The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-09-11

soldiers for seeking her pardon. Only
for the Earl Of warwicks quick inter-
position, he would have met his de-
sorts at their hands right there and
then. ff]54 g>
The platforms Of the day before Sc
st. Ouen's had been moved to The
Market square, and on one OF these
Joan was placed, all alone, to signlsy
her abandonment by the church. On
the other platform sat Cauchon, War
wick. the English Cardinal Winches-
ter, and 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 ths
distrust Of Cauchon and his English
men. Ono Of those Paris doctors Of
divinity, Nicholas Midi, was. as soon
as the bustle Of getting into place
quieted down, bidden 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 raised
platform.
The illegal trial was to end in IL.
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 .
hurry. ~ s 4.
1t was drawing towards noon time.
The Dominicans. 1sambard 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 c1ne. To- her ears and almost
unnerved s'ner She begsed Tor, 4
cross..ss II n H,
An Engliahs soldier took fassnt
rom thsspils preIpraarsd Q for her burn
ing. broke It in two and fastened it In
the shape Of cross. She thankfully
took it, kissed It, and, plaeedsit in her
bosom. Then she Remembered that
the church Of ST. Savior was near and
asked one Of the Dominicans to get
her CruciAx from there He did TO,
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: at 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.
Friar 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:
"Oh, Rouen, Rouen, must die
here and must you be my tomb?" n
Again Isambard was at her side to
encourage her but her enemies were
in hurry:
what, priest! wilt thou have us
dine here?' Joan herself legged him
to step down, but to keep the cross
before her eyes till this last. On her
head was placed papcr cap bearing
the inscription:
Hereto, Relapsed. Apostate, Idol
ater," and out Of reach Of the fire was
q 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 crucinx while the exe-
cutioner placed the Goals among the
dry fagEots below and the first Whit
OF smoke drew an aEonizins cry from
her lips. Only one. Doubtless her
Saints came to her aid and begging
1sanlbard to step out OF danger but
keep the Cross up high she called from
out the fame tho sweet name Of Jesus
and repeated It many times. Most o.
the people. and asreat many Of the
judges went awdy at the first sign Of