hardly
Strong enough to bear the folios.
Then there came in motley order
Monsignori robed in violet;
Abbots followed then and prelates,
And the canons of St. Peter's,
Heavy looking, their fat figures
Corresponding to their livings.
Leaning on his staff the General
Of the Capuchins walked slowly
For a load of more than ninety
Years was resting on his shoulders;
But his brain was working out still
Many plans with youthful vigour.
With Franciscans from the cloister
Ara c[oe]li also came the
Prior of Pallazuola.
By the shores of Lake Albano,
'Neath the shade of Monte Cavo,
Stands his little monastery,
Peaceful spot for idle dreamers.
On he walked in deep thought buried;
And who knows wherefore his mutterings
Did not sound like prayer, but more like
"Fare-thee-well, Amalia."
After them the choicest portion,
All the cardinals, were walking,
Their long robes of scarlet colour
On the marble pavement trailing.
"Heart, be patient," so was thinking
Cardinal di Ottoboni;
"Now I'm second to the Pope yet,
But in seven years most likely
I shall mount St Peter's chair."
Then a train of cavaliers came
With their shining swords, and followed
In strict military order;
'Twas the Pope's own guard of honour.
And at last the Holy Father
Made his entrance, being carried
On a throne by eight strong bearers.
O'er his head were held by pages
The great fans of peacock-feathers.
Snow-white were his festal garments;
And his right hand, raised in blessing,
Wore the signet-ring of Peter.
Low the crowd knelt down in silence.

At the foot of the High Altar
The procession had arrived now,
And the Pope held solemn service
Over the Apostle's grave.
Solemnly and gravely sounded
The peculiar choral measures
Which old Master Palestrina
Had in his strict style composed.
And the aged Lady Abbess
Prayed with fervent deep devotion.
But fair Margaretta's glances
Were directed up to heaven,
Whence these solemn strains of music
Seemed to her to be descending.
But her eye was then attracted
To the singers' box--she trembled:
For, amid the group of singers,
Thou