1
HOW OFT THE SCENES OF HUMBLE SUIT,
IN NATIVE BEAUTY BOUND,
REMIND US OF THE GOLDEN FRUIT
SET FORTH ON SILVER GROUND.
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OF GENUINE LOVE, THE MYSTIC BAR, -
SINCE ALL OUR HEARTS ARE KIN, -
BY SETTING GOLDEN GATES AJAR,
LETS PLEASING VISIONS IN;
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AS SHELL ON MARGIN OF THE MERE
WILL WAKE A BROAD REFRAIN,
RECALLING ON THE LISTENING EAR
THE MUSIC OF THE MAIN.
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2
‘TIS THUS TRADITION, BY HER CARE,
HAS FONDLY HANDED DOWN
THE STORY OF A LOVING PAIR, -
THE FOUNDERS OF A TOWN.
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IN SUMMER EVENINGS WONT TO MEET,
THEY OFT WERE SEEN TO STRAY
WHERE NEWPORT’S HALF-CLEARED SINGLE STREET
LED DOWNWARD TO THE BAY.
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DELIGHTFUL TRYSTS THEY HELD ABOUT
AQUIDNECK’S ANCIENT TREES,
AND OAK-BROWED HEADLANDS REACHING OUT
TO DRINK THE OCEAN BREEZE.
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BY SPRAY-WET CLIFF THEY SAUNTERED LONG,
OR ROUND THE ELM-CLAD HILL
THEIR THOUGHTS ACCORDANT WITH THE SONG
OF WOOING WHIP-POOR-WILL.
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THE OUTER LIKE THE INNER CALM,
ALL NATURE JOINED THEIR SONG;
AND EVERY OBJECT SWELLED THE PSALM
THEIR HEARTS WOULD FAIN PROLONG.
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SWEET THOUGHTS HAD THEY THEY DARED NOT SPEAK;
AS FLOWERS BY DEWS CARESSED,
SO MOISTENED WAS A BLOOMING CHEEK
BY LOVER’S LIPS IMPRESSED.
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E’EN COMMON SCENES TO EYES OF LOVE
AS BLISSFUL VISIONS RISE;
ALL THINGS THEIR FORMS OF BEAUTY PROVE,
AND SPEAK IN SWEET SURPRISE.
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AS THUS THEY TALKED, THE MYSTIC TIE,
DEEP FELT BY ALL MANKIND,
WARM IN THE BOND OF DESTINY
THEIR HEARTS TOGETHER TWINED.
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HOW WONDERFULLY BLIND IS LOVE
TO THINK ITSELF CONCEALED,
MEANWHILE IN EVERY LOOK AND MOVE
THE PASSION IS REVEALED.
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BUT BLINDER THEY WHO DO NOT KNOW
IT NEVER MAKES ITS TRADE
BY WHAT MEN’S HANDS ALONE BESTOW,
IN SCALES OF TRAFFIC WEIGHED.
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NOR YET DECIDES FROM QUALITIES
OF FACE OR VOICE OR EYE,
BUT BY SUCH HID AFFINITIES
AS HEARTS ALONE DESCRY.
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IN THE DIVINE ECONOMY
WHAT SECRET LAWS COMBINE,
IN HAPPY MYSTIC HARMONY,
TO ANSWER ENDS DIVINE.
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3
THE GUARDIANS OF THE GENTLE MAID
DISSUASIVE LOGIC TRIED,
AND, FINDING THIS FOR NOTHING WEIGHED,
THE LEGAL BANS DENIED.
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THE SIRE AVERRED, "EXCEPT WITH GAIN,
WITH AMPLE DEEDS OF LAND,
AND NOBLE NAME, ‘TIS WORSE THAN VAIN
TO SEEK MY DAUGHTER’S HAND.
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"LET LOWLY MEN RETAIN THEIR PLACE,
NOR THINK TO RISE, IN PRIDE,
TO THOSE WHOM FORTUNE BY HER GRACE
HAS NOBLER RANK SUPPLIED."
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4
BUT OTHERWISE HAD HEAVEN DECREED,
THAT GUIDES THE SPARROW’S FALL;
THE TWAIN WOULD NO DECISION HEED
EXCEPT LOVE’S PERFECT THRALL.
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" MY ALL I PLEDGE," SAID JOHN, "FOR THEE;
NO PRICE I COUNT TO GREAT,
THAT WE HENCEFORTH AS ONE MAY BE, -
OURSELVES OUR RICH ESTATE;
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"NOR LORDLY NAME, NOR CASTLES FAIR,
CAN LIFE’S BEST DOWER CONTROL;
GOD’S WILL REQUIRES US BUT TO SHARE
THE GIFT OF SOUL FOR SOUL."
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5
AS FACE IS MIRRORED TRUE TO FACE
IN PLACID LAKELET’S BREAST,
SO ANSWERED MARY IN HER GRACE,
AND BOTH WERE DOUBLY BLEST.
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6
THE BANS WERE SAID SPITE LEGAL BAR;
WHEN, HARSHLY SHUT FROM HOME,
THEY PLANNED THEIR LOVE-LIT WAY AFAR,
NOR WRECKED OF STORM OR GLOOM.
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THE PINNACE SPED THE BAY-SHORE DOWN,
THE ROCK-FRINGED ISLES WERE PASSED,
WHILE ON THE GABLES OF THE TOWN
A FINAL LOOK WAS CAST.
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BY OAR AND SAIL, IN DUE RELIEF,
THEY BRAVED POINT JUDITH’S WAVES,
ON-GLIDING FEARLESS BY THE REEFS
THE WILD ATLANTIC WAVES,
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THE BARK RODE ON THE OCEAN LONE,
AND PRECIOUS WAS THE FREIGHT, -
TWO LOVING SOULS TRANSFUSED IN ONE
WITH BOUNDING HOPE ELATE.
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THE SEA-GULL, CURVING IN HER FLIGHT,
LENT HER APPROVING LAY;
THE PORPOISE, GALLANT AS A KNIGHT,
ADVANCED TO MARK THE WAY.
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TO SOUTHWARD, SWELLING BILLOWS O’ER,
THE NOONDAY SUNBEAMS FLASHED;
TO NORTHWARD, ON THE BEATEN SHORE,
THE SOUNDING BREAKERS DASHED.
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AS BEAUTEOUS AS CALYPSO’S ISLE,
MANISSES’ STRAND APPEARED,
WHOSE GREEN BANKS ON THEM CAST A SMILE,
AS WESTWARD STILL THEY STEERED.
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SUPERIOR TO THE WAVES THEY MET,
THEY RODE THE BILLOWY SEA,
TILL, DOUBLING CAPE MISQUAMICUT,
THEY HAILED A LAND-LOCKED LEA.
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THE PLACID HARBOR QUITE UNFAMED
TILL OPENED TO VOYAGER’S KEN
BY ADRIAN BLOCK, WHO SAW AND NAMED
IT OESTER RIVIERTJEN.
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7
ADOWN THE HEAVENS THE WEARY SUN
WAS BOWING TO HIS REST;
ALONG THE HILLS THE SPLENDOR SHONE,
THE EVENING’S GOLDEN CREST.
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AS SENTINELS AGAINST ALARMS
THE HOARY FORESTS STOOD,
WIDE STRETCHING OUT THEIR LEAFY ARMS
TO SHADE THE TRANQUIL FLOOD.
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FAR WINDING DOWN FROM HILL AND LEA,
FROM GLEN AND MOUNTAIN-SIDE,
THE PAWCATUCK HERE GAVE THE SEA
ITS SWEET AND LAUGHING TIDE.
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THE FEARLESS EAGLES SAILING HIGH
ABOVE THE PEACEFUL BAY,
BEHELD WITH PREDATORY EYE
THE NIMBLE SALMON PLAY.
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AMID THE ROCKS THAT GRACED THE MARGE,
THE OTTER LOOKED AMAZED;
UPON THE BANK A STAG MOOSE LARGE
HIS ANTLERED FOREHEAD RAISED.
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8
UPON THE STREAM THE WANDERERS MOVE
PAST CAPE AND BLUFF AND ROCK,
ATTRACTED TO A SHELTERED COVE
THAT DRANK MASTUXET BROOK;
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WHERE ROUNDED KNOLL AND CURVING VALE
AND WINDING CURRENTS MEET, -
DELIGHTFUL SCENE OF STREAM AND DALE, -
THE RED MAN’S FOND RETREAT;
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THE SAFE AND FAMOUS RENDEZVOUS
RED WARRIORS CHOSE OF YORE, -
FIT HARBOR FOR THE WAR CANOES
WHEN BATTLE DAYS WERE O’ER.
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9
THE PAINTED WILD MEN ON THE STRAND,
ALIVE TO LOVE’S SOFT CHARM,
EXTEND THE HOSPITABLE HAND,
ALLAYING ALL ALARM.
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"STAY, FRIENDS," SAYS THE NIANTIC CHIEF;
"FREE TO OUR VALLEY COME;
MY WIGWAM OFFERS YOU RELIEF,
NOR THINK TO FARTHER ROAM.
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"HERE REAR YOUR HUT, HERE BEND YOUR BOW,
HERE JOIN US IN THE CHASE;
MY TRIBE WILL ONLY KINDNESS SHOW
THE BRIDE OF PALLID FACE."
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"YOUR WELCOME WE ACCEPT," SAID JOHN;
"WE HAPPY HERE WOULD STAY;
FOR WHAT OF FAVOR YOU HAVE SHOWN,
WITH HOOKS AND BEADS WE PAY.
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"ALIKE YOUR WORDS ARE KIND AND BRAVE,
A SOLACE TO THE EAR;
YOUR HEART IS KIN TO HIM WHO GAVE
TO ROGER WILLIAMS CHEER."
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10
THUS REST THE WANDERERS OBTAINED
FROM ROYAL NINIGRET,
WHOSE STEADFAST SERVICE NE’ER PROFANED
THE SACRED CALUMET.
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ALONG THE HILLS THE AGED WOOD
BOWED TO THE SETTLER’S STROKE,
AND FORTH A RUDE LOG CABIN STOOD
THAT UPWARD CURLED ITS SMOKE.
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DOWN MID THE CEDARS, WINDING SLOW,
‘NEATH COOLING CANOPY,
ROUND ROOTS AND ROCKS, THE BROOK HUMMED LOW
ITS SOOTHING MINSTRELSY.
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AT HAND THE NATIVE EGLANTINE
AND LILY BREATHED PERFUME;
WHILE O’ER THE DOOR THE FRUITFUL VINE
PUT FORTH ITS VIRGIN BLOOM.
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BENEATH THE EAVES THE SWALLOW HUNG
HER MOSS-LINED HOUSE OF CLAY;
THE ROBIN ON THE MAPLE SUNG
THE ROSY PEEP OF DAY.
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CLAD IN THE ROBES THE WILD BEASTS WORE,
STERN BOWMEN LEFT THEIR TRAIL
TO WONDERING VIEW THE CABIN DOOR
THAT SMILED UPON THE VALE.
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11
THUS LENGTHENED MONTHS ROLLED BY, WHILE NOT
THE VOICE OF KIN OR FRIEND
WAS HEARD TO CHEER THE LONELY COT,
OR CHRISTIAN COUNSEL LEND.
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AT LAST THE SIRE DIM UNDERSTOOD,
THROUGH HUNTERS OF THE MOOSE,
OF STRANGERS IN THE DISTANT WOOD
" WHO HAD A WHITE PAPOOSE ";
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WHEN, HASTENING WITH AN INDIAN BRAVE
ACROSS THE WILDERNESS,
HE TO HIS EXILED DAUGHTER GAVE
A RECONCILING KISS.
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" FORGIVE THE HARSH, IMPERIOUS SPEECH
THAT DROVE YOU FROM MY DOOR;
MAY HEAVEN YOUR LOVE-LIT HOUSE ENRICH
WITH BLESSINGS EVERMORE. "
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12
THOUGH NOT IN PRIDE OF OUTWARD VIEW,
OR INWARD POMP ARRAYED,
THE SMILES OF HEAVEN THE CABIN KNEW,
AND CHILDREN ROUND IT PLAYED.
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THOUGH IN A WILD, THE CHILD-SONGS SWEET
MADE EVERY SEASON BRIGHT;
THE PATTER OF THE LITTLE FEET
MADE EVERY LABOR LIGHT.
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WHEN WINTER WRAPPED THE WOODS IN SNOW,
LOG FIRES LIT UP THE WALLS,
TO CHEEKS IMPARTING HEALTHIER GLOW
THAN KNOWN IN ROYAL HALLS.
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SECURE FROM THE MARAUDING FEET
OF PANTHER AND OF BEAR,
THE TRAP AND FIRELOCK GAVE THEM MEAT
THAT BARONS PROUD WOULD SHARE.
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THEY BORROWED HOODS OF BEAVER WARM,
WHILE WOLF AND FOX SUPPLIED
SUCH ROBES AS MET THE DRIVING STORM,
AND BITING FROSTS DEFIED.
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AT EVE AND SABBATH HOURS, BY CHOICE
THE BOOK OF BOOKS WAS READ;
WITH HUMBLE TRUST WAS HEARD THE VOICE
THE PRESENT SPIRIT SAID.
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13
NEW SETTLERS DARED THE WILD TO BREAK;
AND BUILD ON NEIGHBORING HEIGHT,
WHOSE GLOWING HEARTH-FIRES JOINED TO MAKE
THE PAGAN REGION LIGHT.
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BUT ALL A SUITED DEFERENCE BORE
BEFORE THE PIONEERS,
WHO PROVED THAT BONDS OF HEART AND MORE
THAN OVERMATCH FOR FEARS;
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THAT LOVE CAN MAKE A DESERT BLOOM,
AND EVER WIN ITS WAY,
FROM EVERY SPOT DISPELLING GLOOM
BY ITS ENKINDLING RAY.
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14
SO HEAVEN UPON THE LOVERS SMILED,
FAR IN THEIR FOREST HOME, -
THE FIRST TO PLANT THE SAVAGE WILD,
AND BID THE DESERT BLOOM.
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FROM SERVICE TRUE IN HUMBLEST PLACE
WHAT CONSEQUENCES FLOW,
TO GIVE THE WORLD NEW LIFE AND GRACE,
THE TOILERS MAY NOT KNOW.
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THE FIELDS OF LIFE THE SOWERS TREAD
WITH OPEN, TRUSTFUL HAND;
IN SEASON DUE THE SEED WILL SPREAD
ITS HARVESTS O’ER THE LAND.
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15
TWO HUNDRED YEARS HAVE SPED APACE,
AND WROUGHT IN MAN’S BEHOOF;
AND THOUSANDS NOW THEIR LINEAGE TRACE
TO JOHN AND MARY’S ROOF.
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WHAT THOUGH NO MARBLES GREET OUR EYES
TO SPEAK IN THEIR BEHALF,
THE HAND OF HISTORY SUPPLIES
THEIR SHINING EPITAPH.
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THROUGH PATIENT TRUST AND TOILSOME CARE
EARTH’S HIGHEST PRIZE IS GAINED;
AMID THE LABORS THAT WE BEAR
IS VIRTUE’S STRENGTH ATTAINED.
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