Worksheet # 27          Home Questions Puzzle Links Next

THE MIDDLE COLONIES

And the New World grew further in fascination

For the chancers who came in a Great Migration.

The Brits grabbed the lead in settling these lands

After defeating the Dutch and her New Netherlands.

Hence the isle Manhattan and the parts all around,

Did shine like a jewel in the Great British crown,

Who renamed this prize for the duke now in charge,

Who saw his New York grow so vibrant and large.

As did her neighbor New Jersey, and hers, Delaware,

When farmers, craftsmen and smiths all gathered there.

-- And though English-ruled, to these colonies came

People from nearly any place you can name.

And their progress was smooth; ‘twas rounded and sure,

Brimming with talent, the customs, manners and more,

Of the Swedes and the Scots, the Poles, Dutchmen and Danes

Who had know-how and gumption flowing deep in their veins.

And whose efforts bore fruit that was far from piddling

-- And only in locale were these colonies “middling”.

Their mines gave them iron, to make a gun or a clock,

And a wood-burning stove when old man winter did knock.

And with the North so cold and the South swamp-ridden,

The Middle Colonies were made for comfort and living,

With such mountains of grain, you won’t need to ask it,

If you hear tell of a region: America’s breadbasket.

And soon ship after ship came to dock at their ports

To bargain and to barter for goods of all sorts.

A great boon for old England to have such commerce

Paying taxes and tariffs into growing coffers.

‘Twas heyday for England, a high glowing hour,

As this island so small was global-sized power!

Indeed, her empire began to prosper and swell,

-- The kings could all smile; things were going so well.