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[Of P. Vincent, who, by the signature at the end of the Latin verses on the next page, appears to have been the author of the following narrative of the Pequot War, we have been able to obtain no information whatIt will be seen that a part of the last page is wanting. The copy from which we print belongs to the Library of Harvard University. The copy belonging to our Society is deficient both at the beginning and end, and we know of no other from which the hiatus could be supplied.

ever.

Publishing Committee.]

Ad Lectorem

Authoris carmen vagino de Victoria hac

D

Nov'-Anglica, 1637.

Vcit in Americam varios gens Angla colonos :
Et bene conveniunt sidera, terra, solum.
Ast ferus hoc prohibet, solis vagabundus in arvis,
Insolitoque aliquos, incola, Marte necat.
Quod simul invitas crimen pervenit ad aures
Angligenum, irato murmure cuncta fremunt.
Tunc læsi justa arma movent, hostemque sequuntur,
Struxerat haud vanis qui munimenta locis.
Invadunt vallum, palis sudibusque munitum :
(Pax erit: hoc uno solvitur ira modo.)
Vndique concidunt omnes, pars una crematur :
Post, casi aut capti, cætera turba luit.
Vtraque lætatur Pequetanis Anglia victis,
Et uovus, æternum hic figimur, hospes ait.
Virginia exultat, vicina Novonia gaudet,
Signaque secura certa quietis habent.
Plaudite qui colitis Mavortia sacra nepotes,
Et serat incultos tutus arator agros.
Quæ novus orbis erat, spiranti numine (Lector)
Anglia nascetur, quæ novus orbis erit.

P. Vincentius.

Nihil obstare videtur quo minus hæc Relatio typis mandetur.

Novemb. ix. M.DCxxxvij.
G. R. WECKHERLIN.

A true relation of the late battle fought in New-England, between the English and Salvages, with the present state of things there.

NEW

[EW ENGLAND (a name now every day more famous) is so called, because the English were the first discoverers, and are now the planters thereof. It is the eastern coast of the north part of America, upon the south-west adjoining to Virginia, and part of that continent, large and capable of innumerable people. It is in the same height with the north of Spain and south part of France, and the temper not much unlike; as pleasant, as temperate, and as fertile as either, if managed by industrious hands.

This is the stage. Let us in a word see the actors. The year 1620, a company of English, part out of the Low Countries, and some out of London and other parts, were sent for Virginia. But being cut short by want of wind, and hardness of the winter, they landed themselves in this country, enduring, with great hope and patience, all the misery that desert could put upon them, and employed their wits to make their best use of that then snow-covered land for their necessities. After two years' experience of the nature of the soil, commodities, and natives, they returned such intelligence to their masters, that others took notice of their endeavors and the place. Then some western merchants collected a stock, and employed it that way. But they discouraged through losses and want of present gain, some Londoners and others (men of worth) undertook it, with more resolution, building upon the old foundation. Hence a second plantation, adjoined to the other, but supported with better pillars and greater means. All beginnings are

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ever difficult. The half, saith the proverb, is more than the whole. Some errors were committed, and many miseries were endured. No man is wise enough to shun all evils that may happen; but patience and painfulness overcame all. The success proved answerable even to ambitious expectations, notwithstanding the impediments inevitable to such undertakings.

There is scarce any part of the world but habitable, though more commodiously by human culture. This part (though in its naturals) nourished many natives, distinguished into divers petty nations and factions. It were needless curiosity to dispute their original, or how they came hither. Their outsides say they are men, their actions they say are reasonable. As the thing is, so it operateth. Their correspondency of disposition with us, argueth all to be of the same constitution, and the sons of Adam, and that we had the same matter, the same mould. Only art and grace have given us that perfection which yet they want, but may perhaps be as capable thereof as we. They are of person straight and tall, of limbs big and strong, seldom seen violent, or extreme in any passion. Naked they go, except a skin about their waist, and sometimes a mantle about their shoulders. Armed they are with bows and arrows, clubs, javelins, &c. But as soil, air, diet, and custom, make ofttimes a memorable difference in men's natures, so it is among these nations, whose countries there are like so many shires here, of which every one hath their sagamore, or king, who, as occasion urgeth, commandeth them in war, and ruleth them in peace. Those where the English pitched, have showed themselves very loving and friendly, and done courtesies beyond expectation for these new-come inmates; so that much hath been written of their civility and peaceful conversation, until this year.

But nature, heaven's daughter, and the immediate character of that divine power, as by her light she hath taught us wisdom, for our own defence, so by her fire she hath made us fierce, injurious, revengeful, and ingenious in the device of means for the offence of those we take to be our enemies. This is seen in creatures void of reason, much more in mankind. We have in us a mixture of all the elements, and fire is predominant when the humors are exagitated. All motion causeth heat; all provocation moveth choler; and

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