For with the coming of
Love to seek her, Life had come; and where Life enters, Death is put to
flight; even as before the triumphant march of the rising sun, darkness
and shadows flee away.
Yet, even then, our Lady gently smiled, and the Babe on her knees
looked merry.
CHAPTER XVIII
IN THE CATHEDRAL CRYPT
On the day following, in the afternoon, shortly before the hour of
Vespers, a stretcher was carried through the streets of Worcester, by
four men-at-arms wearing the livery of Sir Hugh d'Argent.
Beside it walked the Knight, with bent head, his eyes upon the ground.
The body of the man upon the stretcher was covered by a fine linen
sheet, over which lay a blue cloak, richly embroidered with silver.
His head was swathed in a bandage of many folds, partially concealing
the face.
The little procession passed through the Precincts; then entered the
Cathedral by the great door leading into the nave.
Here a monk stood, taking careful note of all who passed in or out of
the building. As the stretcher approached, he stepped forward with
hand upraised.
There was a pause in the measured tramp of the bearers' feet.
The Knight lifted his eyes, and seeing the monk barring the way, he
drew forth a parchment and tendered it.
"I have the leave of the Lord Bishop, good father," he said, "to carry
this man upon the stretcher daily into the crypt, and there to let him
lie before the shrine of Saint Oswald, during the hour of Vespers; from
which daily pilgrimage and prayer, we hope a great recovery and
restoration.
Pages:
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116