N00725:18
Decennium luctuosum. An history of remarkable occurrences, in the long war, which New-England hath…
Decennium luctuosum. An history of remarkable occurrences, in the long war, which New-England hath had with the Indian savages, from the year, 1688. To the year 1698. / Faithfully composed and improved. ; [One line of quotation in Latin]
printed by B. Green for Samuel Phillips, 1699
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And if a War between Us, and an Handful of Indians, do appear no more than a Batrachomyomachie, to the World abroad yet unto us at home, it hath been considerable enough, to make an History. Nor is the Author afraid of promising, that of all the Thirty Articles which make up this History, there shall not be One, without something in it, that may by our selves be justly thought Considerable.
Should any Petit Monsieur complain (as the Captain, that found no• himself in the Tapestry Hangings, which Exhibited the Story of the Spanish Invasion in 1588.) that he don't find himself mentioned in this History, the Author has his Apology. He has done as well and as much as he could, that whatever was worthy of a mention, might have it; and i• this Collection of Matters be not complete, yet he supposes it may be more complete, than any one else hath made; and now he hath done, he hath not pulled up the Ladder after him; others may go on, as they please, with a completer Composure.
Should any Petit Monsieur complain (as the Captain, that found no• himself in the Tapestry Hangings, which Exhibited the Story of the Spanish Invasion in 1588.) that he don't find himself mentioned in this History, the Author has his Apology. He has done as well and as much as he could, that whatever was worthy of a mention, might have it; and i• this Collection of Matters be not compleat, yet he supposes it may be more compleat, than any one else hath made; and now he hath done, he hath not pull'd up the Ladder after him; others may go on, as they please, with a compleater Composure.
If the Author hath taken Delight, in this History, and at all Times, to Celebrate the Merits, of such as have Deserved well of his Country, [which he has here done it may be, for some that never could afford him a good word!] Especially, if he do Erect Statues for Dead Worthies, when there is no Room Left for Flattery, [for who will bestow paint upon a Dead Face!] And if he do all this, with all possible concern, to avoid casting Aspersions upon others: Why should any betray such […] Nature, as to be angry at it? My Good Country, forgive him this Injury!