CHAP. III.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

81

CHAPTER III.

Over was the eventful vigil, and with daybreakfloating on the gentle waves, arrived the cadaverousprocession just off St. Angelo’s, and sometimeseven touching the chain. The sad wonder, evenat that early hour, brought multitudes to theramparts; but no one could identify any individualof the melancholy headless swimmers, for theirheads were in sacks already sailing for Constanti-nople. With reverence, therefore, the grandmaster had the chain opened, and had the wholehonoured group lifted from the water and buriedtogether, with all the minute particularities thatindicated high respect; no hurry, but profoundattention, astonishing for such a time, and if doleful

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