The Knight of the Golden Melice | Page 9

in a musing manner, the long tuft of
hair 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 admire at the milk-and-water temper of the worthy Assistant at this
present. Not thus is he wont to speak, but in the common is zealous
even unto slaying. What incantation or witch of Endor hath blinded him,
I know not."
The blood mounted into the face of Endicott, for he, as well as the
others present, understood the remark to refer to the young and gentle
wife 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 so; how short a time that influence lasted!) and many were the
smiles that circled the table, but Winthrop, apprehensive of a storm,
interposed.
"My worthy friend," he said, "can surely intend no disrespect toward
one of the stoutest champions of our Israel. Doubtless he will be able so
to explain his words, as to make their meaning innocent."
"I complain not," burst forth Endicott. "If it were lawful to try
conclusions in the manner of the Gentiles, and he a fit man for me to
deal with, his lips should never repeat such vituperations;" and as he
concluded, he threw one of his embroidered gloves violently on the
table before Dudley, who sat opposite.
"Peace, gentlemen," cried Winthrop, rising with dignity, and looking
alternately at one and the other. "Forget not that ye are brethren, and
that upon your harmony depends the prosperity of our Zion, If ye who
are of the household of faith permit idle 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 me, Captain Endicott, my brave and generous, but hasty friend,
take up your glove; if you have respect for the high station you so
worthily fill, noble Dudley, extend your hand in token of amity, and
assure our brother that no offence was designed."
The time occupied by the governor had afforded opportunity for the
passions of the two gentlemen to cool, and for them to become sensible
of the unbecoming parts they were playing. 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
by the other, and the two men wrung each other's hand as if whatever
might be their private quarrels, they were resolved to stand by one
another against the rest of the world.
"I crave forgiveness," said Dudley, at the same time resuming his seat
and speech, "of the honorable Assistants in general, and of my
excellent brother Endicott in particular, and beseech them to ascribe the
vehemency of my speech to no want of respect for them, but to my zeal
in the common service, and to a natural impetuosity. I solemnly protest
that my observation pointed at nothing offensive, and that come
whence it might, I would resent a wrong to my honored brother as
quickly as to myself. Yet I will say, that I 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 licentious imaginations about those who are placed by God's
Providence above them for their soul's good and bodies' health, and that
an example should be made to repress the gossip of light tongues and
evil thinkers. In punishing this Joy, (who might more properly be called
mourning,) we exalt the honor of the congregation, one of whose sons,
even in your presence, and with intent to dishonor you, he has abused
with perverse epithets, while at the same time we strike a wholesome
terror into others in like case to offend."
He ceased, and looked around as if to gather the suffrages of his
associates, but since the little interruption to their harmony, the wary
Assistants were too politic, by word or sign, to betray a bias, so that he
beheld only downcast