The second banquet was much more costly than the first. In the midst of the feast, Bockelson, rising, said that he had received an order from the Father to go round and inspect the guests. He accordingly examined those present, and recognising amongst them a soldier of the Episcopal army, who had been made prisoner, he confronted him sternly, and asked—
"Friend, what is thy faith?"
"My faith," replied the soldier, who was half drunk, "is to drink and make love."
"How didst thou dare to come in, not having on the wedding garment?" asked the king, in a voice of thunder.
"I did not come of my own accord to this debauch,"[218] answered the prisoner; "I was brought here by main force."
At these words, the king, transported with rage, drew his sword and smote off the head of the unfortunate reveller.
The night was spent in dancing.[219]
Whilst the king was eating and drinking, the twenty-seven apostles were taking a tender farewell of their 124 legitimate wives,[220] and making their preparations to depart.
When all was ready, they returned to Mount Zion; Bockelson ascended the pulpit, and gave them their mission in the following terms:—"Go, prepare the way; we will follow. Cast your florin of gold at the feet of those who despise you, that it may serve as a testimony against them, and they shall be slain, all the sort of them, or shall bow their necks to our rule."