By a curious contradiction of sentiment, people were fascinated by the ritual, while they despised the celebrants.
"Roman Society from Nero to Marcus Aurelius"
Samuel Dill
Gloomily, Si'Wren reflected that the celebrants were to be spared the sight of the slain young woman's body.
"Si'Wren of the Patriarchs"
Roland Cheney
As she was climbing the fatal ladder, covered, for the occasion, with black cloth, she stopped, and addressing the celebrants of that grim ritual, "Gentlemen," said she, "do not hang me high, for the sake of decency."
"Trial-of-Mary-Blandy"
Roughead, William