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OF A VISION AND A BATTLE
by Thomas Morton
THE planters of Plymouthat their last being in those partshaving defacedthe monument of the dead at Pasonayessit (by taking away the hearse clothwhichwas two great bears' skins sewed together at full lengthand propped up overthe grave of Chuatawback's mother)the sachem of those territoriesbeingenraged at the samestirred up his men in his behalf to take revenge; andhaving gathered his men together he begins to make an oration in this manner:"When last the glorious light of all the sky was underneath this globe andbirds grew silentI began to settle (as my custom is) to take repose; beforemine eyes were fast closed methought I saw a visionat which my spirit was muchtroubledand trembling at that doleful sighta spirit cried aloud`Beholdmyson whom I have cherishedsee the paps that gave thee suckthe hands thatlapped thee warm and fed thee oft; canst thou forget to take revenge of thosewild peoplethat hath my monument defaced in despiteful mannerdisdaining ourancient antiquities and honorable customs? See now the sachem's grave lies likeunto the common peopleof ignoble racedefaced; thy mother doth complainimplores thy aid against this thievish people new come hither; if this besufferedI shall not rest in quiet within my everlasting habitation.' This saidthe spirit vanishedand I all in a sweatnot able scarce to speakbegan toget some strength and recollect my spirits that were fledall which I thoughtto let you understandto have your counseland your aid likewise." Thisbeing spokenstraightway arose the grand captainand cried aloud"Comelet us to arms; it doth concern us all; let us bid them battle." So to armsthey wentand laid wait for the Plymouth boatand forcing them to forsaketheir landing placethey seek another best for their convenience. Thither thesavages repair in hope to have the like successbut all in vainfor theEnglish captain warily foresawandperceiving their plotknew the better howto order his men fit for battle in that place. Heboldly leading his men onranged about the field to and froandtaking his best advantagelets fly andmakes the savages give ground. The English followed them fiercely on and madethem take trees for their shelter (as their custom is)from whence theircaptain let fly amainyet no man was hurt. At last lifting up his right arm todraw a fatal shaft (as he then thought) to end this differencereceived a shotupon his elbowand straightway fledby whose example all the army followed thesame way and yielded up the honor of the dayto the English party; who weresuch a terror to them afterthat the savages durst never make to a head againstthem any more.
THE END