hear amongst us? Have not y^e
philosophers and all wise men observed y^t, even in setled co[=m]one
welths, violente governours bring either them selves, or people, or
boath, to ruine; how much more in y^e raising of co[=m]one wealths,
when y^e morter is yet scarce tempered y^t should bind y^e wales. If I
should write to you of all things which promiscuously forerune our
ruine, I should over charge my weake head and greeve your tender hart;
only this, I pray you prepare for evill tidings of us every day. But
pray for us instantly, it may be y^e Lord will be yet entreated one
way or other to make for us. I see not in reason how we shall escape
even y^e gasping of hunger starved persons; but God can doe much, &
his will be done. It is better for me to dye, then now for me to bear
it, which I doe daly, & expecte it howerly; haveing received y^e
sentance of death, both within me & without me. Poore William King &
my selfe doe strive[AD] who shall be meate first for y^e fishes; but
we looke for a glorious resurrection, knowing Christ Jesus after y^e
flesh no more, but looking unto y^e joye y^t is before us, we will
endure all these things and accounte them light in comparison of y^t
joye we hope for. Remember me in all love to our freinds as if I named
them, whose praiers I desire ernestly, & wish againe to see, but not
till I can with more comforte looke them in y^e face. The Lord give us
that true comforte which none can take from us. I had a desire to make
a breefe relation of our estate to some freind. I doubte not but your
wisdome will teach you seasonably to utter things as here after you
shall be called to it. That which I have writen is treue, & many
things more which I have forborne. I write it as upon my life, and
last confession in England. What is of use to be spoken [45] of
presently, you may speake of it, and what is fitt to conceile,
conceall. Pass by my weake maner, for my head is weake, & my body
feeble, y^e Lord make me strong in him, & keepe both you & yours.

Your loving friend,
ROBART CUSHMAN.

Dartmouth, Aug. 17. 1620.

These being his conceptions & fears at Dartmouth, they must needs be
much stronger now at Plimoth.

The 9. Chap.

_Of their vioage, & how they passed y^e sea, and of their safe arrivall
at Cape Codd._

SEPT^R: 6. These troubls being blowne over, and now all being compacte
togeather in one shipe,[AE] they pu