The Courtship of Miles Standish

This morning I finished reading this brief, 63-page, free-verse poem by Longfellow.

Miles Standish, historically a hired military man who accompanied the Pilgrims to the New World, is a man of war through and through. He glories in his conquests and the beauty of his weapons.

His household companion is a young scribe, named John Alden. Unwittingly, they each love the same virtuous maiden, Priscilla. 

Miles entreats John to "court" Priscilla on his behalf, because "I am a maker of war, and not a maker of phrases. You, who are bred as a scholar, can say it in elegant language." 

Because he loves her as well, John is dismayed by and attempts to avoid fulfilling this request, but in the end "Friendship prevailed over love, and Alden went on his errand." He inadvertantly bungles the mission, causing Priscilla to reject Miles and declare her preference for John.

Even though John refuses to capitalize on Priscilla's declaration, Miles learns of her response and furiously proclaims, "Henceforward let there be nothing between us save war and implacable hatred!" Soon afterward, Miles is commissioned for battle, but John, who would normally accompany him, remains because:

"There is no land so sacred, no air so pure and so wholesome

As is the air she breathes, and the soil that is pressed by her footsteps.

Here for her sake will I stay, and like an invisible presence

Hover around her forever, protecting, supporting her weakness;"

That's all I can say without revealing too much! The story itself is quite good, but the utmost benefit is to be derived from the poetic cadence of Longfellow's words and phrases, which simultaneously please the ear and illumine the imagination. Take a couple hours to read it...you won't regret it.