Readings in American literature

Preface

This volume is designed to accompany the editor's American Literature, and the selections were made to represent the authors there treated. While it is intended that the history and the Readings be used together, the latter have been compiled in accordance with suggestions from many sources ; and the editor believes that they will prove useful with any history of American literature.

No effort has been made to include college entrance requirements, most of which are available in cheap and attractive editions. On the other hand, more space than is usual in a book of this kind is given to literature produced before 1800. This has been done because the material is quaint and interesting, and is less accessible to high school students than nineteenth century writings. The editor feels confident that results will repay a generous expenditure of time on the early writers.

In preparing the Readings, the best texts accessible have been used ; but it has not seemed necessary in a high school book to indicate the editions, unless required by the copyright provisions of the authorized publishers.

ROY BENNETT PACE.

SWARTHMORE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA,

January 1, 1915.

m

READINGS

From John Smith to Benjamin Franklin Adventure with Opechancanough Account of a Tempest ....

The Twenty-third Psalm The Judgment of Infants

Contemplations

Life at Merry Mount ....

The " Little Speech " on Liberty Character of Governor Bradford .

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God (extracts)

(1608-1758) :

John Smith .

William Strachey The Bay Psalm Book . 3Iichael Wigglesworth Anne Bradstreet .

William Bradford John Winthrop .

Cotton Mather .

Jonathan Edwards

From Franklin to Irving (1758-1803)

" Silence Dogood" on Drunkenness Growth of Ill-humor in America .

Britain's Dealings with her Colonies Imitated The Whistle

Patrick Henry James Otis .

TJiomas Paine George Washington

Thomas Jefferson Alexander Hamilton John Woolman .

Francis Hopkinson

Liberty or Death

On the Writs of Assistance (extract) .

"Times that Try Men's Souls " .

First Inaugural (extract) Summary View of the Rights of British America (extract) ....

The Union as a Safeguard .

An Anti-Slavery Mission The Battle of the Kegs . . .

Paul Jones Anonymous .

The Riflemen's Song at Bennington . Anonymous .

Columbia Timothy Dwight

McFingal's Sentence .... John Trumbull

McFingal's Flight

Washington to His Troops . . . Joel Barlow Song: " For Chloris " . . . . Thomas Godfrey

To Celia

The Prince of Parthia (Act V, scene I)

V

1 4 9

9 12 15 17 19

27 31 34 36 38 40 42

44 46 49

VI

READINGS

A Mysterious Voice , . . Charles Brockden Brown . 66

A Political Litany . . . Philip Freneau ... 68

Eutaw Springs . 69

The Wild Honey Suckle 70

Death Song of a Cherokee Indian 71

^ay to April 72

From Irving to the Close of the War (1809-1865) :

Character of Peter Stuyvesant . Washington Irving . . 72

The Devil and Tom Walker 75

Thanatopsis William Cullen Bryant . 90

To a Waterfowl 92

A Forest Hymn 93

The Death of the Flowers , 97

To the Fringed Gentian 98

The Gladness of Nature 98

Robert of Lincoln 99

The Hurricane 101

The Fight of the Ariel and the

Alacrity .... James Fenimore Cooper . 103 On the Death of Joseph Rodman

Drake Fitz-Greene Halleck . . 112

Marco Bozzaris . . • 112

The American Flag . . . Joseph Hodman Drake . 116 The Real Character of the Union John Caldwell Calhoun . 118 The Language of Calhoun's Resolutions Daniel Webster . . . 120

" Showing His Hand " . . Abraham Lincoln . . 125 Speech on Leaving Springfield in

1861 126

Shortest Speech 127

First Inaugural (extract) 127

Gettysburg Address 127

Letter to Mrs. Bixby 128

A Cry to Arms .... Henry Timrod . . . 129

Ode at Magnolia Cemetery 130

Flower-life . 131

Why Silent 132

READINGS vii

PAGE

Beauregard's Appeal . . Paul Hamilton Hayne . . 133

Forgotten 134

The Axe and the Pine 136

Aspects of the Pines 136

Poets 137

To Helen . . ... Edgar Allan Foe . . . 137

Israfel 138

The Haunted Palace 140

The Raven 141

Ulalume 145

Annabel Lee 147

Morella 149

The Short-story 155

The Maypole of Merry Mount Nathaniel Hawthorne . . . 159

Drowne's Wooden Image 172

Tour of William the Silent . John Lothrop Motley . . . 187

The Rhodora . . . Ralph Waldo Emerson . . 191

The Apology 192

Concord Hymn 192

The Humble-Bee 193

Terminus 195

The Nature of Government

(from Politics) 196

The Coming of the Birds

(from Spring) . . Henry David Thoreau . . 200

Maimed Nature (from >S|pn?igr) 202

From the Close of the War to the Deaths of Whitman and Whittier (1865-1892) :

The Beleaguered City . . Henry Wadsworth Longfellow . 204

The Building of the Ship ........ 205

Hiawatha's Wooing . 216

The Birds of Killingworth 224

The Hanging of the Crane 231

The Cross of Snow . . . 237

My Love .... James Bussell Lowell . . . 238

Stanzas on Freedom 239

Commemoration Ode (extracts) . 240

Under the Old Elm (extracts) 248 viii READINGS

PAGE

Emerson and His Audience (from

Emerson the Lecturer) . 262

White's "Selborne" (from My

Garden Acquaintance) 258

The True Nature of Democracy

(from Democracy) ..*.... 263

My Springs Sid)iey Lanier . . .269

Song of the Chattahoochee 271

The New South .... Henry Woodfin Grady . 272

Advantages of Not Traveling

(from Prue and I) . . George William Curtis . 282

Evils of Party Spirit (from The

Public Duty of Educated Men) 286

To William Lloyd Garrison . . John Greenleaf Whittier . 291

Proem 292

Ichabod 293

Skipper Ireson's Ride " . . . 295

My Playmate 298

Laus Deo 300

In School-Days 302

The Lost Occasion 303

A Child's Question . . . Walt Whitman . . .306

Mannahatta 307

O Captain ! my Captain ! 308

When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard

Bloomed (extracts) . , . . . . . . 309

Come, said my Soul 315

The Height of the Ridiculous . Oliver Wendell Holmes . 315

The Last Leaf 316

The Chambered Nautilus ' . . . 318

The Deacon's Masterpiece 319

Parson Turell's Legacy . . • 322

All Here 327

The Broomstick Train . 329

The Episode of the Pie (from The

Autoci-at) 333

My Last Walk with the Schoolmistress (from The Autocrat) 335

READINGS

IN

READINGS IN AMERICAN LITERATURE

JOHN SMITH Adventure with Opechancanough

{From A True Relation)

Having 2 Indians for my guide and 2 of our own company, I set forward, leaving 7 in the barge : Having discovered 20 miles further in this desart, the river stil kept his depth and bredth, but much more combred with trees : Here we went ashore (being some 12 miles higher then the 5 barge had bene) to refresh our selves, during the boyling of our vituals : One of the Indians I tooke with me, to see the nature of the soile, and to crosse the boughts of the river : the other Indian I left with Maister Eobbinson and Thomas Emry, with their matches light, and order to dis- 10 charge a peece, for my retreat, at the first sight of any Indian. But within a quarter of an houre I heard a loud cry, and a hollowing of Indians, but no warning peece. Supposing them surprised, and that the Indians had betraid us, presently I seazed him and bound his arme fast to my 15 hand in a garter, with my pistoll ready bent to be revenged on him : he advised me to fly, and seemed ignorant of what was done. But as we went discoursing, I was struck with an arrow on the right thigh, but without harme : upon this occasion I espied 2 Indians drawing their bowes, which I 20 prevented in discharging a french pistoll : By that I had charged againe, 3 or 4 more did the like : for the first fell downe and fled : At my discharge, they did the like. My hinde I made my barricade, who offered not to strive. 20.

25 or 30. arrowes were shot at me but short. 3 or 4 times I had discharged my pistoll ere the king of Pamaunck called Opeckankenough with 200 men, invironed me, cache drawing their bowe : which done they laid them upon the ground, yet without shot : My hinde treated betwixt them and me

30 of conditions of peace ; he discovered me to be the Captaine : my request was to retire to the boate : they demanded my armes, the rest they saide were slaine, onely me they would reserve: The Indian importuned me not to shoot. In retiring being in the midst of a low quagmire, and minding

35 them more then my steps, I stept fast into the quagmire, and also the Indian in drawing me forth :

Thus surprised, I resolved to trie their mercies : my armes I caste from me, till which none durst approch me. Being ceazed on me, they drew me out and led me to the

40 King. I presented him with a compasse diall, describing by my best meanes the use therof : whereat he so amazedly admired, as he suffered me to proceed in a discourse of the roundnes of the earth, the course of the sunne, moone, starres and plannets. With kinde speeches and bread he

45 requited me, conducting me where the Canow lay and John Robbinson slaine, with 20 or 30. arrowes in him. Emry I saw not.

I perceived by the aboundance of fires all over the woods. At each place I expected when they would execute me, yet

50 they used me with what kindnes they could : Approaching their Towne, which was within 6 miles where I was taken, onely made as arbors and covered with mats, which they remove as occasion requires : all the women and children, being advertised of this accident, came foorth to meet them,

55 the King well guarded with 20 bowmen 5 flanck and rear, and each flanck before him a sword and a peece, and after him the like, then a bowman, then I on each hand a bowe-

JOHN SMITH 3

man, the rest in file in the reare, which reare led foorth amongst the trees in a bishion, eache his bowe and a handfull of arrowes, a quiver at his back grimly painted : on 60 eache flanck a sargeant, the one running alwaies towards the front, the other towards the reare, each a true pace and in exceeding good order. This being a good time continued, they caste themselves in a ring with a daunce, and so eache man departed to his lodging. The Captain conducting me 65 to his lodging, a quarter of Venison and some ten pound of bread I had for supper: what I left was reserved for me, and sent with me to my lodging : Each morning 3. women presented me three great platters of fine bread, more venison then ten men could devour I had : my gowne, points and 70 garters, my compas and my tablet they gave me again. Though 8 ordinarily guarded me, I wanted not what they could devise to content me : and still our longer acquaintance increased our better affection :

Much they threatned to assault our forte, as they were 75 solicited by the King of Paspahegh: who shewed at our fort great signes of sorrow for this mischance. The King tooke great delight in understanding the manner of our ships, and sayling the seas, the earth and skies, and of our God : what he knew of the dominions he spared not to ac- 80 quaint me with, as of certaine men cloathed at a place called Ocanahonan, cloathed like me : the course of our river, and that within 4 or. 5 dales journey of the falles, was a great turning of salt water : I desired he would send a messenger to Paspahegh, with a letter I would write, by 85 which they shold understand how kindly they used me, and that I was well, least they should revenge my death. This he granted and sent three men, in such weather as in reason were unpossible by any naked to be indured. Their cruell mindes towards the fort I had deverted, in describing the 90 ordinance and the mines in the fields, as also the revenge

Captain Newport would take of them at his returne. Their intent, I incerted the fort, the people of Ocanahonum and the back sea : this report they after found divers Indians

95 that confirmed :

The next day after my letter, came a salvage to my lodging, with his sword, to have slaine me : but being by my guard intercepted, with a bowe and arrow he offred to have effected his purpose : the cause I knew not, till the .King

100 understanding thereof came and told me of a man a dying, wounded with my pistoll : he tould me also of another I had slayne, yet the most concealed they had any hurte : This was the father of him I had slayne, whose fury to prevent, the King presently conducted me to another King-

105 dome, upon the top of the next northerly river, called Youghtanan. Having feasted me, he further led me to another branch of the river, called Mattapament; to two other hunting townes they led me : and to each of these Countries, a house of the great Emperour of Pewhakan,

110 whom as yet I sui)posed to bee at the Fals ; to him I tolde him I must goe, and so returne to Paspahegh. After this foure or five dayes marsh, we returned to Rasawrack, the first towne they brought me too : where binding the Mats in bundels, they marched two dayes journey, and crossed

115 the River of Youghtanan, where it was as broad as Thames : so conducting me to a place called Menapacute in Pamaunke, where the King inhabited.

WILLIAM STRACHEY Account of a Tempest {From A True Repertory)

When on S. James his day, July 24. being Monday (preparing for no lesse all the blacke night before) the cloudes gathering thicke upon us, and the windes singing, and

WILLIAM STRACHEY 5

whistling most unusually, which made us to cast off our Pinnace, towing the same untill then asterne, a dreadfull5 storme and hideous began to blow from out the North-east, which swelling, and roaring as it were by fits, some houres with more violence then others, at length did beate all light from heaven ; which like an hell of darknesse turned blacke upon us, so much the more fidler of horror, as in such cases 10 horror and feare use to overrunne the troubled, and overmastered sences of all, which (taken up with amazement) the eares lay so sensible to the terrible cries, and murmurs of the windes, and distraction of our Company, as who was most armed, and best prepared, was not a little shaken. 15

For foure and twenty houres the storme in a restlesse tumult, had blowne so exceedingly, as we could not apprehend in our imaginations any possibility of greater violence, yet did wee still finde it, not onely more terrible, but more constant, fury added to fury, and one storme urging a second 20 more outragious then the former; whether it so wrought upon our feares, or indeede met with new forces : Sometimes strikes in our Ship amongst women, and passengers, not used to such hurly and discomforts, made us looke one upon the other with troubled hearts, and panting bosomes : 25 our clamours dround in the windes, and the windes in thun- ^QY # * ^ Q^^j. sailes wound up lay without their use, and if at any time wee bore but a Hollocke, or halfe forecourse, to guide her before the Sea, six and sometimes eight men were not inough to hold the whipstaffe in the steerage, 30 and the tiller below in the Gunner roome, by which may be imagined the strength of the storme : In which, the Sea swelled above the Clouds, and gave battell unto Heaven. It could not be said to raine, the waters like whole Rivers did flood in the ayre. And this I did still observe, that wheras 35 upon the Land, when a storme hath powred it selfe forth once in drifts of raine, the winde as beaten downe, and vanquished therewith, not long after indureth : here the glut of water (as if throatling the winde ere while) was no sooner a 40 little emptied and qualitied, but instantly the windes (as having gotten their mouthes now free, and at liberty) spake more loud, and grew more tumultuous, and malignant.

^ TV TV "Jv Tir "if

Howbeit this was not all; It pleased God to bring a greater aflliction yet upon us ; for in the beginning of the

45 storme we had received likewise a mighty leake. And the Ship in every joynt almost, having spued out her Oakam, before we were aware (a casualty more desperate then any other that a Voyage by Sea draweth with it) was growne five foote suddenly deepe with water above her ballast, and we

50 almost drowned within, whilst we sat looking when to perish from above. This imparting no lesse terrour then danger, ranne through the whole Ship with much fright and amazement, startled and turned the bloud, and tooke downe the braves of the most hardy Marriner of them all, insomuch as

55 he that before happily felt not the sorrow of others, now began to sorrow for himselfe, when he saw such a pond of water so suddenly broken in, and which he knew could not (without present avoiding) but instantly sinke him. So as joyning (onely for his owne sake, not yet worth the saving)

60 in the publique safety ; there might be scene Master, Masters Mate, Boateswaine, Quarter Master, Coopers, Carpenters, and who not, with candels in their hands, creeping along the ribs viewing the sides, searching every corner, and listening in every place, if they could heare the water runne. Many

65 a weeping leake was this way found, and hastily stopt, and at length one in the Gunner roome made up with I know not how many peeces of Beefe: but all was to no purpose, the Leake (if it were but one) which drunke in our greatest Seas, and tooke in our destruction fastest, could not then be found.

WILLIAM STRACHEY 7

nor ever was, by any labour, counsell, or search. The waters 70 still increasing, and the Punipes going, which at length choaked with bringing up whole and continuall Bisket (and indeede all w^ had, tenne thousand weight) it was conceived, as most likely, that the Leake might be sprung in the Breadroome, whereupon the Carpenter went downe, and ript up all 75 the roome, but could not finde it so.

Our Governour, upon the tuesday morning (at what time, by such who had bin below in the hold, the Leake was first discovered) had caused the whole Company, about one hundred and forty, besides women, to be equally divided into three 80 parts, and opening the Ship in three places (under the fore-castle, in the waste, and hard by the Bitacke) appointed each man where to attend; and thereunto every man came duely upon his watch, tooke the Bucket, or Pumpe for one houre, and rested another. Then men might be scene to 85 labour, 1 may well say, for life, and the better sort, even our Governour, and Admirall themselves, not refusing their turne, and to spell each the other, to give example to other. The common sort stripped naked, as men in Gallies, the easier both to hold out, and to shrinke from under the salt 90 water, which continually leapt in among them, kept their eyes waking, and their thoughts and hands working, with t^^red bodies, and wasted spii-its, three dayes and foure nights destitute of outward comfort, and desperate of any deliverance, testifying how mutually willing they were, yet 95 by labour to keepe each other from drowning, albeit each one drowned whilest he laboured.

Once, so huge a Sea brake upon the poope and quarter upon us, as it covered our Shippe from stearne to stemme, like a garment or a vast cloude, it filled her brimme full 100 for a while within, from the hatches up to the sparre decke. This source or confluence of water was so violent, as it rusht and carried the Helm-man from the Helme, and wrested the Whip-staffe out of his hand, which so flew from side to side,

105 that when he woukl have ceased the same againe, it so tossed him from Star-boord to Lar-boord, as.it was Gods mercy it had not split him : It so beat him from his hold, and so bruised him, as a fresh man hazarding in by chance fell faire with it, and by maine strength bearing somewhat

110 up, made good his place, and with much clamour incouraged and called upon others ; who gave her now up, rent in pieces and absolutely lost. Our Governour was at this time below at the Capstone, both by his speech and authoritie heartening every man unto his labour. It strooke him from the

115 place where hee sate, and groveled him, and all us about him on our faces, beating together with our breaths all thoughts from our bosomes, else, then that wee were now sinking. * * * It so stun'd the ship in her full pace, that shee stirred no more, then if shee had beene caught in

120 a net, or then, as if the fabulous Remora had stucke to her fore-castle. Yet without bearing one inch of saile, even then shee was making her way nine or ten leagues in a watch. One thing, it is not without his wonder (whether it were the feare of death in so great a storme, or that it

125 pleased God to be gracious unto us) there was not a passenger, gentleman, or other, after hee beganne to stirre and labour, but was able to relieve his fellow, and make good his course : And it is most true, such as in all their life times had never done houres worke before (their mindes now

130 helping their bodies) were able twice fortie eight houres together to toile with the best.

MICHAEL WIGGLESWORTH 9

BAY PSALM BOOK

23 A Psalme of David

The Lord to mee a shepheard is, want therefore shall not I. ) Hee in the folds of tendev-grasse, doth cause mee downe to lie : To waters calme me gently leads 5

3 Restore my soule doth hee : he doth in paths of righteousnes

for his names sake leade mee.

4 Yea though in valley of deaths shade

I walk, none ill I'le feare : 10

because thou art with mee, thy rod, and staff e my comfort are.

5 For mee a table thou hast spread,

in presence of my foes : thou dost annoynt my head with oyle, 16

my cup it over-flowes.

6 Goodnes & mercy surely shall

all my dayes follow mee : and in the Lords house T shall dwell

so long as dayes shall bee. 20

MICHAEL WIGGLESWORTH The Judgment of Infants {From The Day of Doom)

CLXVI

Then to the Bar all they drew near

Who died in infancy, And never had or good or bad

effected pers'nally; But from the womb unto the tomb 5

were straightway carried, (Or at the least ere they transgress'd)

Who thus began to plead :

CLXVII

"If for our own transgressi-oii, 10 or disobedience,

We here did stand at thy left hand,

just were the Recompense; But Adam's guilt our souls hath spilt, his fault is charg'd upon us; 16 And that alone hath overthrown

and utterly undone us.

''Not we, but he ate of the Tree, Whose fruit was interdicted;

Yet on us all of' his sad Fall 20 the punishment's inflicted.

How could we sin that had not been, or how is his sin our,

Without consent, which to prevent we never had the pow'r?

CLXIX

25 "O great Creator why was our Nature

depraved and forlorn ?

Why so defil'd, and made so vil'd,

whilst we were yet unborn?

If it be just, and needs we must 30 transgressors reckon 'd be,

Thy Mercy, Lord, to us afford, which sinners hath set free.

CLXX

" Behold we see Adam set free, and sav'd from his trespass, 35 Whose sinful Fall hath split us all,

and brought us to this pass.

MICHAEL WIGGLESWORTH U

Canst thou deny us once to try,

or Grace to us to tender, When he finds grace before thy face,

who was the chief offender?" 40

Then answered the Judge most dread :

" God doth such doom forbid, ^

That men should die eternally

for what they never did.

But what you call old Adam's Fall, 45

and only his Trespass, You call amiss to call it his,

both his and yours it was.

CLXXII

" He was design'd of all Mankind

to be a public Head; 50

A common Root, whence all should shoot,

and stood in all their stead.

He stood and fell, did ill or well,

not for himself alone.

But for you all, who now his Fall 55

and trespass would disown.

CLXXX

" You sinners are, and such a share

as sinners, may expect ; Such you shall have, for I do save

none but mine own Elect. 60

Yet to compare your sin with their

who liv'd a longer time, I do confess yours is much less,

though every sin's a crime.

CLXXXI

65 " A crime it is, therefore in bliss

you may not hope to dwell; But unto you I shall allow

the easiest room in Hell."

The glorious King thus answering,

they cease, and plead no longer; Their Consciences must needs confess

his Reasons are the stronger.

ANNE BRADSTREET

The Glories of Nature

(From Contemplations)

Some time now past in the Autumnal Tide, When Phcehus wanted but one hour to bed, The trees all richly clad, yet void of pride, Where gilded o're by his rich golden head. Their leaves & fruits seem'd painted, but was true Of green, of red, of yellow, mixed hew, Rapt were my sences at this delectable view.

I wist not what to wish, yet sure thought I, If so much excellence abide below ; 10 How excellent is he that dwells on high ?

Whose power and beauty by his w^orks we know.

Sure he is goodness, wisdome, glory, light.

That hath this under world so richly dight :

More Heaven then Earth was here no winter & no night.

15 Then on a stately Oak I cast mine Eye,

Whose ruffling top the Clouds seem'd to aspire ; How long since thou wast in thine Infancy? Thy strength, and stature, more thy years admire,

ANNE BRADSTREET 13

Hath hundred winters past since thou wast born ?

Or thousand since thou brakest thy shell of horn, 20

If so, all these as nought, Eternity doth scorn.

Then higher on the glistering Sun I gaz'd.

Whose beams was shaded by the leavie Tree,

The more I look'd, the more I grew amaz'd.

And softly said, what glory's like to thee ? 25

Soul of this world, this Universes Eye,

No wonder, some made thee a Deity :

Had I not better known, (alas) the same had I.

Thou as a Bridegroom from thy Chamber rushes,

And as a strong man, joyes to run a race.

The morn doth usher thee, with smiles & blushes.

The Earth reflects her glances in thy face.

Birds, insects, Animals with Vegative,

Thy heart from death and dulness doth revive :

And in the darksome womb of fruitful nature dive. 35

Thy swift Annual, and diurnal Course,

Thy daily streight, and yearly oblique path.

Thy pleasing fervor, and thy scorching force,

All mortals here the feeling knowledg hath.

Thy presence makes it day, thy absence night, 40

Quaternal Season caused by thy might :

Hail Creature, full of sweetness, beauty & delight.

Art thou so full of glory, that no Eye

Hath strength, thy shining Rayes once to behold?

And is thy splendid Throne erect so high ? 45

As to approach it, can no earthly mould.

How full of glory then must thy Creator be? Who gave this bright light luster unto thee : Admir'd, ador'd for ever, be that Majesty.

60 Silent alone, where none or saw^, or heard,

In pathless paths I lead my wandring feet, My humble Eyes to lofty Skyes I rear'd To sing some Song, my mazed Muse thought meet. My great Creator I would magnifie,

55 That nature had, thus decked liberally :

But Ah, and Ah, again, my imbecility!

I heard the merry grashopper then sing.

The black clad Cricket, bear a second part. They kept one tune, and plaid on the same string, 60 Seeming to glory in their little Art.

Shall Creatures abject, thus their voices raise? And in their kind resound their makers praise : Whilst I as mute, can warble forth no higher layes.

While musing thus with contemplation fed, 65 And thousand fancies buzzing in my brain.

The sweet-tongu'd Philomel percht ore my head. And chanted forth a most melodious strain W^hich rapt me so with wonder and delight, I judg'd my hearing better then my sight, 70 And wisht me wings with her a while to take my flight.

O merry Bird (said I) that fears no snares. That neither toyles nor hoards up in thy barn. Feels no sad thoughts, nor cruciating cares To gain more good, or shun what might thee harm