Canterbury Scene

The entire multitude rose, and the ceremony of the Recognition ensued. Then a noble anthem swept the Abbey with its rich waves of sound; and thus heralded and welcomed, Tom Canty was conducted to the throne. The ancient ceremonies went on with impressive solemnity, whilst the audience gazed; and as they drew nearer and nearer to completion, Tom Canty grew pale, and still paler, and a deep and steadily deepening woe and despondency settled down upon his spirits and upon his remorseful heart. At last the final act was at hand. The Archbishop of Canterbury lifted up the crown of England from its cushion and held it out over the trembling mock king's head. In the same instant a rainbow radiance flashed along the spacious transept; for with one impulse every individual in the great concourse of nobles lifted a coronet and poised it over his or her head — and paused in that attitude. A deep hush pervaded the Abbey (глубокое молчание наполнило Аббатство). At this impressive moment (в этот впечатляющий момент), a startling apparition (пугающий = страшный призрак) intruded upon the scene (вторгся на место действия) — an apparition observed by none (призрак, не замеченный никем) in the absorbed multitude (в поглощенной /церемонией/ толпе), until it suddenly appeared (пока он внезапно не показался), moving up the great central aisle (двигаясь вдоль большого центрального нефа) ...»