A Key Into the Language of America, or an Help to the Language of the Natives in That Part of America Called New-England Together with Briefe Observations of the Customes, Manners, and Worships, &c. of the Aforesaid Natives, etc.

Part 11

Chapter 113,137 wordsPublic domain

Obs: This Arbour or Play house is made of long poles set in the Earth, four square, sixteen or twentie foot high, on which they hang great store of their stringed money, have great staking towne against towne, and two chosen out of the rest by course to play the Game at this kind of Dice in the midst of all their abettors, with great shouting and solemnity: beside, they have great meetings of foot-ball playing, onely in Summer, towne against towne, upon some broad sandy shoare, free from stones, or upon some soft heathie plot because of their naked feet at which they have great stakings, but seldome quarrell.

Pasuckquakohowaûog, They meet to foot-ball.

Cukkúmmote wepe, You steale; as I have often told them in their gamings, and in their great losings when they have staked and lost their money, clothes, house, corne, and themselves (if single persons) they will confesse it being weary of their lives, and ready to make away themselves, like many an English Man: an Embleme of the horrour of conscience, which all poore sinners walk in at last, when they see what wofull games they have played in their life, and now find themselves eternall Beggars.

Keesaqúnnamun, Another kind of solemne, publike meeting, wherein they lie under the trees, in a kinde of Religious observation, and have a mixture of Devotions and sports: But their chiefest Idoll of all for sport and game, is (if their land be at peace) toward Harvest, when they set up a long house called Qunnekamuck, which signifies Long house, sometimes an hundred sometimes two hundred foot long, upon a plaine neere the Court (which they call Kitteickaûick) where many thousands, men and Women meet, where he that goes in danceth in the sight of all the rest; and is prepared with money, coats, small breeches, Knives, or what hee is able to reach to, and gives these things away to the Poore, who yet must particularly beg and say, Cowequetúmmous, that is, I beseech you: which word, (although there is not one common beggar amongst them) yet they will often use when their richest amongst them would fain obtain ought by gift.

_Generall Observations of their Sports._

This life is a short minute, eternitie followes. On the improvement or disimprovement of his short minute, depends a joyfull or dreadfull eternity; yet (which I tremble to thinke of) how cheape is this invaluable jewell, and how many vaine inventions and foolish pastimes have the sonnes of men in all parts of the world found out, to passe time and post over this short minute of life, untill, like some pleasant River, they have past into _mare mortuum_, the dead sea of eternall lamentation.

More particular.

Our English Gamesters scorne to stake Their clothes as Indians do, Nor yet themselves, alas, yet both Stake soules and lose them too. O fearfull Games! the divell stakes But Strawes, and Toyes and Trash, (For what is All, compar’d with Christ, But Dogs meat and Swines wash?) Man stakes his Jewell-darling soule, (His owne most wretched foe) Ventures, and loseth all in sport At one most dreadfull throw.

CHAP. XXIX.

_Of their Warre, &c._

Aquène, Peace.

Nanoúeshin, & A peaceable calme; for Awêpu, Awépu signifies a calme.

Chèpewess, &, A Nothern storme of warre, Mishittâshin, as they wittily speake, and which England now wofully, feeles, untill the Lord Jesus chide the winds, and rebuke the raging seas.

Nummusqâuntum, I am angry.

Tawhìtch musquawnaméan? Why are you angry?

Aquie musquàntash, Cease from anger.

Chachépissu, nishqûetu, Fierce.

Tawhitch chachepiséttit Why are they fierce? nishquéhettit?

Cummusquáunamuck, He is angry with you.

Matwaûog, Souldiers.

Matwaûonck, A Battle.

Cummusquaúnamish, I am angry with you.

Cummusquawnamé? Are you angry with me?

Miskisaûwaw, A quarrelsome fellow.

Tawhítch niskqúekean? Why are you so fierce?

Ntatakcómmuck qun ewò, He strucke mee.

Nummokókunitch, I am robbed. Ncheckéqunnitch,

Mecaûtea, A fighter.

Mecáuntitea, Let us fight.

Mecaúnteass, Fight with him.

Wepè cummécautch, You are a quarreller.

Jûhettítea, Let us fight.

Jûhetteke, Fight, which is their word of incouragement which they use when they animate each other in warre; for they use their tongues in stead of drummes and trumpets.

Awaùn necáwni aumpíasha? Who drew the first bow, or shot the first shot?

Nippakétatunck, Nummeshannántam, He shot first at me.

Nummayôntam, I scorne, or take it indignation.

Obs: This is a common word, not only in warre, but in peace also (their spirits in naked bodies being as high and proud as men more gallant) from which sparkes of the lusts of pride and passion, begin the flame of their warres.

Whauwhàutowawánowat, There is an Alarum.

Wopwawnónckquat, An hubbub.

Amaumuwaw paudsha, A Messenger is come.

Keénomp, } Mûckquomp, } paûog Captaines, or Valiant men.

Negonshâchick, Leaders.

Kuttówonck, A Trumpet.

Popowuttáhig, A Drumme.

Obs: Not that they have such of their owne making; yet such they have from the French: and I have knowne a good Drumme made amongst them in imitation of the English.

Quaquawtatatteâug, They traine.

Machíppog, A Quiver.

Caúquat tash, Arrow, arrowes.

Onúttug, An halfe Moone in war.

Pèskcunck, A Gunne.

Saûpuck, Powder.

Mâtit, Vnloden.

Méchimu, Loden.

Mechimuash, Lode it.

Shottash, Shot; a made word from us, though their Gunnes, they have from the French, and often sell many a score to the English, when they are a little out of frame or Kelter.

Pummenúmminteáuquash, To contribute to the warres.

Askwhítteass, Keep watch.

Askwhitteâchick, The Guard.

Askwhitteaûg, It is the Guard.

Obs: I once travelled (in a place conceived dangerous) with a great Prince, and his Queene and Children in company, with a Guard of neeere two hundred, twentie or thirtie fires were made every night for the Guard (the Prince and Queene in the midst) and Sentinells by course, as exact as in Europe; and when we travelled through a place where ambushes were suspected to lie, a speciall Guard, like unto a Life Guard, compassed (some neerer, some farther of) the King and Queen, myselfe and some English with me. They are very copious and patheticall in Orations to the People, to kindle a flame of wrath, Valour or revenge from all the Common places which Commanders use to insist on.

Wesássu, Afraid.

Cowésass? Are you afraid?

Tawhitch wesásean? Why feare you?

Manowêsass, I feare none.

Kukkushickquock, They feare you.

Nosemitteúnckquock, They fly from mee.

Onamatta cowaûta, Let us pursue.

Nuckqusha, I feare him.

Wussémo-wock, He flies, they flie.

Npauchíppowem, I flie for succour.

Keesaúname, Save me.

Npúmmuck, I am shot.

Chenawaúsu, Churlish.

Waumaûsu, Loving.

Tawhìtch chenawaûsean? Why are you churlish?

Aumánsk, A Fort. Waukaunòsint,

Cupshitteaûg, They lie in the way.

Aumanskitteaúg, They fortifie.

Kekaúmwaw, A scorner or mocker.

Nkekaúmuck ewò, He scornes me.

Aquiekekaúmowash, Doe not scorne.

Obs: This Mocking (beween their great ones) is a great kindling of Warres amongst them; yet I have known some of their chiefest say, what should I hazzard the lives of my precious Subjects, them and theirs to kindle a Fire, which no man knowes how farre, and how long it will burne, for the barking of a dog?

Sékineam, I have no mind to it.

Nissékineug, He likes not me.

Nummánneug, He hates me.

Sekinneauhettúock, Maninnewauhettùock, They hate each other.

Nowetompatimmin, We are friends.

Wetom âchick, Friends.

Nowepinnâtimin, We joyne together.

Nowepinnâchick, My companions in War, or Associates.

Nowechusettímmin, We are Confederates.

Néchuse ewò, This is my Associate.

Wechussittûock, They joyne together.

Nwéche kokkéwem, I will be mad with him.

Chickauta wêtu, An house fired.

Once lodging in an Indian house full of people the whole company (Women especially) cryed out in apprehension that the Enemy had fired the House, being about Midnight: The house was fired but not by an Enemy: The Men ran up on the house top, and with their naked hands beat out the fire: One scorcht his leg, and suddenly after they came into the house againe, and undauntedly cut his leg with a Knife to let out the burnt blood.

Yo ánawhone, There I am wounded.

Missínnege, A Captaine.

Nummissinnám ewo, This is my captive.

Waskeiûhettimmitch, At beginning of the fight.

Nickqueintónckquock, They come against us.

Nickqueintouôog, I will make warre upon them.

Nippauquanaúog, I will destroy them.

Queintauatíttea, Let us goe against them.

Kunnauntatáuhuckqun, He comes to kill you.

Paúquana, There is a slaughter.

Pequttôog paúquanan, The Pequts are slaine.

Awaun Wuttúnnene? Who have the Victory.

Tashittáwho? How many are slaine?

Neestáwho, Two are slaine.

Puickqunneánna, Ten are slaine.

Obs: Their Warres are farre lesse bloudy, and devouring then the cruell Warres of Europe; and seldome twentie slaine in a pitch field: partly because when they fight in a wood every Tree is a Bucklar. When they fight in a plaine, they fight with leaping and dancing, that seldome, an Arrow hits, and when a man is wounded, unlesse he that shot followes upon the wounded, they soone retire and save the wounded: and yet having no Swords nor Guns, all that are slaine are commonly slain with great valour and Courage: for the Conquerour ventures into the thickest, and brings away the Head of his Enemy.

Niss-níssoke, Kill, kill.

Kúnnish, I will kill you.

Kunnìshickqun ewò, He will kill you.

Kunnìshickquock, They will kill you.

Siuckissûog, They are stout men.

Nickummissúog, They are Weake.

Nnickummaunamaûog, I shall easily vanquish them.

Neene núppamen, I am dying.

Cowaúnckamish, Quarter, quarter.

Kunnanaumpasúmmish, Mercy, Mercy.

Kekuttokaúnta, Let us parley.

Aquétuck, Let us cease Armes.

Wunnishaûnta, Let us agree.

Cowammáunsh, I love you.

Wunnêtu ntá, My heart is true.

Tuppaûntash, Consider what I say.

Tuppaûntamoke, Doe you all consider.

Cummequaùnum cummíttamussussuck Remember your Wives ka cummuckiaûg, and children.

Eatch kèen anawâyean, Let all be as you say.

Cowawwunnaûwem, You speake truly.

Cowauôntam, You are a wise man.

Wetompátitea, Let us make Friends.

_Generall Observations of their Warres._

How dreadfull and yet how righteous is it with the most righteous Judge of the whole World, that all the generations of Men being turn’d Enemies against, and fighting against Him who gives them breath and Being, and all things, (whom yet they cannot reach) should stab, kill, burns, murther and devour each other?

More particular.

The Indians count of Men as Dogs; It is no Wonder then, They tear out one anothers throats! But now that English Men, (That boast themselves Gods Children, and Members of Christ to be,) That they should thus break out in flames Sure ’tis a Mystery! The second seal’d Mystery or red Horse, Whose Rider hath power and will, To take away Peace from Earthly Men They must Each other kill.

CHAP. XXX.

_Of their Paintings._

1. They paint their Garments, &c.

2. The Men paint their Faces in Warre.

3. Both Men and Women for pride, &c.

Wómpi, White.

Mówi-súcki, Black.

Msqùi, Red.

Wesaûi, Yellow.

Askáski, Greene.

Peshaúi, Blew, &c.

Obs: Wunnàm, their red painting which they most delight in, and is both the Barke of the Pine, as also a red Earth.

Míshquock, Red Earth.

Métewis, Black earth.

From this Métewis, is an Indian Towne, a day and a halfes Journey, or lesse (West, from the Massachusetts) called Metewêmesick. Wussuckhósu a painted Coat.

Of this and Wussuckwheke (the English Letters,) which comes neerest to their painting, I spake before in the Chapter of their Clothing.

Aunakêsu, He is painted.

Aunakéuck, They are painted.

Tawhìtch aunakéan? Why doe you paint your selfe?

Chèskhosh, Wipe off.

Cummachiteoûwunash You spoile your face. kuskeésuckquash,

Mat pitch cowáhick, The God that made you Manìt keesiteónckqus, will not know you.

_Generall Observations of their Paintings._

It hath been the foolish Custome of all barbarous Nations to paint and figure their Faces and Bodies (as it hath been to our shame and griefe, wee may remember it of some of our Fore-Fathers, in this nation:) How much then are we bound to our most holy Maker for so much knowledge of himselfe revealed in so much Civilty and Piety? and how should we also long and endeavour that America may partake of our Mercy.

More particular.

Truth is a Native, naked Beauty; but Lying Inventions are but Indian paints. Dissembling hearts, their Beautie’s but a lye, Truth is the proper Beauty of Gods saints. Fowle are the Indians Haire and painted faces, More foule such Haire, such Face in Israel. England so calls her selfe, yet there’s Absoloms foule Haire and Face of Jesabell. Paints will not bide Christ’s washing Flames of fire, Fained Inventions will not bide such stormes: O that we may prevent him, that betimes Repentance Teares may wash of all such formes.

CHAP. XXXI.

_Of Sicknesse._

Nummaúchnem, I am sick.

Mauchinaúi, He is sick.

Yo Wvttunsín, He keepes his Bed.

Achie nummaùchnem, I am very sick.

Nóonshem metesímmin, I cannot eate.

Mach ge nummete símmen, I eat nothing.

Tocketussinámmin? What think you?

Pitch nkéeteem? Shall I recover?

Niskéesaqush máuchinaash, My eyes faile me.

Ncussawóntapam, My head akes.

Npummaumpiteunck, My teeth ake.

Nchesammáttam, I am in paine. Nchésammam,

Obs: In these cases their Misery appeares, that that they have not (but what sometimes they get from the English) a raisin or currant or any physick, Fruit or Spice, or any Comfort more than their Corne and Water, &c. In which bleeding case, wanting all Meanes of recovery, or present refreshing I have been constrained and beyond my power, to refresh them, and I believe to save many of them from Death, who I am confident perish many millions of them, (in that mighty continent) for want of meanes.

Nupaqqóntup Bind my head. Kúspissem,

Wauaúpunish Lift up my head. Nippaquóntup,

Mchósamam nsète, My Foot is sore.

Nachàge nickow èmen, I sleep not.

Nnanótissu, I have a Feaver.

Wamekussópitanohock, My body burnes.

Ntátupe nòte, or chíckot, I am all on fire.

Yo ntéatchin, I shake for Cold.

Ntatuppe wunnêpog, I shake as a leafe.

Puttuckhúmma, Cover me.

Pautous nototam min, Reach me the drinke.

Obs: Which is onely in all their extremities a little boild water, without the addition of crum or drop of other comfort: O Englands mercies, &c.

Tahaspunâyi? What ayles he?

Tocketúspanem? What aile you?

Tocketuspunnaúmaqûn? What hurt hath he done to you?

Chassaqunsin? How long hath he been sick?

Nnanowweteem, I am going to visit.

Obs: This is all their refreshing, the Visit of Friends, and Neighbours, a poore empty visit and presence, and yet indeed this is very solemne, unlesse it be in infectious diseases, and then all forsake them and flie, that I have often seene a poore House left alone in the wild Woods, all being fled, the living not able to bury the dead, so terrible is the apprehension of an infectious disease, that not onely persons, but the Houses and the whole Towne takes flight.

Nummòckquese, I have a swelling.

Mocquêsui, He is swelled.

Wàmewuhòck Mockquêsui, All his body is swelled.

Mamaskishaûi, He hath the Pox.

Mamaskishaûonck, The Pox.

Mamaskishaûmitch, The last pox.

Wesauashaûi, He hath the plague.

Wesauashaûonck, The plague.

Wesauashaûmitch, The great plague.

Obs: Were it not that they live in sweet Aire, and remove persons and Houses from the infected, in ordinary course of subordinate Causes, would few or any be left alive, and surviving.

Nmunnádtommin, I vomit.

Nqúnnuckquus, I am lame.

Ncúpsa, I am deafe.

Npóckunnum, I am blind.

Npockquanámmen, My disease is I know not what.

Pésuponck, An Hot-house.

Npesuppaûmen, I goe to sweate.

Pesuppaûog, They are sweating.

Obs: This Hot-house is a kind of little Cell or Cave, six or eight foot over, round, made on the side of a hill (commonly by some Rivulet or Brooke) into this frequently the Men enter after they have exceedingly heated it with store of wood, laid upon an heape of stones in the middle. When they have taken out the fire, the stones keepe still a great heat: Ten, twelve, twenty more or lesse, enter at once starke naked, leaving their Coats, small breeches, (or aprons) at the doore, with one to keepe all: here doe they sit round these hot stones an houre or more, taking tobacco, discoursing and sweating together; which sweating they use for two ends: First, to cleanse their skin: Secondly, to purge their bodies, which doubtlesse is a great meanes of preserving them, and recovering them from diseases, especially from the French disease, which by sweating and some potions, they perfectly and speedily cure: when they come forth (which is matter of admiration) I have seen them runne (Summer and Winter) into the brookes to coole them, without the least hurt.

Misquineash, The vaines.

Miqui, neépuck, Blood.

Nsauapaushaûmen, I have the bloody Flixe.

Matux puckquatchìck aûwaw, He cannot goe to stool.

Powwaw, Their Priest.

Maunêtu, A Conjurer.

Powwâw nippétea, The priest is curing him.

Yo wutteantawaw, He is acting his cure.

Obs: These Priests and Conjurers (like Simon Magus) doe bewitch the People, and not onely take their Money, but doe most certainly (by the helpe of the Divell) worke great Cures, though most certaine it is that the greatest part of their Priests doe merely abuse them and get their Money, in the times of their sicknesse, and to my knowledge long for sick times; and to that end the poore people store up Money, and spend both Money and goods on the Powwâws, or Priests in these times, the poore people commonly dye under their hands, for alas, they administer nothing but howle and roar, and hollow over them, and begin the song to the rest of the people about them, who all joyne (like a Quire) in Prayer to their Gods for them.

Maskit ponamíin, Give me a Plaister.

Maskit, Give me some physicke.

Cotatamhea, Drinke.

Both which they earnestly desire of the English and doe frequently send to myselfe and others for, (having experimentally found some Mercy of that kind (through God’s blessing)) from us.

Nickeétem, I am recovered.

Kitummâyi nickêekon, I am just now recovered.

_Generall Observation of their Sicknesse._

It pleaseth the most righteous and yet patient God to warne and Summon, to try and arraigne the universall race of Adams sonnes (commonly) upon Beds of sicknesse before he proceed to execution of Death and Judgment: Blessed those soules which prevent Judgement, Death and Sicknesse too, and before the eivill dayes come, Arraigne, and Judge themselves, and being sick for love to Christ, find him or seek him in his Ordinances below, and get unfained Assurance of Eternall enjoyment of Him when they are here no more.

More particular.

One step twixt Me and Death, (twas Davids speech.) And true of sick Folks all: Mans Leafe it fades, his Clay house cracks, Before its’ dreadfull Fall. Like Grashopper the Indian leapes, Till blasts of sicknesse rise: Nor soule nor Body Physick hath, Then Soule and Body dies. O happy English who for both, Have precious physicks store: How should (when Christ hath both refresht,) Thy love and Zeale be more?

CHAP. XXXII.

_Of Death and Buriall._

As Pummíssin, He is not yet departed.

Neenè, He is drawing on.