In the nave of the
basilica, surrounded by guards, were herded those members of Falco's
retinue who had been in his house at the time of his murder. Further down
the nave were many outsiders, come to listen to the trial. In the aisles
were gathered hangers-on of the court. In the apse, to the left and right
of the tribunal, stood many of Falco's friends, among whom I recognized
Casperius Asellio and Vespronius Lustralis. Among those on the other side
of the magistrate were Tanno and Galen.
The bare, bleak interior of the ancient, old-fashioned basilica, with its
blackened roof-beams, unadorned walls, Travertine columns of the severest
Tuscan pattern, and plain window-lattices, made an austere setting for the
trial. I saw nowhere any rack, winches, horse, or any other engine or
torture; but, while Dromo was gone, four muscular court-slaves came
tramping In, each supporting a pole end. The two long poles were passed
through the four ear-handles of a bronze brazier all of five feet square,
level full of glowing charcoal, the brilliant bed of coals radiating an
intense heat perceptible as they passed near me. When they had set it down
in full view of all and near the tribunal one of them shook out and folded
four-thick a thin Spanish blanket of harsh wiry wool and spread the square
of it by the brazier, squatting on it to tend the coals with a long-
handled five pronged altar-hook.
Pages:
808
809
810
811
812
813
814
815
816
817
818
819
820
821
822
823
824
825
826
827
828
829
830
831
832