Much Williams dreaded that dark priest, I ween, Albeit he hid his fears from Waban’s eyes; His threat’ning arrows and his savage mien Would often now in midnight dreams arise; And, rising, bring of blood a woful scene-- His Mary pale--his children’s wailing cries; And he would start, and marvel how a dream, Delirium’s thought, should so substantial seem. II. If in the lonely wilds, by evening dim, That vengeful savage should the path waylay Of all the dearest earth contained for him, Those jewels of the heart, what power could stay His thirst for blood--his fury wild and grim As is the tiger’s bounding on his prey? Oft came obtrusive this appalling thought-- He shook it off--still it returned unsought. III. Not long he brooks this torturing delay, But soon tow’rd Salem through the forest goes, Nor will the Muse go with him on his way, And sing in horrid shades each night’s repose, Until she, shuddering, mingle with her lay, And seem herself to bear her hero’s woes; Let it suffice that on the third day’s dawn, He gazed from Salem woods on Salem town. IV. He saw the cottage he must tread no more, And sighed that man should be so stern to man; Two harnessed palfreys stood beside the door, And by the windows busy movement ran; Then did his eyes the village downs explore, Ere yet the labors of the day began; But all still slept, save where the watch-dog bayed, Or lowed the kine and cropt the dewy glade. V. And many a field new traces of the plough, And many a roof its recent structure showed, And in the harbor many a sable prow, Rocked by the billows, at her anchor rode; And, ah! he saw (to him no temple now) The lowly house where erst in prayer he bowed, And strove to lead his little flock to Heaven; His flock no more,--with strifes now sorely riven. VI. He turned his eyes again to that dear spot Where, by the door, the waiting palfreys stood: There, laden now, they bore what Mary thought The tender exiles, in the lonely wood, Would need or miss the most, and likewise aught That would most cheer or comfort their abode; With useful household wares, securely piled, But cumbersome for journeying through the wild. VII. He saw red Waban take each palfrey’s rein, And slowly walk the laden beasts before; He saw his Mary, with her little train Of blooming children, issue from the door; He saw her loving neighbors them detain The Almighty’s blessing on them to implore, And heard the farewell hymn, a pensive strain Of mingled voices as they trod the plain. VIII.