with every
breath we drank in the odors of the leaves and flowers which were already
withering in the July sunshine. A finer Saint Pantaloon's day I never
remember; the very sky seemed to share the city's gladness and was fair
to see, in spotless blue. A light wind assuaged the waxing heat, and
helped the flags and banners to unfurl: Our fine churches were decked all
over and about with garlands, boughs, and banners, and meseemed were like
happy brides awaiting their marriage in holiday array. The market-place
was a scene of high festival, the beautiful fountain was a mighty bower
of flowers, the triumphal arches, methought, were such as the gods of
wood and garden might have joined to raise. Every balcony was richly
hung, and even the crested gables and the turrets on the roofs displayed
some bravery. All, so far as eye could see, was motley-hued and spick and
span for brightness. The tiniest pane in the topmost dormer-window
glittered without a spot. The poorest were clad in costly finery; the
patrician folk were in the dress of knights and nobles; every craftsman
was arrayed as though he were a councillor, every squire like his lord.
You would have weened that day that there were none but rich folk in
Nuremberg. The maidens' pearl chaplets gleamed in the sun, and the golden
jewels in their fur bonnets; and what did their mothers care for the heat
as they went to and fro to display the costly fur turbans which crowned
their heads as it were with a glory of fur? How carefully had they
dressed the little ones! They were to see the Emperor and Empress with
their own eyes, and their Majesties might even, by good hap, see them!

Presently we saw the procession of the guilds with their devices and
banners; never had they come forth in such goodly bravery. They were to
form in ranks, on each side of the streets and the highway, a long space
outside the gate.

At last it was nigh the hour when their Majesties should arrive. We maids
had all assembled. Albeit we had agreed all to be clad in white, Ursula
had decked her head-gear with Ostrich feathers of rose-pink and sky-blue;
right costly plumes they were, but over many. Now would she look into her
parchment scroll, and for us she had brief words and few. The nosegay
which her servant in scarlet livery bore in his hand was a mighty fine
one; and Akusch and a gardener's boy presently came up with the posies
culled for Ann and me in the Hallers' garden. We, and many another mai