Seba Smith
Powhatan; A Metrical Romance, in Seven Cantos
"Powhatan; A Metrical Romance, in Seven Cantos" by Seba Smith is a metrical romance written in the early 19th century. This narrative poem explores the life and character of Powhatan, an influential Native American leader during the early colonial period in Virginia, as witnessed through the eyes of various characters, including his daughter Metoka, and the English settlers. The text promises to delve deep into themes of power, cultural clash, and the fraught relationships between indigenous peoples and European colonizers. At the start of the poem, the author sets the stage, presenting Powhatan as a venerable and powerful chief who has achieved significant territorial consolidation at an advanced age. The opening canto depicts a peaceful moment in Powhatan’s life, where he reflects on his past victories and the favor he enjoys among his tribes. His daughter, a symbol of youth and beauty, is introduced alongside a sense of foreshadowing regarding future conflicts as tensions arise with the arrival of the English settlers and their aspirations. Through Powhatan's character sketch and the lively depictions of his surroundings, the groundwork is laid for the exploration of his reign and the eventual encounters with the colonizers that redefine his legacy.