Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/110

86 and joy increased every moment. People feasted in private houses and in inns. The market square was full of lanterns and torches. In the suburbs country people from the regions around Cracow (more of these drew near the city continually) camped by their wagons. The Jews held council in their synagogue near the Kazimir. The square was crowded till late at night, almost till daybreak, especially near the City Hall and the weighing-house, as in time of great fairs. People gave news to one and another; they sent to the castle and crowded around those who returned with news.

The worst information was that the bishop had christened the child the night of its birth, from which people inferred that it must be very weak. Experienced citizens, however, quoted examples showing that children born half dead received power of life just after baptism. So they were strengthened with hope, which was increased even by the name given the infant. It was said that no Bonifacius or Bonifacia could die immediately after birth, for it was predestined them to do something good, and in the first years, and all the more in the first months of life, a child could do neither good nor evil.

On the morrow, however, came news unfavorable for child and mother; this roused the city. All day there was a throng in the churches as in time of indulgence. There were numberless votive offerings for the health of the queen and the infant. People saw with emotion poor villagers offering, one a measure of wheat, another a lamb, a third a hen, a fourth a string of dried mushrooms, or a basket of nuts. Considerable offerings came from knights, merchants, and handicraftsmen. Couriers were sent to miracle-working places. Astrologers questioned the stars. In Cracow itself solemn processions were ordered. All the guilds and brotherhoods appeared. There was a procession also of children, for people thought that innocent creatures would obtain God's favor more easily. Through the gates of the city entered new crowds from the surrounding country.

And thus day followed day amid the continual tolling of bells, the noise in the churches, the processions, and the masses. But when a week had passed and the child and the patient were alive yet, consolation began to enter hearts. It seemed to people an improbable thing that God would take prematurely the ruler of a realm who having done so much for Him would have to leave an immense work unfinished, and the apostolic woman whose sacrifice of her own