Bradford's History of 'Plimoth Plantation': From the Original Manuscript. With a Report of the Proceedings Incident to the Return of the Manuscript to MassachusettsBradford, William
History
Bradford's History of 'Plimoth Plantation': From the Original Manuscript. With a Report of the Proceedings Incident to the Return of the Manuscript to Massachusetts
Bradford, William
Massachusetts -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775
But hear I cannot but stay and make a pause, and stand half amased at
this poore peoples presente condition; and so I thinke will the reader
too, when he well considers [47] y^e same. Being thus passed y^e vast
ocean, and a sea of troubles before in their preparation (as may be
remembred by y^t which wente before), they had now no freinds to
wellcome them, nor inns to entertaine or refresh their weatherbeaten
bodys, no houses or much less townes to repaire too, to seeke for
succoure. It is recorded in scripture[AH] as a mercie to y^e apostle &
his shipwraked company, y^t the barbarians shewed them no smale kindnes
in refreshing them, but these savage barbarians, when they mette with
them (as after will appeare) were readier to fill their sids full of
arrows then otherwise. And for y^e season it was winter, and they that
know y^e winters of y^t cuntrie know them to be sharp & violent, &
subjecte to cruell & feirce stormes, deangerous to travill to known
places, much more to serch an unknown coast. Besids, what could they see
but a hidious & desolate wildernes, full of wild beasts & willd men? and
what multituds ther might be of them they knew not. Nether could they,
as it were, goe up to y^e tope of Pisgah, to vew from this willdernes a
more goodly cuntrie to feed their hops; for which way soever they turnd
their eys (save upward to y^e heavens) they could have litle solace or
content in respecte of any outward objects. For su[=m]er being done, all
things stand upon them with a wetherbeaten face; and y^e whole countrie,
full of woods & thickets, represented a wild & savage heiw. If they
looked behind them, ther was y^e mighty ocean which they had passed, and
was now as a maine barr & goulfe to seperate them from all y^e civill
parts of y^e world. If it be said they had a ship to sucour them, it is
trew; but what heard they daly from y^e m^r. & company? but y^t with
speede they should looke out a place with their shallop, wher they would
be at some near distance; for y^e season was shuch as he would not stirr
from thence till a safe harbor was discovered by them wher they would
be, and he might goe without danger; and that victells consumed apace,
but he must & would keepe sufficient for them selves & their returne.
Yea, it was muttered by some, that if they gott not a place in time,
they would turne them & their goods ashore & leave them. Let it also be
considred what weake hopes of supply & succoure they left behinde them,
y^t might bear up their minds in this sade condition and trialls they
were under; and they could not but be very smale. It is true, indeed,
y^e affections & love of their brethren at Leyden was cordiall & entire
towards them, but they had litle power to help them, or them selves; and
how y^e case stode betweene them & y^e marchants at their coming away,
hath allready been declared. What could now sustaine them but the
spirite of God & his grace? May not & ought not the children of these
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