The Knight of the Golden Melice / A Historical Romance

t was pricking

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parently some thirty-five years of age, who sat on his steed and handled the reins with a practiced grace, as if the saddle and himself were familiar acquaintances. Under a broad-brimmed, slouched hat, fell curls of dark hair, down the sides of an oval though rather th

and opening wide at the top; russet-colored boots expanded at the aperture and garnished with spurs reached high up the legs, and a small cut and thrust sword, suspended by a belt, which was also russet-colored, hung at his side. The handle of the sword was exquisitely beautiful, worthy of being the work of Cellini himself. It was mostly of massive gold, the hilt smooth and shining, and the guard embossed with a variety of elegant devices. But the part which first arrested attention and attracted the most admiration was the head, whereupon was sculptured a gigantic honey-bee, with wings

is rider. As for the latter, as if to beguile the tediousness of the way, he would pat at one moment the neck of his dumb companion, and address a few words to him, and at the next, break out into snatches of song. Thus he proceeded until he emerged from the woo

de of unhewn logs, with here and there a frame building, or a brick or stone house of less humble pretensions, while beyond, rolled the sparkling waves of the bay, sprinkled with "a great company of islands, whose high cliffs shoulder out the boisterous seas," as the old chronicler Wood expresses it, and rocking a few small vessels lying at anchor. He who

ider rose in his stirrups, and stretching out his ar

uturity? O, that my eyes could pierce the misty distance; that my dim presaging soul could behold the stately advance of the coming centuries, whose sounding feet I fancy that I can hear! Bear they in their hands weal or woe to humanity? Hath the creative energy set a limit, beyond which the tide of human accomplishment, like the hidden power in yonder heaving ocean, may not rise; but, having reached its destined apex, must, with hoarse murmurs, recoil back upon itself in disordered fragments?-or in

nstantly communicated to himself; and one spirit animated both, his body bent gently forward in the saddle, catching at once the motion, and accommodating itself thereto, so that the rider appeared as firmly fastened, and as much at his ease, as though he were a part of the animal. After half

ng language-"I wonder not at thine astonishment; but when these thoughts possess me, I am oblivious of every

ider was speaking, his dilated eyes glanced repeatedly back at him

not be said to belong to any order or style of architecture, but bore a general resemblance to buildings erected in England at the time. It stood with its gable-ends, three in number, to the street, the roof rising up steeply, and making a considerable garret, the side of the gable-ends projecting over the second story, as did also that over the first. The windows were of a square form, with smal

be seen?" inquired the stranger, as he dismounted from

Christopher," replied one of the men,

a small ante-room, or room of reception, where he was entreated to be seated, while his arrival should be announced. It require

he hall, was bare, and made of coarsely-planed boards. It had two doors, one opening into the hall and another into a

o invite you to him," said the messenger, t

tately step the ante-chamber, followed t

esk, at which he had been writing, and advancing with extended hand

offered hand, "who either in this far wilderness or in the proud streets of London, is privileged to exchange salutatio

t my shoulders are too weak for so great a burden. Were it not for the prize of the high calling set before

so shall our strength be. But, honored sir, I much mistake the nobility of your mind, if you would be willing to exchange your high place f

likened me. Remember," he added, with a smile, wherein there was some bitterness mingled with its melancholy, for he had of late be

ilt upon a basis too broad and firm to be blown down by the disorderly breaths of lackeys

base a quarter, little should I heed, and rather consider it an incitement to keener action; but there are also choice spirits, elect vessels, pillars of the c

I will not say over-awe you, noble sir," said Sir Christopher, "I tremb

said the Governor, smiling "what can the Knight of t

, and who, by wearing conspicuously about his person the device or badge adopted when he received the order of knighthood, only com

h is to sustain him in the death of winter, so should I, while the day is mine, be busy to perform the will of Him who hath cal

, fell upon the rich Turkey carpet that, with its intricate figures and varied dies, cove

wly, "is enduring the punishment awar

knight, "and one at the infliction wher

conscience, hear those who are associa

cense, but cannot believe that your gentle temper a

inst the opinion of a majority. This is not the government of one man, and

ly mercy not only put to silence the unruly tongues of men complaining of

e not hard to be guessed; but, nevertheless, let me entreat you to exp

the knight, "to solicit

e joy of conferring pleasure, and so his office be not wholly converted into that of an executioner, yet were I ever so much disposed, I could not, in the present case, grant yo

harged but speaking too freely, and if that be true, only imitating therein, his betters. Next reflect upon the opposite reputation of his accusers, and I venture to say malingers, though in truth there is but one, not sustained by the

not yet having penetrated your understanding; Your freedom of speech, therefore, because in favor of mercy, shall not prejudice, though it might injure you were it to reach the ears of some of whom we wot. But know, Sir Christopher, that your zeal makes you unjust, and that you have defamed a God fearing Commonwealth, and one in covenant with God. Not without His guidance did

s prophecy, he smote the table with his h

ave touched the sacred ark of your faith. But I were meaner than a stock or a stone; I were duller than an insensible clod; I were worse than an idolatrous heathen or

your debt before

ture had paid the penalty of my rashness, and my bones been left cleaned by the wolf's teeth to whiten on the sand, but for this valiant soldier. Disregarding danger, he leaped among the foe, and so lustily plied his blows, that together we bore the turbans down, until his bridle-hand was struck. The

ring were sure to win their ears, and upon its recital, the cause were as good as gained; but much as I admire the valor of the

, avail not to move you, at least listen to the voic

nthrop. "Speak plain

as a crime only by reason of some peculiarity in your situation, justifying extraor

nd formally, "you have already, in

nfluence in his behalf is less than nought,) is likely to escape the greater part o

he i

misfortune, in whom, why I feel an interest you now know, I hastened to his prison, and there, with some difficulty learned, that not only is he manacled, and his ancles chained, but also is confin

r information, I will venture to brave the resentment of my colleagues and the rest, and release this Joy for the

in the inquiry into this matter," urged the knight, "bein

art is in a fair train to arrive at a result to content you, tell me something of your doings at the Mount of Promise, as it is your plea

to grieve with an unreasonabl

fflictive dispensations of Providence (under which I understan

made, it is not readily effaced, and the lady Geraldine's is

so effectual as the soft voice of the Gospel. But for yourself,

h I have not reached my meridian, yet am I satiated with vanity. I am like a ship, whose tempest-beaten sides rest sweetly in a haven. As c

de for inaction

the little State which enjoys the happiness to call you fa

hat stands in your way to occupy the po

d over the fac

join the congregation, who would have thought that so t

rop; "but I trust that further reflection, your spirit being lighted by

er end of the apartment, and the knight turning, behe

ied Winthrop, "what m

d the Governor ca

presence opportunely reminds me," he added, turning to the knight, "of m

placed wine and a venison pasty, (for the robuster appetites of our ancest

sharpened by his morning ride, he filled two goblets with wine, and presenting one to

yers ascend on her behalf," answered Winthrop; "but-think me not discourteous

, "is there any forbidding

ings, by drinking, which neither in the nature nor use it is able to effect, for it is looked at as a mere compliment, and is not taken as an argument of love, which ought to be unfeigned. Or the same proposition may be proved diversely, as thus: To employ the custom, out of its natural use, without warrant of authority, necessity

it becomes me to, any opinion entertained by you," replied the knight; "but if the

shed from the tables of the principal inhabitants, decline a draught, therein bearing in mind the advice of Paul to Timothy, and considering it an allowable solace and strengthener to enable him the better to bear the

Winthrop fell in

n angel of light, doth conceal dangerous designs; as a plotter of mischief; some cunning tool of our enemies, who have sent him hither to creep into our confidence, that he may the better detect our weakness and confound our plans. I cannot harbor these latter notions. There is that about the knight which gives the lie to suspicion. Who can look upon his noble countenance and listen to the tones of his sincere voice, and not be satisfied of his truth? Did he not, on his arrival, communicate to me his views, which, however romantic, are consistent both with the training of his previous life and the change which hath been effected in his feelings? And doubtful myself, lest the gracious impression he made upon me might pervert my judgment, did I not set a watch upon his mo