New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-10-12
Nrw9gork Daily gribn,re
NEW qualifications
IONGFFIIOW's MILES sTANDIsH

LONGFELLOWS MILES STANDISH.
THE COURTsHlP OF MILES srANDIsH, AND OTHER
POEMS. BY HENRy WADswoRTH LoSGrELLow. l2no.,
pp Us. Ticknor Fields
Mr.. Lopgielow has recently INDUCED in happy
audacity whichis by no means characteristic of his
nature, in his selection Of themes for poetical com
position. No one familiar with the mOnotOny of
Iudian legends could have predicted that they
would furnish him with the artistic materials which
he has wrought up with such exquisite grace IN the
romantic tale of Hiawatha. The story of the Pill
grim Fathers of New-EnglaDd presents, per-
haps, n still less promising field for the choice of
incidents on which to found hexameter poem, in
the manner of Evangelme. Their experience was
of too austere characterize allure the imagination.
They were too coyersant with stern and intense
realities to invite the embellishments Of fiction.
The emotions excited by Plymouth Rock are more
allied 10 profound reflection than to poetic inspra-
ton. The old coony, desoate and bare as is its
aspect on Forefabers' Day, is a goodly land, aud
fruitful in men of iron purpose and brswny muscle,
but il has given birth only to few poets. In spite
of the glowing periods of the historian, and the
brilliant colors of the artist the landing of the Pill
grims at Plymouth presents a scene too uniformly
sombre for the Illusions of fancy Nor is the Puri
tan character so fit theme for poetic eulogy for
grave contemplation. IL may stimulate the deyo-
tIon TO duty, but has little to refresh the sense oil
the beautiful. Miles etandish, the valiant captain
of the nfint colony, though a bold champion against
the Philistines of the borders, was i'll suited 10
figure in an epic. Good John Alden, the very type
of a Puritan yeoman would not recognize himself
in the character with which he il invested by the
ina ination of the bard.
With such materials, which We cannet but re-
gard ms singularly nractable, Mr.. Longfelow has
produced one of his most Characteristic poems,
fresh with the sweetest fragrance of the Plymouth
woods full of deep and tender pathos, intersPersed
with dasbes of natural humor, and set of BY that
rich quantness of expression which gives the true
cooring to the Puritan love story.
We copy the portrait of Miles Standish, with
which the poem opens;
In the Old Colony days, in Plymouth the land Of the
To ard fro 10 room OF his simple and primitive
Clad in doublet' and hose, and boots of Cordovan
Strode with martial air Miles standish the Puritan
Captain
Ever and anon to behold lis gltteling weapons of
warfare,
Hanging in shining array along the walls Of the cham
ber,--
Cutass and corset Of steel and his trusty sword Of
Damascus,
Curved at the point and inscribed with its mystical
Arabic sentence,
While underneath, in corner, We're io1hDg-piece
musket, and matchbox.
short of stature he was but strongly built and athletic
Broad in the shoulders deepchested with muscles and
sinews of irou
Brown as nut was his face but his russell beard was
already
Flaked with patches Of snow, as hedges sometimes in
November.
Near him was seated John Alden, MS friend and
household compauiOn,
Writing with dibgent speed at table Of pine ~ the
| windox;
Fair-haired, azure-eyed, with delicate Saxon COM
! plexion,
Having the dew of his youth, and the hearty thereof
| as the captiyes
Whom Saiu, Gregory saw, and exclaimed, "Not An
| giles but Angels
Youngest Of all was be OF .he men who came IN The
May Flower.
Suddenly breaking the silence, the dhgent scribe
nteIrupting,
Spake in the pride Of his heart Miles Standish, the
| Captain OF Plymouth.
Look a, these arms, lie said the warlike weapons
that hang here
Furnished and bright and clean as if for parade or
inspection
This is The sword of Damascus Tough; with IN Elan.
ders; this breastpste,
| Well / remember the day once saved my Life IN q
skirmish;
Here in front you the very din, OF the bullet
| Fired point-bank at my heart by Spanish area
bucero.
Had Il not been of sheer STEEL the forgotten bones OF
Niles Siandish
Would az this moment be mould in their grave in tic
Flemish morasses."
Thereupon answered John Alden, but looked 10. up
from bis writing:
Truly, the breath OF the Lord hath slackened the
speed Of the bullet; $3.50
He in bis mercy preserved you 70 be our SHE'D and
our weapon"
Still the Captain continued, unheeding the words Of
the stripping:
See how bright they are FURNISHED, as if IL an sr-
That is because have done j. myself, and not left
TO others.
Serve yourself would you be well servci s On excel
lent saage;
So take care OF my arms as you Of your pens and
your inkhorn.
Then, too there my soldiers, my great, invinei-
bic army,
, Twelve men, ali equipped having esch his reg: and
| his matchbox,