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 By REV. OTIS CARY, D. D. 
 Kyoto, Japan 
 
 Published by 
 
 THE JOHN CAF<Y DESCENDANTS 
 
 Seth C. Cary, President 
 
 WiNCHENDON, MASSACHUSETTS 
 
 [ Second Edition 
 

W^7 ^ 
 
 ^HE three White Roses and the Motto of the Coat 
 of Arms were bestowed upon Sir Robert Gary on ac- 
 count of his defeat of the Knight of Aragon, at Smith- 
 field, London, by King Henry Fifth, ( 1413-1422), in the 
 early years of his reign. 
 
 " Then let each one who bears the Gary name 
 Remember whence his shield and motto came ; 
 Remember, too, the one who brought them o'er 
 The ocean's waves to this New England shore. 
 All that the fathers have by valor gained 
 Must by the sons be valiantly maintained. 
 Then take the shield; go forward to the fight ; 
 Guard well the roses ; may their silvery light 
 Shine on brave deeds performed for truth and right." 
 
 s. c. c. 
 
qHAME, shame on every English knight ! 
 Ye cowardly dogs that dare not fight 1 
 I'll back to Spain, and there proclaim 
 That none dares fight in England's name, 
 Or risk his life to save her fame." 
 
 Thus spoke a haughty Spanish don, 
 The valiant knight from Aragcn : 
 On Smithfield's meadows he had fought 
 Against all comers, and had not 
 Received one wound, nor had one fall ; 
 His skill had served to vanquish all 
 Who met him on the tourney-field ; 
 'He forced them, every one, to yield. 
 All England's bravest knights had failed ; 
 Not one against his might prevailed. 
 The wondering people, as they saw 
 The strongest fall, exclaimed with awe, 
 "This is not mortal man, we see ; 
 Some demon in man's shape is he ; 
 Or else he has some magic charm 
 That gives puissance to his arm. 
 Against such arts 'tis vain to fight ; 
 Who can withstand a demon's might?" 
 
 I 
 
The English knights were filled v/ith shame 
 At this foul blot upon their fame ; 
 But none were left who did not fear 
 To brave the haughty Spaniard's spear. 
 
 Six days he fought, and three days more 
 The herald stood before his door 
 To give the message loud and clear, 
 In tones that every one might hear : — 
 "Ye knights of England, here I bear 
 My master's challenge : will ye dare 
 To fight against him ? See his shield, 
 Three roses white on sable field ; 
 Two years ago no rose was there, 
 The shield of all device was bare. 
 Each rose is sign of victory won 
 By this brave knight of Aragon : — 
 The rose of Austria, rose of France, 
 And rose of Italy ; his lance 
 Has won them fairly on the field 
 By making all who met him yield. 
 Yet one more rose he fain would set 
 Beside the others. He has met 
 The bravest men in all your land ; 
 But none against his might could stand. 
 Once more I offer, in his name, 
 A chance to wipe out England's shame. 
 Before he turns to leave your shore, 
 He fights this once, then fights no more ; 
 This time a I'outrance, not in jest. 
 Let England, then, put forth her best. 
 
What knight will meet him ? Will ye fight ? 
 Or will ye humbly own his right 
 To place the rose of England fair 
 Among the others blooming there ?" 
 
 All day the herald waits ; no knight 
 Dares venture forth prepared to fight. 
 A second day he waits; but none 
 Have yet appeared when sets the sun. 
 He waits the third day ; all the morn 
 He and his master smile with scorn 
 To see the English shrink with fear, 
 And dare not on the field appear. 
 
 High noon had past, and toward the west 
 The sun v/as hastening for its rest. 
 'Twas then the Spaniard spoke the word 
 That flushed the cheeks of all who heard : — 
 "Shame, shame on every English knight 1 
 Ye cowardly dogs that will not fight ! 
 I'll back to Spain, and there proclaim' 
 That none dares fight in England's name, 
 Or risk his life to save her fame." 
 
 King Henry Fifth was filled with ire. 
 His angry face turned red as fire. 
 "And has it come to pass," he cried, 
 "That we can be like this defied ^ 
 Has English valor sunk so low 
 That we must yield without one blow ? 
 Does not a single knight remain 
 To save our honor from this stain ? 
 
If 'twere not for my kingly rank, 
 
 I, who from danger never shrank, 
 
 Would straightway take my spear and shield 
 
 To drive this braggart from the field. 
 
 Oh, for one hour to leave my throne. 
 
 And for this day of shame atone ! 
 
 Ho, English knights, will no one go 
 
 To snatch the victory from our foe ?" 
 
 No knight responded to his call ; 
 A fatal spell seemed cast o'er all. 
 The strongest had already fought 
 Against the Spaniard, and 'twas not 
 Permitted them, e'en had they wished, 
 Again to enter in the list. 
 Where they had failed, could others hope 
 With him who vanquished them to cope ? 
 " 'Tis not," they said, "from cowardly fear, 
 'Tis not because our lives are dear. 
 That we thus hesitate and shrink 
 From meeting one who, as we think, 
 Hath conquered by his magic charms 
 Our very bravest men-at-arms. 
 Can weaker men with him prevail, 
 When we have seen the strongest fail ? 
 To fight would be to die in vain, 
 And on one's memory leave the stain 
 Of being he who failed to save 
 His country's honor, and thus gave 
 The rose of England to that knave." 
 
 Upon the meadow's outer bound 
 The people from the country round 
 
 4 
 
Had kept a merry holiday 
 
 With manly sports and rustic play : 
 
 Some looking at the wayside shows, 
 
 Some shooting with their strong yew bows, 
 
 Some looking at the feats of arms, 
 
 Some yielding to the wine-cup's charms. 
 
 'Twas from this crowd that forth there walked 
 
 A farmer, yet he boldly stalked 
 
 Across the field with upright head, 
 
 As though he had a right to tread 
 
 With men-at-arms the tourney-ring. 
 
 He hastened forward towards the king, 
 
 And halting there before the throne, 
 
 Knelt down to make his purpose known. 
 
 "O king," he said, "if I appear 
 Too bold in thus approaching here, 
 Know, then, it is for England's sake, 
 That I have dared this step to take. 
 Three days have I looked sadly on 
 And seen this knight of Aragon 
 Proud England's chivalry defy. 
 No longer can I thus stand by 
 In silence, while without one blow 
 We yield the victory to our foe. 
 If you will listen to my plea, 
 I fain would England's champion be. 
 I am not wholly what you deem ; 
 Though but a peasant I may seem, 
 This arm hath often borne a shield. 
 The other, sword and lance can wield." 
 
"Who art thou, then ?" King Henry cried 
 To which the other thus replied : 
 "In days when England knew my fame. 
 Sir Robert Gary was my name. 
 Know thou, O king, that long ago 
 I was thy father's bitter foe. 
 I held by Richard even when 
 His cause seemed hopeless ; and when men 
 Were grovelling at King Henry's feet. 
 Eager his rising sun to greet, 
 1, with my father, led the few 
 Who yet by Richard's side stood true. . 
 Hence, as a rebel, our estate 
 And all our goods stood confiscate ; 
 And, what was harder far to bear. 
 We were forbidden arms to wear. 
 No more I hold the name of knight. 
 But yet my arm retains its might, 
 And, as I hope, possesses still 
 A little of its former skill. 
 Richard 1 loved, but love still more 
 The land whose sceptre once he bore. 
 1 was, indeed, thy father's foe, 
 But that was many years ago ; 
 And since thou now art on the throne. 
 Thee England's king and mine I own. 
 Will not my king accept my plea. 
 And let me England's champion be ? 
 Make me, O king, I humbly pray, 
 A knight again for just one day. 
 If I should fail, no harm is done ; 
 
 6 
 
If I should win, tomorrow's sun 
 Sees me just what I was before, 
 A simple countryman once more : 
 Grant one day's knighthood, I implore." 
 
 The frown upon the royal face 
 To hopeful smiles at last gave place. 
 The king drew sword and raised the blade 
 To give the knightly accolade. 
 •'I give thee bacl^'," he said, "the right 
 To bear the arms and name of knight ; 
 Sir Robert Gary, rise and go 
 To try the issue with the foe. 
 Ghoose from my stables any steed. 
 Take any armor that you need, 
 Forth to the conflict boldly ride, 
 And humble yonder Spaniard's pride." 
 
 Sir Robert kissed the royal hand. 
 Then hastened at the king's command 
 To don the armor and prepare 
 Into the tourney-field to fare. 
 
 Meanwhile the rumor ran around 
 A champion had at length been found. 
 Each knight and courtier shook his head 
 In strong displeasuse, as he said : 
 "To hope for victory were vain 
 At hands of yonder rural swain. 
 E'en though he once had been a knight, 
 'Tis years since he has ceased to fight ; 
 His hands so long have held the plow, 
 
They cannot have the cunning now 
 That one must have to guide the spear 
 Or make a charger halt and veer. 
 Where we have seen the bravest fail, 
 Can rustic strength Hke his avail ? 
 Alas for England when her fate 
 Is forced on such a boor to wait !" 
 
 'Twas thus the knights and courtiers spoke 
 But when the common country-folk 
 Heard what had happened, they began 
 To sound the praises of the man 
 Whom they for many years had known 
 And looked upon as of their own. 
 "When all his efforts to maintain 
 King Richard's cause had proved but vain. 
 And v/hen he lost his rank and lands, 
 He did not idly fold his hands, 
 And grumble at the adverse fate 
 That took away his broad estate : 
 He came and shared our humble lot, 
 Exchanged his mansion for a cot, 
 Became a tiller of the soil, 
 And joined us in our daily toil ; 
 Yet even in a life so rough 
 He shows he's made of noble stuff ; 
 None other mows at such a rate. 
 None other guides the plow so straight, 
 And none with axe can fell a tree 
 With such a vigorous stroke as he. 
 Unbroken colts he loves to train 
 
Till they are subject to his rein, 
 
 And always 'tis his greatest pride 
 
 To mount the steeds none else can ride. 
 
 He does not scorn to take a part 
 
 In all our village sports ; his heart 
 
 Rejoices with us in our glee, 
 
 And none add more to it than he. 
 
 He loves to watch the young men race, 
 
 And sometimes sets for them the pace ; 
 
 Though growing years have clogged his feet, 
 
 F^ew younger men are found so fleet. 
 
 Straight to the mark his arrow flies, 
 
 The quoit he pitches nearest lies. 
 
 In boxing all his blows are sure. 
 
 His feet in wrestling stand secure. 
 
 No one among us likes to brave 
 
 His sturdy strokes at quarter-stave. 
 
 Thus, while his work upon the farm 
 
 Has added to his strength of arm. 
 
 Use has he made of manly sports 
 
 To keep the skill once learned in courts. 
 
 That skill he shortly will display 
 
 And gain a victory to-day ; 
 
 For though it may be many a year 
 
 Since he has handled shield and spear, 
 
 We know his might and do not fear." 
 
 Meanwhile, Sir Robert by the aid 
 Of servants had himself arrayed 
 In armor, and his heart beat fast 
 
To think that now again at last ' 
 
 He was a knight whose actions bold 
 Must England's name and fame uphold. 
 The armor answered all his need ; 
 He did not care to choose a steed 
 From out the stables of the king, 
 But asked the servants that they bring 
 The horse that he himself had taught 
 And from his country home had brought. 
 
 When armor for the horse was found. 
 The knight, with an exultant bound, 
 Leaped on its back and spoke one word, 
 At which the charger, like a bird. 
 Flew forth upon the level plain, 
 Unguided by the spur and rein. 
 Across the level field it went, 
 And halted by the Spaniard's tent. 
 Where still was seen the hanging shield, 
 Three roses white on sable field. 
 Sir Robert struck the shield three blows, 
 One stroke upon each shining rose, 
 In token that an English knight 
 Had met the Spaniard's call to fight. 
 
 Sir Robert's shield bore no device. 
 Its silvery surface, smooth as ice, 
 Was polished so the Spanish knight, 
 Looking upon that mirror bright. 
 Saw with a start reflected there 
 His own three roses white and fair. 
 
Was it an omen that their glow 
 Should deck the armor of his foe ? 
 
 The haughty knight of Aragon 
 Made haste to put his armor on ; 
 The herald hurried to declare 
 The contest, and the field prepare. 
 
 The warriors rode around the ring, 
 And stopping short before the king. 
 Saluted him ; then rode away 
 To take their stations for the fray. 
 The restless chargers pawed the ground. 
 Their riders waited for the sound 
 Of trumpets that should give the call 
 And bid them on each other fall. 
 
 At last was heard the welcome sound 
 The chargers started with a bound, 
 And hurried at their topmost speed 
 Straight toward the centre of the mead. 
 Each warrior held his spear in rest, 
 Each drew his shield before his breast, 
 Till in the middle of the course 
 They came together with such force 
 That e'en the ground appeared to shake. 
 Their lances bent, but did not break ; 
 Each shield received the fearful blow 
 Struck by the weapon of his foe. 
 Beneath the shock the horses reeled. 
 Then sprang aside ; around they wheeled 
 
And hastened to their former place, 
 There turned, and with unslackened pace 
 Rushed forward to the fray once more, 
 Met one another as before. 
 Fell back beneath the mighty shock, 
 As waves that beat against a rock ; 
 Each horse upon its haunches sank, 
 Then sprang again with quivering flank 
 And galloped to the outer bound 
 That marked the limits of the ground. 
 
 Now came the third charge ; swifter yet 
 The horses hastened till they met. 
 Each steed had caught its master's ire. 
 Their nostrils seemed to breathe out fire 
 Like that which from the weapons flashed 
 As each upon the other dashed. 
 The lances broke like shivered reeds ; 
 Stumbling to earth, down sank the steeds; 
 While both the warriors with a bound 
 Leaped from their saddles to the ground. 
 Each drew his sword, put forth his strength, 
 And bravely fought until at length 
 The strength that work upon the farm 
 Had given Robert Gary's arm 
 Enabled him to deal a blow 
 That cleft the hemlet of his foe 
 And laid the haughty Spaniard low. 
 
 Then from the multitude around 
 Arose a glad triumphant sound. 
 
The joy found vent in hearty cries 
 And loud huzzas that rent the skies. 
 The happiest ones of all the crowd, 
 The country people, called aloud : 
 "It is our Robert who has won, 
 And slain the knight of Aragon. 
 Did we not say that he could beat 
 The braggart and his arts defeat ?" 
 
 While all were praising thus the deed. 
 The heralds hurried forth to lead 
 The gallant victor from the ring, 
 That they might bring him to the king. 
 There knelt he down and bowed his head ; 
 "I come again, my king," he said ; 
 "Here at thy feet I humbly lay 
 The knighthood granted for one day. 
 I thank thee thou didst give this chance 
 To fight once more with sword and lance. 
 Permit me quickly to disarm. 
 And hasten to my waiting farm." 
 
 "Not so," the monarch said ; "the one 
 Who such a noble deed has done 
 Must never cease to be a knight, 
 And for his country's honor fight. 
 Such act as yours must needs obtain 
 Some recompense ; do thou retain 
 Thy knighthood, for thy king commands, 
 And with it gives thee back thy lands. 
 
 13 
 
All that my father took before 
 I here and now to thee restore. 
 One further thing I wish to say : — 
 To keep in memory this day, 
 'Tis fitting that the arms you wear 
 Some token of your deed should bear. 
 Across the unmarked argent field 
 That now is on your battered shield, 
 Make from your foe's a sable bend, 
 And let the three white roses lend 
 Their radiance like the stars whose light 
 Shines through the blackness of the night. 
 Then, for a motto, I suggest. 
 What well accords with all the rest, 
 'By valor plucked ;' the words will show 
 That those fair roses, white as snow. 
 Were won by him whose deeds maintained 
 His country's honor, and thus gained 
 The right to wear upon his shield 
 The flowers he plucked on tourney-field. 
 The English words are rough in sound ; 
 Somewhere a scholar shall be found 
 Whose skill your motto can translate 
 Into the Latin, more ornate. 
 Sir Robert Gary, rise and meet 
 The lords and ladies come to greet 
 The victor in a well-fought fight, 
 Whose deeds have proved he has the right 
 To bear the honored name of knight." 
 
 14 
 
Long years had passed since on the tourney field 
 
 Sir Robert Gary forced his foe to yield, 
 
 And plucked the roses that adorned his shield. 
 
 From Holland's shores one sultry summer day, 
 A little ship prepared to sail away 
 Across the waters that before it lay. 
 
 They who embarked were not of Holland's race ; 
 
 Their English lineage showed in every face. 
 
 In manhood's strength, and woman's gentle grace. 
 
 Ere setting forth, around their pastor pressed 
 The little flock his words so long had blessed, 
 While he to them his parting thoughts addressed : 
 
 "I cannot go with you, my pilgrim band, 
 As ye set forth to seek your promised land ; 
 'Still tarry here,' is plainly God's command. 
 
 "In that new land, stand firm for what is right ; 
 Trust not in men, but in your Master's might ; 
 Gird on His armor ; fight ye faith's good fight. 
 
 "Set free from fear of the oppressor's hate, 
 Go where God guideth you to labors great, 
 And lay foundations for a Christian state. 
 
 "Read e'er the book ; fear not new light to see ; 
 
 Follow the truth, whate'er the truth may be ; 
 
 'Twill harm you not : God's truth shall make you free. 
 
 At last, the captain, liking not delay, 
 Declared the time had come ; they must away. 
 Or lose the tide that tended towards the bay. 
 
 15 
 
There was no help, his v/ord must bs obeyed ; 
 So all knelt down while their dear pastor prayed ; 
 Farewells were said, the last embraces made. 
 
 Then as the current bore the ship along, 
 They sang with choking lips their parting song ; 
 At such a time how weak are e'en the strong ! 
 
 With eyes still fixed upon the fading land. 
 They saw their pastor kneeling on the strand, 
 And giving benediction with his hand. 
 
 To him who saw them on their voyage start, 
 It seemed as when to heaven our friends depart, 
 And we are left to mourn with heavy heart. 
 
 But they who saw their pastor on the strand 
 Remembered Moses, whose uplifted hand 
 Assured a victory to his feeble band. 
 
 O little flock, who long have had the care 
 Of him who lifts to God that earnest prayer. 
 The truth he taught you, to the new world bear ! 
 
 noble pastor of a noble flock, 
 
 Thy God shall guard them from the tempest's shock, 
 
 And bring them safely to the waiting rock. 
 
 At last the pastor rose, gave one look more, 
 And turned away to leave the busy shore ; 
 With slow and weary footsteps passed along 
 
 i6 
 
The crowded streets, unheedful of the throng ; 
 
 Then turned aside upon a quieter road, 
 
 To seek the house where he that night abode. 
 
 Meanwhile a youth who wore a student's gown 
 Had followed him from out the busy town. 
 He now approached, and in a modest way 
 Gave evening greeting, then went on to say : — 
 " Pardon, kind sir, the liberty I take ; 
 But, if I may, I would inquiry make 
 Concerning those, your friends, who sailed to-day 
 To seek a home in regions far away. 
 I stood upon the wharf and saw them start, 
 And of their story heard some little part. 
 More would 1 learn, that I may understand 
 The faith that brought them from their native land, 
 And leads them now to leave this friendly shore 
 And, doubly-exiled, journey forth once more. 
 Fain would I learn the secret that controls 
 The thoughts and actions of such earnest souls." 
 
 The pastor grasped the young man by the hand 
 " Welcome 1 " he said, " the story of that band 
 Of earnest pilgrims I will gladly tell : 
 It may be God, who doeth all things well, 
 Hath sent thee here to comfort my sad heart 
 That grieved too much to see those friends depart. 
 'Twill do me good to speak of those I love, 
 To tell the faith they have in God above 
 And in the Word that He hath given to show 
 How men may serve Him, living here below. 
 
 17 
 
Come in, I pray, and sup to-night with me ; 
 The friend with whom I stop will welcome thee, 
 And after meat I will, at your behest, 
 Tell the whole tale, and answer your request." 
 
 The youth assented ; then he told his name, 
 His age, his family, and whence he came. 
 He was a gentle youth from Somerset ; 
 John Gary was his name ; he had not yet 
 Reached sixteen* summers ; love of learning brought 
 His feet to Holland that he might be taught 
 In Leyden's famous schools, where then were found 
 Teachers whose names were through the world renowned. 
 The leisure of a summer's holiday 
 Had tempted him from college halls to stray 
 Until he reached Delfthaven's busy mart, 
 Whence he had seen the Pilgrim band depart. 
 
 After the supper, as the evening gloom 
 Gathered about them in the quiet room, 
 The pastor said, in turning to the youth : 
 "My little flock sought ever for the truth 
 In God's own word ; whatever there they found 
 Became for life a law, for faith the ground ; 
 Hence those who ask to know their faith must look 
 Within the pages of the Holy Book. 
 So, since we each of us have long possessed 
 The name of him who leaned on Jesus' breast 
 That he might listen to each precious word 
 And write for us the wondrous things he heard, 
 John's Gospel will we take to be our guide 
 
 *lt may be that John Gary could not in 1620 have been so old as this; but 
 the date of his birth is unknown. 
 
 18 
 
To show the truth in which those men confide." 
 
 John Robinson then took the book and read ; 
 John Gary listened to the words that said 
 (They were the words of One who spake as man 
 Ne'er dared to speak, and as man never can) : 
 "None to the Father comes except by me." 
 "Know ye the truth, the truth shall make you free." 
 "When ye have by the Son of God been freed, 
 Then it is true that you are free indeed," 
 
 These words the pastor read, and added next 
 Yet other words of Ghrist to make his text : 
 "Be not called master ; One alone is Lord ; 
 All ye are brethren who are sons of God." 
 
 The pastor closed the book, and then explained 
 How these and other truths like these had gained 
 A place in thoughts of men and made them see 
 That God, in saving them, had made them free ; 
 That o'er their faith no man could claim control ; 
 That God alone was master of man's soul. 
 While Christian churches did not need to be 
 Subject to bishops or a priest's decree. 
 He told him, too, how their desire to gain 
 Freedom to worship God and to maintain 
 The simple faith and ways that they deemed best 
 Had brought them from their homes to seek a rest 
 Among the Dutch ; till now they heard once more 
 The call to go and seek a distant shore 
 Where through God's blessing they might find a land 
 Prepared by Him to give the Pilgrim band. 
 
 Till late at night the two together talked ; 
 The youth then bade farewell and slowly walked 
 
 19 
 
Back towards his inn ; his heart within him burned 
 In thinking over all that he had learned ; 
 New truths within his heart had taken root 
 To bear in after years abundant fruit. 
 
 Returned to Leyden, there he often heard 
 John Robinson as he explained the Word 
 Unto that portion of his flock that still 
 Remained in Holland, waiting till God's will 
 Should plainly be that they should join the band 
 Gone out before them to their promised land. 
 
 John Gary's studies had a sudden end : 
 
 From distant England came to him a friend, 
 The bearer of ill tidings, for he said : 
 "Your father, from a fatal fall, is dead. 
 To you, who are his eldest son and heir, 
 i bring the summons that you now prepare 
 To hasten homeward where for you await 
 Your rights as owner of the wide estate." 
 
 The youth left Leyden on that very day ; 
 But on his journey met with much delay 
 From winds at sea, from muddy roads on shore, 
 And other causes which in days of yore 
 Made journeys dangerous and all travel slow 
 To such degree as moderns little know. 
 Arrived at last, he found that some had thought 
 To profit by his absence, and their plot 
 To keep him from his rights was deeply laid. 
 He pressed his claims, and every effort made 
 To gain his own ; but in those evil days 
 
The courts worked slowly, and the law's delays 
 Consumed much time. Meanwhile the young man's 
 
 foes, 
 Seeking all means by which they might oppose 
 His rightful claims and capture his estate. 
 Aroused against him that religious hate 
 With which men looked upon his new belief, 
 Until the young man sought to gain relief 
 By giving up what seemed a contest vain 
 For rights and lands that he could not obtain. 
 Thus, like Sir Robert in the days of yore. 
 He too was driven from his mansion's door, 
 He too must leave his old paternal home. 
 What should he do, and whither should he roam ? 
 It is not strange that he at last crossed o'er 
 The ocean waves, and on New England's shore 
 Joined those whom he had seen as they set sail, 
 And who in him would now a brother hail. 
 
 Like Robert Gary, he was strong of heart, 
 Prepared in honest toil to do his part. 
 The forests fell beneath his sturdy blows ; 
 The wilderness bloomed forth as doth the rose ; 
 On shore, and hill, and in his garden plot, 
 With earnest heart and patient zeal he wrought. 
 
 As Robert Gary while upon the farm 
 Preserved his knightly skill and strength of arm. 
 So his descendant did not lose his zest 
 For books and learning ; he was careful lest 
 His mind grov/ dull amidst the constant toil 
 
Within the forests and upon the soil. 
 
 Nor studied he alone, for in that band 
 
 Of exiles living in a savage land 
 
 Were those whose minds, in classic learning trained. 
 
 Still loved their books, and studious ways maintained. 
 
 With Standish, oft he read of Cassar's wars ; 
 
 With Governor Bradford, studied ancient laws ; 
 
 With Elder Brewster, what the Bible said 
 
 In Greek and Hebrev/ tongues he often read. 
 
 The Pilgrims soon committed to his rule 
 
 The care and teaching of their grammar school. 
 
 The first was he upon New England's shore 
 
 Who in a school taught Greek and Latin lore. 
 
 He, too, it was who many a wintry night, 
 
 A pine-wood torch the only source of light. 
 
 Taught Governor Bradford, sixty years of age, 
 
 To read the Scriptures from the Hebrew page.* 
 
 In later years, another home he sought ; 
 With earnest heart and sturdy arm he wrought. 
 With other settlers who by patient toil 
 Cut down the forests, opened up the soil, 
 And built a town which still retains the name 
 That told of Somerset, from whence they came. 
 John Gary was their clerk, for yet his hand 
 Could wield the pen, as well as till the land. 
 With chain and level he their lots surveyed. 
 
 ♦"Though I am grown aged, yet I have had a longing desire to see with my 
 own eyes something of that most ancient language and holy tongue in which 
 the law and oracles of God were written ; and in which God and angels spake 
 to the holy patriarchs of « 'Id time : and what names were given to things from 
 the creation." — Gov. Bradford. 
 
 22 
 
Then on his own worked hard v/ith axe and spade 
 Till he had won, by dint of labor great, 
 Lands wider far than was his old estate. 
 The new was, like the old, "by valor won," 
 By valor shown with axe and plow and gun ; 
 In felling trees with strong and steady blows. 
 In midnight conflicts with the savage foes. 
 And brave endurance of a settler's woes. 
 
 The age of chivalry has passed away ; 
 We cannot now on tourney-fields display 
 Our strength and courage ; neither did we flee 
 From native land to find beyond the sea 
 Freedom and justice ; these we now possess. 
 And need not seek them in the wilderness. 
 Yet even now must we fierce battles fight. 
 And firmly stand as champions of the right. 
 Valor is needed if we hope to win 
 Our victories over greed and wrong and sin. 
 The roses white must we preserve from stain, 
 And other trophies by our valor gain. 
 Then let each one who bears the Gary name 
 Remember whence his shield and motto came : 
 Remember, too, the one who brought them o'er 
 The ocean's waves to this New England shore. 
 
 23 
 
All that the fathers have by valor gained 
 Must by the sons be valiantly maintained. 
 Then take the shield ; go forward to the fight ; 
 Guard well the roses ; may their silvery light 
 Shine on brave deeds performed for truth and right. 
 
 i8 
 
ftPR 17 1905 
 

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