Full text: Hare, Augustus J. C.: Florence

128 
FLORENCE. 
and addressed them in his last and memorable words : “ My sons, in 
the presence of God, standing before the sacred Host, and with my 
enemies already in the convent, I now confirm my doctrine. What I 
have said came to me from God, and He is my witness in heaven that 
what I say is true. I little thought that the whole city would so soon 
have turned against me; but God’s will be done. My last admonition 
to you is this— Let your arms be faith, patience, and prayer. I leave 
you with anguish and pain, to pass into the hands of my enemies. I 
know not whether they will take my lise; but of this I am certain, that, 
dead, I shall be able to do sar more sor you in heaven, than living I 
have ever had power to do on earth. Be comforted, embrace the cross, 
and by that you will find the haven of salvation.” 
•The enemy had now got full possession of the convent, and Giovac- 
chino della Vecchia, who commanded the Palazzo guard, threatened to 
destroy everything with his artillery if the commands of the Signory 
were not immediately obeyed. These were, that, on the faith that their 
persons would be safe, Fra Girolamo, Fra Domenico, and Fra Salvestro 
should be delivered up. But Malatesta Sacramoro, the same who had 
offered to pass through the fire, began to play the part of Judas ; he had 
a conference with the Compagnacci, and advised them to bring a written 
order. While they were sent to obtain it from the Signory, Savonarola 
confessed to Fra Domenico, received the communion from him, and 
prepared to give himself up with Fra Domenico. Fra Salvestro had 
concealed himself, and in the disturbance it was not easy to find him. 
A singular incident occurred about this time. Girolamo Gini, a 
follower of the Friar, who had long desired to assume the Dominican 
dress, was that evening at vespers ; and scarcely had the tumult begun 
than he armed himself to desend the convent. When Savonarola ordered 
him to lay aside his arms the good citizen obeyed ; but he ran through 
the cloisters, facing the enemy, wishing, as he said, to meet death sor 
the love of Jesus Christ ; and, having been wounded, he entered the 
Greek library, his head streaming with blood, threw himself on his 
knees before Savonarola, and humbly asked that the convent dress might 
be given to him—a request which was immediately granted.’— Villari. 
Decending the stairs, and turning to the right, we enter 
the Second Cloister. Here, on the left, is the Dormitory of 
the Novices— I nostri Angioli ’—as Savonarola was wont to 
call them. It is now used for the meetings of the 
Accademia della Crusca. Five of its eight lunettes are by 
Fra Bartolommeo. 
The Convent Garden is especially connected with an inci¬ 
dent in the life of Savonarola. 
*After attending the mass of S. Marco, as Lorenzo de’ Medici now
	        
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