Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-02-23

absolution for the last time, he rose, and mo-
toned the bishop to retire. He then stripped
OF his mantle and robe and again kneeling,
he drew silk cap, which he had brought ior
the purpose, over his eyes, and repeating the
words. Into thy hands, o Lord | commend
my spirit, he calmly awaited the stroke Of the
executioner.
The low sounds of lameniation which from
time 10 time had been heard among the popu-
lace were now hushed into silence as the min
lister OF justice appearing on the platform, ap-
preached his victim. aud with single blow of
the sword severed the head from the body. A
cry horror rose from the multitude, and some
frantic with grief, broke through the ranks of
the scljers, and wildly dipped ,hier handker-
chiefs in the blood that streamed from the scaf-
fold, trcasuring them up, says the chronicler,
as precious memorials Of love and indictments
to vengeance. The head was then set on one
Of the poles at the end of the platform, while
mantle thrown over the mutilated trunk hid
ii from the public gaze.
II was near noon when orders were sent 10
lead forth the remaining prisoner to execution.
II had been assigned 10 the curate Of La Chap
ellie to acquaiut Count Hoorne with his fate
That nobleman received the awful tidings with
less patience than was shown by his friend
lie gave way TO a burst Of indignation at the
cruelty and injustice Of the sentence. Il was
a poor acquiial he said, for eight and twenty
years Of faithful services to his sovereign
Yet, he added, he was not sorry to be released
from a life Of such incessant fatigue. For
some time he refused 10 confess, saying he had
done enough in the way of confession. When
urged no, to throw away the few precious mo-
men;s that were left to him, he At length con-
sented. The Count was dressed in plain suil
Of black, and wore Milanese cap upon his
head. He was, a, this time, about fifty years
Of age. He was tall, with handsome features,
and altogether Of a commanding presence. Ills
form was erect, and as he passed with steady
step through the aisles Of soldiers on his way
10 the place Of execution, he frankly saluied
those Of his acquaintance whom be saw among
the spectators. His look had in il less of sor-
row than Of indignation, like that Of one con-
seious Of enduring wrong. lie was spared one
pang in his last hour which had filled Egmoni s
cup with bitterness though, like him, he had
a wife. he was To leave no orphan family u
mourn him.
As he trod the scaiTold, the apparatus Of
death seemed 10 have no poSer TO move him.
He still repeated the declaration that soften as
he had offended his Maker, he had never to his
knowledge, committed any eiIenee against the
king When his eyes fell on the bloody
shroud that enyeloped the remains of Egmon,,
he inquired if it were the body Of his friend.
Being answered in the affirmative, he made
some remarks in Casiilan, not understood
[ He then prayed for few moments but in so
low lone that the words were not caught by
The by-sianders, and rising he asked pardon OF
those around if he had ever offended any ol
them. and earnestly besought their prayers
! Then, without further delay, he knelt down,
and repeating the words, 'IHmGnus firRus Dom
inc, he submitted himself to his fate.
His bloody head wac set up opposite to tina,
Of his fellow sufferer. For three hours these
ghasily trophies remained exposed 10 the gaze
Of the multitude. They were then taken down
and with the bodies, placed in leaden collins,
which were straightway removed that con.
tanning the remains Of Egmoni to the convent
Of Santa Clara, and that of Hoorne to the an
ceni church Of ST. Gudule. To these places,
especially to Santa Clara, the people now iocked
as to The shrine OF martyr. They threw
themselves on the coffin. kissed it and bedew
ing it with their tears, as il it contained the
relics Of some murdered saints while many
Of them, taking little heed Of the presence o.
informers, breaihed vows Of vengeance some
even swearing not to trim hair or beard Ill
these vows were executed.
The government seems TO have thought i
prudent 10 take no notice Of this burst of pop
ular feeling. But funeral hatchment EN-
blazoned with the arms Of Egmon,, which, a:
usual after the masters death, had been fxet
by his domeslics on the gate Of his mansion
was ordered to be instantly removed no doub
as tending 10 keep alive the popular excitement
The bodies were not allowed TO remain long il
their temporary places Of deposit, but wer'
transported 10 the family residences of the two
lords in the country, and laid in the vaults o
their ancestors.
Thus by the hand Of the common execution
er, perished these two unfortunate noblemen
who, by their rank, possessions and persona
characters, were the most illrstrious victim
that could have been selected in the Neither
lands.