay whiles the Sonne did shine, first pretended

himselfe to be sent over as cheife Iustice of the Massachussets Bay

and Salem, forsoth, and tooke unto him a councell; and a worthy one no

doubt, for the Cowkeeper of Salem was a prime man in those imployments;

and to ad a Majesty, (as hee thought,) to his new assumed dignity, hee

caused the Patent of the Massachussets, (new brought into the Land,) to

be carried where hee went in his progresse to and froe, as an embleme

of his authority: which {158} the vulgar people, not acquainted with,

thought it to be some instrument of Musick locked up in that covered

case,[516] and thought, (for so some said,) this man of little-worth

had bin a fidler, and the rather because hee had put into the mouthes

of poore silly things, that were sent alonge with him, what skill hee

had in Engines, and in things of quaint devise: all which prooved in

conclusion to be but impostury.

~_Warrants made by Capt. Littleworth in his name._~

This man, thinking none so worthy as himselfe, tooke upon him

infinitely: and made warrants in his owne name, (without relation

to his Majesties authority in that place,) and summoned a generall

apparance at the worshipfull towne of Salem:[517] there in open

assembly was tendered certaine Articles, devised betweene him and

theire new Pastor Master Eager,[518] (that had renounced his old

calling to the Ministry receaved in England, by warrant of Gods

word, and taken a new one there, by their fantasticall way imposed,

and conferred upon him with some speciall guifts had out of Phaos

boxe.)[519]

To these Articles every Planter, old and new, must signe, or be

expelled from any manner of aboade within the Compas of the Land

contained within that graunt then shewed: which was so large it would

suffice for Elbow roome for more then were in all the Land by 700000.

such an army might have planted them a Colony with [in] that cirquit

which hee challenged, and not contend for roome for their Cattell. But

for all that, hee that should refuse to subscribe, must pack.

The tenor of the _Articles_ were these: _That in all {159} causes, as

well Ecclesiasticall as Politicall, wee should follow the rule of Gods

word._

~_Mine Host subscribed not._~

This made a shew of a good intent, and all the assembly, (onely mine

Host replyed,) did subscribe: hee would not, unlesse they would ad

this Caution: _So as nothing be done contrary or repugnant to the

Lawes of the Kingdome of England._ These words hee knew, by former

experience, were necessary, and without these the same would proove a

very mousetrapp to catch some body by his owne consent, (which the rest

nothing suspected,) for the construction of the worde would be made

by them of the Seperation to serve their owne turnes: and if any man

should, in such a case, be accused of a crime, (though in it selfe it

were petty,) they might set it on the tenter hookes of their imaginary

gifts, and stretch it to make it seeme cappitall; which was the reason

why mine Host refused to subscribe.

~_The Patent._~

It was then agreed upon that there should be one generall trade used

within that Patent, (as hee said,) and a generall stock: and every man

to put in a parte: and every man, for his person, to have shares alike:

and for their stock, according to the ratable proportion was put in:

and this to continue for 12. moneths, and then to call an accompt.

~_All consented but mine Host._~

All were united, but mine Host refused: two truckmasters were chosen;

wages prefixed; onely mine Host put in a Caviat that the wages might

be paid out of the cleare proffit, which there in black and white was

plainely put downe.

{160} But before the end of 6. moneths, the partners in this stock,

(handled by the Truckmasters,) would have an accoumpt: some of them had

perceaved that Wampambeacke could be pocketted up, and the underlings,

(that went in the boats alonge,) would bee neere the Wiser for any

thinge, but what was trucked for Beaver onely.

~_Insteed of proffit dis-proffit._~

The accoumpt being made betweene Captaine Littleworth, and the two

Truckmasters, it was found that instead of increasing the proffit, they

had decreased it; for the principall stock, by this imployment, was

freetted so, that there was a great hole to be seene in the very middle

of it, which cost the partners afterwards one hundred markes to stopp

and make good to Captaine Littleworth.

But mine Host, that sturred not his foote at all for the matter, did

not onely save his stock from such a Cancar, but gained sixe and seaven

for one: in the meane time hee derided the Contributers for being

catch’d in that snare.

CHAP. XXII.

_Of a Sequestration made in New Canaan._[520]

Captaine Littleworth, (that had an akeing tooth at mine Host of

Ma-re-Mount,) devised how hee might put a trick upon him, by colour

of a Sequestration; and got some persons to pretend that hee had

corne and other goods of theirs in possession; and the {161} rather

because mine Host had store of corne and hee had improvidently truckt

his store for the present gaine of Beaver; in so much that his people

under his chardge were put to short allowance, which caused some of

them to sicken with conceipt of such useage, and some of them by

the practise of the new entertained Doctor Noddy, with his Imaginary

gifts. They sent therefore to exhibit a petition to grim Minos, Eacus

and Radamant, where they wished to have the author of their greife to

be convented:[521] and they had procured it quickly, if curses would

have caused it: for good prayers would be of no validity, (as they

supposed,) in this extremity.

~_Commission for corne._~

~_Mine Hosts corne & goods carried away by violence._~

Now in this extremity Capt. Littleworth gave commission to such as

hee had found ready for such imployments to enter in the howse at

Ma-re-Mount, and, with a shallop, to bring from thence such corne and

other utensilles as in their commission hee had specified. But mine

Host, wary to prevent eminent mischeife, had conveyed his powther

and shott, (and such other things as stood him in most steed for his

present condition,) into the woods for safety: and, whiles this was put

in practise by him, the shallop was landed and the Commissioners entred

the howse, and willfully bent against mine honest Host, that loved good

hospitality. After they had feasted their bodies with that they found

there, they carried all his corne away, with some other of his goods,

contrary to the Lawes of hospitality: a smale parcell of refuse corne

onely excepted, which they left mine Host to keepe Christmas with.

{162} But when they were gone, mine Host fell to make use of his

gunne, (as one that had a good faculty in the use of that instrument,)

and feasted his body neverthelesse with fowle and venison, which hee

purchased with the helpe of that instrument, the plenty of the Country

and the commodiousnes of the place affording meanes, by the blessing

of God; and hee did but deride Captaine Littleworth, that made his

servants snap shorte in a Country so much abounding with plenty of

foode for an industrious man, with greate variety.

CHAP. XXIII.

_Of a great Bonfire made for ioy of the arrivall of great Iosua,

surnamed Temperwell, into the Land of Canaan._[522]

Seaven shipps set forth at once, and altogether arrived in the Land of

Canaan, to take a full possession thereof: What are all the 12. Tribes

of new Israell come? No, none but the tribe of Issacar, and some few

scattered Levites of the remnant of those that were descended of old

Elies howse.

And here comes their Iosua too among them; and they make it a more

miraculous thing for these seaven shipps to set forth together, and

arrive at New Canaan together, then it was for the Israelites to goe

over Iordan drishod: perhaps it was, because they had a wall on the

right hand and a wall on the left hand.

{163} These Seperatists suppose there was no more difficulty in the

matter then for a man to finde the way to the Counter at noone dayes,

betweene a Sergeant and his yeoman: Now you may thinke mine Host will

be hamperd or never.

~_Men that come to ridd the land of pollution._~

These are the men that come prepared to ridd the Land of all pollution.

These are more subtile then the Cunning, that did refuse a goodly heap

of gold.[523] These men have brought a very snare indeed; and now mine

Host must suffer. The book of Common Prayer, which hee used, to be

despised: and hee must not be spared.

Now they are come, his doome before hand was concluded on: they have a

warrant now: A cheife one too: and now mine Host must know hee is the

subject of their hatred: the Snare must now be used; this instrument

must not be brought by Iosua in vaine.[524]

~_A Courte called about mine Host._~

A Court is called of purpose for mine host: hee there convented, and

must heare his doome before hee goe: nor will they admitt him to

capitulate, and know wherefore they are so violent to put such things

in practise against a man they never saw before: nor will they allow of

it, though hee decline their Iurisdiction.

~_A divellish sentence against him._~

There they all with one assent put him to silence, crying out, heare

the Governour, heare the Govern: who gave this sentence against mine

Host at first sight: that he should be first put in the Billbowes,

his goods should be all confiscated, his Plantation should be burned

downe to the ground, because the habitation of the wicked should no

more appeare in Israell, and {164} his person banished from those

territories; and this put in execution with all speede.[525]

~_The Salvages reproove them._~

The harmeles Salvages, (his neighboures,) came the while, (greived,

poore silly lambes, to see what they went about,) and did reproove

these Eliphants of witt for their inhumane deede: the Lord above did

open their mouthes like Balams Asse, and made them speake in his

behalfe sentences of unexpected divinity, besides morrallity; and tould

them that god would not love them that burned this good mans howse; and

plainely sayed that they who were new come would finde the want of such

a howses in the winter: so much themselves to him confest.

~_Epictetus summa totius Philosophiæ._~

The smoake that did assend appeared to be the very Sacrifice of Kain.

Mine Host, (that a farre of abourd a ship did there behold this wofull

spectacle,) knew not what hee should doe in this extremity but beare

and forbeare, as Epictetus sayes[526]: it was bootelesse to exclaime.

Hee did consider then these transitory things are but _ludibria

fortunæ_,[527] as Cicero calls them. All was burnt downe to the

ground, and nothing did remaine but the bare ashes as an embleme of

their cruelty: and unles it could, (like to the Phenix,) rise out of

these ashes and be new againe, (to the immortall glory and renowne of

this fertile Canaan the new,) the stumpes and postes in their black

liveries will mourne; and piety it selfe will add a voyce to the bare

remnant of that Monument, and make it cry for recompence, (or else

revenge,) against the Sect of cruell Schismaticks.

{165} CHAP. XXIV.

_Of the digrading and creating gentry in New Canaan._[528]