redoubtable Captain
  Sitting alone, and absorbed in the martial pages of Caesar, 395
  Fighting some great campaign in Hainault or Brabant or Flanders.[30]
  “Long have you been on your errand,” he said with a cheery demeanor,
  Even as one who is waiting an answer, and fears not the issue. 
  “Not far off is the house, although the woods are between us;
  But you have lingered so long, that while you were going
  and coming 400
  I have fought ten battles and sacked and demolished a city. 
  Come, sit down, and in order relate to me all that has happened.”

  Then John Alden spake, and related the wondrous adventure
  From beginning to end, minutely, just as it happened;
  How he had seen Priscilla, and how he had sped in his courtship, 405
  Only smoothing a little, and softening down her refusal. 
  But when he came at length to the words Priscilla had spoken,
  Words so tender and cruel, “Why don’t you speak for yourself, John?”
  Up leaped the Captain of Plymouth, and stamped on the floor,
      till his armor
  Clanged on the wall, where it hung, with a sound of sinister omen. 410
  All his pent-up wrath burst forth in a sudden explosion,
  E’en as a hand-grenade,[31] that scatters destruction around it. 
  Wildly he shouted, and loud:  “John Alden! you have betrayed me! 
  Me, Miles Standish, your friend! have supplanted, defrauded,
      betrayed me! 
  One of my ancestors ran his sword through the heart of
      Wat Tyler;[32] 415
  Who shall prevent me from running my own through the heart
      of a traitor? 
  Yours is the greater treason, for yours is a treason to friendship! 
  You, who lived under my roof, whom I cherished and loved as a brother;
  You, who have fed at my board, and drunk at my cup, to whose keeping
  I have intrusted my honor, my thoughts the most sacred
      and secret,—­ 420
  You, too, Brutus! ah, woe to the name of friendship hereafter! 
  Brutus was Caesar’s friend, and you were mine, but hence-forward
  Let there be nothing between us save war, and implacable hatred!”

  So spake the Captain of Plymouth, and strode about in the chamber,
  Chafing and choking with rage, like cords were the veins
      on his temples. 425
  But in the midst of his anger a man appeared at the doorway,
  Bringing in uttermost haste a message of urgent importance,
  Rumors of danger and war and hostile incursions of Indians! 
  Straightway the Captain paused, and, without further question
      or parley,
  Took from the nail on the wall his sword with its scabbard of iron, 430
  Buckled the belt round his waist, and,