The poem describes the struggles and hardships faced by early European settlers at Cape Ann, specifically their conflicts with Native Americans and the challenges of establishing a settlement in a harsh environment. The speaker reflects on the bravery and resilience of these pioneers who endured extreme weather conditions, disease, and violence to establish a foothold in the New World.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1847 · Genre: Poetry, Historical Fiction, Romanticism