Page:Once a Week, Series 1, Volume II Dec 1859 to June 1860.pdf/490

19, 1860.] softens as he pourtrays to himself certain beloved ones weeping for him at this moment in his old house. He remembers the happy years—how short they seem to have been!—that he passed with those same, and how he hoped and prayed that he might end his days amongst them, and breathe his last words in their loving ears. The whole of his past history rushes across his memory in a tremendous vision. There is that horrible hour when the hand of leprosy first touched him; and there are the succeeding hours, throughout which he hoped against hope; and there is that last hour, in which he tore his hair for anguish, and cursed the day of his birth, and then, made horribly conscious of his utter helplessness, bowed his head and submitted him to the priestly offices. All these scenes rushed, it may be, across his memory, as he lay on the floor of his but, after his friends had departed.

The hut was of very small dimensions. It was furnished with bed and bedding, with a vessel for water, a chest, a table, a chair, a lamp, and a few other necessaries. Its inmate’s wardrobe consisted of a cowl, two shirts, a tunic, and a robe called housse. He was further presented with a little cask, a rattle, a knife, a stick, and a girdle of copper; and this list completes the description of his hut and its appurtenances. As to wardrobe, we may mention that Chaucer assigns the leper a mantle and a beaver hat. Possibly no absolute uniformity of custom existed. As to the rattle, there is a question whether its object was to warn all sound and healthy persons of the leper’s approach, or merely to attract attention in soliciting alms from the passers-by. It is mentioned in the mediæval Latin under the names of fusus, tabulæ, and scandellæ. It was a wooden instrument, with two or three flappers attached to it. When, in the “Testament of Creseide,” Cynthia pronounces her heavy curse upon the unfaithful maiden, she says:—

Where thou comest, eche man shall flie ye place;

Thus shalt thou go begging fro hous to hous,

With cuppe and clappier, like a Lazarous.

The cup was for the reception of alms.