Perpetuus

ON SAINT PERPETUUS,

BISHOP OF TOURS IN GAUL.

ABOUT THE YEAR 490.

Perpetuus, Bishop of Tours, in Gaul (St.)

BY G. H.

CHAPTER I.

The time of the Episcopate conferred. The temple of Saint Martin and other things constructed. The translation of his bones.

Concerning the first Bishops of the Church of Tours in Gaul on the Loire, what we know for more certain things Saint Gregory, himself also Bishop of Tours, handed down most of them, who flourished in the said See in the sixth century of Christ, distinguished in sanctity and doctrine. He therefore, in book one On the Miracles of Saint Martin, also Bishop of Tours, chapter six, indicates the time when Saint Perpetuus, of whom we here treat, was ordained Bishop of Tours, Saint Perpetuus is made Bishop, when he writes these things: "It is also worthwhile to insert in this reading, how the little body of Saint Martin was, with an Angel nodding assent, translated to the place where it is now venerated. In the sixty-fourth year after the passing of the glorious Lord Martin, in the year 64 after the passing of Saint Martin, Blessed Perpetuus obtained the Cathedra of the See of Tours in dignity. And having attained this summit, with the great agreement of prayers, he resolved to place wider foundations of a temple than had been, over the blessed limbs. On which, insisting with diligent zeal, he brought it to a marvelous effect. Concerning this building there was much that we could say, but because it is present, we thought it better to keep silent about it from now on." Thus Gregory there: from which at the Kalends of February before the Life of Saint Sigebert King of the Austrasian Franks § VII I have at length set forth that Saint Martin departed this life in the year 397, who died in the year 397, and afterwards following our example the same has been handed down by Charles Le Cointe in volume 1 of the Ecclesiastical Annals of the Franks at the year 498 from number 6 to number 24; Jean Maan, in the Holy and Metropolitan Church of Tours, in the Life of the same Saint Martin illustrated by himself; and Jacobus Grandamicus, in Christian Chronology, Interval 3 chapter 6, where in the third section he asserts that I explained this question most diligently of all, and proposes me to be followed by others. The successors of Saint Martin in the See of Tours were Saint Briccius, whose years of Episcopate were 47, the same Gregory hands down. After whom the same witness records that Saint Eustochius sat 17 years, namely until the year 461, therefore in the year 461, when the sixty-fourth year was passing after the passing of Saint Martin, in which Saint Perpetuus obtained the Cathedra of the See of Tours in dignity.

[2] The same Gregory, at the end of the History of the Franks, or book 10 chapter 31, sixth in order, noble and rich: enumerates the Bishops of Tours, and in the sixth place has these things: "Sixth is ordained Perpetuus, himself also of senatorial birth, as they say, and kinsman of his predecessor: very rich and having possessions through many cities." Hence we think that in book 2 chapter 14 those words "fifth after Blessed Martin" are intruded, and with them erased it is to be read thus: "At the city of Tours, Eustochius being deceased in the 17th year of his priesthood, Perpetuus is ordained," namely the sixth Bishop of Tours: as also in the following poem Saint Sidonius Apollinaris, Bishop of the Arverni, familiar of Saint Perpetuus, and born of equal nobility, and who died before him, sang. This one therefore in book 4 epistle 18 to Lucontius writes these things: "The basilica of the holy Pontiff and Confessor Martin, Bishop Perpetuus, a most worthy successor of so great a predecessor, renewed much more capacious than the former, which it had been hitherto. It is, as they say, a great work and to be named, [He urges Saint Sidonius Apollinaris to adorn with a poem the basilica built by him,] which, being made in honor of such a man, such a man ought to have made. The above-mentioned Priest compels me to inscribe on its walls this epigram; which you will review as it is in these: whatever he demands most imperiously by the privilege of charity. And would that the pomp of that mass, or the offerings, be not sullied by the offering of this homage: which I greatly fear will be otherwise, unless perhaps among all the beautiful things, the foulness of that epigram may please, as a black mole on a fair body, which indeed is accustomed to produce laughter, as much as to receive approval. But why more of this? Put aside your pastoral reeds, and lend a hand to our elegy, because it limps with its foot.

The body of Martin, venerable in all the earth, In which after the times of life honor lives; Here first a structure covered him with common worship, Which was not equal to its Confessor: Nor did the great glory of the man cease to burden the citizens With shame, the small grace of the place. But a Pontiff, who is numbered sixth from himself, Perpetuus took away the long envy; Removing the inner sanctuary of the modest shrine, And raising wide roofs from the outer house. And there grew together, the strong Patron granting, In spaces the church, in merits the founder: Which is able to contend with Solomon's temple, Which was the seventh wonder of the world. For if that one shone with gems, gold, silver; This one surpasses all metals in faith. Begone, biting envy, and let the former be absolved: Let no garrulous posterity renew or add anything. And while Christ comes, who raises up all peoples, Let the tops of Perpetuus endure perpetually."

[3] Thus far Saint Sidonius Apollinaris concerning the said church, concerning which Gregory of Tours, at the cited end of the History, has these things: "This one, having removed the basilica which Bishop Briccius had first built over Saint Martin, built another more ample with marvelous work: into whose apse he translated the blessed body of the venerable Saint himself." But the same things the same Gregory sets forth more fully in book 2 chapter 14. "When," he says, "he saw continual miracles taking place at his tomb; seeing that the little cell which had been built over him was small, he judged it unworthy of such miracles. Having removed this, he built a great basilica there, which remains even today: whose majesty was admirable, which is held 550 paces from the city. It has in length 155 feet, in breadth 60: it has in height to the vault 45 feet, 32 windows in the sanctuary, 20 in the main part; 41 columns: in the whole building 52 windows, 120 columns: 8 doors, three in the sanctuary, five in the main part, or center, or nave of the temple."

[4] But what Saint Perpetuus next accomplished, in the said book On the Miracles of Saint Martin, the same Gregory narrates thus: "Therefore, the longed-for time coming for the Bishop, that he might dedicate the temple and translate the Holy little body from the place where it had been buried; He summons Bishops and others to the translation of Saint Martin, Blessed Perpetuus summoned to the feast day the neighboring Bishops, and moreover no small multitude of Abbots and various Clerics. And because he wished to do this on the Kalends of July, having kept vigil one night, when morning came,

having taken up a hoe, they began to dig up the earth which was above the holy tomb. When this was uncovered, they lay their hands on it to move it; and the whole multitude laboring there, and because of a delay divinely sent, accomplished absolutely nothing through the whole day. Finally, after keeping vigil another night, trying in the morning they could accomplish nothing at all. Then troubled and terrified, they did not know what to do. One of the Clerics said to them: 'Know that after this three-day period the anniversary of his Episcopate used to be celebrated: and perhaps he is warning you that he ought to be translated on this day.' Then insisting in fasts and prayers and continual silence day and night, after fasts and prayers, they continued that three-day period continuously. On the fourth day, however, approaching and laying on their hands, they were absolutely unable to move the tomb. Terrified with fear, now standing in this, that they might cover with earth the little vessel which they had uncovered; there appeared to them an old man with venerable gray hair, displaying a whiteness like snow, saying he was an Abbot, and he said to them: 'How long will you be troubled and delay? Do you not see the Lord Martin standing, with an Angel appearing in the form of an Abbot ready to help you, if you put your hands to it?' Then throwing aside the cloak which he was wearing, he placed his hand on the sarcophagus with the rest of the Priests, with Crosses prepared and candles, and an Antiphon having been begun, all gave voice chanting on high. Then at the old man's effort at once the sarcophagus was moved with the greatest lightness, and brought, the translation was carried out with solemn pomp, by the Lord's permission, into the place where it is now venerated. When this was arranged according to the Priest's wish, and Masses also having been said, when they came to the banquet, carefully seeking the old man, they nowhere found him. Nor indeed was there any man who had seen him leave the basilica. I believe some Angelic power it was, which both declared it had seen the blessed man, and thenceforth appeared to none." Thus there concerning the said Church, built by Saint Perpetuus, concerning which in the Chronicle of Saint Maxentius commonly called the Mallieu one, in volume 2 of the New Library of manuscripts edited by Philip Labbe, these things are read: "In the year 903, the Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours, which Saint Perpetuus had formerly built, was burnt on the day before the Kalends of July, which afterwards in our age Herveus the Treasurer rebuilt." In the Chronicle of Angers, in volume 1 of the same Library, the same things are referred to; but the basilica is said to have burnt a third time.

[5] The diligence of Saint Perpetuus did not stop at building one basilica of Saint Martin; but, as is added in the said chapter 14 of book 2 of the History, he builds other churches. "since the vault of that former little cell had been built with elegant workmanship, the Priest thought it unworthy that his works should perish: but in honor of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul he built another basilica, in which he affixed that vault. He also built many other basilicas, which remain to this day in the name of Christ." Which are indicated more fully at the end of the said history. "This one," he says, "built a basilica of Saint Peter, in which he placed the vault of the earlier basilica, which persists to our times. He also himself built a basilica of Saint Laurence on Mount Laudiacum. In his time churches were built in the villages, that is, at Evena, Mediconnum, Berraum, Balatedinum, Vernadum." The above-cited Jean Maan calls the parish churches founded by him, and commonly called, Avoine, Monnoye, Barou, Balan, Vernou.

CHAPTER II.

Councils held. Fasts and Vigils ordained: death, sacred cultus.

[6] In the year of Christ 461, in which we said above that Saint Perpetuus was ordained, He presides over the Council of Tours in the year 461. Severinus and Dagalaifus being Consuls, having summoned some Bishops of the Gauls, he gathered a Council at Tours, to which this Preface is prefaced: "Severinus the most illustrious man being Consul, on the 14th day before the Kalends of December, when to the most sacred festival on which the reception of Lord Martin is celebrated, in the city of Tours the most blessed Priests, whose subscriptions are added below, had gathered; they necessarily believed, that because through long neglect in something the rule of ecclesiastical discipline had been corrupted, they should confirm by the issuance of the present writing their definition, which is in accord with the authority of the Fathers: not turning over those things which were illegally admitted before; but looking to the utility of all future generations, so that observing the statutes of the Fathers according to evangelical precepts and apostolic doctrine, the Church of the Lord might remain pure and immaculate." The Bishops subscribed: Perpetuus of Tours, Victorius of Le Mans, Leo of Bourges, Eusebius of Nantes, Amandinus of Châlons, Germanus of Rouen, Athenius of Rennes, Mansuetus of the Britons, with the Priest Jocundinus by command of the Venerable Bishop. Of these Leo of Bourges and Victorius of Le Mans had subscribed before in the Council of Angers, held under Consul Opilio in the year 453. The indicated day, the 14th before the Kalends of December, falls on the eighth day of the solemnity of Saint Martin: for which day Jean Maan would prefer, from his own conjecture, that November 11, sacred to Saint Martin, be substituted. Charles Le Cointe thinks that only in that year was this feast celebrated: which in the Tract on the Patriarchate of Bourges in volume 2 of the new Library of Labbe, is said to have been celebrated on the 18th before the Kalends of December. But that Bishop Leo is there said to have sat 18 years, we admit, not however from the 31st until the 48th year after the four hundredth, which is rejected from the said Councils. Thence however and from his successors we conclude, that the said Council of Tours is not to be deferred until the year 482, when Severinus held the Consulship with Trocondus his colleague, as has been done after others by Jean Maan.

[7] Another Council at Vannes in Armorican Brittany was celebrated by Perpetuus the Metropolitan, in the ordination of some Bishop of Vannes: to which is prefixed the Epistle of the Synod, to the Bishops of the same province who had not been present at the Council, He holds the Council of Vannes and it is of this kind: "Since care of religion ought always to be at hand with us, nor ought meditation to come from elsewhere, especially at that time when either will or occasion has gathered us, that a common discussion from the conference of many, with the Spirit consenting in Christ, may be confirmed by the authority of many opinions: lest the definition of individuals according to the quality of their own judgment, be either deceived by the error of ignorance, or depraved by the swelling of presumption or anger: and while each one, without the conference of brothers, trusts only to his own judgment, he decrees what may rightly displease all. Therefore, since in the Church of Vannes the cause of ordaining a Bishop has gathered us, about to ordain a Bishop of Vannes, we believed it right to consult about the ecclesiastical rule, which by the Lord's gift has been entrusted to us, and about the strictness whose care would not be omitted without our fault, and that what we see omitted in the former statutes of the Fathers, and presumed in the course of time by license, from the excessive liberty of the declining age, we should sanction with most salutary statutes. Which into the knowledge of your beatitude, because your presence has been denied us by necessity, we believed should be conveyed; so that if you judge it approvable, this also may be confirmed by your authority and preserved with strictness." Saint Perpetuus subscribed first under this formula: "Perpetuus the Bishop, I have read again this our definition and subscribed, and those things which have been previously established by our Fathers or by us, I judge are to be observed." There are sixteen Canons, sanctioned for the immunity of the Church or the reformation of morals. The time when this Council was held is not indicated. Sirmond referred it to the year 465. Concerning Saint Paternus, Bishop of Vannes in the following century, we treat on April 15: whom we show to have been wrongly indicated by some as only then appointed Bishop.

[8] Moreover, as Gregory wrote at the end of his history, he instituted fasts and vigils, he instituted fasts, how they should be observed through the course of the year, which today is held in writing among us, whose order is this concerning the fasts: "After Pentecost, that is, the fiftieth day, on the fourth and sixth weekday until the Nativity of Saint John. From the Kalends of September to the Kalends of October, two fasts in a week. From the deposition of Lord Martin until the Nativity of the Lord, three fasts in a week. From the nativity of Saint Hilary until the middle of February, two fasts in a week. Concerning the vigils: for the Nativity of the Lord, in the Church; for the Epiphany, and he ordains where Vigils are to be held: in the Church; for the Nativity of Saint John, at the basilica of Lord Martin; for the Nativity of Saint Peter, at his basilica on the 5th before the Kalends of April; for the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, at the basilica of Lord Martin; for Easter, in the Church; on the day of the Ascension, in the basilica of Lord Martin; on the Day of Pentecost, in the Church; for the Passion of Saint John, at the basilica in the baptistery; for the Nativity of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, at their basilica; for the Nativity of Saint Martin, at his basilica; for the Nativity of Saint Symphorianus, at the basilica of Lord Martin; for the Nativity of Saint Litorius, at his basilica; for the Nativity of Saint Briccius, at the basilica of Lord Martin; for the Nativity of Saint Hilary, at the basilica of Lord Martin." Thus there. Where by the bare word "Church" seems to be understood the primary or Cathedral: and in the Lenten fast nothing is changed.

He sat, however (as Gregory concluding this passage says), thirty years, and was buried in the basilica of Saint Martin.

[9] What day was Saint Perpetuus' last on earth and his birthday in heaven, Saint Gregory Bishop of Tours did not indicate. The thirtieth of December is marked by the most ancient Martyrologist after Bede, Florus, Deposition on the 30th of December: in his supplement: whose words in the manuscripts of Arras, Tournai, and Liessies are these: "At the city of Tours, the deposition of Perpetuus, Bishop and Confessor, who, with religious and great vow removing the body of Saint Martin, merited an Angelic visitation." Thus Florus, to whom Blessed Rabanus is nearest in age, who on the same day December 30 presents him in these words: "At Tours, the deposition of Blessed Perpetuus the Bishop, who built the church of Saint Martin." There are added, venerable for their antiquity, two transcripts of the Hieronymian Martyrology, the Lucensian of Florentini and the Corbie one printed at Paris, with another Corbie manuscript written eight hundred years ago: likewise the manuscripts of Cassino, in which it is referred to in the first place; the Barberini in the Supplement of Bede, the Vallicellian of the Congregation of the Oratory at Rome, the Trier of Saint Maximinus, the Brussels of Saint Gudula, and very many others with some transcripts of Usuard, whose primary exemplars, however, refer to him on this Day April 8 in these words: "At Tours, of Saint Perpetuus the Bishop, a man of admirable holiness." sacred memory April 8: Which same words are read in the present Roman Martyrology: and in Ado these things are added: "By whose work the temple over the venerable bones of Blessed Martin the Bishop was completed, and his sacred body was translated from the place where it had first been buried, to the place where it has now been worthily venerated and deposited." Similar things are found in Notker and in the author of the spurious Bede.

[10] Meanwhile in Ado's manuscript Martyrology of the Queen of Sweden and others on the day December 30 these things are read: "At Tours, the nativity of Saint Perpetuus, Bishop and Confessor." Whether Rosweyde rightly rejected this into the Appendix, and Mosander marked it with an asterisk, let others judge. In Notker the month of December is lacking. He is mentioned on both days in the Trier manuscripts of Saint Martin, the Liège of Saint Lambert, the Centula of Saint Richarius, and others, likewise in the Martyrologies of Bellinus, Greven, Galesinius, Canisius, and others. But because on the said day December 30

his birth and deposition are referred to, perhaps on that day he ended his life or was certainly buried, and then we would think that he died in the year 490. The time of his successor would favor this, who died in the year 490, who was Saint Volusianus; and by the testimony of Gregory, a holy man of senatorial birth and very rich, himself also kinsman of Perpetuus the Bishop his predecessor, who in the 7th year of his Episcopate, about 496, was carried off by the Goths toward Spain, because he seemed to favor King Clovis of the Franks, as we said on his birthday January 18. If, however, others think that Saint Perpetuus migrated from this life to the heavenly one on this April 8, we shall grant them also the year 491. or 491.

Concerning his Relics, whether they were at any time elevated from the earth and exposed to the public cultus of the people of Tours, Relics, we have not found anyone to teach us: if this was done, those too were scattered with the other pledges of the Saints by the heretics. The Metropolitan Church of Saint Vitus at Prague has a part of the arm of some Saint Perpetuus the Bishop: the author of the Diary recently published at Prague believed it to be of this Bishop of Tours, although he confesses that he does not know from where or through whom it was brought to Prague.

CHAPTER III.

The Testament of Saint Perpetuus, Bishop of Tours.

[11] Reprinted from tome 5 of the Spicilegium, Gregory, in the place where above num. 8, in the eulogy of Saint Perpetuus there related inserted these words, to be set forth separately: "And he composed a Testament, and apportioned through individual cities what he possessed, in those very churches, giving no small property also to Tours." This Testament, obtained in manuscript by the very illustrious Jerome Vignier, he had woven into the Ecclesiastical History of the Bishops of the Gallic world, prepared by him for the press, together with writings of the best mark of the old age, which Luc d'Achery enumerates in the Preface to the Fifth Volume of the Spicilegium on page 11. But the Spicilegist already mentioned judges that this Testament itself needs no observation: "For," he says, "all things contained in it agree with Caesarean and Pontifical law, it is illustrated, they agree with the Consular lists, they agree with those things Gregory narrates." But although they are least necessary to the more learned, by which this noble monument of antiquity could be illustrated; yet they will be opportune for those only moderately versed in this matter. Wherefore since it seems expedient, for the fuller demonstration of the liberal and pious mind in Perpetuus, to reprint it in this place, although it has been already once printed in the aforesaid Spicilegium, we will not hesitate to add a few observations in our manner.

[12] Saint Perpetuus "In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. I, Perpetuus the sinner, Priest of the Church of Tours, was unwilling to depart without a testament, lest the poor be defrauded of those things which heavenly grace, not through my merit, liberally and lovingly conferred on me; and lest, which God forbid, the goods of the Priest pass to others than to the Church.

[13] Having prayed peace upon his Clergy, "To the Presbyters, Deacons, and Clerics of my Church, I give and bequeath the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Confirm this, Lord, which you have wrought in us; may they know no schisms, may they remain stable in the faith; whoever shall have followed the rule of the Gospel, may he be blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavens through Christ Jesus. Amen. And may the Lord Jesus slay the impious with the wind of his mouth. Amen. Amen. Peace to the Church, peace to the people; in the city, in the country; from God and the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Come, Lord, and do not tarry. Amen. Therefore to you, Presbyters, Deacons, and Clerics of my Church, with the counsel of Count Agilo, he prays to be buried at the feet of Saint Martin: I permit the burial of this corpse of death, wherever you shall choose; I know that my Redeemer does not die, and in the flesh I shall see my Liberator. Amen. Yet if you shall show mercy to me unworthy, which I suppliantly ask, I would wish to rest at Lord Martin's feet until the day of judgment, you shall see, you shall judge, you shall choose; I wish, I appoint, I order ratified what shall please you my lords and brothers.

[14] He manumits slaves, "First, therefore, I Perpetuus, wish that those men and women be free and freed, as many as I have at the villa of Saponaria, whom I bought with my own money, as well as the boys, whom on the day of my departure I shall not have manumitted in the church: yet on condition that they serve freely, as long as they live, my Church, but without servitude transmissible to heirs and attached to the soil.

[15] He gives various rights and an estate to the church, "I also give to my Church the field which Aligarius sold me in the said villa of Saponaria, with the pond. Likewise the mills above the Cher near the said villa; I also give and bequeath to my Church flocks and meadows.

[16] "The villa of Bertiniacum ^b with the wood and all income, on the condition he bequeaths another for oil at the tomb of Saint Martin: on which it was sold to me by Daniel the Deacon, I equally give and bequeath to my Church. Yet on condition that from its proceeds oil be prepared for unfailingly illuminating the tomb of Lord Martin: if this shall be neglected, and my will, which I do not hope, be void; let the said villa of Bertiniacum with its appurtenances pass to my heirs to be named presently, I wish, I appoint, I order.

[17] He remits debts, "Whatever and in whatever place, and from whatever person shall be owed to me on the day I depart, I give and bequeath to the debtors themselves. Let no one presume to exact what I relinquish, I wish, I appoint.

[18] "To you, Brother and most beloved Consacerdos Euphronius ^c, I give and bequeath the silver reliquary of the Relics of the Saints. He gives Euphronius the Priest a reliquary and a Gospel-book, I mean that which I was accustomed to carry; for the other gilded one which is in my chest, with two gold chalices, and the cross likewise of gold, which Mabuinus made, I give and bequeath to my Church. Likewise all my books, except the book of the Gospels, which Hilary ^d formerly Priest of Poitiers wrote, which to you, Euphronius my Brother and most beloved Consacerdos, with the aforesaid reliquary I give, bequeath, wish, and appoint. Be mindful of me. Amen.

[19] "To the Church of Saint Dionysius ^e of Rambasciacum, I give and bequeath a silver chalice, and a cross likewise of silver, in whose handle is a Relic of the same Saint Dionysius. he founds other pious bequests:

[20] "Similarly to the Church of Proillium ^f I give and bequeath a silver chalice and silver pitchers. Similarly to ^g Amalarius there the Presbyter a common box of silk, likewise a peristerium ^h and silver dove for a pyx, unless my Church prefers to transmit to the same Amalarius that which it uses, and retain mine: to you my Church I permit the choice, I wish, I appoint.

[21] "To my sister Fidia Julia Perpetua I give and bequeath a small golden cross with an emblasma ⁱ, in which are Relics of the Lord. Which, however, I would earnestly request, he leaves a small cross to his sisters: that if perhaps, by the Lord's command, it should happen that she migrates before the Virgin Dadolena, she leave it to my Church to be possessed by it. I also ask you, sister Dadolena, that at your death you assign it to whatever church you please, lest it come to the unworthy. But if Dadolena passes before you, let it be free for you, most beloved sister Fidia Julia Perpetua, to leave the aforesaid cross to whatever church you wish, I wish, I appoint. Be mindful of me, most beloved. Amen.

[22] "To you, Count Agilo, for your excellent merits toward my Church and my poor sons, and that you may continue strongly to undertake their defense as you have begun, I give and bequeath my prepared horse, and the mule which you shall choose. Be mindful of me, most beloved son. Amen.

[23] "To the Church of Saint Peter I give and bequeath wholly and absolutely the tapestries, which I often granted to it to use on its Anniversary ^k.

[24] "To you, Brother and most dear Consacerdos, concerning whom the Lord shall provide for the ruling after my departure ^l of the Church now mine, then yours, to the successor to be elected certain revenues: or rather neither mine nor yours, but Christ's, I give whatever for Episcopal use from my goods you shall wish to choose in the chamber and neighboring sacristy. What you shall not wish, let it be of my heirs to be named. The Presbyter of Malleium ^m, and him of Orbona ⁿ, never restore to the grades from which they were deservedly cast down. Yet let them have a stipend ^o as long as they live, upon part of my revenues from Pressaium [p]; what shall remain, with that part which I granted them to use and enjoy, after they have died, I leave to you also to use and enjoy: after your departure I give and bequeath to my Church. But you, Brother and most dear Consacerdos, love the Presbyters, Deacons, Clerics, Virgins, mine and yours; help by example, anticipate with benevolence; make them know that they are your sons not slaves, that you are to them a Father not a dominator, I ask, I wish, I appoint.

[25] He makes the poor his heirs: "But you, my bowels, most beloved brothers, my crown, my joy, my lords, my sons, the poor of Christ, needy, beggars, sick, widows, orphans. You, I say, I write, I say, I appoint as my heirs. With those things above subtracted, whatever I have in goods, whether in fields, pastures, meadows, groves, vineyards, manors, gardens, waters, mills, or in gold, silver, and clothing, and other things, of which it shall not appear that I have disposed, I command you to be heirs. And that all things may be administered with discretion, I wish that they be sold as soon as I shall have died and it can be done, and be reduced into money, and he names executors of the testament, of which let three parts be made. To needy men let two be distributed, as shall please the Presbyter Agrarius, and Count Agilo: the third to widows and poor women, as shall please the Virgin Dadolena, let it be distributed, I wish, I ask, I appoint.

[26] and signs it himself. "This Testament written with my own hand I have reread and subscribed, I Perpetuus, on the Kalends of May after the Consulship of Leo [q] the Younger. You, son Delmatius, keep it deposited with you, and with another similar one equally written and subscribed by my hand, which I deposited with Dadolena, you shall hand over to Count Agilo before my Brothers the Presbyters, Deacons, and Clerics to be opened and read, in the name of the Lord I wish, I ask, I appoint, let it be fixed and ratified. Bless, O Lord: come, Christ Jesus.

I, Perpetuus, in thy name. Amen."

NOTES.