No fantastic foolery could look him in the face . So stern was the energy of his aspect that the whole man , visage , frame and soul , seemed wrought of iron gifted with life and thought , yet all of one substance with his headpiece and breastplate . It was the Puritan of Puritans : it was Endicott himself . `` Stand off , priest of Baal ! '' said he , with a grim frown and laying no reverent hand upon the surplice . `` I know thee , Blackstone ! -LSB- 1 -RSB- Thou art the man who couldst not abide the rule even of thine own corrupted Church , and hast come hither to preach iniquity and to give example of it in thy life . But now shall it be seen that the Lord hath sanctified this wilderness for his peculiar people . Woe unto them that would defile it ! And first for this flower-decked abomination , the altar of thy worship ! '' -LSB- Footnote 1 : Did Governor Endicott speak less positively , we should suspect a mistake here . The Rev. Mr. Blackstone , though an eccentric , is not known to have been an immoral man . We rather doubt his identity with the priest of Merry Mount . -RSB- And with his keen sword Endicott assaulted the hallowed Maypole . Nor long did it resist his arm . It groaned with a dismal sound , it showered leaves and rosebuds upon the remorseless enthusiast , and finally , with all its green boughs and ribbons and flowers , symbolic of departed pleasures , down fell the banner-staff of Merry Mount . As it sank , tradition says , the evening sky grew darker and the woods threw forth a more sombre shadow . `` There ! '' cried Endicott , looking triumphantly on his work ; `` there lies the only Maypole in New England . The thought is strong within me that by its fall is shadowed forth the fate of light and idle mirthmakers amongst us and our posterity .
Amen , saith John XXXXX ! ''
Baal Endicott England Maypole abomination first foolery headpiece iniquity surplice