Powhatan; A Metrical Romance, in Seven Cantos

"Powhatan; A Metrical Romance, in Seven Cantos" by Seba Smith is an early 19th-century poem that tells the story of Powhatan, a strong Native American chief in Virginia, as his life intertwines with those of his daughter Metoka, and the new English settlers, where we learn the poem will explore issues of authority, cultural differences, and the difficult relationships between native people and European settlers; the poem opens by portraying Powhatan as a respected leader who, despite his age, has successfully united many tribes and as he enjoys a moment of peace, the author introduces his daughter, as well as hinting that future conflicts, and tensions with the arriving settlers will change his life forever. With the introduction of Powhatan and how his life relates to the world around him, sets the stage so we can examine his rule and the colonizers that will shape his legacy.