Snatching a heavy brass cross from one of
the acolytes, he raised it aloft, and in the voice which had often
thrilled the heated congregation of St. Magloire, he called on Tavannes
to pause.
"Stand, my lord!" he cried. "And take warning! Stand, reckless and
profane, whose face is set hard as a stone, and his heart as a flint,
against High Heaven and Holy Church! Stand and hear! Behold the word of
the Lord is gone out against this city, even against Angers, for the
unbelief thereof! Her place shall be left unto her desolate, and her
children shall be dashed against the stones! Woe unto you, therefore, if
you gainsay it, or fall short of that which is commanded! You shall
perish as Achan, the son of Charmi, and as Saul! The curse that has gone
out against you shall not tarry, nor your days continue! For the
Canaanitish woman that is in your house, and for the thought that is in
your heart, the place that was yours is given to another! Yea, the sword
is even now drawn that shall pierce your side!"
"You are more like to split my ears!" Count Hannibal answered sternly.
"And now mark me! Preach as you please here. But a word in Angers, and
though you be shaven twice over, I will have you silenced after a fashion
which will not please you! If you value your tongue therefore,
father--Oh, you shake off the dust, do you? Well, pass on! 'Tis wise,
perhaps.
Pages:
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317