WORLD

LITERATURE
Patricia Dana Bravante
COM23
LO7

What Happened Till the First

Supply
-John Smith
Being thus left to our fortunes, it fortuned that within ten days, scarce ten
amongst us could either go or well stand, such extreme weakness and sickness
oppressed us. And thereat none need marvel If they consider the cause and reason,
which was this: While the ships stayed, our allowance was somewhat bettered by a
daily proportion of biscuit which the sailors would pilfer to sell, give, or exchange with
us for money, sassafras , or furs. But when they departed, there remained neither
tavern, beer house, nor place of relief but the common kettle. Had we been as free
from all sins as gluttony and drunkenness we might have been canonized for saints, but
our President would never have been admitted for engrossing to his private, oatmeal,
sack , oil, aqua vitae , beef, eggs. or what not but the kettle; that indeed he allowed
equally to be distributed, and that was half a pint of wheat and as much barley boiled
with water for a man a day, and this, having flied some twenty-six weeks in the ships
hold, contained as many worms as grains so that we might truly call it rather so much
bran than corn; our chink was water, our lodgings castles in the air.
With this lodging and diet, our extreme toil in bearing and planting so strained
and bruised us and our continual labor in the extremity of the heat had so weakened
us, as were cause sufficient to have made us as miserable in our native country or any
other place in the world.
From May to September, those that escaped lived upon sturgeon and sea crabs.
Fifty in this time we buried; the rest seeing the Presidents projects to escape these
miseries in our pinnace by flight (who all this time had neither felt want nor sickness)
so moved our dead spirits as we deposed him and established Ratcliffe in his place...
But now was all our provision spent, the sturgeon gone, all helps abandoned,
each hour expecting the fury of the savages; when God, the patron of all good
endeavors, in that desperate extremity so changed the hearts of the savages that they
brought such plenty of their fruits and provision as no man wanted.
And now where some affirmed it was ill done of the Council to send forth men
so badly provided, this incontradictable reason will show them plainly they are too ill
advised to nourish such ill conceits: First, the fault of our going was our own; what
could be thought fitting or necessary we had, but what we should find, or want, or
where we should be, we were all ignorant and supposing to make our passage in two
months, with victual to live and the advantage of the spring to work; we were at sea
five months where we both spent our victual and lost the opportunity of the lime and
season to plant, by the unskillful presumption of our ignorant transporters that understood not at all what they undertook.

Such actions have ever since the worlds beginning been subject to such
accidents, and everything of worth is found full of difficulties, but nothing
so difficult as to establish a commonwealth so far remote from men and
means and where mens minds are so untoward as neither do well
themselves nor suffer others. But to proceed.
The new President and Martin, being little beloved, of weak
judgment in dangers, and less industry in peace, committed the managing
of all things abroad to Captain Smith, who, by his own example, good words,
and fair promises, set some to mow, others to bind thatch, some to build
houses, others to thatch them, himself always bearing the greatest task for
his own share, so that in short time he provided most of them lodgings,
neglecting any for himself
When this news came to Jamestown, much was their sorrow for his
loss, few expecting what ensued.
Six or seven weeks those barbarians kept him prisoner, many strange
triumphs and conjurations they made of him, yet he so demeaned himself
amongst them, as he not only diverted them from surprising the fort, but
procured his own liberty, and got himself and his company such estimation
amongst them, that those savages admired him.
The manner how they used and delivered him is as followeth:
The savages having drawn from George Cassen whither Captain Smith
was gone, prosecuting that opportunity they followed him with three
hundred bowmen conducted by the King of Pamunkee who in divisions
searching the turnings of the river found Robinson and Emry by the
fireside; those they shot full of arrows and slew. Then finding the
Captain, as is said, that used the savage that was his guide as his
shield (three of them being slain and divers others so galled) all the
rest would not come near him. Thinking thus to have returned to his
boat, regarding them, as he marched, more than his way slipped up
to the middle in an oozy creek and his savage with him yet dared
they not come to him till being near dead with cold he threw away
his arms. Then according to their compositions they drew him forth
and led him to the fire where his men were slain. Diligently they
chafed his benumbed limbs. He demanding for their captain, they
showed him Opechancanough, King of Pamunkee, to whom he gave a
round ivory double compass dial. Much they marveled at the playing
of the fly and needle, which they could see so plainly and yet not
touch it because of the glass that covered them. But when he
demonstrated by that globe-like jewel the roundness of the earth and
skies, the sphere of the sun, moon, and stars, and how the sun did
chase the night round about the world continually, the greatness of
the land and sea, the diversity of nations, variety of complexions,
and how we were to them antipodes and many other such like
matters, they all stood as amazed with admiration.

Nothwithstanding, within an hour alter, they tied him to a tree, and

as many as could stand about him prepared to shoot him, but the King
holding up the compass in his hand, they all laid down their bows and
arrows and in a triumphant manner led him to Orapaks where he was after
their manner kindly feasted and well used
At last they brought him to Werowoconioco, where was Powhatan,
their Emperor. Here more than two hundred of those grim courtiers stood
wondering at him, as he had been a monster, till Powhatan and his train had
put themselves in their greatest braveries. Before a fire upon a seat like a
bedstead, he sat covered with a great robe made of raccoon skins and all
the tails hanging by. On either hand did sit a young wench of sixteen or
eighteen years and along on each side the house, two rows of men and
behind them as many women, with all their heads and shoulders painted
red, many of their heads bedecked with the white down of birds, but every
one with something, and a great chain of white beads about their necks.
At his entrance before the King, all the people gave a great shout.
The queen of Appomattoc was appointed to bring him water to wash his
hands, and another brought him a bunch of feathers, instead of a towel, to
dry them; having feasted him after their best barbarous manner they could,
a long consultation was held, but the conclusion was, two great stones were
brought before Powhatan: then as many as could, laid hands upon him,
dragged him to them, and thereon laid his head and being ready with their
clubs to beat out his brains, Pocahontas, the Kings dearest daughter, when
no entreaty could prevail, got his head in her arms and laid her own upon
his to save him from death; whereat the Emperor was contented he should
live to make him hatchets, and her bells, beads, and copper, for they
thought him as well of all occupations as themselves. For the King himself
will make his own robes, shoes, bows, arrows, pots; plant, hunt, or do
anything so well as the rest.
Two days after, Powhatan, having disguised himself in the most
fearfulest manner he could, caused Captain Smith to be brought forth to a
great house in the woods and there upon ma a mat by the fire to be left
alone. Not long after, from behind a mat that divided the house, was made
the most dolefulest noise he ever heard; then Powhatan more like a devil
than a man, with some two hundred more as black as himself, came unto
him and told him now they were friends, and presently he should go to
Jamestown to send him two great guns and a grindstone for which he would
give him the country of Capahowasic and forever esteem him as his son
Nantaquond. So to Jamestown with twelve guides Powhatan sent him.
That night they quartered in the woods, he still expecting (as he had
done all this long time of his imprisonment) every hour to be put to one
death or other, for all their feasting. But almighty God (by His divine
providence) had mollified the hearts of those stern barbarians with
compassion.

The next morning betimes they came to the fort, where Smith having
used the savages with what kindness he could, he showed Rawhunt,
Powhatans trusty servant, two demiculverins and a millstone to carry
Powhatan; they found them somewhat too heavy, but when they did see him
discharge them, being loaded with stones, among the boughs of a great tree
loaded with icicles, the ice and branches came so tumbling down that the
poor savages ran away half dead with fear. But at last we regained some
conference with them and gave them such toys and sent to Powhatan, his
women, and children such presents as gave them in general full content.

Now in Jamestown they were all in combustion, the strongest

preparing once more to run away with the pinnace; which, with the hazard
of his life, with saker falcon and musket shot, Smith forced now the third
time to stay or sink.
Some, no better than they should he, had plotted with the president
the next day to have him put to death by the Levitical law, for the lives of
Robinson and Emry; pretending the fault was his that had led them to their
ends: but he quickly took such order with such lawyers that he laid them by
their heels till he sent some of them prisoners for England.
Now every once in four or five days, Pocahontas with her attendants
brought him so much provision that saved many of their lives, that else for
all this had starved with hunger.
His relation of the plenty he had seen, especially at Werowocomoco,
and of the state and bounty of Powhatan (which till that time was
unknown), so revived their dead spirits (especially the love of Pocahontas)
as all mens fear was abandoned.
Thus you may see what difficulties still crossed any good endeavor;
and the good success of the business being thus oft brought to the very
period of destruction; yet you see by what strange means God hath still
delivered it.

SONNET 116
-William Shakespeare

Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no; it is an ever-fixed mark,
That looks on tempests, and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height
be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and
cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and
weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

William Shakespearewas an English poet, playwright, and actor. He was

born on 26 April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. His father was a successful
local businessman and his mother was the daughter of a landowner.
Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language
and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England'snational
poetand nicknamedthe Bard of Avon. He wrote about 38 plays, 154 sonnets,
two long narrative poems, and a few other verses, of which the authorship of
some is uncertain. His plays have been translated into every major living
language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.
Marriage and career
Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway at the age of 18. She was eight years
older than him. They had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and
Judith. After his marriage information about his life became very rare. But
he is thought to have spent most of his time in London writing and
performing in his plays. Between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful
career in London as an actor, writer, and part-owner of a playing company
called theLord Chamberlain's Men, later known as theKing's Men.
Retirement and death
Around 1613, at the age of 49, he retired to Stratford , where he died three
years later. Few records of Shakespeare's private life survive. He died on 23
April 1616, at the age of 52. He died within a month of signing his will, a
document which he begins by describing himself as being in "perfect
health".In his will, Shakespeare left the bulk of his large estate to his elder
daughter Susanna.
His work
Shakespeare produced most of his known work between 1589 and 1613. His
early plays were mainly comedies and histories and these works remain
regarded as some of the best work produced in these genres. He then wrote
mainly tragedies until about 1608, includingHamlet,Othello,King Lear,
andMacbeth, considered some of the finest works in the English language. In
his last phase, he wrote tragicomedies, also known as romances, and
collaborated with other playwrights.
Shakespeare's plays remain highly popular today and are constantly studied,
performed, and reinterpreted in diverse cultural and political contexts
throughout the world.

TINY FEET
-Gabriela Mistal

A child's tiny feet,

Blue, blue with cold,
How can they see and not protect you?
Oh, my God!
Tiny wounded feet,
Bruised all over by pebbles,
Abused by snow and soil!
Man, being blind, ignores
that where you step, you leave
A blossom of bright light,
that where you have placed
your bleeding little soles
a redolent tuberose grows.
Since, however, you walk
through the streets so straight,
you are courageous, without fault.
Child's tiny feet,
Two suffering little gems,
How can the people pass, unseeing.

Gabriela Mistral was the first female Latin American poet

to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. She received it in
1945. The Nobel citation read:
for her lyric poetry which, inspired by powerful emotions,
has made her name a symbol of the idealistic aspirations of
the entire Latin American world
Gabriela Mistral was the pseudonym for Lucila Godoy y
Alcayaga. She was born in Vicuna, Chile in 1889.
Her early life was traumatic. She was brought up by her
mother, after her father left the family when she was 3
years old. However, her mothers declining health, meant
Gabriela had to start working early from the age of 16,
she worked as a teachers assistant.
Aged 17, she met Romeo Ureta, whom she fell in love with.
But, more tragedy was to strike three years later, when he
committed suicide. This loss devastated Gabriela and left a
lasting scar throughout her life. More tragedy was to strike
later, when a nephew also committed suicide.
Gabriela threw herself into her career as writer and work in
education. She became a published author including
volumes of poetry and articles about education.
The poems of Gabriela Mistral included themes of Christian
faith, love and sorrow. Gabriela Mistral was a lay member
of the Franciscan order and this Catholic faith and belief in
the afterlife, influenced her poetry and outlook on life.

Telephone Conversation
-Wole Soyinka
The price seemed reasonable, location
Indifferent. The landlady swore she lived
Off premises. Nothing remained
But self-confession. "Madam" , I warned,
"I hate a wasted journey - I am African."
Silence. Silenced transmission of pressurized good-breeding. Voice, when it
came,
Lipstick coated, long gold-rolled
Cigarette-holder pipped. Caught I was, foully.
"HOW DARK?"...I had not misheard...."ARE YOU LIGHT OR VERY DARK?" Button
B. Button A. Stench
Of rancid breath of public hide-and-speak.
Red booth. Red pillar-box. Red double-tiered
Omnibus squelching tar.
It was real! Shamed
By ill-mannered silence, surrender
Pushed dumbfoundment to beg simplification.
Considerate she was, varying the emphasis"ARE YOU DARK? OR VERY LIGHT" Revelation came
"You mean- like plain or milk chocolate?"
Her accent was clinical, crushing in its light
Impersonality. Rapidly, wave-length adjusted
I chose. "West African sepia"_ and as afterthought.
"Down in my passport." Silence for spectroscopic
Flight of fancy, till truthfulness chaged her accent
Hard on the mouthpiece "WHAT'S THAT?" conceding "DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT
IS." "Like brunette."
"THAT'S DARK, ISN'T IT?"
"Not altogether.
Facially, I am brunette, but madam you should see the rest of me. Palm of my
hand, soles of my feet.
Are a peroxide blonde. Friction, causedFoolishly madam- by sitting down, has turned
My bottom raven black- One moment madam! - sensing
Her receiver rearing on the thunderclap
About my ears- "Madam," I pleaded, "wouldn't you rather
See for yourself?"

Wole Soyinka was born near Abeokuta in Nigeria. He grew up in an

Anglican mission compound in Ake. He attended the parsonage's primary
school where his father was the headmaster, and then attended the
grammar school in Abeokuta where his uncle was principal. When he was
twelve, he left Ake for Ibadan to attend the Government College there.
He entered Ibadan's new university when he was eighteen. Two years later
he went to England to complete his degree in drama at Leeds. Following
his graduation, he worked as a script-reader, actor, and director at the
Royal Court Theatre in London.
Upon his return to Ibadan he founded two theatre companies, one of
which was called the 1960 Masks. It is now called the Orisun Theatre. His
first important play, A DANCE OF FORESTS, was written for the Nigerian
independence celebrations. Soyinka's works were met with criticism from
all sides. They brought out hostility from Nigerian authorities as well as by
proponents of pure "Negritude." His plays are written in English, but they
incorporate the music, dance, and the words of the traditional Yoruban
festivals.
Soyinka's work openly criticizes the Nigerian government. He
advocates an autonomous African culture which assimilates only those
elements of the modern world which are progressive. He was imprisoned
for two years on the charges that he aided the attempted secession of
Biafra from Nigeria. While in prison he spent much of his time in solitary
confinement. Upon his release he published a book of poetry, A SHUTTLE
IN THE CRYPT, and one of his many autobiographies, THE MAN DIED:
PRISON NOTES OF WOLE SOYINKA. He was later exiled from his home land
for speaking out against the dictator, General Sani Abacha. The charges of
treason were dropped when Abdulsalam Abubakar came into power.
oyinka has produced a large body of work which includes plays,
poetry, novels, autobiographies, literary criticism, and social criticism. He
was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986, the first black African
to be given the honor.