
A sweeping poetic saga brings the story of the Virginia chief Powhatan to life in a series of seven lyrical cantos. The author frames the narrative as a “metrical romance,” weaving together historical detail and imaginative verse so that even listeners new to poetry can follow the tale. With a clear, straightforward style, the work aims to entertain and educate young readers, offering a vivid portrait of a leader caught between tradition and the encroaching world of European settlers.
Through rhythmic language the poem explores themes of honor, loyalty, and the clash of cultures that defined early America. It balances factual notes drawn from early histories with the romance of legend, creating a compelling portrait that feels both grounded and mythic. Listeners will be drawn into the pulse of the era, feeling the tension and hope that marked Powhatan’s life while enjoying the natural flow of the verse.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (181K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Tim Lindell, Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2019-10-16
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1792–1868
A sharp early American humorist, he became famous for the comic voice of Major Jack Downing, a plainspoken New England character who poked fun at politics and public life. His writing helped popularize American vernacular humor long before it became a familiar literary style.
View all books