226 POLITICAL HERESY.-THE CHURCH. The Signoria appointed ten citizens to conduct the trial, and fixed it for April 6, but postponed it for a day in hopes of receiv- ing from the pope a negative answer to an application for per- mission — a refusal which came, but came too late, possibly delayed on purpose. On April T, accordingly, the preparations were com- pleted. In the Piazza de' Signori a huge pile of dry wood was built the height of a man's eyes, with a central gangway through which the champions were to pass. It was plentifully supplied with gunpowder, oil, sulphur, and spirits, to insure the rapid spread of the flames, and when lighted at one end the contestants were •to enter at the other, which was to be set on fire behind them, so as to cut off all retreat. An immense mass of earnest spectators filled the piazza, and every window and house-top was crowded. These were mostly partisans of Savonarola, and the Franciscans were cowed until cheered by the arrival of the Compagnacci, the young nobles fully armed on the'r war-horses, and each accom- panied b} r eight or ten retainers — some five hundred in all, with Doffo Spini at their head.* First came on the scene the Franciscans, anxious and terrified. Then marched in procession the Dominicans, about two hundred in number, chanting psalms. Both parties went before the Sig- noria, when the Franciscans, professing fear of magic arts, de- manded that Domenico should change his garments. Although this was promptly acceded to, and both champions were clothed anew, considerable time was consumed in the details. The Domini- cans claimed that Domenico should be allowed to carry a crucifix in his right hand and a consecrated wafer in his left. An objection being made to the crucifix he agreed to abandon it, but was un- moved by the cry of horror with which the proposition as to the host was received. Savonarola was firm. It had been revealed to Fra Salvestro that the sacrament was indispensable, and the matter was hotly disputed until the shades of evening fell, when the Signoria announced that the ordeal was abandoned, and the Franciscans withdrew, followed by the Dominicans. The crowd which had patiently waited through torrents of rain, and a storm in which the air seemed filled with howling demons, were enraged
- Perrens, pp. 379-81. — Burlamacchi, pp. 560, 562. — Landucci, p. 163. — Pro-
cesso Autentico, pp. 540-1.
