網頁圖片
PDF
ePub 版

THOMAS MORTON (1575-1646)
HOMAS

The negative side of the Puritan argument was furnished by one Thomas Morton, an English adventurer, a lawyer by profession, who established himself at the Mount Wollaston, or Merry Mount, settlement in 1625, and began to exploit the Indians after the manner that was to be so common in later years. Undoubtedly he introduced the natives to "fire-water," and sold them fire-arms, and undoubtedly he was as immoral generally as the usual trader in savage lands. His conduct was exceedingly annoying to the Plymouth Puritans, especially his flaunted adherence to the Church of England prayer-book and ritual, and his hilarious observance of May Day assisted by Indian squaws. Accordingly Captain Miles Standish in 1627 was sent forcibly to abate the settlement as an intolerable nuisance.

Morton's only book, written about 1634 after his four different sojourns in America, during one of which he spent a year in prison at Boston, was published in 1637 with the title the New English Canaan. As noted on its title page, it is in three parts: "The first Booke setting forth the originall of the Natives, their Manners and Customes, together with their tractable Nature and Love towards the English. The second Booke setting forth the natural Indowments of the Country, and what staple Commodites it yealdeth. The third Booke setting forth, what people are planted there, their prosperity, what remarkable accidents have happened since the first planting of it, together with their Tenents and practise of their Church." The book probably was produced as propaganda against the Puritans at the time when their charter was threatened. It is a coarsely clever work, and amid the tremendously serious tomes of the Puritan divines it is an element of lightness and facetious worldliness that stands out strangely distinct, but it is too prejudiced and too full of inaccuracies to be of real value. One needs only to compare Bradford's account of the Miles Standish raid with Morton's to realize its radical defects. The episode has furnished material for later writers, Hawthorne finding in it the theme for his "The May-pole of Merry Mount" and Motley for his novels Morton's Hope and Merry Mount. It is a curious fact that the first poem known to have been made in New England is Morton's bacchanal song, "sung," as he has recorded, "with a chorus, every man bearing his part; which they performed in a dance, hand in hand about the May-pole, whiles one of the company sung, and filled out the good liquor like gammedes and Jupiter."

[blocks in formation]

and cummin, troubling their brains more than reason would require about things that are indifferent; and from that time sought occasion against my honest Host of Ma-re Mount to overthrow his undertakings, and to destroy his plantation quite and clear.

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 5 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, PREPARATION 10 or he had not done as they had bin informed.

OF A GREAT MONSTER SUPPOSED ΤΟ BE AT MA-RE-MOUNT; AND THE

MADE TO DESTROY IT

[From New English Canaan, Book III, Chap, XV.]

The Seperatists, envying the prosperity 15 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 20 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.

The answere made no matter, (as it seemed,) whether it had bin negatively or affirmatively made; for they had resolved that 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 appears they were like beares whelpes in former time, when mine hosts plantation was of as much strength as theirs, but now, (theirs being stronger,) 25 they, (like overgrowne beares,) seemed monsterous. In 'breife, mine host must indure to be their prisoner until 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, supposing, (belike,) it would proove a hainous crime.

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, 30 (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 35 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 40 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 45 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 bring 50 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 chargded him, (because they would seeme to have some 55 reasonable cause against him to sett a glosse upon their mallice,) with criminall

Much rejoycing was made that they had gotten their capital 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 fained greefe, and could not be perswaded either to eate or drinke; because hee knew emptines would be a meanes to make him as watch full 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 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 to 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.

Theire grande leader, Captaine Shrimp, 15 [Miles Standish] 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 20 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.

5

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.

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 25 just defence, replyed that hee would not lay by those armes, because they were so neede full at Sea, if hee should be sent over. Yet, to save the effusion of so much worty bloud, as would have 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.

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 30 of the lightening, (for it thundred as hee went terribly;) and there hee prepared powther, three pounds dried, for his present impolyement, and foure good gunnes for him and the two assistants left 35 at his howse, with bullets of severall sizes, three houndred or thereabouts, to be used if the conspirators should pursue 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,)

40

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

must doe some new act to repaire this 45 what els was requisit for the voyage:

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 man

which theire Herald retornes, it was agreed upon, and should be performed. But mine Host no sooner had set open the dore, and issued out, but instantly

ner, callinge of Councell, they conclude. 50 Captaine Shrimpe and the rest of the 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, 55 had his denne; the whole number, had the rest not bin from home, being but seaven, would have given Captaine

worthies stepped to him, layd hold of his armes, and had him downe: and so eagerly was every 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,

[ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

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 Shrimp, and the rest of the nine worthies, made themselves, (by this outragious riot,) Masters of mine to Host 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 15 Host; whome they practised to be ridd of upon any termes, as willingly as if hee had bin the very Hidra of the time.

[1634]

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 5 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 pin

ace.

no

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, man durst be so foole hardy as to undertake carry him. So these Worthies set mine Host upon an Island without gunne, powther, or shot or dogge or so 20 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

HOW THE 9. WORTHIES PUT
MINE HOST OF MA-RE-MOUNT
INTO THE INCHAUNTED CAS-
TLE AT PLIMMOUTH, AND
TERRIFIED HIM WITH THE 25 Mount. Upon this Island hee stayed a
MONSTER BRIAREUS

[From New English Canaan, Book III, Chap. XVI.]

30

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 into league of brother hood with mine Host; so full of humanity are these infidels before those Christians.

a

The nine worthies of New Canaan having now the Law in their owne hands, (there being no generall Governour in the Land; nor none of the Seperation that regarded the duety they 35 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 Reli- 40 ping to set forth for these parts, and gion, 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 to taske; for that his voyce was 45

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 until the ordinary time for ship

then retorned: Noe man being able to taxe him of any thinge.

But the Worthies, (in the meane time,) hoped they had bin ridd of him. [1634]

RICHARD MATHER (1596-1669)

Richard Mather, who came from England in 1635, the first of "the Mather dynasty" in Massachusetts, has a place in American literary history because of his connection with the first book printed in America, the so-called "Bay Psalm Book," issued from the newlyestablished Cambridge press in 1640. The Pilgrims had brought to America the standard hymn book of their day, the metrical version of the I'salms made by Sternhold and Hopkins, but its wide departure at times from the Biblical original and its constant sacrifice of literalness for poetic effect troubled the Puritan conscience beyond endurance. They would make a hymn book of their own and they would place literal rendering of the sacred text first and poetic polishings last of all. The committee to make the new metrical version, chosen not at all because of poetic ability but because of their eminence as divines and their unshaken orthodoxy, consisted of Richard Mather, pastor of the church at Dorchester, Thomas Welde, and John Eliot, the "apostle to the Indians." The greater part of the work of making the metrical versions fell upon Mather and from his pen undoubtedly came the prefatory note. The full title of the book was "The Whole Booke of Psalmes Faithfully Translated into English Metre. Whereunto is prefixed a discourse declaring not only the lawfullness, but also the necessity of the heavenly Ordinance of singing Scripture Psalmes in the Churches of God."

The new version became at once the standard psalter of Puritan America. In 1647 a new edition was prepared. In the words of Cotton Mather. "it was thought that a little more art was to be employed upon them" and the translations were accordingly "refined." This edition and a third issued in 1650 was used almost to the period of the Revolution when it was replaced by the hymn book of Isaac Watts. From a poetic standpoint it has little merit; it must be classed indeed with the curiosities of American literature. Moses Soit Tyler and others have made merry in their criticism of it. It should be remembered, however, that it was made in an atmosphere of awful reverence for the Bible such as we of a later day can hardly realize, and it should be remembered, moreover, that it was made not to be read as poetry but to be sung to appropriate tunes in the solemn worship of the sanctuAs chanted by a fervent congregation the hymns lose much of their uncouthness. Some of them, like the 23d and the 100th Psalms, may indeed be said to have even as poetry real beauty and real lyric feeling. It is worth noting too that this first book printed in the new world was a book made necessary by the new spirit of America, a book distinctively American prepared deliberately because the Mother Country had nothing with which to meet the new demands.

ary.

FROM THE PREFACE OF THE
BAY PSALM BOOK

the old Testament as are not poeticall; now no protestant doubteth but that all the bookes of the scripture should by Gods ordinance be extant in the mother 5 tongue of each nation, that they may be understood of all, hence the psalmes are to be translated into our english tongue and if in our english tongue wee are to sing them, then as all our english

As for the scruple that some take at the translation of the book of psalmes into meeter, because Davids psalmes were sung in his own words without meeter: we answer-First. There are many verses together in several psalmes of David which run in rithmes (as 10 songs (according to the course of our those that know the hebrew and as Buxtorf shews Thesau. pa. 629.) which shews at least the lawfullnes of singing psalmes in english rithmes.

Secondly. The psalmes are penned in such verses as are sutable to the poetry of the hebrew language, and not in the common style of such other bookes of

15

english poetry) do run in metre, soe ought Davids psalmes to be translated into meeter, that soe wee may sing the Lords songs, as in our English tongue soe in such verses as are familiar to an english eare which are commonly metricall and as it can be no just offence to any good conscience, to sing Davids

« 上一頁繼續 »