At the very least of these enormities the men of iron shook their heads and frowned so darkly that the revellers looked up , imagining that a momentary cloud had overcast the sunshine which was to be perpetual there . On the other hand , the Puritans affirmed that when a psalm was pealing from their place of worship the echo which the forest sent them back seemed often like the chorus of a jolly catch , closing with a roar of laughter . Who but the fiend and his bond-slaves the crew of Merry Mount had thus disturbed them ? In due time a feud arose , stern and bitter on one side , and as serious on the other as anything could be among such light spirits as had sworn allegiance to the Maypole . The future complexion of New England was involved in this important quarrel . Should the grisly saints establish their jurisdiction over the gay sinners , then would their spirits darken all the clime and make it a land of clouded visages , of hard toil , of sermon and psalm for ever ; but should the banner-staff of Merry Mount be fortunate , sunshine would break upon the hills , and flowers would beautify the forest and late posterity do homage to the Maypole . After these authentic passages from history we return to the nuptials of the Lord and Lady of the May . Alas ! we have delayed too long , and must darken our tale too suddenly . As we glance again at the Maypole a solitary sunbeam is fading from the summit , and leaves only a faint golden tinge blended with the hues of the rainbow banner . Even that dim light is now withdrawn , relinquishing the whole domain of Merry Mount to the evening gloom which has rushed so instantaneously from the black surrounding woods . But some of these black shadows have rushed forth in human shape . Yes , with the setting sun the last day of mirth had passed from Merry Mount . The ring of gay masquers was disordered and broken ; the stag lowered his antlers in dismay ; the wolf grew weaker than a lamb ; the bells of the morrice-dancers tinkled with tremulous affright . The Puritans had played a characteristic part in the Maypole mummeries . Their darksome figures were intermixed with the wild shapes of their foes , and made the scene a picture of the moment when waking thoughts start up amid the scattered fantasies of a dream . The leader of the hostile party stood in the centre of the circle , while the rout of monsters cowered around him like evil spirits in the presence of a dread magician . 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 XXXXX Baal ! ''
In amid at from of on over than upon while