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 Even that dim light is now withdrawn , relinquishing the whole domain of Merry Mount to the evening gloom which has rushed so instantaneously from the black surrounding woods .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 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 XXXXX Merry Mount . -RSB-
As amid at for in of than to upon with