Almost ten years we lived here alone, In other places there were few or none; For Salem was the next of any fame, That began to augment New England's name; But after multitudes began to flow, More than well knew themselves where to bestow; Boston then began her roots to spread, And quickly soon she grew to be the head, Not only of the Massachusetts Bay, But all trade and commerce fell in her way. And truly it was admirable to know, How greatly all things here began to grow. New plantations were in each place begun, And with inhabitants were filled soon. All sorts of grain which our own land doth yield, Was hither brought and sown in every field: As wheat and rye, barley, oats, beans and pease, Here all thrive, and they profit from them raise. All sorts of roots and herbs in gardens grow, Parsnips, carrots, turnips, or what you'll sow. Onions, melons, cucumbers, radishes, Skirets, beets, coleworts, and fair cabbages. Here grow fine flowers many, and 'mongst those, The fair white lily and sweet fragrant rose. Many good wholesome berries here you'll find, Fit for man's use, almost of every kind, Pears, apples, cherries, plumbs, quinces, and peach, Are _now_ no dainties; you may have of each. Nuts and grapes of several sorts are here, If you will take the pains them to seek for. WILLIAM BRADFORD. There remained but one danger, the Indians; and most feared of all were the Pequots, who dwelt just west of what is now Rhode Island, and in 1637 began open hostilities. A force of about a hundred men marched against the principal Pequot stronghold, a palisaded village which stood on a hilltop near the Mystic. The attack was made on the night of May 25, 1637, the Indians were taken by surprise, their thatched houses were set on fire, and of the six or seven hundred persons in the village, scarcely one escaped. THE ASSAULT ON THE FORTRESS From "The Destruction of the Pequods" [May 25, 1637] Through verdant banks where Thames's branches glide, Long held the Pequods an extensive sway; Bold, savage, fierce, of arms the glorious pride, And bidding all the circling realms obey. Jealous, they saw the tribes, beyond the sea, Plant in their climes; and towns, and cities, rise; Ascending castles foreign flags display; Mysterious art new scenes of life devise; And steeds insult the plains, and cannon rend the skies. The rising clouds the savage chief descried, And, round the forest, bade his heroes arm; To arms the painted warriors proudly hied, And through surrounding nations rung the alarm. The nations heard; but smiled, to see the storm, With ruin fraught, o'er Pequod mountains driven And felt infernal joy the bosom warm, To see their light hang o'er the skirts of even, And other suns arise, to gild a kinder heaven.