the complete writings-3-第74章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Mr。 John Rolfe was a man of industry； and apparently devoted to the welfare of the colony。 He probably brought with him in 1610 his wife； who gave birth to his daughter Bermuda； born on the Somers Islands at the time of the shipwreck。 We find no notice of her death。 Hamor gives him the distinction of being the first in the colony to try； in 1612； the planting and raising of tobacco。 〃No man ＇he adds＇ hath labored to his power； by good example there and worthy encouragement into England by his letters； than he hath done； witness his marriage with Powhatan's daughter； one of rude education； manners barbarous and cursed generation； meerely for the good and honor of the plantation： and least any man should conceive that some sinister respects allured him hereunto； I have made bold； contrary to his knowledge； in the end of my treatise to insert the true coppie of his letter written to Sir Thomas Dale。〃
The letter is a long； labored； and curious document； and comes nearer to a theological treatise than any love…letter we have on record。 It reeks with unction。 Why Rolfe did not speak to Dale； whom he saw every day； instead of inflicting upon him this painful document； in which the flutterings of a too susceptible widower's heart are hidden under a great resolve of self…sacrifice； is not plain。
The letter protests in a tedious preamble that the writer is moved entirely by the Spirit of God； and continues：
〃Let therefore this my well advised protestation； which here I make between God and my own conscience； be a sufficient witness； at the dreadful day of judgment （when the secrets of all men's hearts shall be opened） to condemne me herein； if my chiefest interest and purpose be not to strive with all my power of body and mind； in the undertaking of so weighty a matter； no way led （so far forth as man's weakness may permit） with the unbridled desire of carnall affection； but for the good of this plantation； for the honour of our countrie； for the glory of God； for my owne salvation； and for the converting to the true knowledge of God and Jesus Christ； an unbelieving creature； namely Pokahuntas。 To whom my heartie and best thoughts are； and have a long time bin so entangled； and inthralled in so intricate a laborinth； that I was even awearied to unwinde myself thereout。〃
Master Rolfe goes on to describe the mighty war in his meditations on this subject； in which he had set before his eyes the frailty of mankind and his proneness to evil and wicked thoughts。 He is aware of God's displeasure against the sons of Levi and Israel for marrying strange wives； and this has caused him to look about warily and with good circumspection 〃into the grounds and principall agitations which should thus provoke me to be in love with one； whose education hath bin rude； her manners barbarous； her generation accursed； and so discrepant in all nurtriture from myselfe； that oftentimes with feare and trembling； I have ended my private controversie with this： surely these are wicked instigations； fetched by him who seeketh and delighteth in man's distruction； and so with fervent prayers to be ever preserved from such diabolical assaults （as I looke those to be） I have taken some rest。〃
The good man was desperately in love and wanted to marry the Indian； and consequently he got no peace； and still being tormented with her image； whether she was absent or present； he set out to produce an ingenious reason （to show the world） for marrying her。 He continues：
〃Thus when I thought I had obtained my peace and quietnesse； beholde another； but more gracious tentation hath made breaches into my holiest and strongest meditations； with which I have been put to a new triall； in a straighter manner than the former； for besides the weary passions and sufferings which I have dailey； hourely； yea and in my sleepe indured； even awaking me to astonishment； taxing me with remissnesse； and carelessnesse； refusing and neglecting to perform the duteie of a good Christian； pulling me by the eare； and crying： Why dost thou not indeavor to make her a Christian？ And these have happened to my greater wonder； even when she hath been furthest seperated from me； which in common reason （were it not an undoubted work of God） might breede forgetfulnesse of a far more worthie creature。〃
He accurately describes the symptoms and appears to understand the remedy； but he is after a large…sized motive：
〃Besides； I say the holy Spirit of God hath often demanded of me； why I was created？ If not for transitory pleasures and worldly vanities； but to labour in the Lord's vineyard； there to sow and plant； to nourish and increase the fruites thereof； daily adding with the good husband in the gospell； somewhat to the tallent； that in the ends the fruites may be reaped； to the comfort of the labourer in this life； and his salvation in the world to come。。。。 Likewise； adding hereunto her great appearance of love to me； her desire to be taught and instructed in the knowledge of God； her capablenesse of understanding； her aptness and willingness to receive anie good impression； and also the spirituall； besides her owne incitements stirring me up hereunto。；'
The 〃incitements〃 gave him courage； so that he exclaims： 〃Shall I be of so untoward a disposition； as to refuse to lead the blind into the right way？ Shall I be so unnatural； as not to give bread to the hungrie； or uncharitable； as not to cover the naked？〃
It wasn't to be thought of； such wickedness； and so Master Rolfe screwed up his courage to marry the glorious Princess； from whom thousands of people were afterwards so anxious to be descended。 But he made the sacrifice for the glory of the country； the benefit of the plantation； and the conversion of the unregenerate； and other and lower motive he vigorously repels： 〃Now； if the vulgar sort； who square all men's actions by the base rule of their own filthinesse； shall tax or taunt mee in this my godly labour： let them know it is not hungry appetite； to gorge myselfe with incontinency； sure （if I would and were so sensually inclined） I might satisfy such desire； though not wiihout a seared conscience； yet with Christians more pleasing to the eie； and less fearefull in the offense unlawfully committed。 Nor am I in so desperate an estate； that I regard not what becometh of me； nor am I out of hope but one day to see my country； nor so void of friends； nor mean in birth； but there to obtain a mach to my great con'tent。。。。 But shall it please God thus to dispose of me （which I earnestly desire to fulfill my ends before set down） I will heartily accept of it as a godly taxe appointed me； and I will never cease （God assisting me） untill I have accomplished； and brought to perfection so holy a worke； in which I will daily pray God to bless me； to mine and her eternal happiness。〃
It is to be hoped that if sanctimonious John wrote any love…letters to Amonata they had less cant in them than this。 But it was pleasing to Sir Thomas Dale； who was a man to appreciate the high motives of Mr。 Rolfe。 In a letter which he despatched from Jamestown； June 18； 1614； to a reverend friend in London； he describes the expedition when Pocahontas was carried up the river； and adds the information that when she went on shore； 〃she would not talk to any of them； scarcely to them of the best sort； and to them only； that if her father had loved her； he would not value her less than old swords； pieces； or axes； wherefore she would still dwell with the Englishmen who loved her。〃
〃Powhatan's daughter ＇the letter continues＇ I caused to be carefully instructed in Christian Religion； who after she had made some good progress therein； renounced publically her countrey idolatry； openly confessed her Christian faith； was； as she desired； baptized； and is since married to an English Gentleman of good understanding （as by his letter unto me； containing the reasons for his marriage of her you may perceive）； an other knot to bind this peace the stronger。 Her father and friends gave approbation to it； and her uncle gave her to him in the church； she lives civilly and lovingly with him； and I trust will increase in goodness； as the knowledge of God increaseth in her。 She will goe into England with me； and w
