A Romance in Plymouth Colony
The Courtship of Miles Standish is a narrative poem and romanticized story based on colonial New England history and legend. Miles Standish (a leader and soldier in Plymouth Colony) asks his friend John Alden to propose marriage on Standish's behalf to Priscilla Mullins. However, fulfilling this request is quite challenging for Alden because he, too, loves Priscilla. Nevertheless, Alden goes through with the request. Priscilla, being very perceptive, asks Alden to speak for himself. Thus begins an entertaining and romantic poem. John goes on to marry Priscilla. Interestingly enough, author Henry Wadsworth Longfellow traces his ancestry on his mother's side to John and Priscilla Alden. Also, when this poem was written in 1858 it confirmed Longfellow's standing as a poet. In sum, The Courtship of Miles Standish is a great poem from one of America's great poets.
