The Tale of Hourda the Virgin
BY WILLIAMS M. TONER
The Prophecy
A fat abbot on an ambling pad wound his way through
the foothills to Madrid to offer incense and myrrh at the feet
of Hourda, the Virgin, for it had been he who had foretold
that she was to bring the light into the world a second time.
A merchant of Seville jounced over the cobblestones of a
village; he too was bringing gifts to Hourda: silk and curious
lace; tapestries and luxuriant rugs.
A mayor from the east galloped astride a coal black stallion with saddle bags heavily laden with various monies for
Hourda, the Virgin, who in immaculate conception was to
bear the second Christ.
In the City
Madrid was agog once again. Never since the beloved
Queen had banished the Moor had such jubilance reigned.
Christianity was to be fulfilled. The light was to shine on the
world as of old. The Inquisition was pressed with renewed
vigor, for now it was absolutely necessary that all be true
believers. Yesterday ten heretics who denied the truth had
been publicly burned and even yet one could see the ashes
about the stake. Streamers and pennants fluttered to the
breeze as vendors hawked about relics. People surged hither
and yon devouring religious sweetmeats and gingerbread
crucifixes as they chanted Te Deum to the Child about to be
born. Laymen prayed like the clergy as they wore out their
garments on the flagstones, and palms once again were at a
premium.
But not in the city alone was this fervour felt, for even
the monks determined on a better life. Monasteries were
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THE VAGABOND
jaded faces betook a new found vigor. All that was earthly
passed from their vision, and nuns were chaste once more.
The center of the solicitation lay upon luxurious cushions
in a stable, the fittings of which were fashioned in gold. The
manger was of ebony, the straw was the finest linen, and the
whole was overhung with magnificent velvet curtains. The
sacred ox and the sacred ass, placards proclaiming their
donors, awaited dumbly the great day. The land had been
combed for virgins to attend her couch, and nuns guarded
the portals of the barn.
Hourda was particularly fitted to bear the second Christ,
for never from adolescence had earthly desire gleamed from
her eyes. Forced on in the belief that the Christ would come
again, she had early adopted a religious life and had pro..
claimed the glad news throughout the kingdom. Nine months
since, in her peregrinations, she passed through a great forest
when suddenly she swooned at the approach of a beggar, and
in such state she thought she heard a faint voice calling her
name, "Lo, my chosen, thou art to bear a child". Thereupon
she awoke and in great joy hastened to the city, where she
informed all that might be interested.
As her trances became more frequent, and as she was seen
to be pregnant, she was hailed joyfully by the multitude, who
made the most magnificent preparations for the event.
Now her hour was at hand, and as she lay in silent ecstasy,
guarded by ten little girls, a vision of the Christ passed before
her.
Beginning of the Consummation
They came. The multitude without the gates screamed,
"Lo the Magi, Lo the Magi !" They came: the Abbot, the
Merchant, and the Politician. Smiling and bowing, they
pressed on to the manger, where they offered their gifts on
bended knees at Hourda's feet. The Abbot had had certain
knowledge of the event, for he had chanced to pass through
the great forest about the time of the first trance. Rumors
had come to the merchant during a slack season, and he had
brought his wares on a hundred mules to be sold to the multitude in the city or to be placed before the Virgin for exhibition. The news had found its way to the politician, who had
just poisoned his most formidable enemy, and he straightway
HOURDA THE VIRGIN
began his pilgrimage.
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In' thuswise Hourda accepted their
gifts and heard the various prophecies of the coming of her
Son.
The city awaited.
The sun beat down on the bended backs
of the expectant populace who were indulging in silent prayer.
Not a sound save the drone of the bees and the neighing of an
ass broke the holy silence. Holy indeed, for all had turned
good in fear of the wrath of the Son of God. Hate, distress,
ugliness, and vileness were cast aside as the time drew at
hand. The most learned leeches had asserted that the Child
would be born before noon and the clock was striking twelve
now. And then
Consummation
As the last stroke of the hour resounded through the city
square, a dishevelled nun rushed from the birthroom, rending
her raiment and wailing, "Alas, alas, alas, 'TIS BUT A
GIRL !"
Dust
In a rude hostelry a drunken mendicant spending his last
few pence on raw liquor blurted forth that he had wronged a
religious woman in a great forest some months ago. But the
members of this rude confessional inflicted no penance on
him, for they professed not to Christianity and were therefore tolerant.
California Trees
By Violet Frances Muse
Long rows of palms and eucalyptus,
Lined up like children who have misbehaved,
Ranged in straight rows with not an inch of variance,
Tied to the earth in a geometric pattern.
.
Palms that stand whispering and nudging each other,
Laughing among themselves at man's fear of disorder.