[A Word Only A Word Complete by Georg Ebers]@TWC D-Link bookA Word Only A Word Complete CHAPTER XXVIII 14/18
Several officers came to meet it, and Captain Ortis, approaching close to the Eletto, said: "The bishop refuses the catafalque and the solemn requiem you requested.
Your mother died in sin, without the sacrament.
He will grant as many masses for the repose of her soul as you desire, but such high honors...." "He refuses them to us ?" "Not to us, to the sibyl." "She was my mother, your Eletto's mother.
To the cathedral, forward!" "It is closed, and will remain so to-day, for the bishop...." "Then burst the doors! We'll show them who has the power here." "Are you out of your senses? The Holy Church!" "Forward, I say! Let him who is no cowardly wight, follow me!" Ulrich drew the commander's baton from his belt and rushed forward, as if he were leading a storming-party; but Ortis cried: "We will not fight against St.Martin!" and a murmur of applause greeted him. Ulrich checked his pace, and gnashing his teeth, exclaimed: "Will not? Will not ?" Then gazing around the circle of comrades, who surrounded him on all sides, he asked: "Has no one courage to help me to my rights? Ortis, de Vego, Diego, will you follow me, yes or no ?" "No, not against the Church!" "Then I command you," shouted the Eletto, furiously.
"Obey, Lieutenant de Vega, forward with your company, and burst the cathedral doors." But no one obeyed, and Ortis ordered: "Back, every man of you! Saint Martin is my patron saint; let all who value their souls refuse to attack the church and defend it with me." The blood rushed to Ulrich's brain, and incapable of longer self-control, he threw his baton into the ranks of the mutineers, shrieking: "I hurl it at your feet; whoever picks it up can keep it!" The soldiers hesitated; but Ortis repeated his "Back!" Other officers gave the same order, and their men obeyed.
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