SACHEM'S HILL.
This is a little hill, on the shore, in the town of Quincy. It is shaped like an arrow-head, as its original name, Masentusett, in the Indian language, signifies; Mas meaning arrow-head, and Entusett, hill. From this spot Boston and its vicinity, from the Blue Hills to the rocks of Nahant, rise upon the view like a panorama. It was the abode of the Sachem when the English first arrived. He was a friendly old man, and sold them corn and land. Soon after their arrival, an epidemic appeared among his tribe; and, in a short time, nothing was left of them but the few remains that are still found of their simple implements of war and agriculture, and the name of this little hill, which some suppose, with a slight alteration, was given to this State.
Glanced over hill and valley the Sachem's eagle eye;
His were the pathless forests, and his the hills so blue,
And on the restless ocean danced only his canoe.
How deep the shade of sadness that rests upon his story!
For the white man came with power; like brethren they met;
But the Indian fires went out, and the Indian sun has set.
And the twanging of his bow-string is a forgotten sound.
Where dwelleth yesterday? and where is echo's cell?
Where has the rainbow vanished?—there does the Indian dwell.
