A SIGHT TO GOD AND MAN
In the splash and mud of a wet December morning, Campion was led forth
from the Tower, still in his old gown of Irish frieze. Undaunted he saluted the
vast crowd, saying, “ God save you all, gentlemen ! God bless you and make you
all good Catholics!” After kneeling in prayer he was strapped on the hurdle,
Sherwin and Briant being together bound on a second hurdle. They were dragged
at the horses’ tails through the gutter and filth, followed by an in- sulting
crowd of ministers and rabble. Still some Catholics were consoled by a word
from him, and one gentleman, like Veronica on another Via Dolorosa, most
courteously wiped his face all spattered with mire and filth. Passing under the
arch of Newgate, whereon still stood an image of Our Lady, Campion raised
himself and saluted the Queen of Heaven, whom he hoped so soon to see. At the
gallows he began with a sweet firm voice, “ Spectaculum facti sumus Deo Angelis
et hominibus,” but the Sheriffs interrupted him, and urged him to con- fess his
treason. He repeatedly maintained his innocence, and having declined to join in
prayer with the ministers, asked all Catholics for a Credo for him in his
agony, and while again pro- fessing his loyalty to the Queen he went to his
reward.
“ We are made a
spectacle to the world, to angels and to men.”—1 Cor. iv. 9.
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