The Knight of the Golden Melice / A Historical Romance

ow you set your

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son's A

the first quarter of the 17th century, at Boston, in

ndles in brass candlesticks, of a dozen chairs, covered with russet-colored leather, and of some wooden benches, ranged against the walls, and which were occupied by various persons. At one end of the apartment the floor was raised a few inches, and the chair standing on this elevation differed from the others in having arms at the sides, and in being of ampler proportions, as

down the temples over a white ruff, fringed with costly lace, that encircled his neck. His eyes were blue; his eye-brows highly arched; his nose large; beard covered the upper lip and chin; and so far as an opinion could be formed, from his sitting posture, he was tall and well-made. The expression of his countenance was gentle, and there was an air of introspection and

garments, differing but little from them, except that instead of a ruff, he wore a plain white band, falling upon his breast, cut somewhat like those worn by clergymen at the present day, but longer, and passing round the neck and covering the collar of the coat. Although the oldest of the company, he se

n and jaws, full and heavy, giving an appearance of great roundness to the countenance. His features were regular, the mouth small and compressed, and on the upper lip he wore a moustache, parted in the centre, and brushed out horizontally, balanced by a tuft on the chin, four or five inches long. An adventurous spirit gazed out of his clear steady eyes, and altogether he looked like a man of de

him, and sounding it, the summons was replied to by the entrance of a man from a side-door. He was the servitor or bead

sident, in a low tone, but so distinc

a man, whose wrists were fastened with gyves, whom he conducted to the end

s," said the same,

ears of age, and from his bold and erect carriage, seemed (as was the fact) to have been bred a soldier. Upon

id the President, "

lous, indecent, defamatory, and unseemly invectives, reproaches, and passionate speeches, toward and against the worshipful magistrates and godly ministers of the colony, thereby contriving and designing to bring into contempt, all l

ead, the President demand

mself, and whoever wrote those lies, is a villa

addressing the Secretary; "and do thou, Philip Joy, remember where th

ike a mad dog and not get a

ent, "dost thou bring a contumacious spirit here to bandy words with the right wors

doubt not, already sensible of his error, and sinned mor

the bottom of the table, "is, I fear, disposed to be

dge to allow no harsh suspicions to enter his mind, lest they throw baleful shadows over his decisions. Philip Joy," he added, turning to the prisoner, "

and, though I don't belong to the congregation, am as hone

n prejudices, while a slow one seldom doth. Do I underst

ance, I think that I shall stand a better chance in the hands of honorable gentlemen, some of w

g of eyes and glances shot by one to another, that the speech of Joy had done him no harm

for thy trial? inqu

th breast, back, culet, gorget, tasses, sword, musket and bandoliers, in the hottest sun that ever roasted a blackamoor, or sta

said, with a grim smile, the gentleman who was the third one described, str

an straight in the eyes," paid Joy; "and, though peopl

nd for a moment seemed at a loss how to take it, especially as

s sternly on the face of the prisoner, "thou art bound t

rned a cool and unabashed lo

een called, let them app

ped forward; an oath by the uplifted hand was

ith a profane exclamation, that there were men in the colony, wiser, and more learned, than either the magistrates or ministers; and t

e made by various Assistants, but nothing further was elicited. As for Joy, he disdained to ask a question, declaring that

, upon hearing himself charged with delinquencies, which were notorious to the whole Court, raised to

thus given over to Satan to be buffeted but by free-grace have I been snat

t none of thy hopes,

sten to malapert railings against men of godly life and conversation?" he added, addressing

lf freely," he said, "that the

ch he did not attempt to suppress,) "was not always ready to allow such free-speech

rshipful Deputy Governor such reasons for my

and Winthrop, who had calmly listened to the colloquy, took advant

t been aware of the presence of the informer, until on turning round, when Timpson was standing at his elbow. He recollected nothing said by Joy about the ministers, except th

prisoner was asked what he had to s

ying villain, and that the other witness had told t

ble to retract anythi

should deny the tr

oom," cried the President; and Joy was acco

were placed most remote from him. At first, a considerable diversity of sentiment prevailed, several seeming disposed to discredit Timpson, and to acquit

not supposed himself supported by a mutinous spirit from without. It was a dangerous spirit which, if inflamed by indulgence, would become a deadly boil to poison the whole body politic. Prick therefore the imposthume at once, and, like wise surgeons, let out the offensive matter. He was not surprised at the indignation of the worthy Deputy. It was a zeal unto godliness, and devoutly did he wish, that himself, and all, were more inspired with it. When he had asked that the prisoner might be permitted to speak freely, it was that every Assistant might be convinced by his own ears of the boldness wherewith rebellion to constituted authority, impudently bursting from the bottomless pit, ventured to obtrude into a court of justice, and to boast of its misdeeds. Was a child of the covenant

the fears of others; but there were some on whom it produced no such effect. Captain Endicott, fierce zealot as he was, found i

Touching the prisoner, which is the matter in hand, I find him somewhat bold, and not altogether in other respects what I desire, but yet not worthy of severe punishment, or likely to be a dangerous person in the Commonwealth. Where need requires, I trust, with preventing grace, never to be deficient in prompt and energetic action, but no necessity therefor hath, in my judgment, at present arisen. For, as for this young man, ye are to recollect that he is a soldier, and that a stout one, and may yet do the

or his severities against dissidents; but these sentim

ir on his chin.) "The evil we are called upon by the united voice of the suffering saints in this wilderness to suppress," continued Dudley, "demands, I trow, sharper practice than has hitherto been applied, and I do a

of the ex-Governor of Salem, and who was supposed to exert a great influence in soothing the fierceness of his disposition, (alas, if it were

rd one of the stoutest champions of our Israel. Doubtless he will

les, and he a fit man for me to deal with, his lips should never repeat such vituperations;" and as he c

le bickerings to divide your hearts, how can ye expect the blessing of Heaven on your labors? If the cement to hold together the stones of the temple be untempered mortar, must not the fabric fall, and bury the worshippers in its ruins? If you love

ing. As if they had at the same instant arrived at a like conclusion, Endicott reached forward to pick up his gauntlet, while Dudley stretched out his open palm. It was grasped

marvel that one so familiar with the nature of wounds as my honorable and dear friend, the worthy founder of our infant commonwealth, (and this is an ancient and increasing evil,) should not know that old wounds require rather vinegar than oil, the cautery instead of unguents. As a member of the persecuted Church, I will not allow the declarations of a brother of that holy and mystical body to be overborne and set at naught by an ill liver like this Philip Joy. I say that men have become too free in uttering their li

ion to their harmony, the wary Assistants were too politic, by word or sign, to betray a bias, so that he be

ere fastened on him. His manner was grave, yet soft and persuasive, and a desire was manifest to

d and the welfare of his little flock scattered abroad in a strange land. But the good shepherd will yet gather the dispersed into his arms, and gently lead them through green pastures and by still waters. Our Israel owes you thanks, brethren, for th

ther discouraging that democratical spirit which is threatening to sweep away all distinctions, and to strip the Assistants themselves of necessary power. It is an insubordination, whereof foul breaths, licentious imaginations, and undisciplined tongues, are the inciters and fo

something light and trivial has been uttered reflecting upon the godly Mr. Cotton, whose edifying discourses were degraded beneath the value of a song. This is in a manner to impeach the sanctity of religion, by making light of the character of her ministers. As for what the prisoner said

ark the profane exclamation of the prisone

nce, commenced what I supposed was the word 'accursed,' but checked himself in mid utterance as i

seen," he said, "a more stiff-necked and perverse

erally, and condemned to be confined for the space of one month, in irons, to a fine of ￡5, and to banishment from the colony. This result was not attained without strong resistance from Winthrop, who strov

gain before the Governor, who, with a grieved look, pr