Pagina 942 di 1118

The streets were ornamented as on festival days: the rich sent

out their most precious furniture; and thus the fronts of the

poorest houses were decorated by their more wealthy neighbours,

or at the expense of the public. Here, in the place of hangings,

and there, over the hangings themselves, were suspended branches

of trees; on all sides hung pictures, inscriptions, devices; on

the balconies were displayed vases, rich antiquities, and

valuable curiosities; with burning flambeaux at various stations.

From many of the windows the sequestrated sick looked out upon

the procession, and mingled their prayers with those of the

people as they passed. The procession returned to the cathedral

about the middle of the day.