At length reviving from the stunning shock, His thoughts returning in a broken train, Our Founder thus the speechless stupor broke:-- “I to my ancient friend may yet explain; Just is my title here; the lands I took Are part of Massasoit’s wide domain, And fairly purchased; mine they dearly are; Make this but known, and Plymouth must forbear.” XLV. “And didst thou think,” the Elder cried, “to win Of Pagan chief a title here secure? Why not derive it from that man of sin At papal Rome,--the Antichrist impure? Our Church of Truth, against the Heathen thin, Asserts her Canaan, and will make it sure. Thy purchase feigned was by the Prophet shown To Dudley, and by him to us made known.” XLVI. “My purchase feigned!” our Founder quickly cried-- “God made that Pagan, and to Him He gave Breath of this air, drink from yon crystal tide, Food from these forest lawns and yonder wave: Yea, He ordained this region, far and wide, To be his home in life, in death his grave. Is thy claim better? Canst thou trace thy right From one superior to the God of might?” XLVII. The Elder answered: “Thinkest thou this land For demons foul and their red votaries made? Did not Jehovah, with his own right hand, Tempest for Israel when the Heathen fled? Does Plymouth’s Church less in his favor stand? Or spares he devils for the savage red? As to our title, then, we trace it thus: God gave James Stuart this, and James gave us.” XLVIII. “God gave James Stuart this!” our Founder cried, Up-starting from his seat as he began, “God gave James Stuart this!”--a choking tide Of kindling feeling through his bosom ran, To which his better part free speech denied, Since all the Christian strove against the man, And strove not all in vain;--yet, bursting forth, His soul came big with grief that stifled half her wrath. XLIX. “God gave James Stuart this!--I marvel when! Fain would I see the deed Omniscience wrote; Elder! there are commandments counting ten, Which Great Jehovah upon Sinai taught; Has He of late exempted Plymouth’s men-- Reversed his justice and made sin no fault? Taught them to covet of their neighbor’s store, And licensed robbery of the weak and poor? L. “Behold these hands, which labor has made hard,-- Look at this weather-beaten brow and face,-- And ask yourself if to be thus debarred And hunted from their fruits like beast of chase, Demands not meekness more than God has spared To human hearts in his abundant grace! Followed e’en here!--Again compelled to flee! As if this desert were too good for me! LI.