Heimerad the Presbyter

ON S. HEIMERAD THE PRESBYTER,

IN THE LANDGRAVIATE OF HESSE.

A.D. 1019.

A PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.

On the origin of the monastery of Hasungen, the Saint's cult there, and the writers of his twofold Life.

Heymeradus, Presbyter in Hesse (B.)

BHL Number: 3771

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

Hasungen, a mountain of Hesse, vastly

projected into the height, and the same spacious

and well-watered, on the confines

of the town of Wolfshagen is situated, On a high mountain,

by the testimony of Adolf Overham in the scholia

to be praised below. But that town,

the head of the bailiwick named after itself, about

five hours distant from Cassel, the chief seat of the Landgraves;

but thence bending to the south by only one league

is distant the mountain itself, which by his dwelling, death, miracles

the Presbyter Heimerad made illustrious. To him this

there set Epitaph was once read, the year

and day of his death and his cult explaining.

In the year of Christ a thousand and nineteen,

By death was overcome Heimerad the blessed, Heimerad deceased in the year 1019,

On the light of the Kalends, the fourth of the month of July.

Those who with much pious prayer seek divine solaces,

By his merits receive quick relievings.

To the Epitaph agree the Abbey of Corvey in Westphalia's

very ancient Annals at the year aforenoted:

Heimerad the Monk on the Vigil of S. Peter died, he was not a Monk,

and immediately many virtues through him the Lord wrought.

The Abbot of Hersfeld Arnold indeed wished the habit of holy

conversation to him to deliver:

but he in no way consented; nor thereafter in any other

monastery did he live, wherefore I abstain from the title of Monk.

[2] From it certainly abstains he whose words I already cited,

Egbert, a Monk of the same convent of Hersfeld,

in upper Hesse as they call it, The Life written writing the Life

by the command of his Abbot Hartwig. This one says Lambert,

under the same Abbot himself also a Monk,

commonly called of Aschaffenburg, in a Chronicle up to

the year 1077 brought down, to have succeeded Ruothard,

abdicating about the year 1072 at its close. Wrote

therefore Egbert, when now on the mountain not only a church,

but also a numerous monastery there was, according to

the Prophecy of the Saint set forth in number 22 of the Life. For thus

of that foundation Gabriel Bucelinus: Hasungen,

once a wealthy and splendid monastery of the Benedictine Order,

after a monastery was founded in that place about 1070. whose foundations first laid

Aribo or Erbo, Archbishop of Mainz,

about the year 1028; but completed about the year

1060 or 70 Sigefrid, from Abbot of Fulda

made Mainz Archbishop, himself also; consecrated

in honor of SS. Peter and Paul and of S. Haimerad

the Confessor; whose there reposited holy body,

with great glory of miracles all the faithful

allured, and great splendor to the convent conferred.

Sent thither as first Abbot Giselbert,

an excellent man, S. William of Hirsau

(who in the year 1068 assumed, died on the 4th

of July 1090) with a whole colony of Religious, who quickly

were augmented to seventy. A little after the monastery was completed,

in which then its founder Sigefrid was buried.

Otto, from the Duchy of Bavaria by calumny expelled,

occupied the mountain of Hasungen, and it, by nature

and situation sufficiently fortified, more fortified yet by hand

and work he made, says Lambert of Aschaffenburg

at the year 1071; but Bucelinus adds; that this

very monastery in the year 1550 to the Bursfeld Congregation

joined itself.

[3] The Author of the Life Egbert prefaces, that he tasted little

of those things, That, faithfully written which, set in his progress, or which

the Saint after the consummation of his virtues, now aged,

accomplished. For of these, he says, to me some

were ascertained, partly by the report of my father, which

he records himself once to have heard from the minister of that servant

of God, partly from the very authors,

whose still surviving Heimerad he was cherished by their hospitality, humanity

and service: but as to how he instituted his life,

or certainly from what stock he sprang, to investigate

I could not. Such a writing already once

to Bollandus from the Ms. of Böddeken had communicated Johannes

Gamansius, it is given from Mss. and a printed [edition,] praised by us in the Life of Bollandus:

then about the year 1681, together with the Life of S.

Meinwerc, such as we gave on the 5th of June, with scholia illustrated

and to be printed took care Adolf Overham, of pious

memory, a Werden Benedictine Monk, then in

the literary services of Ferdinand Bishop of Paderborn, our Maecenas,

living. It I after our manner

divide into chapters, and to add I wished from a Parchment

Codex of ours, which once of the College of Paderborn

was, a transcribed metric paraphrase of the former Life,

found under this title, Here begins the Life of the devout

Presbyter Heimerad, the metric paraphrase being omitted reposited at Hasungen.

For although that Paraphrase adds nothing greatly

to the history, besides a testimony of the founded or completed

by Sigefrid monastery; yet it seemed to deserve, the very

antiquity of the verse, that such a monument should not

be handed to oblivion. The Author at the beginning and end Eringer

names himself, whom a verse, not yet perfectly Leonine,

indicates at least to have lived in the 12th century: for in the 13th

the highest perfection rhythmic poetry had already acquired.

But the style so obscure and intricate appeared,

that to the Reader, troublesome and grave, more loathing it seemed about to bring than

advantage: wherefore I hold it enough to indicate

the first Verses, ready also the whole poem to communicate,

to whoever shall think it worth the labor by print

to publish it. The exordium is this:

Thou who art the giver of all good things, O kind God;

From me take away the evils of my foul lips, I pray,

That I may be able clearly Thee with praises to magnify.

But it ends in the completed Prophecy of the Saint about founding

Afterward the Mainz Prelate called Sigefrid,

There a convent built of the life of Monks,

To the praise of the Lord and of this kind Father together,

As in the mind of prophecy this one had foretold.

Now to the Father, to the Son, be to the Spirit likewise kind,

Praise, as is just, honor and dominion, through the ages.

[4] Of the cult of S. Heimerad ancient it is sufficiently established from

what is said: Memorial in the Fasti, it is established also concerning the same from Lambert of Aschaffenburg

at the year 1072, in which he lived, thus writing:

Clear and celebrated in these times through the Gauls

was the memory of S. Sebold at Nuremberg and of holy

Hemerad at Hasungen; and with a great concourse of peoples

daily they were frequented, on account of the helps,

which divinely there to the languishing often

were conferred. S. Sebold or Sebald is venerated

on the 19th of August. Meanwhile neither this one nor that one is found

inscribed in any more ancient Fasti, which indeed we have seen:

yet as we do not doubt concerning Sebold but that

all the Nuremberg Calendars even before five hundred years

written have him; which we hope in their time to be supplied to us,

so we do not doubt, but that

likewise S. Heimerad was noted in his monastery's

and the neighbors' Martyrologies: from some of which

ascribed the same Hermann Greven the Carthusian,

in his Additions to Usuardus, in the year

1515 and 21 printed at Cologne; but not without error,

while in these words in the last place he is set forth: Likewise of blessed

memory Heymerad, Presbyter and Confessor,

in Hesse in the Monastery of Hasungen founded by himself

resting. For he did not found the monastery himself,

but in the very place which he inhabited prophesied it would be founded. not without some error.

Meanwhile the same error into his Martyrology

German transferred Canisius, and from Canisius

received Ferrarius, in his General Catalogue of the Saints

who are wanting in the Roman Martyrology; where with the title of Prior

of Hasungen he gratuitously burdens the Saint, and in

the Notes adds; He was Prior of the church and convent

of Hasungen built by himself; Canisius being cited, who

however about the Priorate is silent.

THE LIFE

By the Author Egbert, Monk of Hersfeld.

From the Ms. of Böddeken and the edition of Overham.

Heymeradus, Presbyter in Hesse (B.)

BHL Number: 3770

BY THE AUTHOR EGBERT

PROLOGUE.

[1] To his Lord and Father Hartwig, the unique exemplar

of true virtue, The Author bidden by his Abbot to write, Egbert

the last portion of the Lord's flock, what

he knows, what he is worth, if it is of any weight or price.

Truly, excellent Father, a unique exemplar thou showest thyself,

what it is to be a father; since so affectionately

thou imitatest in thy son the manner of the evangelic husbandman, who

every branch bearing fruit prunes, that

it may bear more fruit. For whatever occasion

is offered to thee, whatever of trifles to thy mind

occurs, with these to occupy thou goest on my mind,

lest any time to leisure or rest I grant; but

this thou doest for this grace, because of set purpose to extirpate

thou strivest the wood of nettles, which has filled the field

of my heart, as truly of a sluggish man. But since

assiduously each of us does his office, thou

by commanding, I by modestly obeying; at last, which

with thy peace be it said, thy majesty exceeded the manner

of commanding. For thou hast commanded me, that the life

of S. Heimerad the Confessor to letters I should commit:

inasmuch as in the fruits, which abiding in Christ

here brought forth this branch, rich: whose richness, whose

sweetness me nearly escapes, except that

scarcely a little I have tasted of those things, which set in his progress,

or which after the consummation of his virtues

now aged he accomplished. only the last [years of his life certainly known to me:] For of these to me

some are ascertained, partly by the report of my father,

which he records himself once to have heard from

the minister of that same servant of God; partly from the very authors,

whose still surviving Heimerad was cherished by their hospitality,

humanity and service. But as to how

he instituted his life, how like a cedar of Lebanon

he was multiplied in the house of the Lord; or certainly

from what stock he sprang, what parents of earthly lineage

he had, to investigate I could not; but those things,

which to me are ascertained, a vintager of more learned genius

demand.

[2] For since I am of no art, and of no eloquence,

so great a wood of matter I did not presume

ever to touch; but in the shrubs of humble matters

to spend the labor of writing I had been wont:

whence not a little I fear, and matter greater than his strength, lest I before under the burden

must fall, than lift [it]. But I the price

for my folly bear, who in the field a hidden

treasure of no weight, of no moment

windily betrayed; who the knowledge of my poor wit

not with the ash of a poor conscience covered. For of those

it is, not to bury the talent in the earth, who

know how by working to gain it; who have grown

into a man of perfect knowledge; whose is solid

food; who know to break bread for children asking;

who are ready to bring forth from their treasure

new and old; who, the letter killing, are skilled to exclude

the quickening spirit: who know to be wise

unto soberness, and the puffing-up knowledge to beat down

to the edification of charity. Behold there thou wilt find

the precious pearl, which thou seekest, of liberal genius;

there the mina, not in a napkin placed, which

when to the money-changers it shall have been given, either five, or

ten minas to the table of thy Lord thou shalt bring back.

There sitting the Lord steadfast shall purge the sons of Levi,

into the likeness of purest gold and silver. Such

seems this saying of Solomon to regard: that the matter, long deferred by him, is treated by vow. Wisdom

hidden, and a treasure unseen, what utility

in both is there? But in me there is nothing such.

But since all labor is easy to the willing;

but on the contrary, as the Comic poet says, No thing

is so easy, but that, if anyone unwilling does it,

it becomes difficult; willingly I will try what I can: especially

since this very thing of study I once vowed myself to undertake,

if any of the things by him happily done

I could investigate, although hitherto I have deferred it.

Whence also I sufficiently believe, not without the divine Godhead's

instinct into thy mind it came, that among

so many illustrious geniuses, among so many sons of mother Hersfeld,

who were educated in the auspicious recesses

of Philosophy; to me, who am a body without a breast,

that work thou shouldst enjoin: lest perchance it should befall me

to exist guilty of a vow; because it was safer not to have vowed,

than after the vow not to render.

CHAPTER I.

Heimerad, having made pilgrimage to Rome and Jerusalem, is received by the Abbot of Hersfeld; and, scourged, is driven out.

[3] As the morning light begins, the darkness fleeing,

we see also the stars grow rare: That at the end of the world the Saints seem to shine less, not

that they altogether vanish, but that their splendor,

conquered by the preceding light of the near sun, yields, as being

far inferior. So we who have eyes for seeing,

not much differently now in the Saints of God,

the true luminaries indeed of heaven, do see to happen.

For the more the end of the age approaches, the more

the coming of the true sun near impends, the more the splendor

of these luminaries of heaven is withdrawn from the world:

so that now nearly none is believed to be of the elect, to whom

the grace of healings and miracles is distributed

by the Spirit dividing to each, as he wills.

But far be it, that this cause to the true sun Christ, not so much to the nearness of Christ to come,

namely our Lord, we should ascribe, as if the vessels

of election from the nearness of his coming should begin to be of less

virtue; who the nearer he is, by so much the greater

it is necessary by the radiance of his brightness, his Saints who

are in the world he should illustrate: nay rather to us,

against whom now the end of the age has awoken,

whom those perilous times have found, iniquity

and cooling charity; to us, I say, whose

light is darkness, are darkened also

these stars of heaven by the gloom of our malice. For

having things divine and human promiscuous, sacred

with profane mixing, those who the broad and spacious

way, which leads to death, walk, we beatify,

and these of some moment we esteem;

but the strait and narrow way, which leads to

life, those who take up, of no weight or price

we reckon. Moreover when through such servants

of his we have heard the Lord in modern time the ancient miracles

resound, than to our incredulity is to be imputed. we disdain faith

to accommodate; and the authors of such things not only

of falsehood we accuse, but also with injuries and contumelies

afflict. Whence while toward the end of the age

under the bushel of our infidelity thus about to be obscured

the Church foresaw, as if grieving for her,

to those fervent with zeal of faith she says: Consider me not

that I am swarthy, because the sun has discolored me.

Cant. 1, 5 As if she said: Let it not move you, that,

the end of the world approaching, near the second

coming of Christ, on account of men of little faith,

the flames of good works to put forth I am not

able: because not therefore in the progresses of virtues,

though under a bushel, though in darkness, do I cease to burn.

There remain many still of great merit before

God, but the lamps are not placed upon the candlestick.

But that at last we may explain, for what

cause this exordium of speech we took up;

the Saint, of whom here henceforth we are to have speech,

was one of the aforesaid luminaries of heaven.

[4] Blessed Heimerad therefore, the eximious rays of his sanctity,

while life accompanied, everywhere scattered in

the world: but on account of the penury of believers, So in B. Heimerad it befell: the Lamp

of the Lord shone under a bushel. He from Swabia

was sprung, from a place which is called from Messkirch:

of whose condition superfluous it seemed

to write, since him the Lord daily

illustrates with the nobility of virtues and signs. For where

is the spirit of the Lord, there is liberty: and there is not

Jew, nor Greek, there is not servant nor

free, there is not male nor female; all

indeed in Christ one we are. Finally when

he was in the service of a certain matron, and she another

Presbyter also with herself had;

he himself to be given to liberty asked, that somewhere for his affairs

better he might provide. Which granted, as if

by a command with Abraham divinely received, he went out

from his land and from his kindred, and a unique

exemplar of sanctity to be preached he shone forth

in the province of the Hessians. Therefore among his own of no

weight or price esteemed, in his own country despised he lay hidden; for that they did not

attend to a lamp in a gloomy place shining,

For no Prophet, the Lord testifying,

is accepted in his own country. Luc. 4, 24. Yet that matter had its first

approaches difficult, namely that to men,

unaccustomed to such men, of what sanctity he was

it should be impressed. For when first his life unlike

others appeared, according to what is written;

The animal man perceives not the things which are

of the spirit of God; not by the true way to virtue him to strive,

fasting to appear, but with swollen heart of popular

breath the reward to seek, they thought; and

the Holy Spirit, whose voice they heard, whose

virtues they discerned, in him to breathe they did not believe. 1 Cor. 2, 14.

Servants truly useless and sluggish, who to work

with the received talent of genius were burdened, and by their own

conscience him measured: whence it befell,

that nearly to whatever places he had come,

not without contumely he escaped: until he ascended

into that mountain, in which it was well-pleasing

to God, that he should dwell in it: but these things more clearly,

when the order of matters shall demand, we will explain.

[5] Therefore when his country and parents he forsook,

to Rome for the sake of pilgrimage and at the same time of prayer

he directed his journey. from Rome having returned There the Saints' thresholds assiduously

he wore; there with the Keybearer of heaven the merchandise of his prayers

he bargained, for the door of life to be opened to him;

there the vessel of election, there all the rest

the Senators of the heavenly court, in the last examination patrons

for himself he prepared, and witnesses of his not neglected life

(while life accompanied him) of his reckoning. Thence by postliminy

returned, when into his own country he had come,

neither by the prayers nor the tears of his own could he be bent,

that his house or anyone of his family

he should visit, or at least look upon; remembering

that saying of the Lord: Because no one

putting his hand to the plough, and at Jerusalem, and looking

back, is fit for the kingdom of God: and that; Let

the dead bury their dead; but thou go

and announce the kingdom of God. Luc. 9, 62., Mat. 8, 22. Then Jerusalem

he sought, there the Feet of Jesus with tears he watered; there

his Head, reclining, with the ointment of a contrite heart and a spirit

afflicted, with the evangelic

Ointment-bearer anointing, the house in which he reclined,

with psalmody and prayers' good odor he filled.

The Cross also after Jesus, with his reproach

bearing, his crucified Lord

outside the camp he followed into the place of Calvary, that

he might see the inscription of the salvation-bearing trophy, with his Lord's

gore inscribed: nay even, the aromatics of his devotion being completed,

the sepulchre of his Lord to visit,

with the devout women he took care. So an olive

fruitful in the house of the Lord, the mountain kindred to him,

in which to God to dwell in it was well-pleasing;

the mountain in which our peace for us, the things which

are of peace, to ask the Father he had been wont; and Jesus going

into the heavens with a strong breast having followed, he adored

in the place where his feet stood: and so

good hope he brought home, namely that he his head,

as truly his member, at some time

would follow. Bethlehem also, the house of bread,

that he might taste, how sweet is the Lord, with

the Evangelic shepherds he passed; and the bread of Angels

in the manger he adored, the pious food set before

the animals, namely the spiritual ass and

her foals, in whose hearts he deigns to sit.

[6] But whatever in alms he received,

at the same hour, and the same moment, when himself

the poor had offered, with remarkable poverty in like work he expended.

But most of all he always labored, his piety

however being saved, as much as he could, that with injuries of any kind

and contumelies he might be afflicted, namely for chastising

his body: knowing it is written,

Healing will make the greatest sins to cease. Eccl. 10, 4. And when

other occasion of injuring himself was wanting, whatever between

himself and others to be divided had fallen, that part

which preponderated, he himself usurped, that them so

to contumely of himself he might provoke. But nothing

there was, which he did not immediately to the poor give out;

nor anything for himself out of all reserving, of

the morrow he thought not. Holy Heimerad also

his every thought, every hope,

his every mind thither directed, where the merciful

the beatitude of mercy shall attain;

so much, that the present to him both day, and food,

and life at once often were taken from memory.

But when his companion of the journey, himself performing the ministry

of Martha, while he performed that of Mary, and exercised with zeal of mortification,

sometimes for the sake of testing would say; Master

Heimo (for that was his proper name) what

today shall we eat? nothing of remainder in the purses,

for tomorrow we must fast; he was wont to answer:

Then let us fast today, tomorrow let us eat:

so the flesh, so the spirit he consulted. The dogs also

to tear him he invited, a true martyr, because

he himself more than any executioner of his own accord for the Lord

himself tortured.

[7] Therefore having measured out so many and so great spaces of lands,

now enough in the furnace of weariness, like gold

in the furnace, baked; at last with the Psalmist

he wished wings to be given him, like a dove's,

that he might fly, and rest in solitude. Psal. 54, 7. Whom the Abbot of Hersfeld, he is received at Hersfeld; by name Arnold, in one

of his convents, named Mimileb,

found: and having inquired his country, race, and the cause

of his coming; to Hersfeld him before himself

he sent ahead; and immediately following, to him the habit of holy

conversation to deliver he wished: but he in no

way consented. And yet when in his Regular

purpose by the royal way, neither to the right, nor

to the left he walked, in mind and eyes always

to heaven intent, like a sailor skilled in the stars,

when he has committed his sails to the winds; on one day, nothing less

suspecting the Monks and Abbot, in

the assembly of the Brethren at the Chapter (as is the custom,)

prostrate on the ground license of departing

he asked. Being interrogated therefore, what cause he had;

this only he answered; that his soul there

according to his vow safe he could not make. whence asking to be dismissed Therefore the angry

Abbot, and objecting that proverb of the crossroads, namely,

that his foot again itched him; against the will of the Brethren,

cast him out with indignation. Who, cast out,

while in the cell of guests at the gate his horse

he was awaiting, which the Provost of the monastery,

having set out into his obedience, with him had;

he is said meanwhile to have burst into this voice:

that not rightly he, nor honorably enough for his birth,

had been treated by the Monks and Abbot;

that the nobility of his race was hidden from them, that he was the Emperor's

brother. Which word as it sounded

in the chinky ears of the disciples of the doorkeeper, immediately

with derision; Is the matter so, they say, Lord?

And he affirmed, that the matter was so. And

why, they say, this so long hast thou kept concealed,

and not long since brought forth under the open sky, that fitting

honor to thy nobility might have been shown? And without delay,

rushing to the same Abbot, to him they set forth

the saying, to the furnace adding oil,

who, the menial, had grown hot against the same

man, whose embers far into posterity were

to endure: for the Abbot, sinning against God and against

his own soul, committed against innocent blood,

what both to himself for a scruple of heart, and for

would be a snare and ruin.

[8] For as this saying; Like a creeping cancer,

into his not stopped ears crept (for he had not

remembered the sentence of Solomon, that he should hedge his Ears

with thorns) immediately the servant of God called forth

to the exactor, who was over the executioners, he delivered;

and him by the oath, is cruelly scourged, by which he had bound himself,

he admonished, that him so for himself he should adorn,

as it should please himself, when him he himself to inspect

should wish. Eccl. 28, 28. Who soon, having received [him], O grief, and O

wickedness! to the hedge bound, with blows cruelly

through his officials to be macerated he made. But he himself

for himself these stripes for the cause of chastising his body voluntary

took on: yet to those treating the matter with deeper sense,

he was found nothing false to have said;

for it is not lawful for the vessels of election, in which

to make his abode is wont the spirit of truth. Finally,

the Apostle testifying, Whether servant, or free, all

in Christ one we are: and by the very Lord's

testimony, one father all in the heavens we have. Eph. 6, 8., Matt. 23, 9.

And therefore also from the very our Lord Jesus Christ

one appellation of brotherhood all from the Gospel

we have obtained. By which appellation also us

he deigns to call in the Psalms: I will declare, he says, thy name

to my brethren. Psal. 21, 23. But he who, sent by

the Abbot, at this his maceration was present, Anzo

the Monk, was wont to relate, that amid the scourges

nothing else from his mouth resounded, except the fiftieth

Psalm, and is cast out. Have mercy on me, O God: which

however to the end he did not bring: for so far

against him was the savagery not carried. But the aforesaid

Brother Anzo was of such religiousness and such

gravity of morals, that for himself even from the incredulous

faith he would extort. With this contumely therefore

from the Monastery cast out, the little hut of a certain

poor little woman outside the wall he entered:

whom when inconsolably weeping he had seen,

and the causes having inquired, over the inflicted on him so

cruel stripes moved he had heard; Psal. 38, 2.

Cease, he says, woman, for my lot to grieve, and rather

over thy sins be compunct; for these can

be of more profit to thee.

NOTES D. P.

CHAPTER II.

Reproaches and scourges patiently borne, the punishment of the contumelious, retirement into Hasungen.

[9] Therefore from Hersfeld having gone out, nay expelled,

for the increase of his future glory, which

in him was to be revealed, the village named Kircheberg,

in Hesse situated, he sought: Driven from Hesse, where when for some time

he had tarried, accused that he was privy

to the chapel there broken into, and of the sacrilege done in

it; when neither to confess, nor himself to clear

he would (mindful of that little verse; I set

to my mouth a guard, when the sinner stood

against me) Psal. 38, 2. thence also by the villagers he was expelled

with injury. After these things he came into the village Deitmelle,

where, since there were two churches, one baptismal,

and the other old neglected, he crosses into Westphalia, this for himself

Heimerad from the Presbyter of that place obtained

for celebrating there the divine mysteries. Matters so

not much time passed, when so to all

the peoples round about the fame of his sanctity became known,

that all men and women the already said

Presbyter neglected, and to this one

eagerly with their oblations came. Among

whom also the wife of the Vicar Presbyter on one day

coming, her oblation also to the man of God offered:

which he rejecting would not receive. Then

she, her face suffused with blush and in mind dismayed, where held for a Saint, he sustains envy,

to the other arriving matrons to supplicate

began, that to her the cause he should indicate of his refusal.

But he answered: that he not of his own accord, either

to her confusion, or to the people scandal would make:

so that openly it was given to understand, that something to him had been revealed

of her, which he did not gladly betray, of a secret.

And when still she did not rest, but the more

for the cause of explaining her guilt to him insisted:

Knowing, he says, know thou, that neither thy soul, nor thy oblation

to God is of care, unless thy life and morals

thou correct. But seeing the aforesaid

Presbyter, himself to be despised, that one to be loved;

himself to be neglected, that one studiously by men

to be visited; with many him first having assailed with injuries,

at last him with dogs

drove from those places.

[10] And so the tallness of his body, and his face pallid

on account of frequent fasts, and the meanness of his garments,

to say, how much of comeliness and dignity

within they had prepared for him: Although our outer man

is corrupted, says the Apostle, the inner yet

from day to day is renewed. 2 Cor. 4, 16. Who when to Paderborn

he had come, and him the Bishop Meginwerc

in the skin, not within, had seen; and by S. Meinwerc despised, he asked

whence that devil emerged? He, rejoicing,

the cross of contumelies after Jesus

bearing (for him also the Jews said to have a demon)

humbly answered, that he a demon

had not. With solid joy indeed he triumphed,

that he was made a companion of the Lord's

passion: since without doubt he knew, the Apostle

testifying, himself to be about to be a companion of the consolation. But that

the proof of his patience might be found much more precious

than gold, which by fire is proved; the Bishop persevered

to assert, him a devil to be.

And having inquired, whether he was a Presbyter: by the command of S. Cunigund he is scourged. after

he heard him the same day the divine mysteries to have celebrated,

he ordered the books to be given him in which he had chanted:

which the same moment into the fire to cast he ordered,

for that they were unkempt and neglected, and of no

weight seemed or price; whom also he himself

with blows to be beaten ordered. We have heard also him

by the Empress Cuniza's command to have been flogged, who there

then was present together with the Lord Emperor Henry:

who was the founder of the Bamberg Church,

of his religion and his ardent toward God

mind an evident there giving indication, that very

place, with buildings, wealth, magnitude,

glory; moreover, what is foremost, with divine

praises day and night there resounding rendering

most flourishing. But the man of admirable patience,

S. Heimerad, all the stripes of his body and all

the injuries, so with even mind bore, that not even

would he mutter against them, nay rejoiced himself for

the name of Jesus and for the hope of heavenly rewards

from false brethren to suffer such things; taught

by the Lord that the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and is not

except by the violent snatched.

[11] His calumniators chastised, Furthermore by the truthful relation of many we have learned,

that some who the man of God calumniated,

to his sepulchre for obtaining

pardon eagerly desired to approach (after

the lamp of his sanctity, upon the candlestick placed,

began to shine to all) but in no way

the ascent of the mountain to merit could. The judgments

of God are a great abyss! Behold, to the sepulchre of one

just man his calumniator, penitent, to approach did not

merit, over whom greater joy to be to the Angels

of God in the heavens, than over ninety-nine just,

the Lord himself promised. Luc. 15, 7. And yet without any

ambiguity it is to be believed, that the Lord to those

penitents the sins forgave; because it could not

but be true, what he said: but because there were not

to be wanting, those who the man of God now in the heavens with

Christ reigning, now on earth with miracles glittering,

would blaspheme (as afterward clearly will appear,

namely by example) for the striking into these of greater

terror, if perhaps they should rest (since no

work of God is void of mystery) such against them he used a sentence.

But this by conjecturing we have brought forth, not

by affirming: because as we premised above, the judgments

of God are a great abyss: and as the converser of Wisdom

said, The mind of the Lord who has known? Psal. 35, 7, Rom. 11, 34

[12] Not much time flowed, after

the Abbot of Hersfeld Arnold, The Abbot of Hersfeld deposed from his office not knowing what

he did, the blessed man so unworthily to be treated made;

when, with members springing apart from the head, the boys tumultuating

against the old man, and servants against

their Lord, the seamless tunic of Christ,

which the pagan soldiers wished to rend, was torn

by the Brethren and the Abbot. But over affairs held sway

at that time Conrad, father of Henry

II the Emperor: he the tares of discord, which

between the Brethren and the Abbot had grown, the enemy

man sowing, with the sharp sickle of his sentence so

mowed down; the same Abbot Arnold they should depose,

and of pious memory Rudolph, from

the Monastery, which is called Stabulaus, afterward

Bishop of Paderborn, in his place subrogate.

Who when wholly himself to divine religion he had enslaved,

with the zeal of the brethren toward the divine service,

and the holy purpose which they had professed, so

congratulated himself, that whatever he could of charity's

offices, as a most indulgent father, on them he expended.

But the deposed Abbot Arnold, the rest

of his age passed private; yet never

to his mind would bring back, that for the injury,

which to the man of God he had heaped, to be deposed he had deserved.

But if we ourselves should judge ourselves, says the Apostle,

we should not at all be judged. 1 Cor. 11, 31 he pays the penalties of the scourged Saint: But the precipice

into which he had fallen, therefore the Abbot to see

could not, because the lamp lay hidden under a bushel;

because no splendor of the merits of the man of God yet

had glittered forth; because the oil, with which his lamps to refresh

he was wont, in the vessels of his conscience, until

the Bridegroom should come, to reserve he studied justly. But

lest he himself Arnold with this world should be condemned,

but by the Lord corrected here should be judged;

we believe him by the merits of S. John the Baptist aided,

to whom a little monastery most beautifully he had built

toward the Southern region of the city, on the mountain

which thence is called the Mount of S. John. But

also that most celebrated place, the very Abbey perishes by fire, where blessed Heimerad

so cruelly with blows was driven, namely Hersfeld,

not long after the departure of that Arnold

with the basilica, and all the buildings together

by fire was burned; whether for the injury of the man

of God, or also for other faults requiring it. But

it is not out of place, if an unusual and unheard-of miracle

we bring to the middle, which the Lord

for consoling the grieving hearts of the Brethren there dwelling

deigned to show. yet the Paschal candle being saved. For

the candle, which on the holy Sabbath was consecrated,

at the beginning of the fire, as is wont, for warding off perils,

before the altar had been lit: but on the next

day, when the whole building into ashes had subsided,

entire it was found and unharmed, with coals

and half-burnt beams up to the top

surrounded: which thence through each

year, until something remained, by parts to the new

candle was added.

[13] But that to our purpose we may return, hitherto

the man of God carrying about the mortification of Jesus in his body,

Having departed to the mountain Hasungen, at last to the mountain Hasungen

came, where henceforth also the life of Jesus in his body

was to be manifested. There therefore he decreed to his wandering

to set a measure; there after so great a labor's

weariness to rest; there to await him, who

would make him safe from pusillanimity of spirit and tempest;

there heaven he saw opened for himself, as he himself

was wont to relate: because namely when first that mountain

he beheld, not otherwise to himself it seemed,

than as if the inner parts of heaven he contemplated. We do not

doubt that he then (inasmuch as in the studies of letters

sufficiently exercised) was not unmindful of that

verse of Jacob; How terrible is this place,

there is here nothing other, but the house of God, and the gate of heaven. Gen. 28, 17.

Certain therefore from this vision that this place for himself

from heaven had been predestined, he asked of the inhabitants, destined for his burial he understands,

that to him the right they should grant of inhabiting the mountain: which

when they had gladly granted, what there of labor, what

of sweat he expended; how wholly in service, how

frequent in prayer, how assiduous in reading,

how bountiful in alms, how compassionate

to the wretched, how to all affable he was; how

his body with fasts and vigils he macerated,

how his flesh with vices and concupiscences

he crucified; let the miracles ask, who

to us deny faith; let them also regard the Lord

sending his incredulous followers to the miracles: If to me

you will not believe, he says, the works believe: and,

The works which I do in the name of my Father, these

bear testimony of me. Joan. 10, 38 & 5, 36.

[14] As often as him the incitements of the flesh tickled,

while psalms he sang, he checks the goads of the flesh with cold water or anything else of the divine

office he performed; suddenly not without the miracle of those beholding

rushing himself from the church, as quickly as possible

he gave a leap into the fishpond, which there was; and there

so long he waded, until the goad of his flesh rested. or with thorns:

It is said also one time his naked body

through thorn-brakes to have dragged: and so while penally

he burned outside, to have extinguished the fire, which fatally

lived in his marrow. But the Masses

of the solemnities' offices being performed, this was his custom, that

the people, who had assembled for the sake of hearing the divine office,

with such admonitions he exhorted, that, home returned,

whatever they had, all into alms

they should expend. And when some, smiling,

asked, all being spent, what of themselves would become,

with what things the needs of life they should consult;

The good man from the good treasure of his heart

brought forth good words, consoling words;

that there were reposited for them in the heavens, what neither eye saw,

nor ear heard, nor into the heart of man ascended.

Then lest they be bitten by these cares, that the Lord was

solicitous for them; alms by word he persuades and by example. that never could be exhausted

the fountain of divine mercy. Such tree, such

fruit. The doctrine accorded with the life: for

he himself, neither for himself nor for his goods, for alms'

sake spared, holding it certain, that his rewards

he gathered not into a pierced sack. The very

breeches also often for the use of alms

he gave away. But this requital beautifully

lent back to himself he saw also upon the earth; for shortly

the fame of his sanctity called forth the whole province,

to see that which in those bounds appeared,

that which could not be hidden, the city upon

no age, no condition; not nobility, not

dignity at home contained itself: as to a fair,

so each after another, with the merchandise of oblations

rushed, that he might forestall the blessing

of the servant of God, and to his to God pleasing

prayer commend himself. Nearly no day, no hour,

no moment passed, in which not someone

for the sake of seeing the man of God ran together.

[15] Meanwhile a certain Count, Dudecho by name,

of the mountain which is called Wartberg, on the festivity

of S. Andrew the Apostle, the Bishop of Paderborn

Meinwerc invited to a banquet:

for there was a chapel on the same mountain, in honor

of S. Andrew the Apostle consecrated. Again despised by S. Meinwerc, And when

on the vigil of that Apostle to supper they had assembled,

and the aforesaid Count, B. Heimerad likewise

invited, opposite himself at the table to sit had made;

indignant the Bishop asked, what

in his own mouth the blessed man to injure, and him

not even muttered, knowing, it is written:

Patience for you is necessary, that you may carry off the promises.

Confounded therefore in his stead the Count who

had called him, for greatly he venerated him; Heb. 10, 39

answered, that he had not known, that against him any

he had of controversy: and began his mind

to mitigate, and for the man of God pardon to ask. But

the Bishop persevering in his sentence, swore,

that, since by men a Saint he was thought; he ought

on the next day without doubt the Alleluia at Mass

to sing, that in this his sanctity he might prove:

and immediately on him before all under the threat

of blows that office he enjoined. And when the Count

for him more earnestly supplicating, and bidden to sing the Alleluia, and for him of this action

the remission asking, nothing accomplished, except that

oil to the flame he added; by night, Matins finished,

he took the man of God secretly, and consoling

him besought, that the first attempts he should not flee,

but at least in the name of the holy Trinity

beginning, the rest to God he should commit. Who although

much resisting, and himself to the little lodging to be dismissed

demanding; yet, the Count not ceasing from prayers,

at last consented. The hour therefore coming,

when the Bishop in no way could be led away from his sentence;

he came forth; and beginning, so solemnly,

so pleasantly the Alleluia he sang, and to the end

brought it through (as the Cleric of that place

testified) that all wondered, and themselves from no

man's mouth ever a sweeter modulation

to have heard professed: so that the Bishop, Mass finished,

him more secretly taking aside, at his feet fell,

and pardon asking, thenceforth a perpetual

became to him friend.

NOTES D. P.

CHAPTER III.

Certain miracles of the living Saint.

[16] Returned at last B. Heimerad to his little lodging,

the banquet finished, His complaining servant when to him

sublime persons too and acting in the fasces magistrates,

loading their beasts with as much as they could carry,

gifts transmitted, (so that even his little reckonings

for the love of Christ relinquished, here he seems

to have received a hundredfold,) he himself with only bread with

salt and water, and rarely with vegetables content,

nothing for his own uses kept, but all to the poor,

as very often already has been impressed

on the memory. Which when he went on to do, one time,

the day now inclined toward evening, all being poured out on the poor, when nothing to him remaining

his minister had seen; he began with swollen mouth

to rage, and with the staff of contumely his ears

to beat, why also with himself the things which were offered he did not

share? that he was tortured with hunger, who to him assiduous

ministry day and night not without the sweat of his face

expended; but he himself all on others

poured out, and of himself indeed no care

had. Then also the dove, although without gall raging,

him with chiding to be silent commanded, saying:

Not for that does the Lord send these to us, that all

by us be devoured. Behold feet sent by the Lord

to the door, who shall bring to us of the dew of heaven

and of the fatness of the earth abundance: for those seeking

the Lord shall not be diminished of any good.

But whether this by the spirit of prophecy he foresaw, he reproves [him, a supply of food being suddenly obtained,] or

by faith alone he obtained [it], which most of all the Lord in

his Saints is wont to be praised, of his promise

he was not defrauded. For behold, at that time in which

men are wont, the night having cut off their labors, their own

bodies to tend, and for their household to provide;

there came up a man with a beast, with various kinds of foods,

as much as it could carry, laden.

Then, the pusillanimity of the disciple being rebuked,

from all things sufficiently he gave to him. But there was

there a vessel, containing a little bean; this him

to the fire to set, and for himself, while he returned, to prepare

he ordered; the church he entered, there in his manner much

of the night he spent. At last, [him] returned, when

the minister the little table had set, and he his body

with fasting macerated to refresh had begun, suddenly a spark

with crackling fire leaping out the table-cloth burned through:

but he, as quickly as possible rising, his journey to the church

he hastened, and confesses that there appeared to him SS. Martin and Mainulph. and there the rest of the night to cockcrow

up to he endured. And when the minister now

his return had despaired, and to go to bed had decided,

unexpectedly arriving, the table being again set, food

he took. Meanwhile, he who to him ministered,

began him modestly to interrogate, why,

the table being harmed by the fire, so hastily the church he had entered?

But he; An Angel of the Lord, he says, with

the spark me having called came: and when the church

I had entered so with every kind of beauty adorned, so

with supernal light illustrated I found, as befitted

truly the palace of the Lord. There S. Martin and

S. Mainulph I found, who also to my faith this mountain

commended; and if it well I should keep,

me into the kingdom of heaven they would introduce

by mutual faith they promised.

[17] Already in the midst the feet of those running to and fro his name

to foreign nations also had carried,

and much of veneration for him among the nation of the Saxons

had acquired. The minister's theft, absent, he knew: But he had one of

his neighbors familiar, and except for one thing, which now

is to be introduced, otherwise to him faithful; who frequently

his legation performed, wherever

the matter demanded. To this one the name was Yemmo, whom

when in his manner with commissions to the Abbot of Corvey

he had directed, the Abbot sent to him two pack-loads

of all things, of which use has need, full: who

one at home hid, the other to the man of God brought.

But he giving thanks, asked; whether anything

to him more he had sent: he denying it: Go, he says, and

that which to me thou hast brought, add to it, what at home

thou hast hidden, having both. Who although otherwise

faithful was, yet because in this one he transgressed,

of his transgression the penalties to most just censure

he owed; for it is written: Whosoever

the whole law shall have kept, but shall offend

in one, is made guilty of all. Jac. 2, 10 But since

to the man of God, otherwise, as has been said, familiar

and faithful he remained, by his merits here to receive

he deserved, whatever against the law of familiarity he failed:

finally not much after his right jaw,

and so downward, up to his shoulder,

artery bare appeared: but by equal scale that

part the worm consumed, by which he, what he had stolen,

to consume had. When one time lying

in the atrium of the church he rested, suddenly those who were present, he foretells the frequency of those about to come to him,

saw a swarm of ants from

the earth, as is wont, bubbling up, upon him ascend;

which when by driving away they accomplished nothing,

but, the more spiritedly, as if conspiring, into war

ranks, with serried column upon him rushed;

troubled by these portents, him awakened the matter they indicated.

But he said, There is no peril, do not

be troubled: for as you see now the swarm

of ants, a presage namely of things to come,

upon me rush: so a little after my decease,

you shall see men from all the nations round about

in swarms this mountain with their vows

and oblations ascend.

[18] There was also there a Cleric, in youthful age

flourishing, but exceedingly proud and arrogant.

This one already from the beginning many to the man of God, out of envy,

did injuries. On a certain day therefore when

he went on to be troublesome to him, the man of God said to him: and the condemnation of the troublesome Cleric.

Nearer to thy marrow receive what I foretell thee: rich

indeed thou wilt be, but after all things thou hast gathered,

shall come Satan, and all things from thee and thyself

together shall take away. Would that already in him this prophecy

were not fulfilled, which with the peace of this Saint, the faith

of his words being saved, we should wish: which fulfilled,

the issue of events taught, in his substance.

For after the man of God from human affairs departed,

when now many things the Cleric had heaped up,

at last the maidservant of a certain most powerful man

his house and all his furniture invaded,

and nothing from all besides his wretched life

leaving; moreover at Fritzlar before a general

Synod him accused. And when it was

at the point, that the Bishop to degrade him

the staff ought to have raised, suddenly bursting forth

blood from his nostrils with force upon the Bishop

came: forthwith cast out so long blood

he shed, until, the other things, which were to be introduced,

being introduced and determined, him being given over to oblivion,

that Synod was dissolved. Who would doubt that he

in the crisis of so great necessity by the blessed Man's compassion

was freed? who indeed when he had seen his prophecy

in his affairs fulfilled, lest,

his priestly grade likewise lost, utterly of all

hope he should be stripped, judged he must be succored, by the example

of his Lord, who, when he shall have been angry, of mercy

will be mindful.

[19] A certain one of the inhabitants of the same place,

when now old he was and full of days, a most rare,

but pleasant, miracle revealed, He raises a dead cock.

to himself for benefit, to God for praise and glory,

by the same servant of God done. For when the man

himself was younger in time, and toward the man of God

with wondrous love burned, and his diligently performed

service; on a certain day he led him to his own

lodging, and showed him his cock

dead, whom a certain youth of ill mind,

with a little stone thrown, killed walking in

the atrium. And when with too querulous voices his

case he set forth, that namely now there was not,

who for him cock-crowings would crow; who himself for the feast days

to his office, in the morning hours to

the divine office would rouse; that there was not,

whereby the house in part he should aid; chickens should rear;

the breeding of offspring supply. At last moved by these

complaints the servant of God, his right hand raised, the sign

of the Cross against the lying carcass made; and immediately

the cock, as if no harm it had suffered, but from

sleep it had been roused, with too great swiftness rising

went away. Which therefore sign he prudently in his mind decided

not except when elder, not except of more perfect age,

to bring forth under the open sky; for that scarcely

in these years a little of faith there is, for that falsehood

has overflowed, for that all truth from the earth

to the heavens has returned.

[20] When on a certain day in the village Elheno, which

is near the mountain, Under Mass before the people on the divine mysteries he was engaged, and,

those things which usually precede, finished, the Gospel

to be read the order of reason demanded: while more tenaciously

he clung to God, suddenly snatched into ecstasy, one

spirit also, so to speak, he was made with

him. But long the people waiting, that he who

in mind had departed (according to the Apostle) to God, sober

might become for them. 2 Cor. 5, 13 And now all being wearied, when

home to return it had pleased, he who for bestowing

aid to the Priest of Christ stood by, the office of Deacon

performing, the stole taken, read the Gospel;

lest, for whose cause the people had come, of the divine

Office wholly devoid it should return. Then, the others

departing, remained one Hemmo with his

wife; who, like tenacious anchors, more familiarly and

more closely to the man of God adhered; and who to him

more inclinedly service to expend were wont. he remains in ecstasy, But

when now the day was inclined toward evening; to

himself returned, what remained of the Mass, he completed;

and so together with them to the lodging

of them he entered. To whom when in their manner the table they had set,

as if the Lord not in his members,

but in himself they had received, and his wife, like another

Martha about frequent ministry busied herself, they began

from him humbly to ask the reason, until evening why in

the midst of Mass so long he had tarried. Then he,

as there was nothing which their charity from him would not extort;

Not, he says, at that time was I present: I seemed

indeed to you present in body, but in the spirit

of God a legation I was performing. O man of admirable

sanctity! although still corporeally

with men conversing, yet now among

those heavenly spirits from above deputed; whom

when the Lord shall please, the Psalmist testifying, Angels

he makes. Ps. 103, 4

[21] The same Hemmo was wont a bundle of wood

for his house dried with his own shoulders to the little lodging

of holy Heimerad, his minister being absent, The pious Man, wont to minister to him, toward evening to carry; the fire to kindle,

the floor to clean, the seat to set, water to bring,

the vessels to clean, the bed to spread: and while

he to those things, which are according to God, gave leisure,

he himself, the things which are according to man, for him provided;

and so all things, which use demanded, duly

being performed, to his own he returned, with eager hope

of receiving from the Lord a requital. Which when

on one day in his manner he did, now about to ascend the mountain,

he saw the devil, having raised a huge stone, the trees

standing there to stone. But he with the sign

of the holy Cross himself on every side fortifying, briskly

the begun journey went on: certain that by his Heimerad's prayers'

shield safe he was from all peril, he fortifies [himself against the demon.] to whom

the office of humanity he expended. There is no need,

unless I am mistaken, of admonition, what the lethargic serpent

by this deed wished: namely, that he might strike

into the man terror, if even so him he could from

the office of piety, which he intended, hinder;

while of the one's charity, the other's utility he envied.

For he saw the man with the breastplate of charity and the helmet

of salvation clad; and therefore the battle hand to hand

to provoke, and front with front to crush he feared:

because so often by him ill attempted, against

such men, the armor of God put on,

the contest otherwise had turned out. But knew that very thing

the man of God by the spirit, and the man of such devotion

toward him summoned he admonished, that he should not dread,

if anything in the wood adverse he should encounter;

but with the sign of the Cross on his forehead impressed, secure

he should pass through; saying, against this sign no

peril stands.

NOTES D. P.

A By "mensale" I understand the Cloth, with which the table was spread.

CHAPTER IV.

The death of the Saint, and the frequent miracles at his sepulchre.

[22] But when there impended the time of his dissolution,

About to die he foretells for some days in a stupor of mind

he seemed, so that by the aforesaid men of ardent toward him

zeal he was carefully guarded: the wheat

namely, into the granaries of the Lord to be gathered, could not

without threshing-sledges and winnowing-fan be separated from the chaff.

But now, set in his last breath, when

the devout, as is wont, women gathered around him,

wholly (as they say) flowing into tears he saw;

he asked, what the cause was of such weeping.

Who when they had answered, for his death to grieve;

Nay, he says, rejoice, because a patron me to have

you have merited, and continual joy, as if to perennial

fairs and festivities henceforth on this mountain

you are about to celebrate. Moreover not after a long

time you will see a monastery in this place built, a monastery to be founded in that place;

and gathered together in holy purpose no

small band of Brethren, for the divine service

solemnly to be fulfilled. Therefore on the fourth of the Kalends

of July, from human affairs taken away, he was clothed with the heavenly,

as more clearly than light is established from the signs and virtues,

which through him the Lord is wont to work.

[23] A certain one of the nation of the Hessians, Benno by name,

was passing by the place, those detracting from the dead one in which the holy

Confessor of Christ Heimerad's body rests,

on the eleventh day after his death. This one, since

the shield of faith he had cast away, the arrow of the devil his heart

penetrating, from that Saint to detract, and his life

to hold in derision began. Who immediately invaded by

the devil, wholly to him as prey fell; inasmuch as, the arms

of his warfare spiritual cast away, with which to him to resist

he ought. Whom forthwith his own to the sepulchre of the man

of God leading, another by use lies and for him with fasts and prayers

day and night insisting; both health of body for him,

the enemy being driven off, and his former mind's

liberty obtained. But as if one had not given enough

of example, how much he sins against God and against

his own soul, the accuser of the Saints of God; another

certain one meeting two women, another in the leg is punished, the sacred Ashes

on the thirtieth day with their oblations to visit,

either running, or wishing [to]; and the causes

of the journey learning; when to imitate their zeal

he ought, this wretch did not do, but Satan urging,

with foul words and deeds he himself also the man

of God injured: wherefore with perpetual dryness

immediately he was punished in the leg, before all

by limping, enough even he of such crime's

enormity an indication would have given, had not a certain kind

of men with hardened neck and untameable heart

been. Therefore as if nothing had been done, one unhappy

woman Bethzcha by name, again the zeal and

devotion of certain ones about the holy sepulchre

began to deride; a third by a demon is invaded: but as rashness the fault,

so also the fault augmented the vengeance: that namely upon her

the inflicted correction, all henceforth might take away presumption

of injuring the Saint of God. For so

long the enemy his power upon her used, until

to all far and wide it became known, that

on account of the inflicted injury to the Priest of Christ, to this

savage sentence she was subject.

[24] At last, after the plagues of souls being shut out,

after the impediments of infidelity being expelled, the way was made

for faith to shut out and expel also

the sicknesses of bodies. paralytics are cured, Inasmuch as two paralytics,

namely one man and a woman, at diverse times the sepulchre

of the man of God with the merchandise of faith approached;

and the merits of the Saint suffraging, of their

exchange the price, namely full health, they carried off.

To the man the name was Poppo, Machtilt

was called the woman of the same place, by origin

drawing her origin from the province of the Frisians. In like

manner two other women, provincials of Saxony, likewise a blind one,

held by diverse afflictions (for one of the eyes,

the other of the tongue lacked the office) at diverse

time, although with equal devotion, the holy place

approached; and by the help of the blessed Man, what to them of human

nature was wanting, a dumb one, by faith's commerce to repair they merited.

The former was from Geitzlacher, a village which

is so called: but the other from Leimbach. Likewise

the Countess, to the aforesaid port of salvation on little stools

was carried: for so wholly his half

by a defect of nature to himself was useless: but by the merits of the man

of God aided, the official carrier being changed, the little stools

left there, on his own feet he returned.

Berngerus the Presbyter of Willichashuson, which

village is situated in the province of Hesse, by an uncertain

guilt, a demon incurred, by his permission who

even blessed Job, although in a far diverse manner,

to Satan to be tempted granted: who he himself also to

the common stronghold, the sepulchre of the man of God,

brought, sooner than said from the besieging plague was freed.

What need is there of words? if singly the persons,

places, times we should wish to set down for heaping up

testimonies, there would be no measure, no limit.

Three blind, two dumb, one lame, either

denied by a defect of nature, and several others. or corrupted, to the sacred

ashes merited to receive each at his own time,

entire health.

[25] It happened meanwhile that the Prefect of Magdeburg

Meginfrid, with many others to Jerusalem

going, by a wind to him contrary at Laodicea

long was delayed; finally on the first, second,

and third day, and oftener the ships seeking again, when

into the deep they had advanced, Prohibited by a contrary wind from approaching Jerusalem, suddenly the air changed, as if

by a certain divine force detained, nowhere to advance

could they. And when the matter was in desperation,

the prefect Meginfrid and some others decreed

home to return. But Roding his soldier and

Bebo, and Sibertus, with several others constantly

acting, determined among themselves the matter rather by

land on foot to attempt, and all extremes, persecution

even of the infidels, if it should impend, to experience,

than the begun journey to leave. In this therefore

determination, night coming on, to bed it was gone.

Then Roding, as he himself asserted, not yet into

sleep dissolved, saw clearly a man of venerable

hoariness, in a white garment to himself, and of his delay

the causes to foretell; that namely therefore

detained they were, because B. Heimerad at home for himself

in the neighborhood placed, on the mountain namely Hasungen,

hitherto they had neglected. Wherefore, he says, if

with obstinate mind to Jerusalem you have decided to go,

tomorrow morning the church of S. George in this city

entering, with a vow yourselves bind, that, Jerusalem being sought,

none of you, who natives are,

first his own home shall enter, than of this

holy Man he visit the sepulchre; a vow being made of going to it, when they had returned, the Saint's sepulchre, and to his patronage

yourselves commit; because unless for you he with God

shall have obtained [it], none of you Jerusalem will see.

Which vision when he to the rest had related,

into such consolation and alacrity of mind

they came, not only they themselves, but also the foreigners,

who to them had joined themselves; that on the next day at first dawn

all together the aforesaid church they approached,

and they to whom it had been commanded, the aforesaid

city entering, not only for themselves, but for all

their companions for salvation became. For scarcely

the vows had they fulfilled, when behold a shipmaster was at hand;

and a prosperous wind to have come announcing, them to

the ships invited; which entering, through that half

which remained of the day's space, as by the same

shipmaster's relation they learned, a four days'

course they fulfilled. And thenceforth so prosperous

was the navigation, that (which is wondrous to say) the journey

which before them others scarcely in twelve weeks by sea

and land would run, these in six only days

ran: and those forerunners, they are most quickly brought thither. by the interval of two

days only Jerusalem, earlier than they

had entered. And so, the vows at Jerusalem accomplished,

Meginfrid the Prefect, Roding, Sibertus, and

those who with them were, after their own home they returned,

their promises with deeds fulfilling, Hasungen

sought; and the blessed Man's sepulchre visited,

all these things with their own mouth they narrated.

[26] A certain woman, while flax she plucked

with her hands, as is the custom of women, on the third day after

the anniversary commemoration of this Saint, Three contracted ones are cured,

suddenly contracted itself each hand, the fingers

into the palm more tightly fixed: there ran up those who were present,

that the flax for her from her hands they might tear away, but there was no

possibility. At last by the force of pain compelling, approached

the woman to the altar of the holy Man; and herself perpetually enslaving

to the church, of the same so at last her hands unsealed

to their accustomed use she merited to accommodate.

Which miracle for the glory of God and for propagating

the blessed Man's merits is established to have been done; since

neither were they lawful feast-days, on which no

servile work to be done was lawful; nor any other whatever

sin of the woman, nor of her parents, in that

point of time more manifestly appeared. Two

contracted ones, one of the same region, the other of the village

which is called Geitzlæde, while with the heart they believe

unto justice, a paralytic, a blind one. but with the mouth confession make unto

salvation; the state of uprightness, which nature had denied,

there for the outer man by faith they obtained

of the inner. Likewise two women, one paralytic,

the other of the sense of the eyes deprived, of their faith

the price to the same memorial offered, nor

somewhat later, with the gift of health enriched, with joy

triumphing returned: of whom one of the village

which Weidere is called; the other of Grincenbach

was said to be born. The candles are kindled of their own accord. On the Vigil of the Lord's Nativity

two candles there were divinely kindled, one in

the absence, the other in the presence of the Clergy, who there

had been gathered, to keep the sacred watches

in the tabernacle of the Lord.

[27] A certain one of the Brethren of the same convent,

exceedingly religious, in his adolescence a grave

sickness had fallen into, which in no way

he could escape, until his vow, in the manner

of the devout faithful, to S. Heimerad he vowed. Which

done, A youth, made a Monk by vow, there seemed to him the man of God in dreams to be present,

and him with both hands to embrace: waking

he felt himself better to be, and immediately with no

mean desire he was kindled, that wholly himself to God

in service he should devote, and to S. Heimerad. Which

desire growing, grew also his health:

until renouncing the world his desire

he fulfilled, and so all that sickness henceforth

forever he lacked. Sent then with commissions

into Worms, when he had seen the youths to study

devoted to be freed, he was delighted again into the world

to return, and himself to the liberal play to give back. Which thing

being determined, on the Good Friday before Easter there invaded him

the lesson, whose beginning is, In their tribulation

in the morning they will rise to me (for the reader

was wanting, then returned to the world, but he himself was a Levite) and afterward as often

as the Gospel he was to read, there seemed to him

the page as if with a certain black cloth covered,

and no letter could he recognize; and he

felt himself by someone with all his strength dragged away from the reading,

so that he himself, the book cast off, fled to the altar,

and prostrating himself to the Priest, with the highest terror

of the whole people who was present, himself to be

helped demanded. About to go to bed also, when with the sign

of salvation himself on every side he fortified, singing that

verse, May the grace of the Holy Spirit be present to us; he heard

sign, for that to himself he had been delivered.

But sometimes sitting among others suddenly

there seemed to him as if by some to hell

to be dragged, so that he trembled, cried out, and all into

terror turned. With this goad buffeted

him the Angel of Satan without intermission day and night,

from Good Friday up to Pentecost.

[28] But then that Brother, into himself returning, understood

therefore himself such things to suffer, and again to the monastery, since, to the world

returned, to God he had dared to lie, and began

to repent of the deed. From then indeed more rarely,

namely some days being interposed, yet by that very passion

for two and a half years, gravely was he afflicted, nor

by any remedies whether prayers or fasts, or

most frequent confessions, of these afflictions could he be cured.

He was wont, the passion coming on, the Hymn

of Athanasius, Whosoever wishes to be saved,

and the Sequence, May the grace of the Holy Spirit be present to us,

against the impending peril to chant; but

both Satan at the last so utterly from him, as if

that not except scarcely the first Verse of either song

in mind he retained. At last returned now to

his convent, from the demon's long-lasting infestation he is freed: fleeing to the known defenses,

and prostrating himself beside the holy sepulchre,

with many tears and prayers the blessed Man's

help he implored; with all devotion promising, himself henceforth

stably in the same place to remain,

and never further to the world to return.

And when this vow with heart and mouth he had uttered,

it seemed to him as if someone with a clear voice, Amen, answered.

And without delay; all that diabolical temptation

vanished, and made whole, of that plague forever

he was free. The same Brother reported to us, in the presence

of him, two blind women are enlightened. around the sepulchre of the man of God, a woman

first blood from her eyes to have shed, and sight to have received.

While he was reporting these things, added another Brother

of the same convent, that at another time in his

sight in another woman a like miracle was done.

[29] In the course of time on the anniversary of S. Heimerad,

which is on the Vigil of the holy Apostles

Peter and Paul, 32 are healed in one day an innumerable multitude there

had flowed together, according to the prophecy of the man of God, which

the whole mountain had occupied. Full then was

of the languishing the church with every kind of diseases,

of the demoniac, the leprous, the blind,

the lame, the withered. But, the hour

of divine visitation approaching, it was to see misery,

how (as those seized by pain are wont) through the atrium

of the church they rolled, each other embracing: when

each the neck of another, as if the throat to him about to break,

with his arms had bound, and the earth with his hands dug,

with his teeth gnawed: yet those who stronger were

in the people, with a serried column around the columns set themselves,

lest anyone to the suffering should approach from the crowd.

On that day thirty-two were given to health, the Clergy

looking on and the people. There is among the common people a pious, and not to be despised, on the Saint's anniversary.

nay a faithful opinion, that the holy Apostles

Peter and Paul in the miracles cooperators

exist with B. Heimerad; either that on their Vigil

especially shows itself in these works the divine virtue;

or that to their honor and patronage was entitled

and consecrated that place's church.

[30] Since in such manner the Lord is wont to bless his friends,

easy is the conjecture, Epilogue. how great glory to them

he has conferred now in the heavens with himself reigning: whence

it is fitting, that so much the more earnestly zeal about their

services we exhibit, by how much it is established the wrath of God against

us to be stirred up, if we neglect [it]; especially where

them corporeally to rest the Lord willed for the grace of benefit

to be expended on the citizens, meanwhile while delay

the Bridegroom makes. Nor is it to be doubted, but that

so much the more nearly, so much the more familiarly each of them,

both in the present benefit, and in the last future, enjoys

fellowship; and so much the more easily and quickly, if

faith have not wavered, the divine mercy may obtain,

the crisis of necessity urging; by how much to them

more of reverence, by how much more he shall have studied to exhibit

of honor, by how much greater labor in their

service he shall have expended. To make an end of writing

compels me the unskillfulness of a slower style and tongue,

not the penury of miracles; which nearly

daily flow forth, from the same rich vein of virtues,

to the praise and glory of our Lord

Jesus Christ, who with God the Father, and the Holy

Spirit lives and reigns through all the ages of the ages.

Amen.

NOTES D. P.

June V: 29 June