New-England. OR A BRIEF ENARRATION OF THE AIR, Earth, Water, Fish and Fowls of that Country. WITH A DESCRIPTION of the Natures, Orders, Habits, and Religion of the Natives; IN Latin and English Verse. Sat breuè, si sat benè. LONDON, Imprinted by I. D. 1625. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORDS, AND THE Right Worshipful Knights and Gentlemen; Adventurers for NEW-ENGLAND. WHat your favourable employments have taught me to observe, I presume here briefly to relate I hope it will be acceptable, because innocent, though nothing excellent. Vera, non mira came, assured that with your more accurate judgements. Plus valebit vera oratio quam carminis candida & maxim compta in singulos pedes commensuratio. Censure at the least would be my best sentence, if I should answer such service with a NIHIL DICIT. When in contempt of Envy, I may present your Council with an OMNE BENE, at least, Certâ spe boni, if the three noble Mistresses of Monarchies, Pietas, Pecunia, and Potentia, royally undertake and resolutely continue constant favourers to their well ordered and sweetly situated Colonies. Without these, at least the two latter (I suppose under favour) the Spaniard and Hollander had ●d Graecas callendas raised to such sweet tones their western and eastern flourishing Plantations. But illorum postpono mea ser●a ludo. The keys of Kingdoms, judicious Statesmen are best able to open and explicate these closerts and secrets of state. I may admire, but scarce without offence observe such princely attempts and royal secrets. Yet give me leave to you worthy favourers of Colonies, as in arms and architecture to be your remembrancer, first to account, and then to accomplish: so power and ability shall crown your proceed with happy perfections. Beyond these I presume nothing, only wishing every person in his several sphere such happy motion as may crown him with immortal perfection. Your Honours and Worship's servant, late Preacher with the Right Wor: Cap: Rob: Gorge late Governor of New-England. WILLIAM MORRELL. UNDERSTANDING READER; When my melancholy leisures first conceived these rude heroiks, my conscious Muse censured them 〈◊〉 tender-sighted to be admitted the common lig●● Induced by some ki●de friends, who are truly studious of the public good, I was unwillingly willing to adventure them the public censure, desirous, I ingeniously confess: (and so I profess myself ever) in my best endeavours, to further such royal and religious employments: if my po●re judgement can assuredly observe petty to be one prime end of plantation, and the undertaking probable to prosper. If (Gentle Reader) these lyne● please the●, peruse and use us gently: if not, Parce vati. You know that Ex quó-libet ligno non fit M●●curius. Besides, error in Poefi● is less blemish than in History, Experienc● cannot 〈…〉 ignorant, much less innocent, hav● gsee●e and suffered. I should delude others vanâ spe, or fal●o gaudio. What can be expected from false Relations, but unhappy proceed, to the best intended, and most hopeful Colonies. So that want of provisions, and right information, begets in the distract●● planter n●thing but mutinies, fearful execrations, and sometimes miserable interitures. But of all such perchance hereafter. These were at this time beyond my intent. I only non and ever desire that my ●est incense may for ever wait upon all truly zealous and religious planters and adventurers, who seriously endeavour the dilat●ug of Christ's kingdoms, in the propagating of the Gospel's, and so advisedly undertake so weighty and so worthy a Work, as that they and theirs may parallel these worthies of the world in all external, internal, and eternal abundances. Farewell with this 〈◊〉 Mem●●● 〈…〉 without an equiv●lent ability, produce nothing but loss, 〈◊〉, oppro●ries, and imperfectious. Thine if thy own, W. M. ¶ Lectori. Candide si placidum dederis Philomuse Camoenae Intuitum: trifti dulce levamen erit. Optima mellifluis modulari carmina nervis Illud Apollineis cantibus euge melos. Mellea coeleste est effundere carmina munus, Frustrà de sicco pumice quaeris aquam, Dicito musa probè, brevitèr, simul, ordine, perge: Gloria summa ●ibi dicere vera: Vale. Gul: M. Perlege: pars ultima, prima. ¶ NOVA ANGLIA. HActenùs ignotam populis ego carmine primus, Te Nova, de veteri cui contigit Anglia nomen, Aggredior trepidus pingui celebrare Mineruâ, Fer mihi numen opem, cupienti singula plectro Pandere veridico, quae nuper vidimus ipsi: Vt brevitèr vereque, sonent modulamina nostra, Temperiem coeli, vim terrae, munera ponti, Et varios gentis mores, velamina, cultus. Anglia faelici meritò Nova nomine gaudens, Saevos nativi mores pertaesa Coloni, Indigni penitùs populi tellure feraci, Maesta superfusis attollit fletibus ora, Antiquos precibus flectens ardentibu● Angl●s, Numinis aeterni faelicem lumine gentem Efficere: aeternis quae nunc peritura tenebris. Gratum opus hoc Indis, dignumque pijs oput Anglis, Angelicae quibus est naturae nomen in umbra: Caelica ut extremis dispergant semina terris. Est locus occiduo procul hinc spatiosus in orbe, Plurima regna tenens, populisque incognitus ipsis: Faelix frugiferis sulcis, simul aequore faelix: Praedis perdives varijs, & flumine lives, Axe satis calidus, rigidoque a frigore tutus. Proximus aethereo socius volitabilis igni Aer, natali saliens levitate; calore Temperieque satis faelicibus, humidus ante Omnia principia, innatâ virtute coactus Sistere diffi●ilè in propri● regione, volenti Alterius motu penetrans loca, inania complens Vi tenuj: foeae regio quae proximae terrae Solis ab igne, poli motu, terraeque vaporum, Vndeque attractu calet hinc, hinc humida restat, Hinc fit temperies: fit & hâc Nova terra beata: Est aliquandò tamèn rapidis subiecta procellis, Quae sceleri subitoque solumque salumque minantur, Flamine corripere, & terras diffundere caelis: Mox tamèn Aeolio compressis carcere ventis Omnia continuò remanent sub sidere tuta. Indè suis vicibus luctantes murmure venti Qua data porta ruunt, quatientes turbine terras. Magna pare●s tellus, reram communis a●umna, Frigida sicca gravis subsidens vallibus imis, Montibus extendens nemerosa cacumina celsis Longiùs intuitu nautis pergrata: feraci Irriguoque solo l●tanti messibus aequis Optima frugiferis mandantes semina suleis. Agricolis quam terra ferax, quae grata ministrat Assiduis alimenta viris: nulloque serenti Dulcia d●t variae naturae mora nucesque Dissimi●les, placidas tumidasque in vitibus vuas Innumeris, mixtas redolentes floribus herbas Multigenis, morbo loesos medicare potentes Artus, radices similis virtutis amaenas. Dimine gramineo nux subterranea suavis Serpit humi, tenui● flavo sub cortice, pingui Et placido nucleo nivei candoris ab intra, Melliflua parcos hilarans dulcedine g●ustus, Donec in aestivum Phoebus conscenderit axem. His nupeis lautè versutus vescitur Indus: His exempta fames segnis nostratibus omnis Dulcibus his vires revocantur victibus almae. Arboribus dives vernantibus, est quoque tellus Cedris, & fagis, juglandibus & jovis altâ Arbore, fraxineâ, gummosis pinibus, alnis, juniperis, multisque alijs tum gramine & herbis, Pascua quae prebent animalibus, undè fugaces Pinguescunt cervi, vulpes ursique lupique Linces, & fibri, musci, lutraque politae Pellibus eximij pretij, volucresque saporis Perplacidi variae, pellique gruesque palumbes, Megulus & Phasianus, anas, cignus jovis ales, Penelopesque, columbae, perdix, accipitresque, Et capitolij aves variae tum carne saporâ, Tum pennis placidè decorantibu● arte canautas: Equibus ornatu capitis, fit plumula digna Vertice sublimi, quibus ad renovanda levanda, Languida perplacidum completur membra cubile. Intima frugiferae vix cognita viscera terrae Praetereo: artifices gremium serutentur opimum. Dulce solum caelumque vides en terra serenis, Perspicuis, placidis, levibus, liquidisque beata Fontibus, & fluvijs facili quaerentibus Eurum▪ Motu, praecipiti cursu post flumina nimbos▪ In mare decurrunt stagnisque paludibus Indis, Aucupio placidis benè, piscatuque colonis. Grata solum, caelumque viris alimonia praebent. Devia quam dives regio haec? benedicta sereno Aere, faecundis glebis, faelicibus undis. Prospera tranquillus contingit littora portus Altus, apertus, ubi valeant se condere naves▪ I●vitis. ventis, securae, rupe & arenâ▪ Aequora multiplices proebent tranquilla marina● Temporibus solitis praedas utentibus hamis: Ha●ices, fagroes, scombros cancrosque locustas, Ostrea curvatis conchiss, conchasque trigones Cete eti●● rhombos, sargos, cum squatina asellos. His n●ves vastas o●erat piscator honestus: His mercator opes cumulat venerabilis almas, His pius ampla satis faciat sibi lucra colonus: Denique divitibus quibus intima cura suorum Divitie & pietas, licet hisce beare colonos. Digna viris patria endignis, ubi maenia digna. Principibus claris facilè est fabricare columnis Exce●●●s, cheu nunc tota cupidinis antrum. Sunt etenim populi minimi sermonis, & oris 〈◊〉, risusque parùm savique saperbi, Constricto nodis hirsuto crine sinistro, Imparibus formis tondentes ordine villos, Mollia magnanimae peragentes otia gentes, Arte sagittiferâ pollentes, cursibus, armis Astutae, recto, robusto corpore & alto, Pellibus indu●tae cervinis, frigora contra Aspera, cum placeant conversis flamina pelles Obvia ut impellant, c●lefacto pelle lacerto Dextro, quo facilis sit flexile sumere ●ornu, Omnia ut extinguant subitò in surgentia, & ipsos Salvos desendant, inducto tergore corpus Villoso, levitèr miris se singula formis Texta ligant, molles cingunt genitalia pelles, Grande femur caligae cervinae curaque longa● Exornant, plantas conservat calceus aptus, Hos taemen exutos curant aliundè reversi Depositosque suosealamos, arcu●que sonantes, Fessaque constrato sua stramine membra soluti● Tectis instar harae, dextrè loca verna petentes, Adveniente hiemis g●aciali tempore saev●, Inque suam patriam redeuntes sole benign● Calfaciente leves artus fervore, revisa Vt pereant inimica, soloque nocentia, frugem Detque solum solitam, rutilis dant ignibus arva. Horum non●ulli regali nomine gaudent, Et consorte tori prognatâ sanguine tali, Regibus undè pari fuerit virtute propago, Rectores faciens regali prole parentes: Inferiore sibi capientes stirpe maritas, Progeniem timidam credunt, cordisque socordis Nec solij, sceptrive sui fore posse capacem. Rex tenet imperium, p●nas & pramia cunctis Constituit, dat iura; senes, viduasque pupillos Et miseros curat, peregrinos molitèr omnes Excipit hospitio semper, tamen indè (tributi N●mine) primitias rerum partemque priorem, Ven●tu captae praedae capit, atque requirit. Cingitur obsequio regis plebs omnis, & ultrò Arma capit, fortique facit sua pralia dextrâ Pallida lethiferis, faciens praecordia telis Hostium, & expugnans sceleratis fata sagittis. Insupèr ●rnavit quorum Bellona cor●llâ Tempera, praesidio, vitâ, virtute virili, Regibus incedunt comites tutamine certo. His reges capiunt consultis cautiùs arma; C●utiùs exactis faciunt his fadera bellis: Eloquijs horum concedere regibus omnis Subsidium, quodcunque valet, plebs alma movetur, Mundi acie tantùm semel undè profecta reversâ. Nec priùs excerce● crudelia paruulus arma, Qu●● patiens armorum ut sit sibi pectus, amaram Herbis compositam ●eramaris sorbiat undam, Vsque in sanguineum vertatur lympha colorem, Vndique sanguinea ex vomitu rebibenda tenellis. Vsque va●ent m●ribus: sic fit natura parata Omnia dura pati: puer haec cui potio grata▪ ●●ctore fit valido cuncta expugnare pericl●. Magnanimis medici comites virtute periti Artibus ●●mpericis, diro contamine, tactu, Fi●tu, sudore, & percusso pectore palmis Duritèr expassis proprio, pallentia eorum Corpora resti●unt facili medicamine sana: Vu●ner● sanandi si nulla potentia verbis, Artibus out herbis, confestim spiritus illi●, Impius humanâ specie respondet iniquis Reddidit iratus Deus artus morte solutos Moribus: undè dolor nullis medicabilis herbis. Denique sunt populi fungentes munere iusso, Instar servorum, quacunque subire parati Ardua, consilijs subiecti, foemina, fumus, Indicus ad certos inhibetur, & omnibus annos. Poste● liberior concessa potentia cunctis, Connubio multas sibi coniunxisse maritas: Ditior est plures nuptas qui duxerit omnis, Viribus, & natis: nati quia summa parentum Gaudia, descessus quorum (nam mortis hiatu Compressos lachrimis decorant) longoque gravique Commemorant luctu, tumulisque cadivera mandant. A genibus subrecta cavis pallentia cuncta; 〈◊〉 opibus tumulis, Titaniss ad ortus, Attollunt facies, ad quem post tempora longa Venturos credunt omnes, ubi praemia digna Imposita accipient, fuerintque salutis ad hortos Elysios vecti, mirandaque gaudia, summis Exornata bonis: haec spes post funera gentis. Est alia utilitas, multis uxoribus arva, Valdè onerata tenent Cerea●ibus, omnis eorum Nocte dieque cib● gaudet quasi natus ut omnes Illicò consumat fruges, su● granaque (Marte Aripiente man● penetrantia tela) minutis, Abdita speluncis tutis, & ab hostibus, hoste Decedente suo subitò repetenda reponit. Artibus Hybernus pr●duxit temporis olim. Multum Marte, levis, virsutus, durus, inermis, Difficilè edomitus done● secreta latebant judicia, atque doli taciti: fit & art supers●●s. Saepiùs hac Indus, victoris victor & ingens, Faemina praetereà vultu plerumque ven●sto, Multos irridens risus, linguamque loquacem; judicioque gravi, genio placidoque virili Pectore, perrecta corpus per & omne statur● Nervis conexâ validis, manibusque tenellis, Pollice pergracili, digitis faelicitèr altis. Inclita diversis faciendo est gramine corbes Contextos formis, varioque colore tapetum. Stramine compositum tenui, mirisque figuris. His decor eximius color est contrarius albo: Ortibus undè suis per totum candidus artus Et piceo facies est ●bfucata colore. Consuetudo tamen populis his faemina ut omnis, Omnia perficiat duri mandata laboris: Arva fodit manibus, committit semina terris, Vtque seges crescit levibus fulcitur ab illa, Continuò terris, segitem sarritque resarit, Tergore portat onus, victumque labore paratum, Et brevitèr peragit mulier conamine prompto, Omnia ad humanam spectantia munera vitam. Hinc Anglos Indi stolidos dixere maritos, Cum videant operis ferventes omnibus illos, Attamèn uxores omnem deducere vitam Molli, vel nullo fungendi munere dextrâ. Quamlibet ob noxam manet altâ ment reposta Invidia & dirum gelido sub pectore vulnus. Vndè fugit sceleri pede fortia fortis in arma Hostis, & indè sui laetans fit sponsa cubilis. Praeda satis faelix; hinc victa iniuria mentis, Denique cuiusdam cultores numinis omnes Sunt, cui primitias reddunt, quotiesque necesse▪ Fortia discruciat miserabile pectora, luctu Acrique horrendis clamoribus aethera complent. Omnia principio fecisse agnoscitur illis, Vnum principium, primos crevisse parentes, Vnum terrarum dominum, consorte; duobus His mortale genus divam sumpsisse figuram: Quorum progenies illi, quoque stirpe racemi. Insupèr hunc dominum dominis posuisse creatis, Optima iustitiae sacrae praecepta docenda, Sacro perpetuis aetatibus omnia iussu. Hactenùs est omnis longaevae litera genti Vix audita, viris penitusque incognita cunctis. Fas, non quid fasti: falsum non, faedera curant: Lumine naturae summi sunt iuris amantes Promissique dati; tanti sunt faedera genti. Nulla fides populis tamèn est capiente sagittas▪ Marte feras, fueris ●isi saevis fortior armis. Litera cuncta licet latet hos, modulamina quaedam Fistulae disparibus cala●●s facit, est & agrestis Musica vocis ijs, minimè iucundi, sonoris Obtusisque sonis ob●ectans pectora, sensus, Atque suas aures, artis sublimis inanes. Omnes, praesertim multos provectus in annos, Indus, quid coeli, cursus, quid sidera, vires Sunt, benè concipiunt animis, coelumque futurum: Quâ mihi notitiâ latet, aut quo numine certo. Festa tamen gens nulla nisi Cerealia servat: Genti nulla dies sancto discrimine nota: Annus & ignotus, notus tamen est bene mensis, Nam sua lunari distinguunt tempora motu, Non quot Phoebus habet cursus, sed quot sua coniux Expletos vicibus convertat Cinthia cursus: Noctibus enumerant sua tempora, nulla diebus, Mosque dijs Indis est inservire duobus, Quorum mollis, amans, bona dans, inimica repellens. Vnus, amore bonum venerantur: at invidus alter Dires effundens cum turbine, fulgura, nimbos, Afficiensque malis varijs, morbisque nefandis, Et violentis: hunc gelidà formidine adorant. Naturae gens luce suae sublimia tentat, Agnoscens praecepta dei pia singula summi, Excepto de ducendis uxoribus uno, Affectis etenim morbis uxoribus ●llis, Vel gravidis, alijs opus est uxoribus illis. Heù quam dissimilis naturae, gratia vera, Humina & ratio. Sublimia gratia vitae Aspicit aeternae fidei bonitate potita: Enervata suis ratio at virtutibus aequis. Illi nulla manet verae scintilla salutis, Talia quis fando lachrimas non fundit amaras, Divinae lucis, virtutis visque capacem Gentem▪ coelestis, verae pietatis inanem. Flebilis ardentes mitti Phlegetontis in undas. Aspicis effigiem terrae, levis aetheris, undae: Aspicis antiquae mores, v●lamina, gentis: Aspicis optatos, hilarantia littora, portus: Aspicis his modicum faelicitèr (Ente faventi Caelesti caeptis) laetantia singula votum. Si mea Barbaricae prosint conamina genti: Si valet Angli●nis inco●pta placere poesis: Et sibi perfaciles hac reddere gente potentes, Assiduosque pios sibi persuadere Colonos: Si doceat primi vitam victumque parentis● Angli si fuerint Indis exempla beatè Vivendi, capiant quibus ardua limina coeli: Omnia succedunt votis: modulamina spero Haec mea sublimis fuerint praesagia regni. New-England so named by your Princely Grace, Dread Sovereign, now, most humbly sues to see Your Royal Highness in your Regal place, Wishing your Grace all peace, bliss, sovereignty, Trusting your Goodness will her state and fame Support, which goodness once vouchsafed her name. If thou Apollo hold'st thy Sceptre ●orth, To these 〈◊〉 numbers that's thy Royal worth. Vain is all search in these to search that vain, Whose stately style is great Apollo's strain. Minerva ne'er distilled into my Muse He● sacred drops, my pumeise wants all juice. My Muse is plain concise her fams to tell In truth, and method. Love, or leave: Farewell. NEW-ENGLNAD. F'Eare not poor Muse, 'cause first to sing her fame, That's yet scarce known, unless by Map or name; A Grandchild to earth's Paradise is borne, Well limned, well nerved, ●aire, rich, sweet, yet forlorn. Thou blessed director so direct my V●rse, That it may win her people, friend's commerce; Whils● her sweet air, rich soil, blessed Seas, my pen Shall blaze, and tell the natures of her men. New-England, happy in her new true style, Weary of her cause she's to sad exile Exposed by here's unworthy of her Land, Entreats with teare● Great Britain to command Her Empire, and to make her know the time, Whose act and knowledge only makes divine. A Royal work well worthy England's King, These Natives to true truth and grace to bring. A Noble work for all these Noble Pears Which guide this State in their superior spheres. You holy Aaron's let your Sensors ne'er Cease burning, till these men jehovah fear. Westward a thousand leagues a spacious land, Is made unknown to them that it command. Of fruitful mould, and no less fruitless maine Enrich with springs and prey high-land and plain. The light well tempered, humid air, whose breath Fills full all concaves betwixt heaven and earth, So that the Region of the air is blest With what Earth's mortals wish to be possessed. Great Titan darts on her his heavenly rays, Whereby extremes he quells, and overswayed. Bl●st is this air with what the air can bless; Yet frequent ghusts do much this place distress▪ Here unseen ghusts do instant onset give, As heaven and earth they would together drive. An instant power doth surprise their rage, In their vast prison, and their force assuage. Thus in exchange a day or two is spent, In smiles and frowns: in great yet no content. The earth grand-parent to all things on earth, Cold, dry, and heavy, and the next beneath The air by Nature's arm with low descents, Is as it were entrenched; again ascents Mount up to heaven by Ioues omnipotence, Whose looming greenness joys the Seaman's sense. Invites him to a land if he can see, Worthy the Thrones of stately sovereignty. The fruitful and well watered earth doth glad All hearts; when Flora's with her spangles clad, And yields an hundred fold for one, To feed the Bee and to invite the drone. O happy Planter if you knew the height Of Planters honours where there's such delight; There Nature's bounties though not planted are, Great store and sorts of berries great and fair: The Filberd, Cherry, and the fruitful Vine, Which cheers the heart and makes it more divine. Earth's spangled beauties pleasing smell and sight; Objects for gallant choice and chief delight. A ground-Nut there runs on a grassy thread, Along the shallow earth, as in a bed, Yellow without, thin, filmd, sweet, lily white, Of strength to feed and cheer the appetite. From these our natures may have great content, And good subsistence when our means is spent. With these the Natives do their strength maintain The Winter season, which time they retain Their pleasant virtue, but if once the Spring Return, they are not worth the gathering. All o'er that Main the Vernant trees abound, Where Cedar, Cypress, Spruce, and Beech are found. Ash, Oak, and Wal-nut, Pines and junipere; The Hazel, Palm, and hundred more are there. there's grass and herbs contenting man and beast, On which both Dear, and Bears, and Wolnes' do feast. Foxes both grey and black, (though black I never Beheld,) with Museats, Lynxes, Otter, Bever; With many other which I here omit, Fit for to warm us, and to feed us fit. The Fowls that in those Bays and Harbour's ●eede, Though in their seasons they do elsewhere breed, Are Swans and Geese, Herne, Pheasants, Duck & Crane, Culvers and Divers all along the Main: The Turtle, Eagle, Partridge, and the Quail, Knot, Plover, Pigeons, which do never fail, Till Summer's heat commands them to retire, And Winter's cold begets their old desire. With these sweet dainties man is sweetly fed, With these rich feathers Ladies plume their head; Here's flesh and feathers both for use and ease, To feed, adorn, and rest thee if thou please. The treasures got, on earth, by Titan's beams, They best may search that have best art and means. The air and earth if good, are blessings rare, But when with these the waters blessed are, The place is complete, here each pleasant spring, Is like those fountains where the Muses sing. The easy channels gliding to the East, Unless oreflowed, then post to be released, The Ponds and places where the waters stay, Content the Fowler with all pleasant prey. Thus air and earth and water give content, And highly honour this rich Continent. As Nature hath this Soil blest, so each port Abounds with bliss, abounding all report. The careful Naucleare may afar descry The land by smell, hast looms below the sky. The prudent Master there his Ship may more, Past wind and weather, than his God adore, Man forth each Shalop with three men to Sea, Which oft return with wondrous store of prey; As Oysters, Crayfish, Crab, and Lobsters great, In great abundance when the Seas retreat: Tortoise, and Herring, Turbut, Hacke and Base, With other small fish, and fresh bleeding Place; The mighty Whale doth in these Harbour's lie, Whose Oil the careful Merchant dear will buy. Besides all these and others in this Main: The costly Codd doth march with his rich train: With which the Seaman fraughts his merry Ship: With which the Merchant doth much riches get: With which Plantations richly may subsist, And pay their Merchant's debt and interest▪ Thus air and earth, both land and Sea yields store Of Nature's dainties both to rich and poor; To whom if heavens a holy Viceroy give, The state and people may most richly live: And there erect a Pyramy of estate, Which only sin and Heaven can ruinated. Let deep discretion this great work attend, What's well begun forth ' most part well doth end: So may our people peace and plenty find, And kill the Dragon that would kill mankind. Those well seen Natives in gra●e Nature's hests, All close designs conceal in their deep breasts: What strange attempts so ere they do intent, Are fairly usherd in, till their last end. Their well advised talk evenly conveys Their acts to their intents, and ne'er displays Their secret projects, by high words or light, Till they conclude their end by fraud or might. No former friendship they in mind retain, If you offend once, or your love detain: They're wondrous cruel, strangely base and vile, Quickly displeased, and hardly reconciled; Stately and great, as read in Rules of state: Incensed, not caring what they perpetrate. Whose hair is cut with greeces, yet a lock Is left; the left side bound up in a knot: Their males small labour but great pleasure know, Who nimbly and expertly draw the bow; Trained up to suffer cruel heat and cold, Or what attempt so ere may make them bold; Of body strait, tall, strong, mantled in skin Of Dear or Beaver, with the hayre-side in: An Otter skin their right arms doth keep warm, To keep them fit for use, and free from harm▪ A Girdle set with forms of birds or beasts, Begirts their waste, which gently gives them'ease. Each one doth modestly bind up his shame, And Deare-skin Start-ups reach up to the same; A kind of Pinsen keeps their feet from cold, Which after travels they put off, up-fold, Themselves they warm, their ungirt limbs they rest In straw, and houses, like to sties: distressed With Winter's cruel blasts, a hotter clime They quickly march to, when that extreme time Is over, then contented they retire To their old homes, burning up all with fire. Thus they their ground from all things quickly clear, And make it apt great store of Corn to bear. Each people hath his orders, state, and head, By which they're ruled, taught, ordered, and lead. The first is by descent their Lord and King, Pleased in his name likewise and governing: The consort of his bed must be of blood Coequal, when an offspring comes as good, And highly bred in all high parts of state, As their Commanders of whom they'rs prognate. If they unequal loves at hymen's hand Should take, that vulgar seed would ne'er command In such high dread, great state and deep decrees Their Kingdoms, as their Kings of high degrees: Their Kings give laws, rewards to those they give, That in good order, and high service live. The aged Widow and the Orphans all, Their Kings maintain, and strangers when they call, They entertain with kind salute for which, In homage, they have part of what's most rich. These heads are guarded with their stoutest men, By whose advice and skill, how, where, and when, They enterprise all acts of consequence, Whether offensive or for safe defence. These Potents do invite all once a year, To give a kind of tribute to their peer. And here observe thou how each child is trained, To make him fit for Arms he is constrained To drink a potion made of herbs most bitter, Till turned to blood with casting, whence he's fitter, Enduring that to undergo the worst Of hard attempts, or what may hurt him most. The next in order are their well seen men In herbs▪ and roots, and plants, for medicen, With which by touch, with clamours, tears, and sweat, With their cursed Magic, as themselves they beat, They quickly ease: but when they cannot save, But are by death surprised, then with the grave The devil tells them he could not dispense; For God hath killed them for some great offence. The lowest people are as servants are, Which do themselves for each command prepare: They may not marry nor Tobacco use, Tell certain years, lest they themselves abuse. At which years to each one is granted leave, A wife, or two, or more, for to receive; By having many wives, two things they have, First, children, which before all things to save They covet, 'cause by them their Kingdoms filled, When as by fate or Arms their lives are spilt. Whose death as all that die they sore lament, And fill the skies with cries: impatient Of nothing more than pale and fearful death, Which old and young bereaves of vital breath; Their dead wrapped up in Mats to th' grave they give, Upright from th' knees, with goods whilst they did live, Which they best loved: their eyes turned to the East, To which after much time, to be released They all must March, where all shall all things have That heart can wish, or they themselves can crave. A second profit which by many wives They have, is Corn, the staff of all their lives. All are great eaters, he's most rich whose bed Affords him children, profit, pleasure, bread. But if fierce Mars, gins his bow to bend, Each King stands on his guard, seeks to defend Himself, and his, and therefore hides his grain In earth's close concaves, to be fetched again If he survives: thus saving of himself, He acts much mischief, and retains his wealth. By this deep wile, the Irish long withstood The English power, whilst they kept their food, Their strength of life their Corn; that lost, they long Can not withstand this Nation, wise, stout, strong. By this one Art, these Natives oft survive Their great'st opponents, and in honour thrive. Besides, their women, which for th'most part are Of comely forms, not black, nor very fair: Whose beauty is a beauteous black laid on Their paler cheek, which they most dote upon. For they by Nature are both fair and white, Enriched with graceful presence, and delight; Deriding laughter, and all prattling, and Of sober aspect, graced with gra●e command: Of manlike courage, statu●e tall and strait, Well nerued, with hands and fingers small and right. Their slender finger's on a grassy twyne, Make well formed Baskets wrought with art and line; A kind of Arras, or Straw-hanging, wrought With diverse forms, and colours, all about. These gentle pleasures, their fine fingers fit, Which Nature seemed to frame rather to sit. Rare Stories, Princes, people, Kingdoms, Towers, In curious fingerwork, or Parchment flowers: Yet are these hands to labours all intent, And what so ere without doors, give content. These hands do dig the earth, and in it lay Their fair choice Corn, and take the weeds away As they do grow, raising with earth each hill, As Ceres prospers to support it still. Thus all workwomen do, whilst men in play, In hunting, Arms, and pleasures, end the day. The Indians whilst our Englishmen they see In all things servile exercisd to be: And all our women freed, from labour all Unless what's easy: us much fools they call, 'Cause men do all things; but our women live In that content which God to man did give: Each female likewise long retains deep wrath, And s ne'er appeased till wrongs revenged she hath: For they when foreign Prince's Arms up take Against their Liege, quickly themselves betake To th'adverse Army, where they're entertained With kind salutes, and presently are daign'de Worthy fair Hymen's favours: thus offence Obtains by them an equal recompense. Lastly, though they no lines, nor Altars know, Yet to an unknown God these people bow; All fear some God, some God they worship all, On whom in trouble and distress they call; To whom of all things they give sacrifice, Filling the air with her shrill shrieks and cries. The knowledge of this God they say they have From their forefathers, wondrous wise and grave; Who told them of one God, which did create All things at first, himself though increate: He our first parents made, yet made but two, One man one woman, from which stock did grow Royal mankind, of whom they also came And took beginning, being, form and frame: Who gave them holy laws, for aye to last, Which each must teach his child till time be passed: Their gross fed bodies yet no Letters know, No bonds nor bills they value, but their vow. Thus without Arts bright lamp, by Nature's eye, They keep just promise, and love equity. But if once discord his fierce ensign wear, Expect no promise vnle'st be for fear: And, though these men no Letters know, yet their Pans harsher numbers we may some where hear: And vocal odes which us affect with grief; Though to their minds perchance they give relief. Besides these rude insights in Nature's breast, Each man by some means is with sense possessed Of heavens great lights, bright stars and influence, But chiefly those of great experience: Yet they no feasts (that I can learn) observe, Besides their Ceres, which doeth them preserve. No days by them discerned from other days, For holy certain service kept always. Yet they when extreme heat doth kill their Corn, Afflict themselves some days, as men forlorn. Their times they count not by the year as we, But by the Moon their times distingui'sht be. Not by bright Phoebus, or his glorious light, But by his Phoebe and her shadowed night. They now accustomed are two Gods to serve, One good, which gives all good, and doth preserve; This they for love adore: the other bad, Which hurts and wounds, yet they for fear are glad To worship him: see here a people who Are full of knowledge, yet do nothing know Of God aright; yet say his Laws are good All, except one, whereby their will's withstood. In having many wives, if they but one Must have, what must they do when they have none. O how fare short comes Nature of true grace, Grace sees God here; hereafter face to face: But Nature quite en●ru'd of all such right, Retains not one poor sparkle of true light. And now what soul dissolves not into tears, That hell must have ten thousand thousand heirs, Which have no true light of that truth divine, Or sacred wisdom of th' Eternal Trine. O blessed England fare beyond all sense, That knows and love's this Trines omnipotence. In brief survey here water, earth, and air, A● people proud and what their orders are. The fragrant flowers, and the Vernant Groves, The merry Shores, and Storme-a●●ranting Coves. In brief, a brief of what may make man blest, If man's content abroad can be possessed. If these poor lines may win this Country love, Or kind compassion in the English move; Persuade our mighty and renowned State, This purblind people to commiserate; Or painful men to this good Land invite, Whose holy works these Natives may inlight: If Heavens grant these, to see here built I trust; An English Kingdom from this Indian dust. FINIS. EXcuse this Postscript, perchance more profitable than the Prescript. It may be a necessary Caveat for many who too familiarly do Serò sapere. The discreet artificer is not only happy to understand what may fairly and infallibly further his duly considered designs and determinations: but to discover and remove what obstacle soever may oppose his well-advised purposes, and probable conclusions. I therefore, desiring that every man may be a Promethius, not an Epimethius, have here underwritten such impediments as I have observed wonderfully offensive to all Plantations; Quae prodesse qu●ant & delectare legentem. First therefore I conceive that far distance of plantations produce many inconveniences and disabilities of planters, when as several Colonies consist but of 〈◊〉, or thirty, or about that number, which in a vast vncommanded Continent, makes them liable to many and miserable exigents, which weakens all union, and leaves them difficultly to be assisted against a potent or daily enemy, and dangerously to be commanded; when as some one Bay well fortified would maintain and enrich some thousands of persons, if it be planted with men, able, ingenious, and laborious, being well furnished with all provisions and necessaries for plantations. Besides, ●f one Bay be well peopled, it's easily defended, surveyed, disciplined, and commanded, be the seasons never so unseasonable, and all their Forces in few hours ready in Arms, either offensively to pursue, or defensively to subsist convenient numbers ever at sea, and sufficient ever at home for all service, intelligence and discovery. Secondly, Ignorance of seasons, servants, situation, want of people, provisions, supplies, with 〈…〉 courage and patience, in and against all opposition, 〈◊〉 and affliction. Vincit patientia durum. Fishermen, manual artificers, e●geners, and good fowlers are excellent servants, and only fit for plantations. Let not Gentlemen or Citizens once imagine that I preiudize their reputations, for I speak no word beyond truth, for they are too high, or not patiented of such service: though they may be very necessary for Martial discipline, or excellent, (if pious) for example to the seditious and inconsiderate multitude. Boats with all their furniture, as sails, hooks, and lines, and other appendences, afford the painful planter both variety of comfort, and a sufficient competent, and an happy estate. Good mastiffs are singular defences to plantations, in the terrifying or pursuing of the lightfooted Natives. Hogs and Goats are easy, present, and abundant profit, living and feeding on the Ilelands almost without any care or cost. Plantations cannot possibly, profitably subsist without chattels and boats, which are the only means for surveying and conveying both our persons and provisions to the well advised situation. Without these, plantations may with much patience, and well fortified resolution endure but difficultly, though with much time flourish and contentedly subsist. For when men are landed upon an unknown shore, per adventure weak in number and natural powers, for want of boats ' and carriages; are compelled to stay where they are first landed, having no means to remove themselves or their goods, be the place never so fruitless or inconvenient for planting, building houses, boats, or stages, or the harbours never so unfit for fishing, fowling, or mooring their boats. Of all which, and many other things necessary for plantation, I purpose to inform thee hereafter. Wishing thee in the interim all furtherance, all fortunateness. Farewell.