It was not an edifying story, nor a comforting one, since it
illustrated the sad lot of a prophet in this world. The Romans,
however, did not think of that, but greeted the statue as a sign of
the Renaissance, a memorial of the classical period, and an omen of
better times to come.
Pope Julius II bought the Laocoon for the Vatican, after Michael
Angelo had declared it was the greatest work of art in the world,
and Signor de Fredis received a pension for life. The excavation and
cleaning of the statue took a considerable time. But when at last it
was ready, it was decorated with flowers, and carried in procession
though the streets of Rome, while all the church-bells rang for a
whole hour.
As the procession passed up the Via Flaminia, an Augustinian monk
came down it from the northern gate of the city. In front of
Hadrian's triumphal arch, he met the crowd carrying their beloved
Laocoon. The monk did not immediately understand the matter. He
thought, it is true, that the statue was that of a martyr, but could
not think of any martyr who had died in a pit of snakes. He therefore
turned to a citizen, and asked in Latin, "Which of the holy Church
martyrs is it?"
The citizen laughed as at a good jest, but did not think it
necessary to answer.
Now came the crowd singing about the Trojan horse, and jesting about
priests.
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