As the hangman tied the rope round his neck, a voice from the crowd shouted: 'Prophet, now is the time to perform a miracle!' The Bishop of Vasona, who conducted the execution, stripped his friar's frock from him, and said, 'I separate thee from the Church militant and triumphant.' Savonarola, firm and combative even at the point of death, replied, 'Militant yes: triumphant, no: _that_ is not yours.' The last words he uttered were, 'The Lord has suffered as much for me.' Then the noose was tightened round his neck.

The fire beneath was lighted.

The flames did not reach his body while life was in it; but those who gazed intently thought they saw the right hand give the sign of benediction.

A little child afterwards saw his heart still whole among the ashes cast into the Arno; and almost to this day flowers have been placed every morning of the 23d of May upon the slab of the Piazza where his body fell.
[1] There seems to be no doubt that this Ordeal by Fire was finally got up by the Compagnacci with the sanction of the Signory, who were anxious to relieve themselves by any means of Savonarola.

The Franciscan chosen to enter the flames together with Fra Domenico was a certain Giuliano Rondinelli.