An excerpt from a poem about Nieuw Utrecht's first born child, who was also it's first mortality:
Here lies the first of Courtelyou from life withdrawn,-
The first child in the village of our Utrecht born;
Brought forth in innocence, snatched hence without a stain,
God gave it being here, a better life to gain.
Excerpt from "The Earth Speaks to its Cultivators":
How long, my worth, did creatures of all kinds eschew,-
The ant, the slimy snake, and th' uncouth savage crew.
Shut out from heaven's light by the umbrageous wood,
Did naught that I produced, e'er savor of the good.
Mother of all I was; but little did they care
If what I might bring forth did ever breathe the air.
I now am satisfied by th' honor of my name,
By grain and orchard fruit, by horses and by kine,
By plants and by a race of men, - all growth of mine.
Thanks be from me to you who thus my worth display;
Upon your bended knees God's blessing humbly pray.
You never harm shall know, if from the heart it spring;
For God will not let die, who faithful voices bring.
Excerpt from "Song in the Manner of the 116th Psalm":
His power with strength shall always us endow,
Our wants to meet, our cattle to increase,
Ourselves from savages and foes release;
For which to Him devoutly let us bow.
He comforts who in pain and sorrow are;
His pow'r is inexpressible and grand.
O God! stretch out to us Thy helping hand,
And keep Thy children in Thy tender care.