What is here intended by Narraganset river? Is it the bay or some river falling into the bay? Was it intended by the utmost bounds of Pokanoket? Do the words of the patent include or exclude that territory? The truth is, that the geography of the country was, at that time, very imperfectly understood, and the words of the patent are not a true description of the territory to be granted. The charter of Rhode Island is a proof that the Plymouth patent was not considered as embracing within its limits what is called Pokanoket, alias Sowamset; since that charter covers a considerable part of that very territory. But, if Pokanoket was not included by the Plymouth patent, Williams ought not to have been treated as a trespasser. It is not my purpose to discuss the question of boundaries. These observations are made for the purpose of showing that Williams had his reasons for believing that he was out of the jurisdiction of Plymouth. STANZA XXII. _And brandishing his blade, he jeering said, That vengeance gave it eyes and appetite; It soon would eat--but eat in silence dread._ “He [an Indian slain by Standish] bragged of the excellency of his knife: _Hinnaim namen, hinnaim michen, matta cuts_: that is to say, by and by it should see, by and by it should eat, but not speak.” CANTO SEVENTH. STANZA V. _His flock no more,--with strifes now sorely riven._ The opinions for which Williams was banished, were but the beginning of schism in the Massachusetts churches, and his banishment but the commencement of persecution. Many members of the church of Salem still adhered to him, and finally followed him to Providence. STANZA XXI. _O’er yonder distant brow Smokes in the vale Neponset’s peopled town._ Neponset is the name of a river in Massachusetts. On the banks of this river there seem to have been several Indian towns or villages, at the time of Williams’ banishment. STANZA LVII. _And by the lock he held a trunkless head._ “Timequassin, to cut off, or behead, which they are most skillful to do in fight.”--_Williams’ Key._ CANTO EIGHTH. STANZA XVI. _Who cannot see, That a dark cloud o’er our New England lowers? The tender conscience struggles to be free-- The tyrant struggles, and retains his power._ Williams seems to have had a strong presentiment that a season of persecution was approaching, and often expressed a desire that his plantation _might be a shelter for persons distressed for conscience_. STANZA XIX. _And there this eve some reasoning, I opine, (For all may err) a weighty theme upon, May not be deemed amiss._