Speak for Yourself, John

But as he warmed and glowed, in his simple and eloquent

language,

Quite forgetful of self, and full of the praise of his rival,

Archly the maiden smiled, and, with eyes overrunning with

laughter,

Said, in a tremulous voice, "Why don't you speak for yourself,

John?" 

The Courtship of Miles Standish, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Continuing the Thanksgiving theme, these 14-inch tall cloth dolls with molded mask faces represent John Alden and Priscilla Mullins, two famous pilgrims.  From member Elaine Jackson's collection, they are circa 1950 and are from Just Folks Doll House by Helen Walker of Staunton, Virginia.  John Alden and Priscilla Mullins were married in the Plymouth Colony.  However, this pair is best known from The Courtship of Miles Standish, an epic poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.   

The poem involves the friendship between Captain Miles Standish and John and their love for the lovely Priscilla.  Miles, described in the poem as a blunt fearless soldier and a man of words and not actions, is too shy to propose to Priscilla and asks his handsome young friend, John, to do so in his stead.  However, following John's presentation of Miles' proposal, Priscilla responds, "Why don't you speak for yourself, John?" Longfellow was a descendant of John and Priscilla and his poem was based on family legend.