第83章 THE PUBLIC EXAMINATION.FEBRUARY,(11)

She had heard say that near her village there was one,but had never seen it.She had heard say that it was a dangerous thing,and that it was wicked to keep it;but knew nothing of its use.Asked,in what place this mandrake was,and what she had heard of it?she said that she had heard that it grew under the tree of which mention has been made,but did not know the place;she said also that she had heard that above the mandragora was a hazel tree.Asked,what she heard was done with the mandragora,answered,that she had heard that it brought money,but did not believe it;and added that her voices had never told her anything about it.

Asked,what was the appearance of St.Michael when she saw him first,she answered,that she saw no crown,and knew nothing of his dress.

Asked,if he was naked,she answered,"Do you think God has nothing to clothe him with?"Asked,if he had hair,she answered,"Why should it have been cut?"She said further that she had not seen the blessed Michael since she left the castle of Crotoy,nor did she see him often.At last she said that she knew not whether he had hair or not.

Asked,whether he carried scales,she answered,"I know nothing of it,"but added that she had much joy in seeing him,and she knew when she saw him that she was not in a state of sin.She also said that St.

Catherine and St.Margaret often made her confess to them,and said that if she had been in a state of sin it was without knowing it.She was then asked whether,when she confessed,she believed herself to be in a state of mortal sin;she answered,that she knew not whether she had been in that state,but did not believe she had done the works of sin."It would not have pleased God,"she said,"that I should have been so;nor would it have pleased Him that I should have done the works of sin by which my soul should have been burdened."She was then asked what sign she gave to the King that she came to him from God;she answered:"I have told you always that nothing should draw this from me.[7]Ask me no more."Asked,if she had not sworn to reveal what was asked of her touching the trial,answered,"I have told you that I will tell you nothing that was for our King;and of this which belongs to him I will not speak."Asked,if she knew the sign which she gave to the King,she answered:"You shall know nothing from me."When it was said to her that this did concern the trial,she answered,"Of that which I have promised to keep secret I shall tell you nothing";and further she said,"I promised in that place and Icould not tell you without perjuring myself."Asked,to whom she promised?answered,that she had promised to Saints Catherine and Margaret,and this was shown to the King.She also said she had promised it to these two saints,because they had required it of her.

And the same Jeanne had done this at their request."Too many people would have asked me concerning it,if I had not promised to the aforesaid saints."She was then asked,when she showed this sign to the King if there were others with him;she answered,that to her there was no one near him,even though many people might have been present.(As a matter of fact the sign was given to Charles when he talked with the Maid apart in a recess,the great hall being full of the Court and followers;so that this was strictly true.)Asked further,if she saw a crown over the head of her King when she showed him this sign,but replied:"I cannot answer you without perjury."Asked further if her King had a crown when he was at Rheims,answered,that in her opinion her King had a crown which he found at Rheims,but a very fine one was afterwards brought for him.He did this to hasten matters,at the desire of the city of Rheims;but if he had been more certain,he could have had a crown a thousand times richer.(All this is very obscure.)Asked,if she had seen this crown,she answered:"I could not tell you without perjury,but I heard that it was a very rich one."It was then determined to conclude for this day.

On the sixth day there was again the same questions about the oath,ending in the usual way.And the cross-examination was at once continued.

She was asked if she would say whether St.Michael had wings,and what bodies and members had St.Catherine and St.Margaret;and she answered,"I have told you what I know,and will make no other reply";she said,moreover,that when she saw St.Michael and St.Catherine and St.Margaret,she knew at once that they were saints of Paradise.