Page:Catherine of Bragança, infanta of Portugal, & queen-consort of England.djvu/547

1705] Belem through the streets of Santo Antonio dos Capuchos on to the Rocis and to Esperanca. There were priests and monks, and their attendants, stand- ing in hushed and sorrowful files. The body, decked for the grave, was laid on an open bier, according to Portuguese custom, and when all was prepared for its removal Dom Manoel de Vasconcellos de Souza, who took the duties of chief groom of the chamber in the absence of his brother, the Conde de Castlemelhor, Catherine's devoted old servant and friend, drew the pall away, and left exposed to sight the calm and tranquil face.

Eight grandees of the highest rank in the kingdom then reverently and with great pomp raised the bier. They carried it to the litter of state—and so she went to Belem, attended by the eight grandees, all of whom were Councillors of State, and the whole Court of the kingdom, and all her faithful retinue.

At the churchyard of Belem the same eight grandees lifted the bier from the litter, and there it was received by the brotherhood of the Misericordia, as was always the custom of royal burial. The same pomp and grandeur were employed for her funeral rites, as would have been hers had she been reigning sovereign of Portugal. Pedro was again in the throes of one of his frequent attacks, probably hastened by his grief. His heir, the Prince of Brazil, afterwards João V., and the Infantes Dom Francesco and Dom Antonio, had visited the Palace of Bemposta to sprinkle the holy water before the bier was lifted, in his place. They went with it to the litter, and saw it placed there. Portuguese etiquette forbade them to go further with her, but the people wept in the streets, and for eight days all public business and amusements were suspended. The Court and the ministers wore mourning for an entire year. Poems and songs were composed in praise of her life and character, and many sermons were preached on her virtues. She went to her grave