At first the latter ran about in the town, but
as they scented the fresh air and reached the town gates they
galloped off to the Campagna, to seek green pasture. Many, however,
remained in the town, and lay about here and there, while children
clambered on their backs. The children were the only ones who felt
no fear. They jumped about and played as usual, rejoicing in their
freedom and the unusual aspect of things. No one wanted to restrain
them, and as they did not understand what was the matter, they
remained free from anxiety and went on playing.
New Year's Eve had arrived, and the universal alarm rose to a great
height. Masters and servants were seen embracing each other and
weeping, the former lamenting their severity--the latter, their
dishonesty. Old enemies, who met each other on the street, grasped
hands and led each other about like children, singing hymns of
praise. It was something like the Golden Age as imagined by the
Fathers of the early Church.
The air was as mild as that of a spring day, and the sky was clear
till noon. Then it became overclouded. No one ate or drank, but all
bathed and put on their festal attire. During the afternoon
processions of priests and monks marched through the town, and sang
litanies, in which the people joined.
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