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BLOSS C.A.
Heroines of the Crusades
page 78
me had brought upon the holy pilgrims, I determined to hide myself in a convent, and seek by a life of penance, the pardon I hoped to have found at the Saviour's tomb ; and finding the deserted mule of our leader, wandering upon the border of a marsh, I mounted upon his back, and begged my way hither."
The countess gave him money for the remainder of his journey, to the monastery of Caen, and with a heavy heart dismissed him.
A German monk of great sanctity resided in a solitary cell in the forest of Troyes. The fame of cures, effected by him, through the medium of invisible agents, led the countess to consult him with regard to her invalid son. Thibaut and Stephen, with a small train, accompanied her to the hermitage.
On their return their way was obstructed by a crowd, collected about a grotesque-looking figure clothed partly in armor, and partly in priestly robes. His head was or-namented with a cap like that of a merry-Andrew, at the top of which flourished a feather cut in the form of a cross. From his shoulders hung numerous thongs, to which were attached boxes and bags of various colors and dimensions, and a rosary of small human bones was suspended about his neck. This he occasionally shook with demoniac glee, as an accompaniment to songs, whose sentiment strangely alternated between piety and profanity.
"News from the wars," shouted he approaching the cavalcade.
"Holy relies for sinners all, The thumb of St. Peter, the tooth of St Paul."
" Yea more—Babylon has fallen—the Jews, the Jews— Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, are consumed in the burning fiery furnace—Ha ! ha I How the flames crack-led and sparkled—How the Long-beards winced and writhed —Ashes ! Ashes !" said he, throwing the contents of one of the boxes into the faces of the spectators—" Yea more—
ADELA. 85
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