crated a Franciscan’s Coat with Prayers and Holy-Water, and that they laid over him, and a Cowl under his Head (for there was no putting it on then) and his Pardon and the Covenants with it.
Mar. This is a new Way of dying.
Ph. But they affirm that the Devil has no Power over those that die in this Manner; for so they say St. Martin and St. Francis, and others died.
Mar. But their holy Lives were correspondent to their Deaths. But prithee, what follow’d?
Ph. They then presented the sick Man with a Crucifix, and a Wax Candle: Upon the holding out the Crucifix, says the sick Man, I used to be safe in War under the Protection of my own Buckler; but now I will oppose this Buckler to my Enemy: and having kiss’d it, laid it at his left Side. And as to the holy Taper; I was, said he, ever held to be a good Pikeman in the Field; and now I will brandish this Lance against the Enemy of Souls.
Mar. Spoken like a Man of War!
Ph. These were the last Words he spake, for Death presently seized his Tongue, and he breath’d his last. Bernardine kept close to him in his Extremity, on his right Hand, and Vincent on his left; and they had both of them their Pipes open: One shew’d him the Image of St. Francis, the other that of St. Dominic; while the rest up and down in the Chamber were mumbling over certain Psalms to a most melancholy Tune; Bernardine bawling in his right Ear, and Vincent in his left.
Mar. What was it they bawl’d?
Ph. Bernardine spake to this Purpose: George Balearicus, if thou approvest of all that is here done, lean thy Head toward thy right Shoulder. And so he did. Vincent on the the other Side said, George, fear not, you have St. Francis and St. Dominic for your Defenders, therefore be of good Courage: Think on what a great Number of Merits are bestow’d upon thee, of the Validity of thy Pardon; and remember, that I have engaged my Soul for thine, if there be any Danger. If you understand all this, and approve of it, lean your Head upon your left Shoulder. And so he did. And then they cry’d out as loud as before, If thou art sensible of all this, squeeze my Hand; then he squeez’d his Hand: so that, what with turning of his Head, and squeezing of the Hand, there were almost three Hours spent. And when George began to yawn, Bernardine stood up and pronounced the Absolution, but could not go thro’ with it, before George’s Soul was out of his Body. This was about Midnight, and in the Morning they went about the Anatomy.
Mar. And pray what did they find out of Order in the Body?
Ph. Well remember’d, for I had like to have forgot it. There was a piece of a Bullet that stuck to the Diaphragm.
Mar. How came that?
Ph. His Wife said he had been wounded with a Musket-Shot; and from thence the Physicians conjectured, that some Part of the melted Lead remained in his Body. By-and-by they put the mangled Corpse (after a Sort) into a Franciscan’s Habit; and after Dinner they buried him with Pomp, as it had been ordered.
Mar. I never heard of more Bustle about a Man’s dying, or of a more pompous Funeral; but I suppose you would not have this Story made publick.
Ph. Why not?
Mar. Lest you should provoke a Nest of Hornets.
Ph. There is no Danger; for if what I relate be done well, it is convenient the World should know it; but if it be ill done, all good Men will thank me for discovering it; and they themselves being seized with Shame for what they have done, will do so no more. Besides, it may possibly preserve
