"Peace, blasphemer," said Probus.
"It is only a matter of essay, which is better, to be a Turk or a Palatine under Olevianus and Frederic the Pious," murmured Neuser.
"Our stout Neuser is a man capable of bartering three Heavenly Fathers and twelve Apostles for a cask of Deidesheimer," said Xylander mockingly, "but only remember that in Turkey wine is not allowed, the Prophet had a weak stomach."
The Chancellor arose, the conversation was becoming too frivolous, and he had attained his end in arousing a feeling against the Church Council. Erast and the Professors also withdrew after a short time, followed at last by Parson Willing.
The two brothers still kept their seats at the table with the clergy, who openly showed that they wished for their departure. Sylvan went even so far at to ask the artist if he did not feel like accompanying his brother to the Stift by such a beauteous moonlight, but in vain, it seemed as if Paul was bent on sitting out the others. He ordered a fresh supply from Klaus, and Felix delighted at finding himself once more with his brother, willingly joined him.
The Inspector at last got up and took another seat at the further end of the table away from Paul and Felix, where he was eagerly surrounded by Suter, Neuser, and a third Parson, whom they called Vehe, deacon of Lauter. The stately Sylvan seated between the wine-soaked Neuser, the porpoiselike Suter, and the coarse Vehe whose face seemed to consist entirely of underjaw, resembled Orpheus among the beasts. Whilst Paul was entertaining his brother with an account of his position, the Inspector brought out certain letters, and said to the other in a suppressed tone: "I went over to Speyer. Herr Kaspar Beckhess, the Chancellor of the Woywode received me in the most friendly manner. It would be very pleasing to him, if ripe and experienced Theologians entered into the service of the Transylvanian Church. But he thinks, that his Unitarians would be rather distrustful, lest the incoming Germans should introduce as many troubles as have the Italians, Belgians, and French in the Palatinate. Therefore we must clearly and distinctly abjure the doctrine of the Trinity, before that Superintendent Davidis sanctions our reception."
"To abjure the doctrine of the Trinity is rather a strong measure," said Vehe.
"That depends on the custom of the country," rejoined Sylvanus in measured tones. "What is in fact really known concerning this matter? The relation of the three persons of the Godhead is very like the declension of the three persons in the Grammar, here we decline: sum, es, est, there they decline: sum, sus, sut, which may also be correct."
"But if the affair gets known, before we have taken leave of the Kurfürst," piped Suter out in his squeaky tones, "then is the round tower our certain abode."
"I thought you would be afraid," said Sylvan laughing, "and therefore I will snatch the chestnuts out of the fire for you. I have already written a protest against the doctrine of the Trinity. I will send this to the body-surgeon of the Woywode, Blandrata. I will add that you think as I do, and I hope Davidis will be satisfied with this. Here is the protest."