The Knight of the Golden Melice / A Historical Romance

quoth th

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isposed of. Waqua was glad to make the promise, and the two separated; the one, directing his steps towards his lodging; and the other, to seek a purchaser for his commodities. Arun

d fellow. Nature had originally enclosed in his dumpy body a good-humoured soul enough, and, in a less austere community, where the bent of his disposition might have had fair play, he would have been a rather jolly dog. He was, however, a victim of fate. By what disastrous chance his lot was cast in that grim-visaged region, has never been satisfactorily explained, but being once in it, and a publican by profession, it was necessary to conform to the habits and manners of those about him, unless he desired to se

ke yourself, whose spirits-ahem!-are lively as my own ale, and yet chastised by a godly 'havior.

ing into the tap or common reception room the youn

d? "but what is fitting I leave to thy discr

and I should be no better than a heathen salvage to abuse thy goodness. To begin,

oction, and methinks that should satisfy thee, if not me. Thou wilt hardly succeed a

ke his wines taste the better, by consideration of the contrast)-"as you say, Master Arundel, my malt liquor, though the best in the count

as made to play the part of vintages from all parts of th

s present. At no great distance from where he sat were half-a-dozen persons, some of whom, by their dress, seemed to be sailors, and others citizens. As he turned to l

s have built up for themselves," exclaimed a man in a s

rhawk, how Boston looks to yo

strength of the liquor,

and Jacob's ladder, and whose head is so little and his paunch so big, is what my old schoolmaster called a Lucy-Lucy

"I know a Polly Natwood in Suffol

d was left unfinished. But, avast there; we are drifting off soundings. Where was

, and whose perception looked dimly out of his hazy eyes! "I s

qualified on the main brace, is what he got from Betty Quickfist when she hit him a cuff on the ear for

e, and, as you say, Captain, lop damnably; so he must have caught it on both of them, tho

at, gruffly, "or I'll send your te

cipline when my foot is off the quarter-deck? If another man speaks above his breath, by the beard of father Neptune, I will sto

Do you call this a town?" demanded Bill. "Folk doe

standing up. "Boys, fill your cups all round, a

f the citizens, "and will drink in all reason till s

inish the job. The rest of you may do as you like, but Jack Sparhawk never yet was afraid of

to England

on to h

rself! to he

ards and

"And now, boys, about this litt

ow can it be an old maid, when, on every tack, half a doze

another bottle. Halloa, old Nettletop, bear a hand with some more of your weak-waters. What do you stand gaping there for, like a c

f the invaluable opinion of Captain Sparhawk respecting the appearance of

rn, and noticing the stranger, he exhibited some embarrassment, and endeavored to catch the attention of the drinking party without attracting that of the new comer. His efforts, however, were in vain, and assuming an air of deep mortification, he waited for what should happe

o these carousers. Methinks they have already had m

meth a man who respects Thee and thine office; but the wine is good and can do

severely on the host, "that, a man professing godliness, and one of the congregation, shou

nking. The wine hath been but lately bought, being part of the cargo of the Abstemious, and thou knowest I A indulge not, else I should

se incitements to temptation, and after that will I drop a w

ounded at the boldness of the interference, and curious to hear what should pass between the landlord and his dictatorial visitor. But when mine host, in obedience to an order from the latter, began

this piratical way, and see all our stores and, provisions captured without a blo

oth vex my soul more even than thy

excited captain, at the same time striking at Master Prout,

held back by the citizens, and restrained, moreover, by a knowledge of the formidable power of Master Prout,

uainted than will be altogether agreeable. Do thou hold him, good man Nettles, as being in some wise accountable for his condition. So

host held the delinquent fast. The functionary paid no attention whatever to the exclamations and ejaculations of the

by thy garments and speech that thou art one of those who go down to the sea in ships, and who, though they behold the wonders of the deep, are, for the most part, unaffected by the mighty works of Him at whose word the stormy wind ariseth, or at His rebuke chasteneth itself int

t our souls beyond Christian patience, hoping, moreover, that, seeing our righteous example, they may be converted from their evil ways, and trusting that the Lord will preserve us from defilement. But we hold not ourselves bound to tolerate rioting and drunkenness, which are not convenient, but contrariwise, to restrain them by the sword of the magistrate, if need be. Of both these thou art, unhappily, guilty, inasmuch as thou didst forget where thou art, and wert mindful only of the customs of thy heathen companions at home; and were I extreme to mark what is done amiss, surely thy p

-goodman Nettles too thoroughly understanding his own interest and the character of the man to venture to disobey him; for though Master Prout felt friendly to the publican, as was evident, there were some things he would not overlook, and no offence could be committed more heinous t

ink in a godly manner, and use the gifts of Providence as not abusing them; and not like blinded papists, or as some say, like them of the Church of England; but I am more liberal, as

aster Prout had left the house, and was out of hearing, when

disappointed. So far from venting his feelings in that way, the worthy captain seemed n

lishman pay toll to his Majesty's excise. But old Sour-chops is gone, and we will have 'tother bottl

a drop from spigot or bottle runs on your account. Be reasonable, noble captain," he continued, seeing that the sailor was dis

on no account would they drink more, the refractory Sparhawk, after some growls at the "queer co

humor of Master Prout, hardly concealed by his austere exterior, but he felt no disposition to censure the severity of the regulation. It was of the utmost importance, as well for the peace and good order of the colony, as in accordance with the principles of self-denial and virtuous living on which it was founded, that every disorder should be checked in the bud. Considering the variety of adventurers, of all shades of character, from the religious enthusiast, see

and the other on an earthly treasure, he was counting up in his mind the crowns he had lost by the intrusion of Ma

t not written that He hath given wine to gladden man's heart? Nevertheless, methinks, being one of the congregation, a modicum might be left to mine own judgment in regard to the capacity of my guests. Not that I care about the two or three pieces whereof his interference hath deprived me-ahem-but the feelings of godly men who know best what is good for them, are hurt needlessly oftentimes. The wine is good,

to discuss the subject, and