CHAPTER XX
THE PROCESSION.
In the evening, by the light of lanterns hung from windows, to theringing of bells and bursting of bombs, the procession started forthe fourth time.
The Governor General left the house on foot, in company with his twoadjutants, Captain Tiago, the Alcalde, the alferez, and Ibarra. TheCivil Guards and the officials of the town preceded them and clearedthe way. His Excellency had been invited to witness the processionfrom the house of the gobernadorcillo, in front of which a platformhad been erected for the recitation of a loa, or religious poem,in honor of the Patron Saint. Ibarra had previously declined withpleasure an invitation to hear this poetical composition, as he hadpreferred to witness the procession from the house of Captain Tiagowith Maria Clara and her friends. But, as His Excellency wished tohear the loa, there was no other remedy for Ibarra but to consolehimself with the hope of seeing her at the theatre.
The procession was headed by three sacristans carrying silvercandlesticks. The children of the school, accompanied by theirteacher, followed. Then came the small boys, with colored paperlanterns fastened to the ends of pieces of bamboo, each more orless adorned according to the caprices of the boy, for this partof the illumination was paid for entirely by themselves. However,they fulfilled this duty with a great deal of pleasure.
In the midst of it all, men serving as police, passed to and fro tosee that the files of the procession were not broken or the peoplejammed together in a crowd. For this purpose they used their wandsand inflicted some hard blows, thus managing to add to the brilliancyof the procession, to the edification of souls and to the glory ofreligious pomp.
At the same time that the officers inflicted these sanctified floggingswith their wands free of charge, others, to console those who hadbeen punished, distributed wax and tallow candles, also free of charge.
"Senor Alcalde," said Ibarra, in a low voice, "do they inflict thoseblows to punish the sinners or merely for pleasure?"
"You are right, Senor Ibarra," replied the Governor General, who hadoverheard his question. "This spectacle ... barbarous ... astonishingto those who come from other countries, ought to be prohibited."
Although it cannot be explained, the first saint who appearedwas San Juan el Baptisto. On seeing him, you would say that thecousin of Our Saviour did not enjoy any great renown among thesepeople. He had slender feet and legs and the face of a hermit, andwas carried along on an old wooden litter. In marked contrast to therepresentation of San Juan, was that of San Francisco, the founder ofthe great order. The latter was drawn in a car, and, as Tasio said:"What a car! How many lights and glass lanterns! Why, I have neverseen you surrounded by so many illuminations, Giovanni Bernardone! Andwhat music!"
Behind the music came a standard representing the same saint, but withseven wings. It was carried by the brothers of the Third Order, dressedin guingon and praying in a loud and mournful voice. The next in theprocession was Santa Maria Magdalena, a most beautiful image withan abundant growth of hair, a handkerchief of embroidered pina clothbetween her ring-covered fingers, and wearing a dress of silk adornedwith gold-leaf. Lights and incense surrounded her. The glass tears fromher eyes reflected the colors of the colored fire which was burned hereand there, giving a fantastic aspect to the procession. Consequently,the sinful saint appeared to be weeping now green, now red and now bluetears. The people did not begin to burn these colored lights till SanFrancisco was passing; San Juan el Baptisto did not enjoy this honor,passing by quickly, ashamed perhaps to go dressed in skins among somany saints covered with gold and precious jewels.
"There goes our saint!" cried the daughter of the gobernadorcillo toher visitors. "I loaned her my rings, but I did it to get to Heaven."
Those carrying the illuminations stopped near the platform to hearthe loa. The saints did the same. They and their carriers wantedto hear the verses. Those who carried San Juan, tired of waiting,squatted down in the characteristic Filipino manner, and found itconvenient to leave their burden on the ground.
"You'll get into trouble," objected one.
"Jesus! In the sacristy, they leave him in a corner amongspider-webs...."
After Magdalena came the women. They differed from the men inarrangement. Instead of the children, the old women came first andfinally the unmarried women. Behind these came the car of the Virgin,and behind that, the curate under his canopy. Father Damaso gave thefollowing reason for putting the young women next to the Virgin'scar: "The Virgin likes young women, but not old ones." Of course,this explanation caused many of the older women to make wry faces,but that did not change the taste of the Virgin.
San Diego followed Magdalena, but he did not seem to rejoice over thefact, for he was as precise in his behavior as on the morning when hefollowed along behind San Francisco. Six brothers of the Third Orderdrew the car. San Diego stopped before the platform and awaited forthe people to salute him.
But it was necessary to await the car which contained the image of theVirgin. Preceding this car were some people dressed in a fantasticmanner which made children cry and babies scream. In the midst ofthat dark mass of habits, hoods and girdles, to the sound of thatmonotonous and nasal prayer, one could see, like white jessamine,like fresh pansies among old rags, twelve young lassies dressed inwhite, crowned with flowers, with hair curled and eyes bright as thenecklaces they wore. Seizing hold of two wide blue bands which weretied to the car of the Virgin, they drew it along, reminding one ofdoves drawing the car of Spring.
And now when the images were all attentive, when this child andthat had been slapped sufficiently to make him listen to the verses,when everybody had his eyes fixed on the half open curtain, at last,an aaaah! of admiration escaped from the lips of all.
And the sight merited it. A young child appeared with wings, ridingboots, a cordon over its shoulder, a belt and a plumed hat.
"The Senor Alcalde!" cried some one, but the young prodigy reciteda poem in such a manner that the Alcalde was not offended at thecomparison.
The procession then continued. San Juan followed out his bitter career.
As the Virgin passed before the house of Captain Tiago, a heavenly songgreeted her like the words of an archangel. It was a sweet, melodious,supplicating voice, weeping the Ave Maria of Gounod. The music ofthe procession was silenced, the praying ceased, and Father Salvihimself stopped. The voice trembled and brought tears to the cheeksof those who heard it. That voice expressed more than a salutation,a prayer, or a plaint.
From the window, where he was viewing the procession, Ibarra heardthe voice, and melancholy took possession of his heart. He understoodwhat that soul was suffering and what was expressed in that song. Hewas afraid to think of the cause of that grief.
The Governor General found him pensive and sad.