‘And having performed all Christian duties, he adored the cross ere yet he lay his head on the block, then kissed the blood of Cinq Mars which stained it, and bound his eyes himself with his kerchief. Having taken his post, he received a blow on the bones of the skull which grazed it only and he passed his hand on the wound falling backwards. The executioner repeated the blow, grazing the skull once more, this time above the ear, casting his victim down who kicked violently in his agony. The executioner dealt yet a third blow on the throat which finished him, and he received yet two more ere he could cut the head completely off—so embarrassed was this wretched executioner. His body was then stripped instantly, and the two bodies being placed in a coach were borne to the church of the Feuillans.
‘The next morning the corpse of Monsieur de Thou was embalmed by order of his sister and carried thence; and that of Monsieur le Grand was interred under the balustrade of the said church, through the goodness and authority of Monsieur de Gay, treasurer of France.
‘Thus died these two great men, expiating by religion and constancy the enormity of their crime.’
| [1] | He was so styled, being grand écuyer. |
| [2] | I suppose Seyton. |
THE END.
London: Printed by W. Clowes and Sons, Stamford Street.
Transcriber’s notes