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A Key Into the Language of America, or an Help to the Language of the Natives in That Part of America Called New-England: Together with Briefe Observations of the Customes, Manners, and Worships, &c. of the Aforesaid Natives, etc. — John Shaqi

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A Key Into the Language of America, or an Help to the Language of the Natives in That Part of America Called New-England: Together with Briefe Observations of the Customes, Manners, and Worships, &c. of the Aforesaid Natives, etc.

Name: A Key Into the Language of America, or an Help to the Language of the Natives in That Part of America Called New-England: Together with Briefe Observations of the Customes, Manners, and Worships, &c. of the Aforesaid Natives, etc.
Author: Williams, Roger

Williams, Roger

Narragansett Indians; Narragansett language

Quàmphash quamp homíinea,            Take up for me out of the pot.

  Eíppoquat,                           It is sweet.

  Teàqua aspùckquat?                   What doth it taste of?

  Nowètipo,                            I like this.

  Wenómeneash,                         Grapes or Rapsins.

  Waweècocks,                          Figs, or some strange sweet meat.

  Nemaùanash,                          Provisions for the way.

  Nemauanínnuit,                       A Snapsacke.

  Tackhùmmin,                          To grind Corne.

  Tackhumíinnea,                       Beat me parch’d meale.

  Pishquèhick,                         Unparch’d meale.

  Nummaùchip nup mauchepùmmin,         We have eaten all.

  Cowàump?                             Have you enough?

  Nowâump,                             I have enough.

  Mohowaùgsuck, or Mauquàuog,          The Canibals, or Men eaters,
    from móho to eate,                   up in to the West two, three
                                         or foure hundred miles from
                                         us.

  Cummóhucquock,                       They will eate you.

Whomsoever commeth in when they are eating, they offer them to eat
of that which they have, though but little enough prepar’d for
themselves. If any provision of _fish_ or _flesh_ come in, they make
their neighbours partakers with them.

If any stranger come in, they presently give him to eate of what they
have; many a time, and at all times of the night (as I have fallen
in travell upon their houses) when nothing hath been ready, have
themselves and their wives, risen to prepare me some refreshing.

_The observation generall from their eating &c._

It is a strange _truth_, that a man shall generally finde more free
entertainment and refreshing amongst these _Barbarians_, then
amongst thousands that call themselves Christians.

More particular:

      1. Course bread and water’s most their fare,
           O Englands diet fine;
         Thy cup runs ore with plenteous store
           Of wholesome beare and Wine.

      2. Sometimes God gives them Fish or Flesh,
           Yet they’re content without;
         And what comes in they part to friends
           And strangers round about.

      3. God’s providence is rich to his,
           Let none distrustfull be;
         In wildernesse, in great distresse,
           These Ravens have fed me.

CHAP. III.

_Concerning Sleepe and Lodging._

  Nsowwushkâwmen,                      I am weary.

  Nkàtaquaum,                          I am sleepie.

  Kukkovetoùs,                         Shall I lodge here?

  Yo nickowémen?                       Shall I sleepe here?

  Kukkowéti,                           Will you sleepe here.

  Wunnégin, cówish,                    Welcome, sleepe here.

  Nummouaquômen,                       I will lodge abroad.

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

A Key Into the Language of America, or an Help to the Language of the Natives in That Part of America Called New-England: Together with Briefe Observations of the Customes, Manners, and Worships, &c. of the Aforesaid Natives, etc.

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