Our brethren of New England use
Choice malefactors to excuse,[1]410
And hang the guiltless in their stead,
Of whom the churches have less need.
As lately 't happen'd: in a town
There liv'd a cobler, and but one,
That out of doctrine could cut use, 415
And mend men's lives as well as shoes.
This precious brother having slain,
In times of peace, an Indian,
Not out of malice, but mere zeal,[2]
Because he was an infidel, 420
The mighty Tottipottimoy[3]
Sent to our elders an envoy,
Complaining sorely of the breach
Of league, held forth by brother Patch,
Against the articles in force425
Between both churches, his and ours;
For which he crav'd the saints to render
Into his hands, or hang th' offender:
But they maturely having weigh'd
They had no more but him o' th' trade;430
A man that serv'd them in a double
Capacity, to teach and cobble;
Resolv'd to spare him: yet to do
The Indian Hoghan Moghan too
- ↑ This story is asserted to be true, in the note subjoined to the early editions. A similar one is related by Grey, from Morton's English Canaan, printed 1637. A lusty young fellow was condemned to be hanged for stealing corn; but it was formally proposed in council to execute a bedridden old man in the offender's clothes, which would satisfy appearances, and preserve a useful member to society. Grey mentions likewise a letter from the committee of Stafford to Speaker Lenthall, dated Aug. 5, 1645, desiring a respite for Henry Steward, a soldier under the governor of Hartlebury Castle, and offering two Irishmen to be executed in his stead. Ralpho calls them his brethren of New England, because the inhabitants there were generally Independents.
- ↑ Just so, says Grey, Ap Evans acted, who murdered his mother and his brother for kneeling at the Sacrament, alleging that this was idolatry.
- ↑ This is not a real name, but merely a ludicrous imitation of the sonorous appellations of the Indian Sachems; as is the other name in line 434, below.
