The weekly Panola star. [volume] (Panola, Miss.) 1857-1881, 1869-10-09
[From the New York Rover.
COurtshlp OF Capt. Miles Standish.

rRus nfsroRicAL RonAscE--sy NOSES nuLLIss,
About this rather singular production, . word
or two seems necessary. whs!her |! bss gem
uins antique, or more modern production, q
question for critics to discuss. We csn oaly
throw such light upon Il a. we happen to pos
sess, and such a. the document bears upon the
face Of It.
In order to ascertain whether the ballad was
founded on truth, we have turned TO some old
New England Chronicles, and find that the
whole story is historically true 70 the letter.
Captain Miles Standish did come over In the
May flower, and his wife's name was Rose. Mr..
John Alden and Mr.. VIM. Mullins were among
the number that came over In the same vessel.
Mr.. William Mullins had daughter whose
name was Priscilla, and the main incident, ac-
cording to the Chronicles, actually occurred
precisely as related In thaRoem.
BALLAD.
Miles Standish in the Mayhower came
Across the stormy wave;
And In the little band were none
More generous or brave.
Midst cold Decembers sleet and snow
On Plymouth rock they land;
Weak were their hands but strong theil
hearts,
That pious pilgrim band.
Oh, sad Il was in their poor huts,
To hear the storm-wind blow;
And terrible at midnight hour,
When yell'd the savage foe.
And when the savage, grim and dire,
His bloody work began,
For q champion brave, have been told
Miles Standish was the man.
But Oh, his heart was made to bow
With grief and pain full low,
For sickness on the pilgrim band
Now dealt a painful blow.
In.arms Of death so fast they fell,
They scarsce were buried,
And his dear wife, whose name was Rose
Was laid among the dead.
His sorrow was not loud but Deep
For her he did bcmoan,
And such keen anguish rung bis heart,
He could not live alone.
Then to John Alden he did speak;
John Alden wss his friend;
And said, "friend Alden, unto my wish
q Ipray thee now attend.
Ny heart is sad, 'tis very sad,
Ny poor wife Rose Is gone,
Aad IN this wild and savage land,
cannot live alone.
To, Mr.. William Mullins, then,
| Iwist yoa would repair,
To sec II he wfll give me leave I
To wed bis daughter fair"
| Priscilla was his daughters name;
Comsly and fair was she,
And kind Of heart she was withal,
Asany maid could be.
John Alden, to oblige bis friend,
| Etnightway 10 Mullins went
And told his errand like man,
And asked for his consent
Vow Mr. Mullins W. ! sire
/ Quite ntional and kind, FL
And such consent would never give,
| Against his daughters mind
he told John Alden If his child
Should be inclined that way,
/ And Captain 6txndish wxs her choice,
| He had no more to say.
| He then called In his daughter dear,
/ And straightwsy did retire.
| That she might with more freedom spcal
| In absence Of her sire.
| John Alden had bright blue eye,
i Aud wesa hAndsone man,
And whsa hs spoks, ! pleaDsnt look
i Ger Ill his features ran.
i He ruee and in coufteous way
His erSnnd did declare,
And ~ = fair maid what wori shall |
- Captain StAndish besri"
II war blu6hes Eleved upon the cheeks !
Of that fair n1idcn then;
Al nrt - tnfned away her eyes,
Then looked at John again;
Il And lien, with downcast modest mien,
IL Ghe I'D with trembling tone,
y. sNew prithee, John, Why doss thod not
Speak i6s thyssif alones'
Deep red thea grew John Alden's face;
4 ne hade the maid goodbye;
! Iluweil she read before he won't
Tho language Of his eye.
No matter what the language said,
Which In that eye was rife
In one short month Priscilla was
John Aldcns loving wife.