American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-10-16
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From the New York Rover
C0URTSHIP OF CAPT. MILES STANDISH.


From the New York Rover
C0URTSHIP OF CAPT. MILES STANDISH
A TRUs HISTORICAL ROMANcE--BY NOSE
RuLLINs, 1852.
About this rather singular production,
word or two seems necessary. Whether i
be genuine antique, or more modern pro
duction, il a question for critics to discuss
We cna only ;hrew such light upon it 5 W
happen 10 possess, and such MS the do IL
ment bears upon the face of it..
In order to ascertain whether the ballat
was founded on truth, we have turned t,
some old New England Chronicles, and fnt
that the whole story is historically true t,
the letter. Capt. Miles Standish did com
over iu the May flower, and his wife's nam
was Rose. Mr.. John Alden and Mr.. Wm
Mullins were among the number that cam
over in the same vessel. Mr. William Mul
Inns had daughter whose name was Priscila
and the main incident, according to III,
Chronicles, actually occurred precisely a
related in the poem.
BALLAD.
Miles Staudsh in the Mly-hover came
Across the stormy wave;
And in the little band were none
More generou. or brave.
Midst cold Decemhers seet and snsw
Oa Plymouth Rock they land :,
Weak were their hands but st ong their hearts
That pious pilgrim land,
Oh, sad it was in their poor huts,
To hear the storm. wind blow
And terrible at midnight hour,
When yelled the savage foe.
And when the savage, grim ard dire,
His bleody work b,gan.
For champion brave, l have been told,
Miles Standish was the man.
But Oh, his heart was mads. to ibsw
With grief aud pain full low,
For sickness on the pilgrim band
Now dealt painful blow.
In arms of death so fast they fill,
They scarce were hurried.
And his dear wife, whose name was Rase,
Was ald among the dead.
bis sorrow not loud but dcep,
For her he did bem0an.
Aud such keen anguish runs hi, heart
He could lot live alone.
Then to John Alden he dld speak;
John Alden was bis friend.
And said, = friend Aid en- unto my wish
pray thee new attend.
Ny heart is sad. tbs very sad,
My poor wife Rose is gone,
And in this wild and savage land,
cannot live alone.
To Mr.. William Iullins. then,
wish you would repair.
TO sse il he will give lesvs
To wed his daughter fair.
Priscilla WAS his daughters name;
Conely and fair she,
And kiud OF heart was she Withal,
Az asy Inad could be.
John Alden, to oblige his friend.
Straightway to Mullens went,
And told hs errand like man,
And asked fJf his con,ent.
Now Mr.. Mullins was sire
Qaite rational aud kind,
And such consent would never give.
| Against dis daughter s mind.
He told John Alden if HE child
| Should bs inclined that way,
| Aud CT ptaju otandsh WAS her choice,
He had no more to say.
He then called his daughter dear,
And straightway did retire,
That she might with more freedom speak,
ln absence Of her sire.
John Alden had bright blue eye,
And was handsome man.
And when he spoke. pleasant look
Ger all his features ran.
He rose and in a courteous way
| His err-nd did declare,
And said. '' fair maid what word shall
To Captain Standish bsarl"
| Warm blushe glowed upon the checks
OF that fair maiden then;
At fist she turned away her eyes,
Then rocked at john sgsiH;
And then. with downcast modest mein,
See sad with trembling tone,
Now pIlbee John. why dost thou not
Speak for thyse.f Alone
Deep red then grew John Alden's face;
He bsde the maid good-hye;
Bus well she read before he went,
The language OF his eye.
No matter what the language said
Winch in that was lie
In ons short month Priscilla was
John Adeus loving wife.