Classic Poem

With hearts revived in conceit, new land and trees they eye,
Senting the Caedars and sweet ferne from heats reflection drye,
Much like the bird from dolsome Romes inclos'd in cage of wyre,
Set forth in fragrant fields doth skip in hope of her desire.
So leap the hearts of these mixt men by streights o're seas inured,
To following hard-ships wildernesse, doth force to be endured.
In clipping armes of out-strecht Capes, there ships now gliding enter,
In bay where many little Isles do stand in waters Center.
Where Sea-calves with their hairy heads gaze 'bove the waters brim,
Wondring to see such uncouth sights their sporting place to swim.
The seas vast length makes welcome shores unto this wandring race,
Who now found footing freely for, Christs Church his resting place.
This people landing, soonly shewd diversity of minds,
As various heads, so actions did declare their divers kinds.
Now patience, John , give eare awhile unto a briefe digression,
The better shalt thou understand the following progression.
Diversity of censure have past on this people, why
Most judge the whole by lesser part, and parts run much awry.
By parts the giver, nor to part, and thou a part shalt see,
To be partakers with the truth in hearts simplicity.
Yet further let me mind thee more from Satans sullin fits,
Great rancour doth against them rise, enlarg'd by divers wits.
Yea male-contents none well content but discontentedly,
They breath out ill, being crost in will to all lamentingly.
But now let's on my honest John , to land this people came,
'Mongst trees and men that naked been, whom labour did not tame.
Small entrance did they make therein, for why diseases stay,
Their long unwonted legs to walke, in wildernesse the way.
In booths and huts lamenting lye, both men and women eake,
Some breathing out their latest breath, and others faintly speak,
Unto their friends for succour soone that strength they might recover,
Which once attain'd, they search the land, tracing the Countrey over.
To raising Townes and Churches new, in wildernesse they wander,
First Plymouth , and then Salem next, were placed far asunder.
Charles river where they nextly land, a Towne like name they built
Poore Cottages them populate, with winters wet soone split.
Brave Boston such beginning had, Dorchester so began,
Roxbury rose as mean as they, Cambridge forth from them ran.
Lin likewise built, when Watertowne first houses up did reare,
Then large-limb'd Ipswich brought to eye 'mongst woods and waters cleer.
Hartford, New-haven , scituate, Sandwich and Dover all,
In wildernesse 'mongst people wilde, there Scituations fall.
Newbery, Weymouth, Hingham, Hull , have their first nomination,
Rude Island Providence brought forth by banished their station.
Springfield, Hamlton, Concord , eke Deddam and Rowly , wee
New peopled in this Western world, where lands lye wast and free.
Salisbury, Sudbury , both began, to bore the Land, and plant,
Braintre, Glocester, Exeter , plac'd where the wilde beasts haunt.
Wooborn, Wickham, Redding built, with little silver mettle,
Andover, Haverhill, Berri's-banks , their habitations settle.
Southampton, Martins-vineyard , and some new nam'd Towns beside,
All by this brood of travellers, were peopled far and wide.
With what they had stor'd up for time of scarcity, they live,
Till tubs were empty, and the Land, could them small succour give.
God ne're denyes them fresh supplyes, with joy oft ships they eye,
That bring in bread and meate for food when in those straights they cry.
Till labour blesse the earths encrease, and food each Towne doth fill,
The land being sowne with man and beast, great store retaining still.

A briefe description of the Land, Beasts, Birds, Trees, and Fruits

Unlevel'd lies this land new found with hills and vallies low,
With many mixtures of such mold where fruits do firtile grow.
Well watered with the pleasant springs that from the hills arise,
The waters run with warbling tunes, with stones that in them lies.
To welcome weary travellers, resting unneath the shade,
Of lofty banks, where lowly boughs, for them fresh harbour made.
The lesser Rivelets rent themselves into a wider way,
Where scouring torrents furious fall, through rocks their streames doe stray.

Spring

At end of March begins the Spring, by Sols new elivation,
Stealing away the earths white robe, dropping with sweats vexation.
The Codfish, Holybut, and Basse, do sport the rivers in,
And Allewifes with their crowding sholes, in every creek do swim.
Leaving their spawn in ponds to thrive 'mongst Pikes devouring jawes,
That swallow Trowts, Tench, Roach and Breme into their greedy mawes.
Pirch, Shad, and Eeles, there plenty fill the panyard and the pan,
Smelts, Lobsters, Crab-fish, pranes and shrimps, with cockles, mussels clams.
Plenty of oysters overgrow the flowed lands so thick,
That thousand loads to lime are turn'd, to lay fast stone and brick.
The Cormorants with greedy gut full fast the fishes follow,
And Eagles with their piercing sight look through the waters shallow.
Ducks, Hens, and Pheasants often row upon the waters brim,
With plenty of their fellow fowles to welcome in the spring.
Devouring fires burning black the earths old rusty hew,
Like torch-bearers in gloomy night, their flames with wind sore flew.
Like Phoenix rare, from ashes old, of grasse, doth grasse arise,
The earth casts off her mourning coate, gay clad like bride to eyes.
With herbs and divers precious plants for physicks operation,
Diversity of fragrant flowers for scenes recreation.

Sommer

Bespread with Roses Sommer 'gins take place with hasty speed,
Whose parching heate Strawberries coole doth moderation breed.
Ayre darkening sholes of pigeons picke their berries sweet and good,
The lovely cherries birds entice to feast themselves in woods.
The Turkies, Partridge, Heath-hens and their young ones tracing passe,
The woods and medowes, Achorns eat, and hoppers in the grasse.
Like Virgils knat musketo flies with buzzy humming dare
Assault the stoutest with long trunke, both blood and blisters reare.
When little lineaments the Sun, or winde doth feeble make
Yea cooling dewes their swarms allay, and strength of stinging slake.
The little hum-birds sucking sweet, from flowers draw their food,
Humilities in summer-time only find livelihood.

Autumne

Good wholsome and delightfull food, variety and store,
The Husband-man rejoycing keeps, with fruit the earths wombe boare.
Peas plenty, Barley, Oats and Wheat, Rye richly stocking stands,
Such store the plough-man late hath found, that they feed forreign lands.
Cucumbers, mellons, apples, peares, and plums do flourish faire,
Yea what delight and profit would, they still are adding there.
Sixe sorts of Oakes the land affords, Walnuts doe differ so,
That divers shapes their fruit retains, and food that in them grow.
Roots are not wanting, wild and tame, in gardens they encrease,
Ground nuts, ground beans, not gathered till, warmth doth the earth release.
Grapes wanting vintage, common grow, fit for the travellers hand,
With food from berries multitude, that grow throughout the land.

Winter

Sharpe, sudden, yet with lightsome looks doth winters cold come in,
With thicke, large Coat doth cloath the earth, both soft, smooth, white and trim.
The large tempestuous surges are bound in with frozen band,
Where ship did anker, men doe walke, and carts as on the land.
The Geese flye prating night and day, to tell the approaching season,
Brought downe by gun shot from their flight unto the Indians geson.
The tumbling beares intrapped are, 'mongst houses sudden enter,
O'rethrowe by eager hunters, who pursue them in this venter.
The tripping Deer with length of leaps, do burst through frozen snow,
Hunters pursue with bracket shooes, at length they weary grow.
Then down the dogs them sudden draw, expos'd to hunters pleasure,
Their flesh well welcome, and their skins, are chiefe of Indian treasure.
Whole kennels of devouring wolves both Deer and Swine destroy,
Yet scar'd by weakest children, they them the lesse annoy.
The Suns bright presence most dayes doth cheere man and beast with joy,
With hope of pleasant springs approach to free from colds annoy.
With mineralls the earth is fraught, though Alcumists are wanting,
Which makes the current mettle priz'd 'mongst Merchants daily scanting.

Of their building, planting, and giving out of LANDS

Delightfull to the eye did lye the woods and medowes greene,
The paths untrod by man and beast, both smooth and clenly seene.
Most men unlanded till this time, for large lands Eage[r] sue,
Had not restraint knockt of their hands, too big their fermes had grew.
Give eare I pray unto the praise set on a new Plantation,
First for the medow sirs says one, I have found such a station.
Where grasse doth grow as high as I, round stalkes and very thicke,
No hassocks but a bottom plain, Carts cannot therein stick.
Salt hay and fresh there thousands are of acres I do deeme,
A gallant harbour there's for ships the best that yet is seene.
Boates may come up unto our doors, the Creeks convenient lye,
Fish plenty taken in them are, plains plowable hard by.
No bush nor roots to hinder them, yet stately timber is,
In every swamp, yea uplands too, most clobberd trees I wis.
Clay there for bricke and tile, pot-earth with ease, and store,
Some men suppose black lead is there, silver and copper o're.
Carry but guns, and wild fowle will be brought unto our dishes,
Venison and Moose you there may catch according to your wishes.
All creatures thrive exceeding well, Goats, Swine, and sheep for meat,
Horse, Cows, and Calves encrease as well, ther's store of English wheat.
Five, seven, or nine old Planters doe take up their station first,
Whose property is not to share unto themselves the worst.
Their Cottages like Crows nests built, new commers goods attain,
For mens accommodation sake, they truck their seats for gaine.
Come buy my house, here may you have, much medow at your dore,
'T will dearer be if you stay till, the landed be planted o're.
See you that garden-plot inclos'd, Pumkins there hundreds are,
Parsnips and Roots, with Cabiges, grow in great plenty there.
Lay out an hundred pound or two, you shall have such a seat,
When you have planted but one crop, you cannot want for meate.
This praise doth make the purchaser his gold and silver throw,
Into his hand for house and land that yet he did not know.
Unseen, and yet so sudden bought, when once the sale was ended,
His purchase makes him misse of more, with gifts he's not befriended.
One he hath friends to praise his parts, his lot shall larger be,
For usefull men are highly priz'd, such shall sell two or three.
Sure such mistaken, towns have been, for many have made prize,
Get all they can, sell often, than, and thus old Planters rise.
They build to sell, and sell to build, where they find towns are planting,
Till men no more the Sea passe o're, and Customers are wanting.
Then those that boast their townes were full for company are longing,
Who lately fear'd land would fall short, when men to them came thronging.
Insatiate minds for medow, and best land they could attain,
Hath caused Townes, land lay by lot, I wish it were not vaine.

[To populate this howling desart Land]

To populate this howling desart Land,
The only worke is of Jehovah's hand.
Contemn no weakest meanes in hand of him:
See here his worke by meanes that weakest been.
In thrice five yeares a Common-wealth compleat,
For peace, for war, for actions small and great.
Five hundred Lawes for peoples plaine direction,
Englands addition as naturall Connection,
Prest to oppose haters of peace; with guide
Of Officers, three Regiments abide.
In Middlesex seven Ensigns are displaid,
There disciplin'd by Major Sedgwick's aide.
In Suffolk nine, by Major Gibbons led,
Essex and Norfolk in one are marshalled,
By Denison , their Major in the field,
Their Generall a yearly choise doth yield.
Eight times a yeare each band instructed is,
And once to meet in one they may not misse.
Both Horse and Foot, force, forts and castles are,
Prepar'd in peace for peace, yet fit for War.
To awe bruit men, Justice impartially,
Hath hitherto with pale suspitious eye,
Disperst the crimes common in many Lands,
Disgrace for vice, honour for vertue stands.
Now notice take, this is the grand complaint,
That English here from priviledg'd restraint,
Have: why I pray, you'l priviledg confound,
If common they with lawrell all not crown'd.
For trades, commerce, Merchants, Sea-affaires,
Great freedoms had, large gaines their losse repaires.
Monopolies is by their lawes forbid,
Unlesse invention rare from others hid.
All handy-crafts have choise of worke at will,
And ordered are, lest working praise they spill.
As shipping great, built up by timbers strength,
But iron mills their chains of greater length.
Salt, sope and glasse, Tiles, lime and bricke are made,
With orders for well-ordering each Trade.
So suted hath his providence, that none
Can contradict: envy of any one
Shall not prevaile, Justice and peace shall still,
Perfect this worke, govern for God they will,
For husbandry, Corne, Cattell, wood and hay,
Good lawes are made for all men to obey.
Listen a while, I must spend one word more,
Some rubs remaine, are hardlier gotten o're.
Bipartior in many Court and Cause,
Doth dull the edge of Justice, Sword and Lawes.
Discloseth Counsels, opens Breaches wide,
That adverse part steps in without a guide.
Makes causes good or bad, as men affect it,
Doth what's oppos'd, and what is lik't neglect it.
Tells liberty, authority will stop,
And clip her wings, quoth she, I'le sit on top.
Tells men their cause is good, but wanting
Lawes: or Judges are in learn'd, in sight scanting.
More yet remaines, swift speakers show but backe,
So counsels lost words will not fill a sack.
And now say truth doth not great skill appear,
Through such tempestuous seas and stormes to stere.
So swiftly one grapling with Pirats oft,
For England fain'd, bearing their flag aloft.
To England yet, ungratefull they'l not be,
That governe here, yet little help they see.
The more's to come, experience teaches sure,
You'l pitty more, when you the like endure.
More yet you'l find our enemies are yours,
You'l hurt your selves if you encrease their powers.
Forgive, that they so much your good forget,
Lighter to truth, those they should harder it.
If England one as truths but one embrace,
These tooke your name, and you will take their case.
If England say more wayes then one they will,
Allow no more then helps reforming still.
Those that are skil'd in structures modell, make,
A little moddel here is for you, take
What may serve turne for opposites to awe,
For Kings may rule without a Bishops law.
Could Bishops keepe downe all their Lordships spoile,
And can't highest Court awe those Gods word defile.
With blasphemous horrid interpretation,
As only they knowing Gods explanation.
Ruine now men strive, with words contentious strength,
New-Englands acts shall speak, not words at length.
While fogs arise from errour-broaching braines,
Their justice clouded is, and what remaines.
But unto God that they commit their way,
And judgment shall burst forth as sunny day.
Let England wait with patience for the same,
Not drawing backe for cost, finish for shame.
Lest Prelates proud tollerating deride,
Ye know not truth without their guide.

[What creature man that is so apt to take]

What creature man that is so apt to take
His praise, who work and workman both did make
In telling of these Worthies work then I
Own none but God, and yet his meanes I eye,
Who though nine hundred leagues at sea, hath sent
These twenty Worthies, who their time have spent
In preaching Christ, his mind and will reveale
From Scripture light each servants portion deale.
One opens Prophesies as yet to come,
So ready is the Scripture in his tongue.
That word and sense his memory retaines,
Cleare Scripture light, all by great labour gaines.
One hewes the cords of wicked works with ire,
Full Arguments as God doth him require.
One pretious Balm from Christs deare sufferings fets,
Wounded to heale; if heale to fast, then frets
Down the proud flesh from thought of knowledge rising,
Till Christ alone they know, him onely prizing.
One Sheppard he takes restlesse pains that none
Themselves delude with happy state as one
Belov'd of God in Christ, and therefore makes
Cleare evidence from Gods word, whom he takes,
And wholly bent to save his flock from tearing,
With watchfull eye 'way sheepslaying wolves is scaring.
One labours faith may get assurance fast,
One he exhorts the anchor, hope to cast.
One follows peace, and bids all folk pursue it,
One's for fresh love, and when it's old renew it.
One puts in minde with patience to abide,
One cease from strife, take meeknesse on your side.
One to humility exhorts with care,
One wills their lives may passe in godly feare.
One cheerfull bids in spirits joy to cheere.
One would men mourn with those are mourners here.
One bounty doth by his example teach,
One zeal to God and's truth doth daily preach.
One heavenly mindednesse perswadeth still,
One Christian boldnesse seated in the will.
One purity and holinesse commends,
One for just dealing both with foes and friend.
One he exhorts all Christian watch to keep,
One prayer would with sighes and groanes so deep.
One unto reading Scripture men perswades,
One labour bids for food that never fades.
One to redeem their time exhorteth all,
One looking round, for wary walking calls.
One he perswades men buy the truth, not sell,
One would men should in moderatenesse excell.
One for renew'd repentance daily strives,
One's for a conscience cleare in all mens lives.
One he exhorts all men Gods word to heare,
One doth beseech to lend obedient eare.
One he desires evil's appearance shun,
One with diligence would all should be done.
One shews their woe that will not God believe;
One doth beseech Gods Spirit they'l not grieve.
One wishes none to deep despair do run,
One bids beware none to presumption come.
One wils that all at murmuring take heed,
One shewes that strife and envie should not breed.
One shewes the hatred God to pride doth beare,
One covetousnesse cries down with hellish feare.
One to luke-warmnesse wishes doe grow,
One none for feare forsake the truth they know.
One idle talk and foolish jesting shun,
One bids that none unto uncleannesse run.
One sayes, none should self-seeking entertain,
One teaches all in anger should contain.
One idlenesse dehorts with meekle pains,
One bids beware of error-broaching brains.
One would all men surfets excesse take heed,
One worlds joy and sorrow doe not exceed.
One ignorance would not mens soules should slay,
One in known sins bids men they would not stay.
One wishes none of Faith doe shipwrack make,
One their first love in Christ, that none forsake.
One in their breast would none two hearts should beare,
One woe of hypocrites doth oft declare.
One bids beware, hardnesse of heart will breed,
One, to adde sin to sin that none proceed.
One lying tongues doth tell God hateth such,
One bids beware, for Satans wiles are much.
One sayes gainst all, power from Christ is had,
One bids all be with's armour ever clad.
I name but one, 'cause all as one the same,
Exhort, dehort, in the Lord Christ his Name.
Minding all still it's Christ his will that all
Depart from ill, that on Gods name doe call.
And further they professe that Christ alone,
Works all in his, and for his every one.
So grace is free, and nothing we to cause
The cords of love with which Gods Spirit drawes.
Which Spirit plainly doth appeare in all
These preachings that from earthen lips doe fall
Like deaw on grasse, how ever some deny it,
As legall they: from Gods word doe thou try it.
And neighbour John , yet one thing more now mind,
Their learned counsell helps the truth to finde.
Coupling these men in Synods God hath blest,
By his word truth is found, error confest.
As helpfull unto Godly learning they,
With Schooles and Colledge, finde out learnings way.

[Yet unto God this people feeling sayes]

Yet unto God this people feeling sayes,
Not unto us, but to thy name be praise.
Now must I mind what hindrances remain,
To blast the fruit of all these Worthies pain.
Some would none should endevour unity,
Tyrants (say they) do hinder liberty:
Why truth's but one, and Christ will make you free,
Come to the Word, let that your touch-stone bee.
Some feare Presbytery hath too great power,
If you are Christs, then all they have is yours.
Some odd ones say they Independents are,
Therefore in others counsel they'l not share.
But now Ile end and tell you friend, what will
Perswade their way doth hold with still.
Strong arguments doe papers fill each way
With words of heat: but honest John now stay,
Unto experience let thy judgement bow,
Let actions speake, and not mens words to you.
For little time, some subtile Foxes will,
Bridle their nature, and yet Foxes still.
Lord Bishops did some errors fend from sheep,
So beasts of prey others from preying keep.
Some new raisd errors Bishops power deny
To side with truth, and yet their error eye.
Neare twenty yeares these Churches you may trace
In godly steps, no false way they'l embrace.
Look in this glasse that thus is slubberd or'e,
And you may see foure things uneyd before.
No Prelate no King: that's not so, for see,
Here Churches power and command agree,
Of civill power to which these Churches yeeld
Humble obedience, as their duty held.
Next note, some say, Opinions none must touch,
For feare they wrong the consciences of such,
With word of truth, God helping true endeavours,
Christs Pastor here error and conscience severs.
Third, Law and Gospel at such oddes have set,
That Rule of walking from it none may get.
But here experience from Gods word is found,
Gods folk with's word walk wary, looking round.
Last, humane learning is no mean, some say;
Blest by the Lord, to find his word and way,
But as a meanes this people found it have,
Yet trust not means, its onely God must save.
But England now to thee Ile means commend,
Make use of these before their life they end.

[Church-covenant Band brought in with liberty]

Church-covenant Band brought in with liberty,
But causeth men to walk licentiously.
Some buy the truth: for conscience liberty,
Error's brought in to blind men damningly.