Foreshadowing of Decimus' ambitions: "from this time onward, the cunning man framed his whole life and actions in such a way to make friends of the sectaries and to cause them to look upon him as their leader. For he had a firm belief that in all such outbreaks as that in which we were engaged, the most extreme party is sure in the end to gain the upper hand. 'Fanatics,' he said to me one day, 'mean fervor, and fervor means hard work, and hard work means power.' That was the center point of all his plotting and scheming."
Seeing only blacks and whites -- "This England of ours is divided into two camps, that of God and that of the Antichrist" -- the Puritans are unable to evaluate as subtle a character as Decimus.
Decimus describes quite directly the changing loyalties of his career as a soldier of fortune and, in response, the Puritan mayor of Taunton states how clear it is that Decimus has unswerving principles.
Monmouth arrives, bringing with him another soldier of fortune, a Brandenburger, whom Decimus has often fought against and sometimes with.
Decimus verbally fences with a member of Monmouth's retinue: "'I studied sword-play under Signor Contarini of Paris' said Lord Grey, 'Who was your master?'" Decimus replies: "'I have studied, my lord, under Signor Stern Necessity of Europe.'"
Micah volunteers for a solo mission to try to recruit Lord Beaufort to Monmouth's banner. On eve of departure he shares letters from home -- from the philosophical carpenter, the amorous sailor, and his stern father -- with Sir Gervas, who has become his confidant.
Hearing the seemingly irreconcilable advice contained in the three letters, Sir Gervas says fondly: "I now begin to understand your manufacture Clarke. I see the threads that are used in the weaving of you."
The carpenter, Zachariah Palmer, urges Micah to hold to "the beautiful, often professed, and seldom practiced doctrine" of love for one's fellow man, but seeing fervor of both parties concludes: "Church and Dissent are at each other's throats as ever. Truly, the stern law of Moses is more enduring than the sweet words of Christ."
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