IX. SANCTUS, SANCTUS, SANCTUS 319

143. i. He is beheaded.¹

X DECHOLACIO SCI IOHIS BAT.

“The beheading of St. John the Baptist.”

To the left is the headless body of St. John, still in prison. “And immediately the king sent an executioner (or ‘one of his guard’), and he went and beheaded him in prison.” The Baptist has leant forward, and his hands are stretched out, as if to save himself in falling. A Roman soldier is sheathing his sword, and looks somewhat disgusted at the daughter of Herodias as she carries the head to her mother, who sits enthroned near. (See ante, § 96.)

144. j. He is buried.-“And when his disciples heard of it they came and took up his corpse and laid it in a tomb” (Mark vi. 29).

H. SEPELITVR. CO“Hic sepelitur corpus sancti Johannis

RPVS. S. IOHIS. BATBaptistæ”-“Here is being buried the

(See ante, § 96.)body of St. John the Baptist.”

The headless body of the Baptist is being laid in the grave by two disciples, whilst a third swings a censer over it.

145. (II.) THE INFANCY OF CHRIST.-Going back now to the west end of the chapel, we have four mosaics representing scenes in the infancy of Christ.

I.The wise men adoring Christ.Above c and e in the

II.The wise men before Herod.Life of St. John

III.The flight into Egypt.Opposite 1 and 2

IV.The Holy Innocents.

I. The wise men before Herod.²

Herod is seated on his throne, attended by a Roman soldier; he looks puzzled and anxious. Before him are the

¹ [Opposite to the first of the series. No. j (“He is buried”) is in the same mosaic.]

² [Above the door into the Zeno Chapel.]

[Version 0.04: March 2008]