Page:Blackwood's Magazine volume 024.djvu/899

 heard a clearly audible and long continued sobbing, like the last struggling breath of a dying man. At this instant the thunder again reverberated in long echoes from the mountains—the book dropped from my trembling hand—I felt a sudden shivering of the extremities, and all the blood rushed to my heart, which beat with audible violence. I now fancied that I heard the sound of distant footsteps, and seizing the candle, I approached the door and listened, but no sound was distinguishable. “Nonsense!” I exclaimed, assuming an indifference I did not feel; tis nothing but the rising storm-gust, howling in the long passages and wide chimneys of the castle.” I resumed my book and chair, determined to finish the curious recital, and retire to bed. The narrative proceeded thus:

“Then did the Novices remove the coffin-lid, and expose to view the body of the deceased Templar in a white shroud. The hands and feet were tied with cords—the temples were adorned with a chaplet of laurel and vine leaves—on the breast lay a golden cross, sparkling with jewels—and on the heart a bunch of fresh-culled violets.

Brother Novices!’ said the Grand Master, ‘give heed to my commands, and answer to my questions. What means the chaplet of laurel and vine leaves?’

“First Novice. It means that man was born to honour and enjoyment.

“Grand Master. Better things await him in a better world. The laurel and the vine decay and perish. Strip the dead of such frail distinctions.

“And the Novices took the chaplet from the temples of the deceased.

“Grand Master. What means the sparkling cross?

“Second Novice. It means that man striveth after wealth and splendour.

“Grand Master. How does man come into the world?

“Third Novice. Naked and poor.

“Grand Master. Then must he return to his mother-earth, naked and poor as he was born. Strip the dead of such vain adornment.

“And the Novices took the cross from the breast of the deceased.

“Grand Master. Why are his hands and feet bound with cords?

“Fourth Novice. To shew that in this life man is the slave of sin.

“Grand Master. Death has overcome the dominion of sin.

“Release the freedman from his earthly bondage.

“And the Novices did as they were commanded.

“Grand Master. What means the bunch of violets on his heart?

“Fifth Novice. It is the emblem of humility, and the offering of brotherly love to the departed, who deserved the tribute; because, during life, he was humble and pure in heart. Blessed are such, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.

“Grand Master. Know ye of a truth that our brother in the coffin is dead, and ripe for the long sleep of the grave?

“Sixth Novice. (Taking the hand of the dead.) The flesh cleaveth not unto the bones, nor the skin unto the flesh—He is dead.

“Grand Master. How looks his grave?

“Seventh Novice. (Looking down into the grave.) Deep—dark—narrow—cold.

“Grand Master. Knights Companions of the Order! do the last kind office to the departed, and give him a brother’s blessing, for he was one of you.

“And the seven Knights Companions slowly approached the coffin, and placed their right hands upon the head, eyes, face, mouth, heart, hand, and feet of the departed brother, each accompanying this solemn rite with a fervent blessing; after which the Novices replaced the lid upon the coffin, and nailed it with seven nails. Then sang the Preceptors to a low accompaniment from the choir above, the awful words:—

''Ne recorderis, Domine! peccata illius, dum veneris judicare sæculum per ignem.''’

“After which, all the assembled Preceptors, Companions, and Novices, chanted the De profundis, while each in succession sprinkled holy water on the coffin, saying, ‘My brother! thou art dead to this world, and livest now in the Lord.’

“Then did the invisible choristers in the gallery begin to chant the Libera; and their voices sounded, afar off, like the answerings of departed spirits. Every taper, save that