IN the Old Colony days, in Plymouth, the land of the Pilgrims, Clad in doublet and hose, and boots of Cordovan leather, Strode, with a martial air, Miles Standish, the Puritan Captain. Buried in thought he seemed, with his hands behind him, and pausing Ever and anon to behold his glittering weapons of warfare, Hanging in shining array along the walls of the chamber,— Cutlass and corselet of steel, and his trusty sword of Damascus, Curved at the point and inscribed with its mystical Arabic sentence, While underneath, in a corner, were fowling piece, musket, and matchlock. Broad in the shoulders, deep-chested, with muscles and sinews of iron; Flaked with patches of snow, as hedges sometimes in November. Near him was seated John Alden, his friend and household companion, Having the dew of his youth, and the beauty thereof, as the captives Suddenly breaking the silence, the diligent scribe interrupting, Spake, in the pride of his heart, Miles Standish, the Captain of Plymouth. "Look at these arms," he said, "the warlike weapons that hang here Burnished and bright and clean, as if for parade or inspection! |