“From such a State our blessed elders see The church may, even here, the infection share; And therefore have the Council made decree, That to the wilderness thou shalt not fare; But have their mandate hither sent by me, That thou to Boston presently repair;-- Where waits a ship now ready for the sea, To carry back thy heresy and thee.” XI. Williams replied, “Thy message is unkind,-- In sooth, I think it even somewhat rude; The snow falls fast, and searching is the wind And wildly howls through the benighted wood. The path to Boston is a little blind, Nor are my nerves in their robuster mood;-- My soul has seldom at her lot repined,-- But to submission now she’s disinclined. XII. “A voyage to England, and to start to-night And brave the ocean at this season drear? ’Twould scantly give the hardy tar delight, Much less my consort and these pledges dear. Go, and the Council tell, that we’re not quite In health to bear a trial so severe,-- That if we yield ’twill be to lawless might, And not to their kind feelings or their right.” XIII. “Much do I grieve,” the elder then replied, “To bear this answer to the Governor; ’Twill show that thou hast Church and State defied, And will I ween make not a little stir; And should a pinnace, on the morn espied O’er yonder waters speeding, bring with her A squad of soldiers, Underhill their guide, Be not surprised, but--Williams, quell thy pride!” XIV. This said, he turned and hastily withdrew, And all but Williams now were left in tears; His wife, still comely, lost her blooming hue, Her nature yielding to her rising fears; A giddy whirling passed her senses through, She almost heard the blazing musketeers, And trembling to her couch retired to sigh, And seek relief in prayer to God on high. XV. “O! for a friend,” still as he paced the floor, Sire Williams cried, “a friend in my sore need, To help me now some hidden way explore, By which my glorious purpose may succeed; But closed to-night is every cottage door; Yet there is one who is a friend indeed, Forever present to the meek and poor-- I will thy counsels, mighty Lord, implore.” XVI. Here dropt the friend of conscience on his knees, And prayed, with hand and heart to Heaven upreared; “O, thou, the God who parted Egypt’s seas, And cloud or fire in Israel’s van appeared, Send down thine angel now, if so it please, That forth from Church within the State ensphered He guide my steps, to where there yet may be A Church not ruled by men, but ruled by Thee.” XVII.