Hereupon some murmurs of displeasure arose among the crowd, but they were instantly checked by the curiosity generally felt to hear Aveline’s reply, which was delivered in clear and gentle, but distinct tones.

“Far be it from me to dispute with you, dear father,” she said; “and it is with reluctance that I offer an opinion at all adverse to your own.  But it seems to me impossible to connect these pastimes with heathenish and superstitious rites; for though they may bear some resemblance to ceremonials performed in honour of the goddesses Maia and Flora, yet, such creeds being utterly forgotten, and their spirit extinct, it cannot revive in sports that have merely reference to harmless enjoyment.  Not one, I am sure, of these worthy folk has the slightest thought of impiety.”

“You know not what you say, girl,” the Puritan rejoined sharply.  “The evil spirit is not extinct, and these growing abominations prove it to be again raising its baleful crest to pollute and destroy.  Listen to my words, ye vain and foolish ones!” he continued, advancing to the front of the window, and stretching forth his arms towards the assemblage.  “Repent! and amend your ways ere it be too late!  Hew down the offensive idol, which you term your May-pole, and cast it into the flames!  Cease your wanton sports, your noisy pipings, your profane dances, your filthy tipplings.  Hear what the prophet Isaiah saith:—­’Wo to them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink.’  And again:—­’Wo to the drunkards of Ephraim.’  And I say Wo unto you also, for you are like unto those drunkards.  ’O do not this abominable thing that my soul hateth.’  Be not guilty of the brutish sin of drunkenness.  Reflect on the words of holy Job,—­’They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.  They spend their days in mirth, and in a moment go down, to the grave.’  Hew down your idol I say again.  Consume it utterly, and scatter its ashes to the winds.  Strip off the gaudes and tinsel in which you have decked your foolish May Queen.  Have done with your senseless and profane mummeries; and dismiss your Robin Hoods, your Friar Tucks, and your Hobby-horses.  Silence your pestilent minstrels, and depart peaceably to your own homes.  Abandon your sinful courses, or assuredly ’the Lord will come upon you unawares, and cut you in sunder, and appoint your portion among unbelievers.’”

So sonorous was the voice of the Puritan, so impressive were his looks and gestures, that his address commanded general attention.  While he continued to speak, the sports were wholly stopped.  The minstrels left off playing to listen to him, and the mummers suspended their merry evolutions round the May-pole.  The poor denounced May Queen, who on the rejection of her nosegay had flown back to Jocelyn, now looked doubly disconcerted at this direct attack upon her and her finery, and pouted her pretty lips in vexation.  Dick Taverner, who stood by her side, seemed disposed to resent the affront, and shook his fist menacingly at the Puritan.  Jocelyn himself was perplexed and annoyed, for though inclined to take part with the assemblage, the growing interest he felt in Aveline forbade all interference with her father.