osses in their hands, marched behind singing
a psalm; while behind them again followed the most considerable of the
citizens of their party, bearing torches, for, sure as they were of the
triumph of their cause, they wished to fire the faggots themselves. The
piazza was so crowded that the people overflowed into all the streets
around. In every door and window there was nothing to be seen but heads
ranged one above the other; the terraces were covered with people, and
curious spectators were observed an the roof of the Duomo and on the tap
of the Campanile.

But, brought face to face with the ordeal, the Franciscans raised such
difficulties that it was very plain the heart of their champion was
failing him. The first fear they expressed was that Fra Bonvicini was an
enchanter, and so carried about him some talisman or charm which would
save him from the fire. So they insisted that he should be stripped of
all has clothes and put on others to be inspected by witnesses. Fra
Bonvicini made no objection, though the suspicion was humiliating; he
changed shirt, dress, and cowl. Then, when the Franciscans observed that
Savanarola was placing the tabernacle in his hands, they protested that
it was profanation to expose the sacred host to the risk of burning, that
this was not in the bond, and if Bonvicini would not give up this
supernatural aid, they far their part would give up the trial altogether.
Savonarola replied that it was not astonishing that the champion of
religion who put his faith in God should bear in his hands that very God
to whom he entrusted his salvation. But this reply did not satisfy the
Franciscans, who were unwilling to let go their contention. Savonarola
remained inflexible, supporting his own right, and thus nearly four hours
passed in the discussion of points which neither party would give up, and
affairs remained in 'statu quo'. Meanwhile the people, jammed together
in the streets, on the terraces, on the roofs, since break of day, were
suffering from hunger and thirst and beginning to get impatient: their
impatience soon developed into loud murmurs, which reached even the
champions' ears, so that the partisans of Savonarala, who felt such faith
in him that they were confident of a miracle, entreated him to yield to
all the conditions suggested. To this Savonarola replied that if it were
himself making the trial he would be less inexorable; but since another
man was incurring the danger; he co