The Italians | Page 6

outline, do not sufficiently seize upon the imagination; but, as the eye travels over the elaborate fa?ade, formed by successive galleries supported by truncated pillars, these galleries in their turn resting on clustered columns of richest sculpture forming the triple portals--the fine inlaid work, statues, bass-relief, arabesques of fruit, foliage, and quaint animals--the dome, and, above all, the campanile--light and airy as a dream, springing upward on open arches where the sun burns hotly--the eye comes to understand what a glorious Gothic monument it is.
The three portals are now open. From the lofty atrium raised on broad marble steps, with painted ceiling and sculptured walls--at one end a bubbling fountain falling into a marble basin, at the other an arched gate-way leading into grass-grown cloisters--the vast nave is visible from end to end. This nave is absolutely empty. Every thing tells of expectation, of anticipation. The mighty Lombard pillars on either side--supporting a triforium gallery of circular arches and slender pillars of marble fretwork, delicate as lace--are wreathed and twined with red taffetas bound with golden bands. The gallery of the triforium itself is draped with arras and rich draperies. Each dainty column is decked with flags and pennons. The aisles and transepts blaze with gorgeous hangings. Overhead saints, prophets, and martyrs, standing immovable in the tinted glories of the stained windows, fling broad patches of purple, emerald, and yellow, upon the intaglio pavement.
Along the nave (a hedge, as it were, on either side) are hung curtains of cloth of gold.
The high altar, inclosed by a balustrade of colored marble raised on steps richly carpeted, glitters with gemmed chalices and crosses. Behind, countless wax-lights illuminate the rich frescoes of the tribune. The Chapel of the Holy Countenance (midway up the nave), inclosed by a gilded net-work, is a dazzling mountain of light flung from a thousand golden sconces. A black figure as large as life rests upon the altar. It is stretched upon a cross. The eyes are white and glassy; the thorn-crowned head leans on one side. The body is enveloped in a damascened robe spangled with jewels. This robe descends to the feet, which are cased in shoes of solid gold. The right foot rests on a sacramental cup glittering with gems. On either side are angels, with arms extended. One holds a massive sceptre, the other the silver keys of the city of Lucca.
All waits. The bride, glorious in her garment of needle-work, waits. The bridegroom waits. The sacramental banquet is spread; the guests are bidden. All waits the moment when the multitude, already buzzing without at the western entrance, shall spread themselves over the mosaic floor, and throng each chapel, altar, gallery, and transept--when anthems of praise shall peal from the double doors of the painted organ, and holy rites give a mystic language to the sacred symbols around.
Meanwhile the procession flashes from street to street. Banners flutter in the hot mid-day air, tall crucifixes and golden crosses reach to the upper stories. In the pauses the low hum of the chanted canticles is caught up here and there along the line--now the monks--then the canons with a nasal twang--then the laity.
There are the judges, twelve in number, robed in black, scarlet, and ermine, their broad crimson sashes sweeping the pavement. The _gonfaloniere_--that ancient title of republican freedom still remaining--walks behind, attired in antique robes. Next appear the municipality--wealthy, oily-faced citizens, at this moment much overcome by the heat. Following these are the Lucchese nobles, walking two-and-two, in a precedence not prescribed by length of pedigree, but of age. Next comes the prefect of the city; at his side the general in command of the garrison of Lucca, escorted by a brilliant staff. Each bears a tall lighted torch.
The law and the army are closely followed by the church. All are there, two-and-two--from the youngest deacon to the oldest canon--in his robe of purple silk edged with gold--wearing a white mitre. The church is generally corpulent; these dignitaries are no exception.
Amid a cloud of incense walks the archbishop--a tall, stately man, in the prime of life--under a canopy of crimson silk resting on gold staves, borne over him by four canons habited in purple. He moves along, a perfect mass of brocade, lace, and gold--literally aflame in the sunshine. His mitred head is bent downward; his eyes are half closed; his lips move. In his hands--which are raised almost level with his face, and reverently covered by his vestments--he bears a gemmed vessel containing the Host, to be laid by-and-by on the altar of the Holy Countenance. All the church-bells are now ringing furiously. Cannons fire, and military bands drown the low hum of the chanting. Every head is uncovered--many, specially women, are prostrate on the stones.
Arrived at the basilica of San Frediano, the procession halts