fire with them in a closed lantern. They left the town before
their master, and by a different gate (perhaps that of Bethania), and
then turned their steps towards Mount Calvary. As they walked through
the town they passed by the house where the Blessed Virgin; St. John,
and the holy women had gone to seek different things required for
embalming the body of Jesus, and John and the holy women followed the
servants at a certain distance. The women were about five in number,
and some of them carried large bundles of linen under their mantles. It
was the custom for women, when they went out in the evening, or if
intending to perform some work of piety secretly, to wrap their persons
carefully in a long sheet at least a yard wide. They began by one arm,
and then wound the linen so closely round their body that they could
not walk without difficulty. I have seen them wrapped up in this
manner, and the sheet not only extended to both arms, but likewise
veiled the head. On the present occasion, the appearance of this dress
was most striking in my eyes, for it was a real mourning garment.
Joseph and Nicodemus were also in mourning attire, and wore black
sleeves and wide sashes. Their cloaks, which they had drawn over their
heads, were both wide and long, of a common grey colour, and served to
conceal everything that they were carrying. They turned their steps in
the direction of the gate leading to Mount Calvary. The streets were
deserted and quiet, for terror kept everyone at home. The greatest
number were beginning to repent, and but few were keeping the festival.
When Joseph and Nicodemus reached the gate they found it closed, and
the road, streets, and every corner lined with soldiers. These were the
soldiers whom the Pharisees had asked for at about two o'clock, and whom
they had kept under arms and on guard, as they still feared a tumult
among the people. Joseph showed an order, signed by Pilate, to let them
pass freely, and the soldiers were most willing that they should do so,
but explained to him that they had endeavoured several times to open
the gate, without being able to move it; that apparently the gate had
received a shock, and been strained in some part; and that on this
account the archers sent to break the legs of the thieves had been
obliged to return to the city by another gate. But when Joseph and
Nicodemus seized hold of the bolt, the gate opened as if of itself, to
the great astonishment of all the bystande