The Irish standard., 1909-09-11

eert0 1T tnelr nan0S right there ana
then. -
The platforms of the day before st
Market square, and on one Of these
Joan was placed, all alone, to SIGNIFY
her abandonment by the church. On
the other platform sat Cauchon, War
wick, the English Cardinal Winches-
ter, and a number of divines from
Paris university. The Rouen clergy
had largely during the trial become
sympathizers with Joan and showed it
as far as they dared and so won the
distrust Of Cauchon and his English
mon. One Of these Paris doctors of
divinity, Nicholas Midi, was, as soon
as the hustle Of getting into place
quieted down, hidden to preach.
Then the bishop, in brief, bitter
speech. harangued her before reading
the long sentence Of excommunication
that handed her over to the civil au-
thorities for judgment and sentence
and execution. But the civil authori-
ties got no chance to condemn her,
though the Bailly of Rouen, the civil
magistrate, was there on a raised
platform.
The illegal trial was to end in H.
legal execution.
But no one was there to protest. The
fear of the English was more than the
fear Of God, and the English were in a
hurry.
1t was drawing towards noon time.
The Dominicans. Isambard and Lad
enue, drew near to Joan and spoke
words Of courage.
Joan kneeled down between them
and in loud clear tones prayed for
France. for her King. She begged the
prayers and forgiveness of all those
around her, her enemies as we'll as
those who wept with her. The cries
of the women beyond the Gordon Of
soldiers came to: her ears and. almost
unnerved e.her. She begged for a
CROSS - =
An Ensliah: soldier took ga fagSot
from tbs pile prepared Tor her burn
ing, broke 1t in two and fastened it in
the shape Of cross. She thankfully
took it, kissed it, and placedsit in her
bosom. Then she Remembered that
the church Of st. Savior was near and
asked one Of the Dominicans to get
her Crucihx from there. He did So.
bringing the tall professional cross
which she embraced with tears run
ming down her cheeks, and uttering
most beautiful words Of love and graft
tude to God in a firm clear voice.
Bishop Cauchon came down from
his platform to speak to her. Once
more she addressed to him the words
that made him shiver: 1T is by you
that die"
do you still believe in your
saints?' he asked but she answered
him no more. praying instead in a
loud voice to st. Michael and st. Cath
crime and st. Margaret to come to her
quick release.
F'riar Isambard was speaking words
Of comfort and courage and holding
the Crucihx to her lips. The execu-
toner descended and Joan was alone
and looking once around her at the
sky and the distant hills and the null
titudes near by she exclaimed:
ooh, Rouen, Rouen, must I die
here and must you be my tomb?"
Again Isambard was at her side to
encourage her but her enemies were
in a hurry: ~
What, priest! wilt thou have us
dine here?" Joan herself 3eyged him
to step down, but to keep the cross
before her eyes till the last. On Ter
head was placed paper cap bearing
the inscription:
Hereto, Relapsed. Apostate, Idol
ater," and out Of reach Of the fire was
large placard bearing her record
according to these judges. that she
blasphemed God, reviled the Saints,
despised the Church, held dealings
with Satan and other vile charges.
High UP and close to her eyes 1sam-
bard held the Crucifx while the exc
cutioner placed the Goals among the
dry fasgots below and the first Whit
Of smoke drew an agonizing cry from
her lips. Only one. Doubtless her
Saints came to her aid and begging
1sambard to step out Of danger but
keep the Cross up high she called from
out the flame the sweet name Of Jesus
and repeated 1t many times. Most o.
the people. and great many Of the
judges went away at the first sign Of
the smoke rising, not wanting to see
what would harrow their souls.
With one last loud cry of Jesus" her
SufferfnRa were at last en6Ad and a