Leatherface: A Tale of Old FlandersOrczy, Emmuska Orczy, Baroness
History
Leatherface: A Tale of Old Flanders
Orczy, Emmuska Orczy, Baroness
Flanders -- History -- Fiction
On the Flemish side a dull tone of colour prevails, browns and russets
and dull reds--many women have wrapped black hoods over their heads, and
long, black mantles hang from their shoulders; but on the other side the
fantastic garb of the Spanish halberdiers throws a note of trenchant
yellow right through the sombre tint of the picture: and the white ruffs
round the men’s necks gleam like pale stars upon the canvas. And over
it all the light through the broken window falls crude and grey. Only
the chancel glows with a warm light, and Father van der Schlicht’s
vestments of crimson silk, the gilt candlesticks upon the high altar,
the flickering yellow flames of the candles, the red cassocks of the
young servers, all form a kaleidoscope of brilliant colours which is
almost dazzling, whilst up above, the banners and coats-of-arms of the
Knights of the Golden Fleece still flaunt their rich heraldic tints
against the dark vaulting of the roof, and above the high altar the
figure of the Redeemer with arms stretched out to bless, seems to mock
by its exquisite pathos and peace the hideous strifes of men.
The church is crowded from end to end: Flemings and Walloons and
Spaniards, the tyrants and the oppressed, all kneel together, while
Father van der Schlicht up at the altar softly murmurs the Confiteor:
some have rough linen bandages round their head or arm; some have ugly
stains upon their doublet or hose; others--unable to stand or lean--lie
half prone upon the ground, supported by their comrades. The Duke of
Alva holds his head erect, and señor de Vargas bows his down until it
well-nigh touches the ground: most of the women are crying, some of them
faint and have to be carried away. The Spaniards are more demonstrative
in their devotions than are the Netherlanders, they strike their breasts
at the Confiteor, with wide, ostentatious gestures, and need much elbow
room when they make the sign of the Cross.
At the reading of the Gospel every one stands, and men, women and
children solemnly make profession of that Faith of Love and Goodwill
which the events of the past two days have so wantonly outraged.
Lenora from where she stands can see her husband’s head--with its
closely-cropped brown hair--towering above the rest of the crowd. He
does not look to right or left of him, but gazes fixedly upon the altar;
Lenora can see his lips moving as he recites the Creed, and to her
straining senses it seems as if right through the murmurings of all
these people she can distinguish his voice amongst all the others, and
that it strikes against her heart with sweet persistence of
unforgettable memories.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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