Group Poem Exercise X
THANKSGIVING
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
Ars longa, vita brevis
THANKSGIVING
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
THANKSGIVING
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem)
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem)
Ars longa, vita brevis
THANKSGIVING
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem)
This fete did not presage the Trail of Tears
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem)
This fete did not presage the Trail of Tears
Ars longa, vita brevis
THANKSGIVING
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem).
This fete did not presage the Trail of Tears
Which lessens our nostalgia for those years
[Edited to change last line]
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem).
This fete did not presage the Trail of Tears
Which lessens our nostalgia for those years
[Edited to change last line]
THANKSGIVING
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem).
This fete did not presage the Trail of Tears
Which lessens our nostalgia for those years
Tempered, at least, by shame
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem).
This fete did not presage the Trail of Tears
Which lessens our nostalgia for those years
Tempered, at least, by shame
Ars longa, vita brevis
THANKSGIVING
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem).
This fete did not presage the Trail of Tears
Which lessens our nostalgia for those years
And tempers it with shame.
Among the righteous souls were blackguards who
[Last two lines amended by agreement]
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem).
This fete did not presage the Trail of Tears
Which lessens our nostalgia for those years
And tempers it with shame.
Among the righteous souls were blackguards who
[Last two lines amended by agreement]
THANKSGIVING
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem).
This fete did not presage the Trail of Tears
Which lessens our nostalgia for those years
And tempers it with shame.
Among the righteous souls were blackguards who
Allowed their anxious feelings to accrue
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem).
This fete did not presage the Trail of Tears
Which lessens our nostalgia for those years
And tempers it with shame.
Among the righteous souls were blackguards who
Allowed their anxious feelings to accrue
Ars longa, vita brevis
THANKSGIVING
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem).
This fete did not presage the Trail of Tears
Which lessens our nostalgia for those years
And tempers it with shame.
Among the righteous souls were blackguards who
Allowed their anxious feelings to accrue
And staked an ethnic claim.
That's not the end, folks – we're going to have one more verse to bring the poem to a suitable conclusion.]
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem).
This fete did not presage the Trail of Tears
Which lessens our nostalgia for those years
And tempers it with shame.
Among the righteous souls were blackguards who
Allowed their anxious feelings to accrue
And staked an ethnic claim.
That's not the end, folks – we're going to have one more verse to bring the poem to a suitable conclusion.]
THANKSGIVING
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem).
This fete did not presage the Trail of Tears
Which lessens our nostalgia for those years
And tempers it with shame.
Among the righteous souls were blackguards who
Allowed their anxious feelings to accrue
And staked an ethnic claim.
Should we disdain the settlers' reckless ways?
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem).
This fete did not presage the Trail of Tears
Which lessens our nostalgia for those years
And tempers it with shame.
Among the righteous souls were blackguards who
Allowed their anxious feelings to accrue
And staked an ethnic claim.
Should we disdain the settlers' reckless ways?
Ars longa, vita brevis
THANKSGIVING
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem).
This fete did not presage the Trail of Tears
Which lessens our nostalgia for those years
And tempers it with shame.
Among the righteous souls were blackguards who
Allowed their anxious feelings to accrue
And staked an ethnic claim.
Should we disdain the settlers' reckless ways?
Rue those forced treks in our Thanksgiving lays?
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem).
This fete did not presage the Trail of Tears
Which lessens our nostalgia for those years
And tempers it with shame.
Among the righteous souls were blackguards who
Allowed their anxious feelings to accrue
And staked an ethnic claim.
Should we disdain the settlers' reckless ways?
Rue those forced treks in our Thanksgiving lays?
THANKSGIVING
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem).
This fete did not presage the Trail of Tears
Which lessens our nostalgia for those years
And tempers it with shame.
Among the righteous souls were blackguards who
Allowed their anxious feelings to accrue
And staked an ethnic claim.
Should we disdain the settlers' reckless ways?
Rue those forced treks in our Thanksgiving lays?
Or see them as God's plan
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem).
This fete did not presage the Trail of Tears
Which lessens our nostalgia for those years
And tempers it with shame.
Among the righteous souls were blackguards who
Allowed their anxious feelings to accrue
And staked an ethnic claim.
Should we disdain the settlers' reckless ways?
Rue those forced treks in our Thanksgiving lays?
Or see them as God's plan
Ars longa, vita brevis
THANKSGIVING
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem).
This fete did not presage the Trail of Tears
Which lessens our nostalgia for those years
And tempers it with shame.
Among the righteous souls were blackguards who
Allowed their anxious feelings to accrue
And staked an ethnic claim.
Should we disdain the settlers' reckless ways?
Rue those forced treks in our Thanksgiving lays?
Or see them as God's plan?
I vote the latter; let us jubilate
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem).
This fete did not presage the Trail of Tears
Which lessens our nostalgia for those years
And tempers it with shame.
Among the righteous souls were blackguards who
Allowed their anxious feelings to accrue
And staked an ethnic claim.
Should we disdain the settlers' reckless ways?
Rue those forced treks in our Thanksgiving lays?
Or see them as God's plan?
I vote the latter; let us jubilate
THANKSGIVING
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem).
This fete did not presage the Trail of Tears
Which lessens our nostalgia for those years
And tempers it with shame.
Among the righteous souls were blackguards who
Allowed their anxious feelings to accrue
And staked an ethnic claim.
Should we disdain the settlers' reckless ways?
Rue those forced treks in our Thanksgiving lays?
Or see them as God's plan?
I vote the latter; let us jubilate
For vengeful anger will not extirpate
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem).
This fete did not presage the Trail of Tears
Which lessens our nostalgia for those years
And tempers it with shame.
Among the righteous souls were blackguards who
Allowed their anxious feelings to accrue
And staked an ethnic claim.
Should we disdain the settlers' reckless ways?
Rue those forced treks in our Thanksgiving lays?
Or see them as God's plan?
I vote the latter; let us jubilate
For vengeful anger will not extirpate
Ars longa, vita brevis
THANKSGIVING
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem).
This fete did not presage the Trail of Tears
Which lessens our nostalgia for those years
And tempers it with shame.
Among the righteous souls were blackguards who
Allowed their anxious feelings to accrue
And staked an ethnic claim.
Should we disdain the settlers' reckless ways?
Rue those forced treks in our Thanksgiving lays?
Or see them as God's plan?
I vote the latter; let us jubilate
For vengeful anger will not extirpate
The bonds of faith and clan!
THE END
The sedulous and godly folk of yore
Departed Plymouth’s sloughs for Plymouth’s shore
Inspired by hope and prayer.
The soporific seas conspired, yet still
The voyagers, with pertinacious will,
Soon breathed supernal air.
The fecund Pilgrims sowed the fertile fields
And Massasoit brought succor for their yields,
But conflict lay ahead.
Raw cold and sickness loomed; death came to call
With skirmishes and battles large and small
And peace gave way to dread.
At length the settlers' doggedness and pluck
(And some omnifarious "Pilgrim luck")
Would vindicate their dream.
A pact was made, a smorgasbord spread out
While booze was guzzled by the less devout
(The “natives,” it would seem).
This fete did not presage the Trail of Tears
Which lessens our nostalgia for those years
And tempers it with shame.
Among the righteous souls were blackguards who
Allowed their anxious feelings to accrue
And staked an ethnic claim.
Should we disdain the settlers' reckless ways?
Rue those forced treks in our Thanksgiving lays?
Or see them as God's plan?
I vote the latter; let us jubilate
For vengeful anger will not extirpate
The bonds of faith and clan!
THE END
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