All through the streets of the town, where the Abbot has often ridden in triumphant processions, the highest in dignity of all far and wide, the hurdles jolt along: the aged frames of the sufferers are fearfully shaken by the rude joltings, but they remember that _via Dolorosa_ which led to Calvary, and accept the pain for the sake of the Divine Sufferer, in Whom our sufferings are sanctified. There are those present who are paid to raise hisses and hootings, and to revile the passing victims, but they are awed by the attitude of the spectators in general, and forfeit their wages. Up the hill with labouring steps the horses tread: at length the rounded summit appears, and the gibbet looms in sight. The sufferers see it not, owing to their prostrate condition, until they are beneath it. “It is easier to bear than the cross, brethren,” says Abbot Richard. The victims are unbound from the hurdles, and one after the other resigns himself to the rude hands of the executioners; for now, under this reign of terror and bloodshed, ecclesiastics are led forth in their _habits_ to die without being first stripped of their robes, and degraded. There is a meaning in this, it is not of mercy.[19] The Abbot yields himself first, calmly reciting the words of the 31st Psalm, “In manus tuas, Domine, commendo Spiritum meum.” The _two_ pray for him until their own turn comes. “Go forth, O Christian soul, from this world, in the Name of God the Father Who created thee, of God the Son, Who redeemed thee, of God the Holy Ghost Who hath sanctified thee; may thy place be this day in peace, and thine abode in Mount Sion.” Their faces did not grow pale, neither did their voices tremble--they declared as they died that they were true subjects of the king in all things lawful, and obedient children of Holy Church. So one after the other they suffered--we spare the reader the sickening details, which Englishmen could _look_ on in those days, and which innocent men were called upon to suffer, but which we shudder even to read. But we will conclude with a letter written by Lord Russell to Cromwell on the 16th of November, being the day following the tragedy. “My Lorde--thies shal be to asserteyne, that on Thursday the xiii. daye of this present moneth, the Abbot was arrayned, and the next daye putt to execution, with ii. other of his monkes, for the robbyng of Glastonburye Churche; on the Torre Hill, the seyde Abbottes body beyng devyded in fower partes, and his heedd stryken off, whereof oone quarter stondyth at Welles, another at Bathe, and at Ylchester and Brigewater the rest, and his hedd upon the abbey gate at Glaston.”[20] * * * * *