The Ruthwell Cross 229 



while the figure at the right has her forearm nearly parallel to 

 the other's, and above it. It is difficult to determine whether the 

 drapery for the head may not be hair (of. the Visitation from St. 

 Benoit-sur-Loire, as figured by Caumont, L' Ahecedaire d' Archeologie 

 1. 176). There is an inscription above and at each side, but il- 

 legible. A single border on this side corresponds to the lower of 

 the double borders on the north side, though narrower. 



An oblong piece of new stone, extending for part of the width of 

 the panel, replaces a portion broken out at some time, from the waist 

 of the figures to below the middle of the lower leg. 



3. The Anointing of Christ's Feet (Luke 7. 37,38). 



The figure of Christ in the act of benediction faces the spectator, 

 with upraised right hand, palm outward, and one (or possibly two) 

 fingers extended. The left hand, which is covered by the drapery, 

 holds a large book (not roll). The circular nimbus, with three rays 

 at each side and above, has a diameter more than twice as great as 

 that of the head including the hair, which falls to the shoulders. Christ 

 is bearded, and wears a tunic, which leaves the upper part of the breast 

 bare, and falls in straight heavy folds nearly to the ankle, leaving 

 the feet, so far as they are visible, apparently bare. His mantle 

 leaves the right forearm bare, and falls at his right side nearly to 

 the head of the woman and the bottom of his tunic, and is gathered 

 up in heavy folds by his left hand to support the book, falling 

 at his left not quite so low as at his right. The woman who was 

 a sinner is seen in profile. Her hair falls on her right shoulder, 

 and is extended to cover the extremity of the Saviour's left foot, 

 being held in position by her right hand— the right forearm, which 

 is bare, being nearly parallel to the coil of hair. Her fingers are about 

 one-third the length of the whole hand and forearm. The hair seems 

 to extend beyond her hand, and to be recurved to the left and down- 

 ward for a distance about equal to that from her shoulder to the foot. 

 Another strand of hair, faintly seen, falls directly downward, on the 

 further (inner) side of her face. The inscription above, in Roman 

 capitals, is 



ATTULIT . . . BA 

 which is continued down at the spectator's right as 



STRUMVNGVENTI&STANSRETROSECUSPEDES; 

 then crosses to the spectator's left, and reads downward : 



EIVSLACRIMIS . COEPITRIGAREPEDESEIVS . CAPILLIS 

 and ends below as : 



CAPITISSVITERGEBA ; 



Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. XVII. 16 (17) 



