Phillipps, Evelyn March: The frescoes in the Sixtine chapel (London: John Murray, 1901)

138

THE LAST JUDGMENT

tremendous blast, sits a calm figure, leaning
forward and looking down at the rising
dead as if recognising each face. The
recording angel this, bearing the Book upon
his knees.
Those who rise upwards on our left (the
right hand of the throne) are, some soaring
exultantly, borne on high without a mis-
giving, some helped by friends and kindred,
others just managing to struggle up, drawn
by a rosary, one or two drowned in a vision
of ecstasy, some looking anxiously down-
wards to see if loved ones are following.
The figures of an old man and woman look
from a sort of balcony, and hold out
welcoming hands to a young man who
flies towards them. Below, the dead
struggle out of the earth at that shrill
summons; one, with outstretched arms,
seems to be darting straight to the feet of
Christ from the grave. They climb out,
shrouded, dizzy, stupefied, gasping for air,
skeletons not yet clothed upon with flesh;
all around them is in a twilight, but all are
making for the light that falls from on