Aldhelm

ON SAINT ALDHELM

BISHOP OF SHERBORNE,

AND ABBOT OF MALMESBURY IN ENGLAND.

IN THE YEAR DCCIX.

PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.

On his monastery, the fourfold Life written by the Malmesburians, the care of the Monasteries and books.

Aldhelm, Bishop of Sherborne in England (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR G. H.

The Malmesbury monastery in Wiltonia, of West Saxony among the Angles a province, in the confines of the County of Gloucester, its origin Cambden being witness, This one the founder of Malmesbury, owes to Maidulf the hermit. Among whose disciples chiefly, he says, flourished S. Aldhelm, who by the help of Leutherius the Bishop a most beautiful monastery constructed, and to it first presided: of which man the memory remains, inasmuch as into the Saints related: and on his feast here fairs are frequent, and a cohort of soldiers is wont to be enrolled, lest discord among so many strangers should arise: and worthy indeed he is, whose memory into eternity may flourish, not only of sanctity, but even of doctrine the name, as those times bore… This Aldhelm, now deceased, into a Tutelary Saint for himself adopted Athelstan that Great: as Patron venerated King Athelstan. who by that name this town with the greatest immunities endowed, the monastery with most ample gifts enriched, in it burial for himself chose, and his monument even now show the inhabitants. From Athelstan from then the monastery for long opulence famous flourished, and among other men of great erudition produced William, who hence of Malmesbury called, to whose erudite industry both the ecclesiastical and political history of England very much owes… The monks continuously both with buildings and with revenues an accession added, until that fatal day to England's monasteries thundered. Then the revenues and the heaped for so many years wealth (which were, as our forefathers had, the vows of the faithful, the prices of sins, and the patrimonies of the poor) dissipated: and the common of demolition lot the temple would have undergone, had not a Clothier… redeemed it: and into a Parochial Church converted, in great part survives. These and several other things Cambden in of Wiltonia the description: to which could be added various from Tome first of the English Monasticon, by Roger Dodsworth and William Dugdale published, who the northern face of the Malmesbury Church, as now it stands, sculpted on a plate exhibit. The praised King Athelstan reigned from the year DCCCCXXIV unto the year DCCCCXL, in which deceased burial in the Malmesbury church he obtained. Further the same Athelstan, God and S. Aldhelm having been invoked, slain Constantine King of the Scots, and other Kings five, Counts twelve, and the rest, victorious to have been writes the Malmesburian, book 2 on the Deeds of the Kings of the Angles chapter 6.

[2] His Acts double we give, both from Ms. codices of the Cottonian library by the already cited Dugdale extracted. The Life by the Author William of Malmesbury is given from a Ms. The prior, the Author preferring above praised William of Malmesbury, he himself to have described a man aged, for his notable about this our work esteem, thus toward the end attested: But the copy from the Original written by me William Dugdale, principal King of Arms of the Angles, called Garter. Written to have been these Acts in the year MCXXV, which was from the passing of S. Aldhelm the year CCCCXXVI, affirms he himself the Malmesburian toward the end, who this writing before had promised in book 2 on the Deeds of the Pontiffs of the Angles, in the title on the Bishops of Sherborne, in these words: First at Sherborne sat Father Aldhelm, whom here only by the place of order I name. For (because his Life nowhere fully arranged I found, and pertain to it very many things, which if I conceal toward posterity I offend) I thought, God granting, in the last of this little work's book, with this kind of matter at freer leisure to engage. John Mabillon in part 1 of the third Benedictine Century, weaving the historical Eulogy of the Saint himself, complains himself no his Life to have been able to obtain. But having got afterward this by the Malmesburian written, he published it in the Appendix of the first part of the fourth Century, and indeed (as he prefaces) from a Ms. codex of the Cottonian library, the same probably whence also we received it.

[3] The other Life procured for us the same Dugdale, but by another's hand, to which however his own he himself ascribed: From a codex Ms. in the Cottonian library under the effigy of Faustina, B 4 fol. 139. another Life from a Ms. is added. Of the same Dugdale and his books at length we treated on the XVI of May, at the Life of S. Carantocus, which also for us he had transcribed, busying himself for us with him the Reverend Father Edward Mico otherwise Harvey of our Society, a man of great prudence, doctrine and every kind of virtues endowed; who here at Antwerp in the same house of the Professed with us had lived; but now assumed by the Reverend Father Provincial Thomas Harcourt otherwise Whitbread as a companion, with the same in a persecution more than Diocletianic, in the year MDCLXXVIII by the English Parliamentarians stirred up, snatched into custody, under the pretext of a certain conspiracy, there this mortal life with the eternal and more happy exchanged; as also another intimate our friend Thomas Montford, who from the houses of the Most Serene Duke of York snatched, in the same prison most piously from disease died, a man most upright, and with no less doctrine than virtue adorned. He indeed the Provincial Harcourt, after long hardships and vexations most iniquitous, the following year MDCLXXIX on the day XX of June, with glorious martyrdom was crowned, by hatred of the faith hanged and dissected at Tyburn near London, together with four other of our Society Priests and unwearied of the English vineyard laborers, Antony Turner, William Waring, John Gavan, and John Fenwick; of the primitive Church the spirit with such presence of mind, serenity of countenance, cheerfulness of words representing, that even of the heretics many confessed, to be done it could not, but innocent those were, and certain by that death themselves to be translated to God, not a judge of crimes, but a rewarder of faith most constantly preserved. The other that Life wrote toward the end of the eleventh century or the beginning of the following, an erudite man, who himself by profession a monk to have been indicates in the Prologue, and in number 19 reckons himself among the Malmesburians, in the first person of them and himself writing, Us: toward the end moreover he asserts, himself to have known Brother Hubert quite infirm, and in the revelation of the Relics healed. Meanwhile by what name he was called, is not added. We do not think that this Life the Malmesburian had, although he seems somewhat later to have lived and written. To this however the other we substituted, which the assumed argument longer pursuing, all things unto the Revelation of the Relics sets forth. The aforepraised William Dugdale, in his Cottonian codex before the Life itself reading the words at the beginning of chapter 1 placed, to be considered orders, whether perhaps it is not the labor of Egwin of Wic, that is Bishop of Worcester above mentioned. But this to think forbids the memory of things, even three and more centuries after Egwin's death here narrated; and that the writer himself a Monk of Malmesbury proves, as has been said: we will confess therefore us to be ignorant (which not even probably indeed we can divine) the name of the author.

[4] There exists a third Life in Capgrave, whose prior part from this second Life is into an epitome reduced, The Lives by others also written are indicated. and then some other things are added. The same with some things omitted are related in Surius; and also in the Breviary of Sarum in the year 1499, and of Salisbury in the year 1557 printed whence some things in the Annotations are observed. In these is said S. Egwin Bishop of Worcester, who the burial presided over, his Life to have written but whether it differs at all from the writing there added we are ignorant. Another is alleged by the Malmesburian number 3 Elfred or Alfred, a monk as it seems, and Abbot of Malmesbury, as if he in the tenth century his Life had written, from which some things there are had. Besides S. Osmund, Bishop of Salisbury, among the writers of the Life is reckoned. He in the year 1099 deceased, and his mention toward the end of the second Life is had, and perhaps thence taken occasion of saying the Life by him also to have been written. To these is added by Mabillon Eadmer a monk of Canterbury, of whom at length we treated on the XXI of April, at the Life of S. Anselm Archbishop of Canterbury: but if anything of S. Aldhelm wrote Eadmer that one, he wrote with a style far more cultivated, as his works to a reader will be clear. Further S. Aldhelm Bishop of Sherborne mentioned the writers of English Affairs most, and after the ancients Harpsfield in century 7 chapter 19 and century 8 chapter 11, Edward Maihew in the English Trophies at the day XXV of May, and Alford in the Annals of the Church English from the year 666, in which he sets the Abbot created; and to the year 709, in which from this life he migrated. He having found in a Ms. register of Malmesbury an Epistle of his, at the year 705 in which he was created Bishop of Sherborne, number 18 the same published: of which the part this is.

[7] Created Bishop and asked to retain the care of the monasteries, I Aldhelm, after me unworthy,

and by no fitting morals approved, into the of the Pontificate office's See divine grace had enthroned; I proposed with the secret of my mind's affection, that to monasteries mine, Malmesbury, Frome, Bradford, to which now long ago in the Abbot's grade constituted, the Lord favoring regularly I presided, a religious Abbot, whom for itself a spontaneous of my households choice with consonant voice should have elected, by canonical creation and regular sanction to constitute. To these voluntary propositions mine the pious of my monks resisted obstinacy. And when this diligently more often in the assembly of my Brothers confidently I had narrated; no one to these vows mine most placid afforded assent, saying: As long as with vital you are quickened spirit, with us of the present life the stadium you are deputed, To your always dominion's yoke most humbly the necks to subject we do not disdain; for their liberty he provides. but this with suppliant and common request we beseech, that under the sacred of the Scriptures testification, and of favorable men by clear consent you corroborate, that no one after death your, neither Royal avidity, nor Pontifical authority, or any of ecclesiastical or secular dignity man, without our will's judgment in us for himself may claim a principate. To this due of my monks, chiefly servants of God, petition most gladly I consented… with the desirable of the most famous King Ina consent, and of the most reverend Brother and Co-Bishop mine Daniel, of the presented promise the devout nod, the most decent of the Lord's servants postulation with the sacred Cross's sign I confirmed. Likewise the same venerable King and aforenamed Pontiff with equal of devotion hand subscribed… Written is of this confirmation the little charter from the Incarnation of Our Lord Jesus Christ DCCV, in the Indiction III.

[6] Thus there. From these two monasteries namely Frome, to the honor of S. John the Baptist at the river Frome; and Bradford, in others Braden, afterward by the Danes destroyed to have been, is indicated in Capgrave. Of the other S. Aldhelm's writings below it is treated, and they are most in the Library of the Fathers reprinted. The books by him written: How greatly them esteemed S. Boniface still a Deacon, indicates Epistle 4 in these words: I beseech that to me of Aldhelm the Bishop some little works, whether of proses or of meters or of rhythmics, to direct you would deign, to the consolation of my peregrination and for the memory of that very blessed Bishop. Made was then S. Boniface a Priest about the year DCCXII, Bishop at Rome in the year DCCXXIII, Acts will be given. Of him indeed S. Aldhelm's sacred memory, at this XXV of May, is related in the Martyrology Roman and several ancient, the memory in the calendars. written by hand and printed: of the Body also the Translation is celebrated the XXXI of March, as then indicated: and the Concealment, made by S. Dunstan on the third Nones of May, in the Martyrologies attested is read below, in the second Life number 23.

THE LIFE

By the Author William of Malmesbury. From the Cottonian Ms. extracted by William Dugdale.

Aldhelm, Bishop of Sherborne in England (S.)

BHL Number: 0258

BY WILLIAM OF MALMESBURY FROM THE MSS.

CHAPTER I.

Birth, Studies, Books published.

[1] Blessed Aldhelm, of Saxon lineage sprung, in the first elements to be imbued, to Adrian^a Abbot of S. Augustine is delivered: whom on the citadel of science to have stood, whoever the Angles'^b deeds reads, understands. By S. Adrian taught, There the little boy, in Greek and Latin more erudite in letters, in a short time wonderful even to those very masters shone forth. And when now somewhat bigger from Kent into the West-Saxons he had returned, the habit of religion in the Malmesbury he received monastery, which is situated in a city, which by an old word Mealdubury, and now Malmesbury is called. That a certain Meldun, who by another name is called Maildulf, by nation a Scot, by erudition a Philosopher, and at Malmesbury made a Monk by profession a Monk, had made: who when his native soil voluntarily lacking, thither had come; by the amenity of a grove, which at that time into immensity in that place had grown up, captivated, an eremitic life exercised: and the necessaries failing, scholars into a disciplinate^c received, that from their liberality the slenderness of his food he might correct.

[2] They, the time proceeding, of the Master followers, from scholars monks made, then to S. Adrian returned, into a Congregation not small coalesced. By their example and consortium Aldhelm^d informed to study, the liberal arts to the fullness of science added: which that to the marrow he might imbibe,^e again he studied in Kent at the feet of Adrian, who was the fount of letters, the brook of arts; until health compelling, he returned home. So of the liberal arts master he was made, who of so great a comrade the consortium had enjoyed. Nor he indeed of the suffrage of his praises was lacking, and said, himself first of all of his nation of men to have been, who to the science of meters ventured his genius, impelled his mind. These indeed his were words at the end of the book, first among his own poems he publishes: which he made on Figures: These (he says) on the kinds of meters and figures, for the vileness of my genius you have; much of labor it is, I know not whether fruitfully collected: although to myself conscious I am that that Virgilian to be able me to boast, First I into my fatherland with me (if only life remain), From the Aonian returning summit will lead the Muses.

[3] In letters therefore to the full instructed, of the native also tongue he did not neglect the songs; also in his native tongue, so that (the book of Elfred^f being witness, of whom above I spoke) no ever age equal to him was anyone, poesy English to be able to make, a song to compose, the same aptly either to sing or to say. Finally he commemorates Elfred a trivial Song, which still commonly is sung, Aldhelm to have made: adding the cause, by which he proves, reasonably so great a man with these things which seem frivolous to have instructed the people, at that time semi-barbarous, little to divine words intent, at once the Masses sung to the houses to run wont. Therefore the holy man, upon the bridge which the country and city joins, to those departing himself to have opposed an obstacle, as the art of singing professed; and by that more than once done, the people's favor and concourse merited. By this device gradually amid the playful, with words of the Scriptures inserted, the citizens to sanity to have brought back; who, if severely and with excommunication to be acted he had thought, indeed he would have wasted his labor, would have profited nothing.

[4] By the proclamation therefore of his noble doctrine how favorable he was held, he is asked to file others' writings. for indication were the Epistles of friends to him sent. I am silent about the compatriots, who eagerly to him their writings sent, of his judgment the censure to undergo. I pass over the Scots, then most learned, who the same to have done are known; of whom some, not obscurely lettered, to name I could; chiefly Artwil son of the King of Scotia. He, whatever of literary art he elaborated, which not so slight was, to Aldhelm committed for judgment, that of his perfect genius the file should erase the Scottish roughness. From the very bosom of the Franks, to him for the sake of doctrine it was come. But it is not to narrate easy, how effective he was in exhorting friends and disciples: those, that unbroken faith they should exhibit to friends; these, that their tender years to the nail of divine precept they should lead.

[5] But, that the narration I may repeat, the highest summit to the praises of his literature imposed Bede; who both for the nearness of time, the matter as it was knew; and for the zeal of truth, to lie would not: who, after the enumeration of some of his books, he is praised by Bede, subjoined: He wrote (he says) also some other things, inasmuch as a man on every side most learned. For both in speech polished, and of the Scriptures both ecclesiastical and secular he was in erudition wonderful. Can anything than this praise more sublime be said?

[6] Lastly the very same witness I will cite; that, although to all arts study never he refused; to certain ones however, chiefly at Kent in repeated sojourn studying, his mind he applied. For thus in an Epistle to Hedda^g his predecessor, his labor while he sets forth, his own commends exercise. I confess, most blessed Prelate, me long ago to have resolved, if of times the flying vicissitude allowed, the near of the wished Birthday of the Lord solemnity, there in the consortium of the Brothers dancing to celebrate; and afterward life accompanying of your charity the presence to enjoy. But, because by various of impediments obstacles retarded, just as the bearer of the present by living voice will promulgate, that to perfect we are not able; therefore of the difficulty pardon I pray grant. For neither small of times intervals, in this of reading study to be prolonged are, to him at least, who by the sagacity of reading kindled, of the Roman Laws the rights to the marrow will examine, and all the Jurisconsults' secrets in the inmost breast will scrutinize. he studies jurisprudence, And what than these much more perplexed is, the hundred namely of meters kinds by the pedestrian rule to discern, and of the musical song the modulations by the right of syllables track to survey: of which thing to the studious readers so much the more inextricable obscurity is presented, the more of various Doctors a numerousness is found. But of these with a prolix circuit of words to dispute the epistolary narrowness in no way allows; how namely of the metrical art itself the clandestine instruments, by letters, syllables, poetry, feet, Poetic figures, verses, tones, and times are conglomerated; the Poetic also of half-full division discipline;^h that is the acephalous, protilous, with the rest, how it is varied; which versesⁱ monoschemic, which pentaschemic, which decaschemic, by a certain of feet measure are weighed; and by what reason the catalectic, brachycatalectic, or hypercatalectic verses, by sagacious argumentation are collected. These, as I think, and to these similar, in a brief of time interval to be apprehended in no way can.

[7] But of the reasoning of calculation what to be commemorated? since so great of supputation imminent despair the necks of the mind had oppressed, of ecclesiastical arithmetic. that all the past of reading labor I esteemed little, whose to me formerly secret chambers to know I had believed; and that the sentence of blessed Jerome I may use, while an occasion offered itself, who to myself before seemed a smatterer, again I began to be a disciple: and so at length by supernal grace relying, the most difficult of things arguments, and the calculus's supputations, which the parts of number they call, by reading's instance I found. and of astrology, Further of the Zodiac and the twelve Signs, by whose turning the heavens are revolved, the reasoning, to be silent I judge; lest the art opaque and profound, which a long of explaining things reasoning needs, if by a vile of serious interpretation should be divulged, be defamed and grow cheap: especially since of the Astrological art the skill, and the perplexed of the Horoscope computation, an elaborated of a more learned investigation needs.

[8] With such arts' delight filled, he also himself from the most sacred of his breast store, of good fruit little books published; various books he publishes, lest never the treasures so long gathered he should disclose, lest nothing ever from the heard he should lay up. And first indeed of his genius a trial he gave in a book, which to the Britons, that to the true Easter they might return, he made; whose doctrine I know not what misfortune to our uses^k grudged, to our joy subtracted. There is also a book of his on the praise of Virgins, with rhetorical compacted charm, in which the glory of virginity he proclaims; and afterward not difficult to be the of the ancients celibacy^l he exemplifies. Of the same matter in Heroic verses he made another; to which he joined another equally versified on the Battle of the eight principal vices. There exists also a codex of his not ignoble on Riddles, of the Poet^m Symphosius an emulator, with a hundred titles and verses a thousand distinguished. Of each work the Preface, with verses recurring ingeniously he interwove; so that in that on the Virgins' praise the single of this verse letters,ⁿ Let recruits bring forth metrical chaste songs, the single verses of the Preface, from the head to the end should begin; and the same through the number of the verses should fashion. Further, in that on the Riddles otherwise he devised

it, that this verse, Aldhelm sang with a thousand verses odes, the first and last of the single in the Proem verses letters should both begin and terminate, and both extremities the same should make. He showed also in these the man of old literature a sport at once and an artifice, while matters incurious he accompanied with eloquent and vigorous eloquence. Besides, to a certain Alfrid^o King of the Northumbrians, well (as Bede narrates) in letters learned, he published a book these containing chapters; On the dignity of the septenary number, collected from of the old and new Testament flowers and the disciplines of the Philosophers; On the admonition of fraternal charity; On of insensible things the nature, which according to metaphor to speak are figured; On the rules of feet; On Metaplasm; On Synaloepha;[p] On Scansion and Elision of verses; On Meter an alternate interrogation and response. book 4, chapter 26

[9] He composed also Epistles many, of which several do not exist: a part of some, which we have, of our predecessors mutilated the carelessness. likewise epistles and sermons, His sermons less infuse of cheerfulness, than would wish these of things incurious. The words weigh judges importunate; who know not, that according to the manners of the nations are varied the modes of compositions; finally the Greeks intricately, the Romans splendidly, the Angles pompously are wont to compose. This in all the ancient writings is to be noted. However much in certain words abstruse and from Greek sought he delights, moderately however himself bears Aldhelm; nor except very rare and necessary words places exotic. He alleges catholic senses his eloquent speech, and the most violent assertions adorns a rhetorical color: which if perfectly you read, both from the acumen Greek you will think it, and from the brightness Roman you will swear, and from the pomp Angle you will understand.

ANNOTATIONS.

p. Sinalimpha corruptly for Synaloepha, which is of two syllables into one commixture, or contraction; as Virum for Virorum; Petisse for Petivisse.

CHAPTER II.

The deeds done by S. Aldhelm the Abbot, then made Bishop.

[10] Aldhelm coming to the aforesaid place, a small there exceedingly basilica was seen, A church he erects, which Maildulf to have built antiquity uncertain fabled. Erected Aldhelm a more august church, in honor of the Lord Savior, and of the first Apostles Peter and Paul. Whom advancing with these of virtues successes and to the height striving, Leutherius of the West-Saxons the Bishop having beheld, there him into a Presbyter, afterward into an Abbot raised; and of that place the possession, which of his own right was, into the Abbot's dominion transferred.^a Abbot therefore constituted, the monks to his vow to bring, his own he instructs, the fame in good beyond to augment, of God before all the glory to will: and when to the industry of the Abbot, favor concurred of the Pontiff; then the things of the monastery into immensity to be augmented. It was run to Aldhelm by all paths; these of life sanctity, those of letters science desiring. For he was, although (as we said) in erudition manifold, yet in religion affable and simple; who adversaries would overcome with the thunderbolt of speaking, learners would soothe with the nectared river of teaching; to both from his mouth flowed of salty charm a speech, so that he was in single things wonderful, and in all singular. By this it was done, that Kings and Counts, of the Mercians^bc and West-Saxons, by the religion of the man, he acquires possessions: which the nobility commended of his race, enticed, several things to the place conferred, which both to the monks' alms, and of their souls the salvation should profit.

[11] After therefore he was made a monk, so him to have led a life we have learned. To readings frequently, to prayers instantly he incumbed; that (just as he himself in a certain Epistle said) reading, the Lord speaking he heard; praying, the Lord he addressed; with slenderness voluntary of victuals feeding his mind, by the love of chastity he immerses himself in a fount, nowhere from the monastery, except necessarily proceeding; of moneys least avid, if anything was given, into uses useful immediately counting. Now indeed, that violence to his rebellious body he might inflict, in the fount, which nearest the monastery, himself up to the shoulder he immersed. There neither the glacial in winter rigor, nor in summer the mists from places palustrine breathing caring, the nights he endured unoffended: the end only of the chanted Psalter put a limit to the labor. That fount, from the name of the Saint called, in the valley of the monastery with gentle bubblings flowing, both to sight is delightful, and to drink sweet. In another part of the city the fount of Daniel is called; because in it Daniel the celestial by nights led watches, who with Aldhelm the Pontifical received infulae. Among these illustrious things, of this man the continence to describe almost would shame the speech, were there not in the deed of glorious victory an occasion. For if ever by the goad of the body he was admonished, not only to the enticement he denied the effect, but otherwise an unusual he carried back triumph. Nor however the consortium of women^d he repudiated, as the rest, who from opportunity fear to slip; nay indeed either sitting by, among women undefiled. or lying down, some one he detained, until the flesh's growing-warm slipperiness, with quiet and unmoved he departed mind. To be derided himself saw the devil, discerning an adhering woman, and the man otherwise with mind called away insisting in singing the Psalter: and bade farewell that man to the woman, the modesty saved, chastity unhurt. There subsided the flesh's trouble, grieved the wicked spirit of itself to be agitated a mockery. Stand by to the truth of my words, how much of celibacy the love he fostered, the book on Virginity illustrious, which both its honor defines, its beauty adorns, its perseverance crowns. For neither is it lawful to be believed, the holy man otherwise to have done than he taught, otherwise to have lived than he said.

[12] But indeed some years intervening a space, Hedda,^e of all West-Saxony the Pontiff, at Winchester a See having, after the death of S. Hedda, departed the world. Most acceptable was this death to the Celestials, because, for the sanctity of his past life, the number of them it would enlarge; sorrowful to mortals, because scarcely an equal could they find, who of so great a diocese's circuit would wish to rule. For whatever^f now four Bishops govern, one then that man bridled; the rebellious by authority pressing, the suppliant by simplicity soothing. By Synodal therefore counsel the diocese, beyond measure stretched, into two Sees divided; of which one at Sherborne,^g the other at Winchester would be: in which both unequal was that division, that one^h two only districts, the other the wholeⁱ should rule whatever of the West-Saxon tract the immensity contained. Bishop of Sherborne, To the single Sees were substituted Pontiffs, for the merit of science, and of their birthplace's vicinity; at Winchester preferred Daniel,^k who was of the same region sprung, and of the scales not in need; Sherborne allotted Aldhelm, to whom the prerogative of wisdom, and the maturity of age to a greater summit aspired, then also of his natal land the charity favored, because of that province a native he was. Proceeds therefore, as is believed, God acting, a universal election; and it is sought of the most blessed old man that the Episcopate he would deign to receive. Of all age and order is gathered the opinion, worthy to seem of the Prelacy, with cooked-out now age bowed, in letters copious, in religion to none unequal; but if indeed of birth the dignity to be considered you think (which the blessed Apostle did not pass over) who than he more noble, who the royal

lineage by line touches? of his fame, of his life always him to have been, of which never, or little, a sinister was bandied opinion. They receive therefore as a colleague the Bishops, as a father the Clerics, as a patron the Laymen: thence acclaiming all, gainsaying none, to Berthwald^m the first See's Archbishop, by custom to be consecrated he is led. by Berthwald he is consecrated. He into an old companionship's fellow (for both alike in letters they had studied, and alike the way of religion they had trodden) the election made graciously embracing, the favor augmented: so not only the consecration he granted, but even many days with himself retained, by his counsel the Archbishopric's care relieving, the reasoning of causes examining.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER III.

The death, burial, miracles of S. Aldhelm.

he proceeded, which is a shore of Kent at XII miles nearest, hearing ships there to have put in. The port there, as most of maritime places, as unquiet as narrow; most swift there from the Morini a passage, of very few miles a crossing: whence it is, that in that space's narrowness among themselves running and dashing the waves, by exceeding encounter the sea they exasperate; and there especially incurs a ship danger, where was hoped of dangers a refuge: now indeed in the station ships received, Mocking him wishing to buy a book most safe in whatever tempest a quiet. These therefore I have brought forth, because to the matter which I will bring it pertains. Walked the Saint near the sea, and intent his eyes on the merchandise fixed, if anything perhaps convenient to Ecclesiastical use the sailors had brought, who from the Gallic bay borne, of books also a supply had brought. And having beheld a book, the whole of the old and new Testament series containing, to buy intent, from the rest his mind he relaxed. And when busy the leaves he turned, the price negotiated; the barbarians him with nautical wantonness with reproaches assail, that so merchandise alien he depreciated, and attenuated of things not his own the value: his own, if he wished, let him sift; the foreign, at its price let him leave.

[14] Of these the contumacy with sole laughter, nothing in reply uttering, he dissolved: at last still the price of the book inquiring, from the place with ignominy they thrust, and the ropes stretched farther from the shore themselves removed. from a tempest he frees them, But not long delayed the divine vengeance the injury of the Saint more sharply avenged; a storm rises, a whirlwind rages, the cloud is thickened, is withdrawn the day, of the sea the darkness and of night the horror night induces: they redouble the terror, the wind's fury, the creaking of the ropes: the yard the savagery of the tempest does not bear, the side of the ship here and there by the beating waves is shaken; failed the art of the oarsmen, by prayers averting it, fell the skill of the sailors; and now they were going down, and seemed against the wretches' death all the elements to have conspired. Then although brute minds intelligence entered, on account of the injury of the Saint, to whom they had reviled, themselves to pay penalties. They cry out therefore into lamentation, and suppliant stretch to the stars their palms; they pray help, they promise amendment. Easy it was to the blessed Pontiff that he should remit the fault, who had not grieved the contumely. nor however the offered gratis does he receive. And first indeed, the sign of the Cross held out against the raging blasts, not nothing of the tempest he diminished and tamed: soon, when he himself, a skiff having ascended, by the virtue of the oarsmen the imperiled ones had approached; changed into good all things, the tempest wholly is quieted, the whirlwind subsides; of the winds the use changed, the ship impels to the shore; the waves, which before threatened destruction, now gently gliding promise obedience. Having gained therefore the sailors the wished of the station sand, the book of their own accord they offer; let him receive it gratis, let him deign the gift of the servants, whom from the very jaws of death to the dry he has brought. Weighed he the price, with an equal scale into the midst conferring; lest either the poor with great loss he should fleece, or the suppliants' prayers he should repudiate. That^b volume still at Malmesbury is seen, of antiquity a venerable presenting specimen.

[15] Meanwhile B. Aldhelm of the near end was not ignorant: were despised now to the man terrestrial things, and he gaped for celestial things. So a life having led to men pleasing, to God pleasing, after years of the Episcopate four, To the High Ones a fellow and worshipper of the High He withdrew: he dies in the Village Dulting, He exchanges the stars for the soil, and the fields for the pole. His breath the heights enters, his limbs the hospitable earth cherishes, And its deposit feeds each place. Phoebus had driven with twice five light the Laconians,^c When from the wrappings of the world loosed he goes. A village there is in the field of Somerset Dulting by name, in which the man he put off; which long ago to the Monks he had given of Glastonbury, the usufruct having bargained. The house of his death conscious, into a church changed is reported. In the same church is a stone, to which the Saint reclined by disease had lain; by whose washing several sick to have entered health are known.

[16] Then to B. Egwin,^d Bishop of Worcester, a vision celestial shining, the death of his fellow made known; that to the place he should proceed, commanded. He of grief and love the goads his journey hastening, quickly Dulting arrived; and a prayer for the soul's rest deposited, that for the desire and command of the Saint to Malmesbury the body be advanced, he orders. Receive meanwhile the Patron the Malmesburians, with immense weeping, with reverent affection. Was joined to love veneration, he is buried at Malmesbury, and fought faith with obsequy. You would not know what you would choose; either in a parent affection, or in an advocate joy; whether they should rejoice toward the Lord for the promised Patron, but to grieve were compelled for the lost solace of life. Amid these fluctuations some extracted days, at length he is buried in S. Michael's church, where for himself the most holy man once a burial had provided. He departed in the year from the Incarnation of the Lord seven hundred ninth, ^e before Bede the twenty- fifth; after Abbot by Leutherius made, the fortieth fourth;^f after Bishop by Berthwald, the fifth. In the same year Wilfrid^g the Bishop died.

[17] Of a certain village, not a native, but an inhabitant a woman, of light destitute, A blind woman is illuminated. in the following year, on the solemnity of Father Aldhelm, the light, through eighteen years lost, received. The cause of her blindness, which I know not, I will not weave; cautious lest by loquacity me of the readers the faith I should deceive. This is established, that when before the Crucified she stood, with yellow hair on the^h ground loosed conspicuous, but by the darkness of her eyes deformed, with frequent prickings the bereaved orbs began to be moved. By which the woman irritated, first with a gentle rubbing gore she emitted: but when to a greater itching with a more atrocious of nails injury she satisfied, a more copious flowing wave, the demanded gore she received in a shell: so, the obstacles being cleared, the concavity of the windows, the serene of the most true light entered. Then the kinsfolk who were present men, both applauded the miracle, and unto now with a stipendiary support sustain. She a holier habit having professed the veil, by no of sight diminution is defrauded, except what more advanced age has received by senility. She lives unto this in which these things we write year, This Life written in the year 1121, which is from the Incarnation of the Lord the year one thousand one hundred twentieth-fifth; from the passing of the most holy Confessor CCCCXXVI, in the reign of Henry King XXV, by the of the forgers who the coinage had corrupted through all England mutilation notable; on account of the same therefore falsity, by the corn's dearth, and devouring famine, then besides by an indiscreet of the common people slaughter infamous; of the most eminent men by the deaths funereal; especially of Calixtus^k the Pope, and of the fifth Henry Emperor of Germany, than whom none were more excellent in their offices each; by thunders and lightnings through all the months troublesome; by rains' continuation, no almost day intermitted, in the summer even months rainy and muddy.

ANNOTATIONS.

is read in Capgrave and Surius: and that rightly: for created Abbot in the year 675 is gathered from the charter of Leutherius the Bishop, at that year given: but the year 44 here indicated requires the year 665, after which Adrian the Abbot, before his Master, still dwelt in Italy: whom in the year 668, on the 6 Kalends of June, with S. Theodore from Rome to have been sent, and in the second after year in Britain to the Abbatial functions to have come, asserts Bede book 4 chapter 1 and 2.

ANOTHER LIFE

By the Author another monk of Malmesbury. Extracted from the Cottonian library.

Aldhelm, Bishop of Sherborne in England (S.)

BHL Number: 0256

FROM THE MSS.

PROLOGUE.

[1] The Holy Fathers' pious contests studiously cherishing, by a triple reasoning to have been done we judge, By a triple cause the Lives of the Saints are written: that the writers of them, to the subsequent ones' usefulness serving, them especially to writings commended. The first indeed and more laudable existed than the rest, that God, who the penalties to the faithful in whatever manner for Him inflicted in their bodies suffers, and who virtue to those enduring affords, in His majesty may be praised. The second indeed, so that the Saints, who so many sweats, fastings, vigils, opprobria, and colds spontaneously by themselves or by enemies endured, by posterity true faith's worshippers may be magnificently celebrated. The third moreover follows, that we their inactive and weak successors, so great their by reading or hearing most victorious deeds, of our mind's eyes lifting up, may follow their unoffended footprints.

[2] Whence we frail unlearned ones, who in no way the works of a monk but yet unworthily bear the names, from miracles in various manner, but in good faith received, of the most holy Aldhelm the Prelate the birth and life, miracles and doctrine, however to describe, faithfully however, we undertake. But not those only which through him, the highest Maker affording, we saw great things; but also which by curiously investigating, in many we found in barbaric and Latin pages assigned; of which some part Roman privileges and of diverse Kings traditions, under of many Prelates or Abbots testimony inscribed, to our still testify times: and also those which from truthful and regularly in the monastic order living men, or from others in a diverse order catholically dwelling, often we heard done through the merits of His servant, which they themselves either with corporeal eyes saw, or from their elders, already in celestial joy before the divine sight of clemency rejoicing together, frequently heard; who themselves a volume from his virtues with a lucid style said to have read; but in the Danes' time, when still Christ's Church they persecuted, to have lost: who all to our God, to them unknown, dedicated, either with feet trod down, or wrath overcoming reason with fire burned up, or in whatever manner they could annulled. Many also of his deeds in a shrine, not much after his death made, in which his blessed bones were kept, the older Fathers our on silver plates to the memory of posterity by the first Fathers assigned saw: and because that was by negligence and antiquity now almost consumed, a Prelate a certain with others to God serving into another for the sake of newness to the successors' memory, in which still they are seen, the same transferred.

[3] There were also, after the first institutes of the holy man, of his place familiar lovers, just as the Archprelate Dunstan, of whose sanctity it is not doubted, and other very many Prelates, whose sacred bones in the same rest basilica: who if these by the elders' relation true not believed, select things only the author brings forth, unhurt unto our memory without doubt not would have left. Of which studiously more we have dismissed, and of those things which seemed worthy of relation, for the relaters' authority, a part we have plucked: for those things which we ourselves in the present often saw, true faith of the past make. In which matter no one us to accuse ought we see: because blessed Gregory in the books of the Dialogues likewise to have done we behold: and (just as he himself related) Luke also the physician, whose praise through all the Churches (as the Doctor of the nations says) is in the Gospel; and Mark, the Alexandrian Patriarch and Peter's disciple, in no way wrote things seen; but only heard, in the Gospels' volumes. Col. 4, 14, Not, which be far, that we in the least to them also equate, or our and their relaters in mind try to render similar; but yet, what to the greater in so great a work was permitted, in the least to us lowest and yet faithful to have been permitted faithfully we judge. Others also many in divine pages and writings this same to have done we find: three indeed only, whom above we have set, in faith integrity catholic, in morals and work most holy, to imitate in this matter, although far behind walking, according to our power we desire.

CHAPTER I.

The royal family. Studies, monkhood, and the Abbot's office.

[4] To holy therefore Aldhelm's genealogy let us bend our wit; and according to the power to us by God given, from what he is sprung lineage, let us explain. He therefore from a Royal stock descended, from most illustrious born progenitors, and of the orthodox religion most true unceasingly worshippers: Born of the father Kentenius, brother of King Ina, from whom so much he was in faith more lucid and in work of the divine cult more precious, as the rose from what arises thorns, and the flower of the lily whence it swells its own turf. Of this indeed illustrious offspring of the Angles the King Ina^b the most wise, shining in life and morals, in wars most strenuous and famous in virtues, as far as pertains to royal sublimity, was the beginning. Of that Primate's name much eminent, in the second place a brother to have been Kenten,^c a man upright, in sanctity choice, in honesty magnificent, from the most ancient of the English tongue writings often through an interpreter by reading we heard. Eph. 5, 33, Who the Apostle's precepts of Paul to fulfill striving, with virtue not small God before all fearing, in a wife chaste lived the bond. He indeed not therefore the wife's chamber entered, by which of the flesh, as is the manner of some, to exercise he desired the desire; but that, as Samuel Anna, such he might beget a son, who, as Scripture teaches, with the whole of his soul's virtue should love the Lord. Matt. 22, 37, The vows finally of him God from on high beholding, just as of the most blessed Nicholas the reverend parents is read, to him gave a son, such as of this our little work to you will show the intention: whom in a time fitting by the faithful custom to God in the church through the Priests' hands devoutly he offered, and a catechumen to be made demanded: Aldhelm is called. to whom not without divine nod Aldhelm a name he imposed. Aldenus also, as they say barbarically, in Latin Senex is interpreted; thence Aldhelm as if a kindly Old man.^d For truly, although a youth in body, in mind senile he lived and with laudable work.

[5] After these things the years succeeding the boy is weaned, and to the sacred of letters studies by the father most Christian delivered. to the studies of letters delivered, In which thing of things to come foreknowing God his so greatly opened the genius, that the teacher's mind in himself often marveled exceedingly, that so easily he grasped, so acutely retained memoriously, what to him was shown through single days. His mind indeed, with celestial dew suffused, of this thing was the cause: for indeed the grace of God was with him, of Him namely, who through the prophetic said utterance, Open your mouth and I will fill it with my doctrine. Ps. 80, 11 Of three indeed by the property of tongues, not only by the vulgarity of things, but even by the doctrine of letters, this most holy skilled existed. In a wonderful finally manner by the grace of eloquence all idioms he knew, the knowledge of the 3 sacred tongues, and as if a Greek by nation, in writings and words he pronounced. Wonderful indeed not it was, because both the Holy Spirit's grace for itself in him a dwelling had made, and of that tongue two Doctors exceedingly skilled the most illustrious Ina the King, whom above we have set, to confirm his literal science, from Athens had hired. Of Latin also science greatly drunk with the rivulets, even by the property of the parts anyone better than he in no way used after Virgil: so indeed in the Antiquaries of his tongue it is read. The Prophets' examples, David's Psalms, Solomon's three volumes, in Hebrew letters well he knew, and the law Mosaic. Of the Musical moreover art all the instruments, which by strings or pipes or other varieties of melody can be made, and of Music he acquires. both in memory he held and in daily use he had. And that few many, and great small we may constrain, lest those things which we say to the fastidious grow cheap, as a man on every side most erudite, full he was of the science of all things.

[6] But why do we delay in small things? To higher things our style let us turn, that how this holy man from boyhood lived to show we may be able; A Monk at Malmesbury, and how in the monastic habit among men dwelling, and Paul with Antony the first of hermits imitating he lived, for our smallness of genius let us show. A Monk indeed in the Malmesbury church made, which Leutherius a man perfect governed by his zeal: so among the other God's servants this man dwelt; that, although of men he used the sights, always in mind he was present to the citizens of the Angels. He moreover the regular precepts transcending, in such a manner of the present world he enjoyed the life, that all things comely in sight and to hearing sweet with a most chaste heart he despised, like perishing of hay refuse. He imitated this most religious the Old Testament's most just Fathers, he imitates the virtues of the holy ancients, in their each of soul holy virtue: Abraham namely, in hospitality's reverend zeal, and in perseverance of obedience, which of good works is believed the perfection: Jeremiah also, in solitary dwelling ditches, and in laudable removal from the sight of men: Job also, a man with the highest virtue laudable, in patience's fervor unceasingly he follows, lest in him (which be far) could be made what somewhere is read; All virtue is a widow, which strong does not strengthen patience: in charity's fervor David, the warlike Goliath (as relates Scripture) the typical conqueror, whom this one follows, by overcoming the vice of envy: in chastity of each substance John, dear to Christ the Apostle, whom he had known in a certain manner by this also piety more than others to the same Lord to have pleased. and of Christ the Lord: But in the of true compassion purpose,

whom this man most holy followed, but Himself of things all the maker? who for the whole human race's fault, of bitter death tasted the cup for a time. These under brevity, not to the fastidiousness of anyone, but to the edification, therefore so we run through; because the holy aiding spirit to other many things, but yet of the same man deeds, to be narrated to come we dispose.

[7] A man indeed altogether to Christ devoted, this to himself with the rest spontaneous inflicted martyrdom, the incentives of lust he extinguishes, so that an immense triumph for himself he might acquire from the enemy most wicked; if ever of boiling the incentives he felt of lust, armed with the whole body with an inexpugnable breastplate of faith, and his head adorned with the helmet of justice, hope kindling with the fervor of celestial glory, such he imposed shame on the spirit, of carnal wickedness the administrator. A virgin indeed,^e according to the perishing flesh's filth exceedingly beautiful, before sleep reading the whole psalter, in his most chaste bed so long with himself to rest, until into heaven with spirit intent the whole Psalter he should say in order: nor so to him in anything could the malign Spirit obstruct. O a man far laudable, who of the boiling abyss, although he was in it, in no way felt the gulf! For he indeed is that honorable wood, of which Solomon's[*] words testify, that beside of waters streams planted to the Holy Spirit's moisture brought forth an unfailing root; he contains namely of the Angels virginity, and does not fear the exterior heat from the enemy to him brought, because within by the divine dew it had been fully irrigated. Ps. 1, 3. He also is that magnificent man, of whom Scripture says, Blessed the man who always is fearful. Prov. 28, 14, Luke 12, 35 He indeed the precepts having followed divine, his loins with chastity girt eminent, holding burning lamps in his hands, about to enter with the Bridegroom to the nuptials spiritual and celestial.

[8] Whom Leutherius, a Bishop of laudable life and morals, of whom makes mention Bede the venerable Presbyter in the Angles' Ecclesiastical history, Abbot constituted, worthy considering of the Sacerdotal office, and by himself asking and others in faith Catholic exhorting, to so great an Order promoted. In which the man of God for some time living irreproachably in the ministry, by the same Prelate Father of monks merited to be constituted in the aforesaid Malmesbury monastery. To whom not willingly preposed, whatever assiduously he taught with prevailing eloquence, the whole as a good shepherd with work congruous to effect he brought, he teaches his own, diligently desiring to bring back gain from the talent to him by God committed. At that time of that province the people, perverse in work, although subject to our faith, the church did not frequent, nor of the Priests' much cared the command: whom the man bland admonishing with sweet words, and the divine often (as the place permitted) words recounting; the seculars to the church modestly convoked, with salutary precepts them he fecundated. In which thing the Doctor of the nations he imitated, who to the rude milk first afforded, and afterward the strong with solid food fed. 1 Cor. 3, 2 On one therefore Sabbath to the same city, of merchants from diverse parts a multitude was gathered greatest: to which Father this, of the Apostles an imitator, and the foreign merchants. outside the city came to meet; and upon a bridge standing so long divine he ministered foods, that some of them, through his servant's work, the divine granting grace, for which they had come leaving for a time the merchandise, of the saints these spontaneously followed the holy sheepfolds; and so in the church persisting, the sacred reverently they listened to offices: after these, the for which they had come business performed, they returned to their own homes, their souls with the divine first office fattened.

ANNOTATIONS.

* nay David's

CHAPTER II.

The deeds at Rome, the Books by Aldhelm written.

[9] But him in so great persisting of good work perseverance, the Apostolic See's Supreme Pontiff, a man of great sanctity Sergius,^a had adopted; Summoned by Sergius the Pope to Rome, because although far placed ample of lands spaces, rocky mountains, rough valleys separated and seas; these however which we say, and many which slipped from memory the style will not plow, of him very often he had heard. Soon indeed as the Saint of so great a Father and the Roman Curia's admonitions heard, the journey he undertook, although arduous; with immense indeed filled gladness, because there succeeded to him a cause of the Princes of the Apostles to see long desired thresholds; grieving indeed, that even for a time by a corporeal limit so great he left of Brothers consortia. But when the man most precious to Rome came, joyful with hastened obedience, without which impossible it is anyone's soul ever to be able to be saved, of the Apostolic man honorifically received the colloquy, and according to his will in all things of him on account of the indwelling grace of God using the companionship, with a benefit to our times unheard he is decorated by God, to whom himself devoutly he had given; so that the more by so great a Pontiff and all the people he might be venerated. A man indeed laudable, with himself wherever he went, that he might fulfill the to him committed offices, the vestments Sacerdotal carried. Which in the Lateran Presbytery that he might offer the Sacraments clothed, a subsequent miracle was shown to all. Justly and piously performed the Mass's office, and to the same to his ministers offering the Chasuble, on account of the Chasuble on a sunbeam hung, without doubt there presiding of the divine majesty the power, so firmly and constantly on a sunbeam it hung, as if of some solid material it were sustained by the support: this moreover in the Malmesbury hitherto is had church, in sanctity (as is fitting) great reverence. O truly a new of great Elias prodigy! Him, his disciple beholding, to heaven a chariot lifted fiery; he is compared to Elias. to this one, many marveling, in the Roman City a sunbeam served: that one, in a remote of heaven part by a clear light was carried; of this one the garments of the Priest in a similar hung element. But be far that this one to holy we equate Elias: for he the son of iniquity he may fight, nay even by dying and rising the divine precede judgment; this indeed holy Confessor, of the received reward before God's tribunal stands most glad, where by his piety he may intercede for all the faithful: but yet, although with unequal merit, if it is lawful to say the truth, both greatly pleased God.

[10] ^b After these things the holy man with the aforesaid Pope long staying, The Pope from a calumny he frees: the divine putting in the Spirit, was asked by him, that a certain he should baptize boy: of whose indeed father in the people without of evidence cause quite doubtful: because, as is the manner of nearly all nations, the people rumor-bearing, this to have begotten the Apostolic one esteemed. Falsely indeed the nation ignorant this of so great a Bishop opined, because by life's merit in his registers and other of writing places a man Apostolic he is declared. To whose Father's wishes S. Aldhelm complying, the boy, not but nine days' space as is reported having, in the faithful manner in the church catechized, before the standing-by throngs he commanded to declare, if his father were he who commonly was said. Forthwith the infant, although exceedingly little, removed against nature of the tongue obstructions, did what that Abbot had commanded most holy. With speech indeed to him divinely given, and quite intelligible, he showed to all not himself to be begotten of his work, whom vain in this related the people. Wonderful indeed in no way is, because of novelty it lacks: he namely who the she-ass's braying with human eloquence made skilled, the same himself this one's tongue of the infant to the of the most religious man bidding rendered erudite. O a man of much praise worthy, with exceeding filled sanctity! who with such using of discretion zeal, both the father from an unknown to himself sin freed; and himself, of what merit with God he existed, to so great a city's people declared.

[11] A man this of letters' science exceedingly and among the first erudite, on a certain day when into the queen of cities of the Apostles the church he entered, to the praise of their memory worthy, these published verses.

Here the to be celebrated rude flourishes glory of the temple, Which the limpid signs banners of the sacred triumph: Here Peter and Paul the dark world's lights, The chief Fathers of the people who the reins govern, Songs in praise of SS. Peter and Paul he composes: With frequent songs in the kindly hall are venerated. Key-bearer ethereal, the gate who you open in the ether, The white of the heavens unclosing kingdoms of the Thunderer, Hear clement the peoples' vows of those praying, The withered who with watery showers moisten their faces: Receive the sobs the committed sins of those groaning, Who with fragrant prayer parch the sins of life. The greatest lo Doctor Paul, called from the axis Saul, who said with a changed name Paul, When you desired to Christ the old to prefer rites, After the darkness the clear you began to discern light: To the voices of those praying now your ears spread benign, And protector to the trembling with Peter hold out a right hand, The sacred frequenting of the hall who the thresholds traverse: So that here of crimes be given indulgence perpetual, Large from piety flowing, and from the supernal fount: * By signs which never to the peoples grows torpid in age.

[12] But that the Monks' norm Aldhelm, of so great a man, of the highest See's Rector, benignly enjoyed the companionship; and that one of the other, as is the custom of the holy Fathers, well was instructed by colloquy; to return to his own home, and to the prior he resolved to return purpose. Then from the holy Pope, to his successors' usefulness, that without disturbance the due of God services they could celebrate, these things which below are read he sought holy gifts; not of gold or silver or of any metal weights, because secure of the morrow of no but of God he sought the support. He asked therefore an edict, by the supreme Father's authority sanctioned, for the monasteries he acquires of exemptions privileges so that the monasteries, which God granting with solicitous mind he governed, Malmesbury namely, where enthroned he had been (which Meldun of holy memory, of whose stock the Saint this descended, had founded) and

to this subjected another, in honor of S. John founded upon a river, which is called Frome,^c from all secular service he might render absolved, and from the Bishops' chairs, order, commands, and synods. And if ever of any Order Ecclesiastical, or even they should need a religious Abbot to die should happen, and to another's election it should come; that one whom the religious congregation of the servants of God should elect with of all common counsel, this one immediately to be promoted.^d For already then the ambition of monks had grown: now not as a shepherd through the door, but as a thief from elsewhere wished the hireling to enter; and therefore the divine matter's provider these things demanded. Which however by the dwellers' vices and ambition of certain ones all changed seem: for to nothing almost reduced religion, the Apostles' exhortations spurned, which in that very privilege are contained, not only in that place, but even in many places of England, dishonored and to base gains serving, of themselves and their things the liberty by the just judgment of God they lost. For to holy men and with all honesty endowed, as the Apostolic one himself in the context of his speech says, such liberty is due and is conceded. For if to those serving their own will, and to terrestrial advantages gaping, so great of liberty faculty were bestowed, the comeliness of life and the habit of sanctity not a little would be deformed.

[13] By the Kings approved, Which liberty's writings the Saint this to the aforementioned monasteries brought, and to the two then in England Kings showed, Ina namely his uncle, King of the Saxons; and Ethelred, King of the Mercians: which also the same most strenuous and with God's zeal filled Kings by their authority^e sanctioned, because by the incorruptible authority Apostolic confirmed they knew: and of whatever manner of expedition or of war a disturbance among the borderers should be made, the places, by the aforesaid Father's sanctity and science venerable, free from all they decreed to be of service; and to their successors likewise them to be guarded by writings, their hands impressed, they left. But an occasion of not keeping grew up: because indeed in waxen figures of so great Fathers' statutes they did not find assigned, therefore not to be kept (as they assert) they lost.^f As if more it availed to proof, a perishing wax's impression, by posterity neglected. than an Apostolic or the Kings' by right to be kept made institution. For not yet the transmarine of certain ones by their galleys conveyed cunning had been, nor through the whole world although to pass only still had raged avarice: for still in the minds of many of the faith reigned integrity, not yet to God devoted so greatly for itself affected human cupidity.

[14] After these, a some time's course having revolved, while the holy man in the Malmesbury church, both temporal peace, and the Angels' solace enjoyed; reigning of the Angles the King Osred,^g in the year of the Lord's Incarnation seven hundred sixth, certain of the Britons in name only Prelates^h heretized, of the Paschal term and of otherⁱ several of ecclesiastical orthodoxy institutions. The Britons in celebrating Easter erring, Wherefore of the Saxons of the Eastern region the holy Synod, the venerable Aldhelm the Abbot, and still only a Presbyter, (not yet the holy man both in life and morals in the order was placed of Pontiffs) for his sanctity's reverence asked, a book to compose excellent, by which the malign, asked by the Synod, which then beyond measure sprouted, heresy of the Britons might be destroyed. Which the Saint, as he was in speech polished, with wisdom filled, and with sanctity conspicuous, with arguments full, and with syllogisms endowed, in liberal besides writings and ecclesiastical sentences most erudite, and (as Bede narrates) in all things most prudent, with the Israelites' institutions filled and the Egyptians', of this with many discoveries and of the Holy Fathers authentic traditions, a book written but also with a song to Pachomius^k the Abbot by Angels delivered, and of other religious men's dogma sufficiently open, to the aforesaid heretics transmitted, through certain domestics of the faith and sufficiently for this faithful ministers. He indeed alone in affliction placed prayed assiduously, that God from so great a heresy's entanglement of mind them He would deign to snatch: and so to the Lord's true faith's rule, both the Prelates themselves, and an innumerable of the people multitude he recalled. In which thing of the omnipotent God's great we can consider of piety the mercy, which so His Saints, where, and when, and how He wills, fully justifies, that through them, even absent in body, to the truth he brings back: so great of virtues insignia He works. This indeed Saint a journey thither by feet in no way had made, but with an excellent handbook admonished, and with diligent prayer raised, to truth's he had brought back the way. Imitated this one, indeed by God's grace full, also in this deed the Apostle, who the Corinthians and Galatians, the Colossians also by Pseudo-Apostles forestalled, to the true faith's state through Epistles recalls. An Apostle indeed also in this business Father Aldhelm existed: because, just as Peter with the rest, the Holy Spirit admonishing, Paul and Barnabas to God's work segregated; so the holy Synod to the aforesaid businesses this one by electing moved.

[15] He wrote therefore Riddles, and On the praise of virgins with a doubled work, in prose namely and in song, various books he publishes. a book excellent. He wove indeed a sixfold little book, of the new and old Testament with flowers, and On the sevenfold supputation, from the disciplines collected of the Philosophers, pertaining to the sevenfold gift of the Spirit holy. He wrote also On the admonition of fraternal charity a volume one. From of insensible things the nature, which according to metaphor to speak are figured, he composed another. On feet also rules, metaplasm, synaloepha, scansion, and elision of verses; On the metrical alternate of interrogation and response vicissitude, by two letters distinguished.^m He wrote also some other things, inasmuch as a man on every side most learned: for both in speech polished, and of writings (as we said) both liberal and ecclesiastical he was in erudition wonderful. These from a certain most ancient codex, in the same church's cupboard found, in this little work's volume to put worthy we judged.

ANNOTATIONS.

* perhaps worthy?

CHAPTER III.

Miracles wrought, the Episcopate, death, burial.

[16] The man moreover most holy, while of an illustrious work a monastery certain Malmesbury to the honor of the Mother of God he built; this for him the virgin Son, to His praise and His Mother's honor and that one's fame, declared a wonderful deed. At length when to the temple's high summits by a diverse machine of instrument great beams were raised, a certain of them by the axe-bearers is found least, which yet to the length of the others studiously by them had been cut. But the omnipotent God therefore this, as Himself it pleased, A beam too short, shortened, so that in this also His servant's merit to men He might notify. Then the workmen exceedingly sad, because this to participate in the second place ought the beginning, what they should do doubtful, to the holy Father this run for counsel. Whom he, although in mind anxious was rendered, of the mercy of God confident, benignly addresses: Come on brothers, to the rest's measure if it shall have been lined learn, and of the blessed God's Mother's help devoutly trust: because she who with milk the virgin fed God-man, without the difficulty of this labor our can fulfill desire. Then boldly proceeding to the stake, the people he exhorted, that with the highest effort the beam into the higher places they should draw, not hesitating about the length of it. Soon the people supported by so great a Father's help, with heart devout the Lord beseeching, which the Father ordered immediately the beam raises. sufficiently long he renders. Then the divine cooperating mercy, for the service of His servant, they support it now longer than the rest, to whose measure before it had been cut. In which work he imitated B. Donatus^a Bishop of the City of Arezzo, who a glass chalice, by the Pagans' onset broken, by sole prayer restored: also our Father a man of wonderful sanctity Abbot Benedict, who far placed of a great mass a stone with a pious prayer moved from the place, where certain Brothers a monastery to found busied themselves. In that manner therefore the Creator of things, but by a type unequal, this lengthened, by which the Prelate's of the Israelite people rod to grow He made and fecundated. That indeed the birth of the untouched Virgin prefigured: this certainly the sanctity of so great a man immensely to grow for the standing-by church foretokened: that fruit brought and leaves, this Father Aldhelm's what future would be works demonstrated. About this moreover matter now these things let suffice, because to pass over the mind desires to his other things.

[17] After these things indeed elapsed not of much time a space, Father Berthwald, of Canterbury the Pontiff, a man reverend in life and morals, of letters and ecclesiastical science greatly erudite, for the of sanctity and of virtues of this man magnitude, and of letters liberal and divine studies and science, him with himself if he could often to have he desired; whom by directed legates to himself for the cause of counseling about Ecclesiastical things to come he asked. At Dover by the sea being, To whom the Saint, as he was mild, gladly obeying, came to him, and stayed as long as he himself wished. The duly performed for which to him he had come businesses, to the castle he disposed to go of Dover: which therefore God did, that to the far of lands parts of this holy one's virtues' merits He might show. When near the port sitting on a horse he proceeded, a certain ship to the bank of the sea^b the merchants wished to bring: by the sailors laboring in bringing in the ship despised, but in no way could they until this man admirable should command, although three times this they strove with great of strength effort. First however them modestly he interrogated, if anything they brought, which would be useful for the daily use of the church: whom they in the manner of the proud spurning, because with a vile covering he was covered, even him to behold disdained. But that God, for whose love himself so vile in habit he had rendered, exalted him (as always He does His own) in their presence. The performed often in vain many efforts, sad they stood and timid, in vain their strength wearied. Then of them a certain shipmaster his fellows thus weeping addresses: I hope indeed and undoubtedly believe, him whom on the shore you discern a man to be most Christian, to whom we puffed with pride, nor even a word made: so by his humility our is blunted pride, by his probity our is worn down obstinacy. What indeed now we should do I know not, except that with heart pure we entreat his mercy, the same afterward asked, he helps, so that by his devout prayers to us placated God may grant ports and shores. Counsel soon taken, the holy man with consternated minds suppliantly they ask, that to them to come and to them help to bring by his prayers he not delay, and their to inspect skiff, and by his office, if anything useful shall be, to receive he not refuse. Then God's servant, not enticed by the promised by them gift, but because by charity he was compelled to them to afford help, the little skiff ascended, and them immediately not disdained approached: but at once as the Saint that the little boat with his body weighed, the disturbed before sea, tranquil for sailing itself afforded. So God in His servant praising the nautical multitude entered the port with gladness.

[18] Soon they offer to the Saint a volume, of the old and new Testament compacted: and from them the Sacred bible he receives, the Saint indeed the oblation not did spurn, and of his things greater to them gifts afforded, although they would not: lest (which be far) anyone should understand, to have been done by price, what to them his greatest devotion had afforded. Which seen at his prostrate feet, they asked, that them to God by his prayers he would commend. O a man with charity filled, with piety full! who B. Nicholas's footprints having followed, both the sailors from peril freed and what God works through His own still in the flesh dwelling faithful, to foreigners declared. The book indeed, by goodness's help acquired, in the monastery afterward kept. to the Malmesbury monastery he brought; which there the Brothers still placed, for so great a man's reverence, worthily guard. In its beginning an anathema written, lest anyone it thence should take away, we saw. So this man with God full in the same place lived an Abbot excellent, until through Berthwald's hands' imposition, canonically to the Episcopate's office he was led, which in this order or cause was done.

[19] In the time of Osred, the illustrious of the Angles King, Hedda the most holy Bishop, whose laudable life Bede the venerable Presbyter in the History narrates Ecclesiastical, deceased of life, to the celestial migrated glory. Whose diocese for its circuit's magnitude, which by one could not be governed, by the Ecclesiastical Fathers' and Kings' counsel was divided into two: of which one part Daniel governed, a man in many things most strenuous; to the rule indeed of the other diocese, the Foremost of the Clergy and a copious multitude of the people, as with one voice concordant, according to the Canons' ancient precepts, Elected into Bishop, holy this they elected Aldhelm: to whom this supremely favored, that called he refused, drawn as much as he could he resisted. book 5, chapter 19 A Father indeed to God amiable, nor by ambition was drawn: but in each he kept the measure, no goodness removed. Truly in him had been, what the Apostle of the nations to Timothy had said in the Epistle, It behooves a Bishop irreprehensible to be. 1 Tim. 3, 2 In which one precept by the Apostle given all subsequent are contained, although for the understanding the single are not named. This indeed, as of good Prelates says S. Gregory, just as he presided in of honor the summit, so he preceded those subject to him in of all goodnesses the amplitude. Whatever indeed with mouth he preached, first by work without of elation tumor he premonstrated. Who while the Episcopate through years four most strenuously had ruled, the Episcopate's office; to the monasteries, which by the providence of divine clemency before that office he had governed, Fathers to prepose he wished. But the pious of the congregations multitude, at the same time he is compelled to preside over the monastery: under the pious Father living happily, spurned him surviving another besides him to have as Patron. Then the holy man, their most benign considering will, and by placing another fearing of the Order to clash the stability; Abbot, as before he had been, to them remained: and Ina the King consenting, and his Co-Bishop Daniel testifying, lest anyone of Ecclesiastical dignity or of Secular sublime power an Abbot, besides whom the pious convention of the Brothers should elect, to place should dare, a privilege he sanctioned with an anathema, which afterward by the of all England Synod, he that doing, praised, in the Malmesbury church's cupboard he laid up ratified: which also unto today is had; but, as above has been said, sins impeding and the Prelates' sloth rushing in, for a time to us void to be is known. He indeed more impeded by secular things, in the Episcopate, as is the manner of all (as of B. Martin of Tours the Prelate is read) not afterward so much availed in virtues, as before he availed. But yet deservedly that one most holy is called, although with usual he does not abound virtues, whoever devoutly to himself by the Lord committed fulfills the office in all things: which this did Father most just. But these things thus related, to his glorious death to be related let us come.

[20] In the Episcopate indeed twice two performed of years a circle, by the flesh's infirmity burdened, he convokes the flock of Monks, Sick the charity having commended, the Catholic Clergy, and nearly all the people: and the unity of peace and the bond of charity preaching, without which no to God pleases Church, just as a good shepherd his sheep to the Lord commended. After these he asks his familiars and in faith domestics, so that in the monastery of Malmesbury, which before the rest he had loved, his might be buried little body. So made to God worthy a prayer, and with divine armed Sacraments, glorious he migrated from the world: whom Michael with his company received Angelic. he dies in the Dunting village, He deceased in the Dunting village, to which for the salvation of those whom under God's tutelage he governed, he had proceeded, as a pious Pastor his diocese going about; each congregation of the faithful first among themselves, modest however, began to have a litigation, whither so great a Patron's body to be buried should be carried. But that part by reason prevailed, to which the same himself to be carried to be entombed had commanded. In the same indeed village, in that namely place in which his life's end he had made, a wooden chapel had been constructed: but after his death there from Glastonbury a certain religious monk, of stone cut, a blind woman the light receiving: a certain made oratory: which when to his honor to dedicate he caused; an old woman certain; who for a long time of her own light bereft had been, of light received the sight, and as a young girl began to see. At that moreover time S. Egwin, of the Worcester Church the Bishop, a man indeed and himself by doctrine and work most approved, by S. Egwin the Bishop he is buried. to Rome proceeding for the sake of prayer with a fetters' chain, by divine (as is right to believe) admonished by colloquy, to Malmesbury the Prelate came, that to the deceased Pontiff the due he might render obsequy. Which as worthy it had been entombed, the journey begun he performed the Bishop that most holy: and at Rome by divine virtue loosed was that of chains binding, just as in his Life is read volume. He indeed, with God of all those invoking him an advocate, in the celestial throne raised, by prayers assiduous of the aforesaid place the flock rules to him devoutly subjected: He shines with miracles. and very many through him there are afforded benefits, to His praise, to whom is honor and glory through the infinite ages of ages. Amen.^f

ANNOTATIONS.

width. Already to the Alps he had come, and the beast that bearing the altar, on account of the journey's broken places, fell; and crushed was the beast, and the altar into two split parts. This when saw the holy man, to God prayers he poured; and when a blessing he had imparted, health to the beast was restored; and the marble, not in a direct line, but with a winding turn broken, was reintegrated: but so however, that in the miracle's memory, even now of its rupture the vestiges may appear to one curiously inspecting. It is reported moreover this altar of marble now to be in the province of Somerset, in a certain of Canons, as they call it, Priory. These in his words thus Surius, which with a different phrase has Capgrave: in this less to be approved, that that beast he makes a camel. In the same I believe manner as in the Life of S. Paternianus, of Fano in Italy the Bishop. Camels for Asses, in the Picenum region most known, are introduced. By a similar further manner is narrated 22 June in the Life of S. Albinus the Martyr, that while his body from Rome was translated to Cologne, it on the highest Alps slipped with a horse, but also with it unhurt was preserved.

CHAPTER IV.

The body of S. Aldhelm raised, and by S. Dunstan in a stone tomb placed. The Danish persecution. Miracles done.

[21] These therefore under brevity, and although rustically, not however without the truth of the matter, of the life of the most holy Father Aldhelm, the illustrious Confessor and orthodox Prelate, according to our little genius's smallness duly run through; to those things which through him after his death the Lord in the same monastery deigned to work miracles let us come. Entombed indeed in the church of S. Michael the Archangel, to that church which the Father had built contiguous, he lay until the time of^a Edwy, the brother of Edgar the King, who before Edgar of his infancy's sloth through whatever bypaths walking, and of no upright man's counsel enjoying, Under Edwy the King, both the kingdom by dissipating dismissed and the churches' goods to internal robbers distributed. He also the cenobites religious of each sex from the Lord's sheepfolds segregated, and the lascivious and to the gut's enticements serving, and to avarice gapingly the gains following, not the morals canonical as it befitted loving, but secular desires basely and impudently desiring, of each kind Clerics in the church placed. Having pity however the omnipotent God on the Malmesbury monastery, who His lamp not long to lie hidden under a bushel, but that it might shine to all to raise willed upon a candlestick; through the Clerics then there dwelling, to the aforesaid however dissimilar, the body of S. Aldhelm is raised: so great a treasure, the body namely of him, with so great adorned virtues, to be raised He made from the sarcophagus, and into a little place honorifically to be placed of silver: where also some his works, of a book namely, and a beam, and a boy, and a chasuble, on gilded plates still appear sculpted.

[22] Rested moreover his most holy bones in the aforesaid bier through a some time's space, until S. Dunstan, the divine favoring clemency, of the Archprelacy of the Canterburians^b received the infula, and^c of the Danes over the Angles to rage began the savagery. which S. Dunstan who many gifts had offered to the monastery, Who of so great a man hearing the works and likewise his frequent beholding miracles; began that, the rest postponed, except his in which enthroned, to love monastery; and many things to the ecclesiastical congruous service there to put of his own things, of which several unto that time in the monastery are had: among which also his anathemas, lest anyone them to remove to the church's damage should dare, metrically inscribed are seen. On the organs namely, which to so great a Father's honor the Archprelate had given, these are with bronze letters assigned songs.

The organs I give to holy Prelate Dunstan to Aldhelm, Let him lose here the eternal, who wishes hence to take, kingdom.

On the little water-vessel, which, that to the Ministers of the altar water it might pour, he had caused to be made, these we saw metrically written:

This little water-vessel to be cast Dunstan had commanded the Arch- Prelate, that in the temple holy it might serve Aldhelm.

On the little bell, which gilded in the refectory of the major table preeminent, in pure-gold figures this impressed we saw.

The Elysian of heaven let him never strive for hall, Who should bear this bell of Aldhelm from the seat blessed.

There are also other things there bells, which by B. Dunstan with forty pounds bought were. Several also he gave other, which by us therefore are left untouched, lest in the hearers they generate fastidiousness.

[23] In the time indeed afterward of this reverend Bishop, the nation of the Danes perfidious and of the true God still ignorant, for fear of the Danes, with a multitude of fleets the island invaded of Britain. By whose ferocity far terrified the nation of England, just as is the manner of the fearful, to the highest Trinity assiduously with devoted mind rendered hymnody, that He would save, those whom He had redeemed, persisting in the faith Catholic, from the exceeding cruelty of the barbarians; and the Saints' in their places unmoved would preserve the blessed bodies, by whose prayers the people aided faithful, and to his command subjected, of the cruel enemies the calamity's burden could escape. Then the aforesaid Pontiff, of the iniquitous enemies knowing the perversity, and in the dearer metal's appearance their foul considering avidity; and fearing lest of gold or silver in the bier existing enticed by the love, of so great handled foully worse should leave; in a stone tomb he places it. or (which be far) if the church's ornaments they should take, so great a treasure somewhere should cast; the most holy body reverently he drew from the bier, and in a tomb stone with silken linens wrapped placed. This moreover translation, and, to more truly say, a faithful concealment of the holy body, he made on the third Nones of May, as many testify Martyrologies. But God the guardian of the faithful this to the sinful nation brought a reproach, through His servant blessed Aldhelm's merit. When through the of all England region an army of the nefarious here and there ran about, at length to the Malmesbury monastery it came, a plundering Dane being made blind the monastery is preserved, where the native people, in so great a Pontiff's defense confident, of gold a supply to have brought it had heard. Who, as a gnashing lion through the desert runs about, of no beast fearing the encounter, blind with hunger's ardor, yet seeks what he may devour; the church burst into, and even unto the holy of holies frenzied approached. Soon as one of them, the shrine taken, the precious little stones desired to draw from the bier, his light lost by divine vengeance immediately fell on the pavement. Then maddened the enemies the rest, all things which in the monastery were, although unwilling, caused to be left (except those which the wandering people already in the workshops had taken) and the way gapingly fugitive they seized. So indeed God that place freed from the fury of the defrauders by the prayer of His servant: for great with God exists this Saint of merit, who (as we said) the people dear to him from the fear of so great a peril snatched. Him therefore also let us with chaste heart, with bent also voices entreat, so that us unworthy in life and morals, from sins purged, with God in mind exalted, by his prayers He may render, that with him after this life we may enjoy the celestial, the Son seeing to sit at the Father's right hand, to whom be virtue honor and glory with the Spirit holy through the immense ages.

[24] After these the Danes' assembly, to God hateful, by the monstrousness of crimes, and by the Christian faith's evacuation, after various events of wars in diverse places, after of castles destruction and of many overturning of cities, all everywhere beyond measure devastated the region, God tolerating^f for a time the kingdom had in its perverse dominion. Wherefore the orthodoxy's worshippers worn down, by mendicity of wealth and of bodies by many tribulations, the temples were not frequented by the wonted entrances of the faithful, nor of monks or holy nuns faithful a band by nocturnal or diurnal used assemblies. Whence it happened the Saint's body long to rest in the tomb, where by S. Dunstan it had been laid up, by a Bishop of virtues a heap most illustrious: which the omnipotent God, miracles various are wrought, although under a vile it lay covering, with great adorned virtues. Often indeed and at diverse times many of each sex, with various possessed languors, He freed: which, as the faculty shall be, and thence the memory shall grow, in their places more orderly the single shall be distributed; those namely which through him God did after the destroyed by preachers Danes' savagery, and after the conquered by warrior men their invidious audacity. For of them the memory of the ancients none retained, although great were what he performed the Danes there surviving perfidy: because both of good men at that time great was the want; and of evil ones the sins requiring, an innumerable supply. Which also to many happened Martyrs, nay even also to certain of the disciples, whom Himself the highest Pastor and Lord sent ahead through the cities before His preaching's coming; because of so great persecution the heat had rushed in, that to none of them was permitted to writings to commend, of their acts the sequel. With God however their no less exists merit, or among men authority; because frequently they see, what through them God to show deigns not least deeds, for which before not written with faithful heart they are retained without ambiguity handed down. And because to be approached it is to this Saint's deeds, of the aforesaid indeed in no way the least, although by God after of many years' courses they were shown, of this matter now these things at present let suffice.

[25] In the time much after the Danes and Norwegians' most cruel Kings devastated Britain, some, as is the manner of barbarian enemies, more beautiful they led little maidens. Among whom a certain very noble, Helphidis among the Danes a captive, Helphidis by name, when as a captive she was led, to a certain of the Foremost for beauty's cause greatly pleased: who his lawful, which before he had had according to his nation's manner, leaving marriage, while her by chance he used as a concubine, death supervening deceased. She indeed bereft of his counsel, remained among foreigners in the midst. To whom of the Danes the Archimandrite,^g desiring what follows to effect, because he lacked children, although his wife surviving, on one only entering night, begot a son. Which known, the King by piety moved, because a stranger she was, and by love of the offspring which in her he had made enticed, after a son to the King begotten that her he might preserve, and that the necessaries to her he might give, his wife's wrath cautiously fearing, to a certain God fearing he commended Bishop. Who from the Lord to take a retribution desiring, and his lord's benevolence to have wishing, until the boy should be weaned her liberally caused to be guarded. Weaned at length the little infant that King died: she indeed by night snatching the son, of flight sought a hiding-place, the Queen living still to incur fearing peril. Performed hence a seven-year period it was heard from many, her not far to be in remote parts: and dead, then for her the Danes sent, that the son she should bring back that of the paternal he might enjoy throne. Which also was done: but yet the same little King, a year and a half in the summit of the kingdom having transacted, this light deceased. Then Helphildis, desolate herself by the death of her son considering, and of the past the hardship, and of the future much misery in heart often revolving, resolved if she could to return to her own home, where through the Saints' to God dear merits, now and now to nothing terrestrial reckoning, the celestial she might acquire glory. She came therefore to her nativity's soil Britain, returned into Britain; and of three villages the benefit from the money she bought which with herself she brought. She therefore in peace's quiet very long lived, and of God the fear with the Saints' reverence in the secret of her heart

unceasingly had.

[26] But by a divine touched scourge (by that namely by which of His servants, that to better things they may advance, each He knows to afflict; as the most patient Job, that him in an example to posterity He might set, that himself who he was anyone might be able to acknowledge, the divine mercy once carnally afflicted) of her members an enervation, which by a Greek word paralysis they call, through a triennium she suffered. and into paralysis fallen The beginning indeed of this passion thus to her to have happened she said. She had vowed, before she should return from Denmark, herself never of flesh to eat the food: which inviolate long she had kept. But of Priests certain of good conversation entreated by the admonition, when with herself several were at a banquet, that once only she should taste, by their prayers scarcely unwilling she acquiesced: and soon the divine her struck vengeance with the aforesaid goad of paralysis. By a wonderful indeed manner the omnipotent God, on account of the violated abstinence vow, those sinning with a diverse mind's intention, with an unequal punishment's burdens chain, and in all His deeds Himself a just Judge and a pious Lord to be demonstrates. Ananias indeed and Sapphira, because with the heart's livid intention they fell, with an irrevocable sentence to strike He did not delay: this indeed, because unwilling and with a certain of charity appearance she sinned, for a time to correct He willed. By which examples each ought to beware, that either he not vow, or after a vow the promised he pay, and with what intention of difficulty what to God he offered afterward he not break. She therefore of the Nuns clothed with the veil, all around in a coach's vehicle by her satellites to the Saints' patronages herself caused to lead, that through their holy suffrages her might revive dead members. But yet, at S. Aldhelm she is healed. not as if their God omnipotent whom always He glorifies of His faithful He spurned the prayer, but that the fame of His servant Aldhelm more often by showing miracles He might make more sublime; her in infirmity's peril so long mercifully He detained, until the Malmesbury monastery she should come as she had disposed. At length when there in that Saint's festivity's Vigil, with devout mind God expecting through His servant's merit consolation, prostrate, because to stand she could not, she lay; and while the religious of monks cohort, after the solemn Matins, by the wonted manner to the honor of holy Mary the Mother of our Redeemer a hymn sang; by divine soon touched medicine, she felt her members before dry to revive: and quickly sound she arose; and even unto the place, where the most holy body had been, without a leader she came: who from that day whatever she could have of her Salutary one's church she conferred, and there in flesh deceased in peace rested.

ANNOTATIONS.

What follows seems from a certain Hymn received, of which this was the conclusion.

Him let us with heart, with bent also entreat voices, That us unworthy in life and polluted in morals From sins expiated by his prayers He may render, That with him after this life we may enjoy the celestial, To whom be virtue, praise and honor through the immense ages.

CHAPTER V.

An energumen, a contracted man, and a blind man healed. The revelation of the body.

[27] It happened moreover afterward, when there the sacred on the night of the Ascension of the Lord they celebrated vigils, a far admirable deed. For of the same parish a certain rustic, his sins requiring, had been seized by a demon. Whom by kinship near relatives, who saw by fury agitated and against God and His faithful blasphemies some with foaming mouth to cast, An energumen furious, and against them and their neighbors, stones, fire, arms, finally whatever fury supplied insane, to take; with chains indeed iron they bound, and so under diligent care, as much as their unrefinement permitted, by day and night for some while they had. Then counsel taken, through those whom they knew wiser, the same all around to those places, where they had heard of certain Saints the bodies to rest, as he had been with chains bound, hasty they busied themselves to bring. But yet the Founder of things, with chains bound he is conveyed, who daily in His manner exalts the humble and puts down the proudly swelling, this glory to His servant reserved, to the most humble Father Aldhelm. When therefore to his monastery of Malmesbury with the mad one they had come, the monks in fraternal charity there living with suppliant voice they address, that of God they would pray the clemency, so that over this energumen, through His servant Aldhelm's merit, He would show the wonted miracles. But the monks this to them salutary gave answer: Today the Vigil of the Ascension of the Redeemer of all is, on which the flesh, from the inviolate Virgin received and by the death's passion glorified, He bore to heaven, where God and man, one Christ, at the right hand of God sitting judges, and of souls the languors heals and of bodies. Wherefore, dearest Brothers, in the church pass the night, and in the night of the Ascension he is freed. and with intent heart the sacred watches celebrate, and without ambiguity believe, that He who him so far exalted that with Himself in heaven to rejoice He made, He Himself through him what you seek will demonstrate. Standing therefore they before the Icon^a of our Redeemer at the nocturnal office, the divine the infirm touched mercy, for His servant's merit. For the possessor of his frame with congruous to itself expelled contumely; so sound rendering the infirm, as if of the foul guest no him ever had touched annoyance. Which seen, all who were present, and who at the heard of gladness voices had come, with sounding bells, with devotion of heart and sound of voice, of the everlasting King praised the great things.

[28] At another also time a man certain sick, with feet and hips clinging to crutches, Wretchedly broken, so little to himself which was of journey scarcely on the ground creeping with hands he performed: who at length by labor failing assiduous, how God's clemency that on him He would have mercy, of what Saint the help he should ask, with curious mind diligently with himself revolved. At length through the whole province's breadth fame flying he knew, that in an oratory, which Christ's^b church in English is called, the omnipotent God the wonted worked virtues, creeping toward the Church of Christ, namely that of diverse of languors oppressed by the burden, as the pious of the human race restorer, innumerable He rendered healings. Thither therefore somehow, as if without any footprint, he began to direct his step: that just as of credulity he had been master, so of health he might be able to be a partaker. Consumed at length some days' number, although by a small journey, scarcely indeed at length to the Malmesbury, because in his very journey it is situated, he came monastery. Soon as the veteran the same monastery he entered, he arrives at Malmesbury, he felt to be in himself some of the members' torpor as if of mildness a remedy. He passed the night therefore, in the morning on the other day about to withdraw, whither him had compelled the intention; unless here God, through His holy Confessor's merit, of His piety would deign to afford the aid. For it was the day of Saturday at vespers, and within the aforesaid Father's Octaves of the festivity. In the morning moreover now made, and the sun's heat strengthened, and the first Hour of the day by the congregation of the Brothers there dwelling sung; when now was prepared the procession into the choir, with the rest wishing to proceed, to follow as he could, came the infirm: where so long praying he lay, until in the wonted manner through the cloister and workshops it proceeded, and whence it had gone returned of the Brothers the congregation. Singing moreover the of monks throng, and health obtained and a multitude lay standing by; by the divine the lame soon touched piety, with great amazement as if beside himself made, from the place in which he lay leapt out sound, as if no ever of his body he had felt detriments: and to the most holy body's tomb he ran, that whatever little he could to God in His servant thanks he might render. Which seen, all who were present, of God omnipotent who His Saint's prayer such had done, praised the great things. He indeed who of health so had the remedy, there he remains, for many times to the same Saint's praise in that lived monastery: and still here survive many living in the monastic habit, who him before and afterward well knew: by whom as relaters we these things wrote of him, to our Redeemer's glory and His Saint's laudable memory.

[29] Among other some things, which for His servant's merits the omnipotent God made manifest reverend works, a certain wonderful to say, which follows, there shown was miracle. In the time of the first William of the Angles the most strenuous King, under William the King and Warin the Abbot the same Church with regular moderation governing, in a certain island which Wightland^d in English is called, a certain fisherman dwelt, who by the want of his necessity compelled, daily through the seas by fishing labored; and to marine perils often himself thrusting by hand and art his food sought. On a certain indeed day, he through the sea wandering, immediately from the opposite part a certain cloud rushing in, the lights of his eyes, his sins perhaps so requiring, by such an occasion he lost. Who long wandering through the bypaths of the seas, hither and thither with alternating waves, at length by his fellows' help, the fisherman made blind, who in other little boats were, aided, to the shores even arrived: and on a leader's relying help, to his wonted returned little lodging. Then of this blindness the fame flying hither and thither through the province, of friends a frequency, to whose ears it sounded, took care as quickly as possible to him to come, asking how of the unhoped bereavement to him had happened the adversity. To whom, with tearful voice having begun, all, that to him had happened, in order he declared. After these from them to ask he began, what he should do, with whom of the Saints they hoped him mercy about to find. To him moreover of the relatives the sad congregation thus to have answered is reported: Better to you, brother, counsel of this matter to give we know not, than that as quickly as possible you hasten to Christ's church's thresholds in the Western part, where divine miracles more often are done: just as indeed by popular rumor it is reported, persuaded by friends to approach the church of Christ, there of diverse infirmities the kinds are evacuated: in which place of the omnipotent God's clemency with pious prayers so long beseech, of the past sins satisfaction instantly promise, with alms by which you can your misdeeds redeem, until you the divine power's large compassion to pristine health unharmed may render. By these indeed exhortations many times by friends, although rustic, wise however, well admonished, to the monastery, where diverse weak had assembled, he proceeded: who three years there with infirmity laboring lived. But the pious and merciful Father, after 3 years of staying

who in a moment whatever He wills effects, in so long a time the desire of him, mercifully toward him working, to fulfill willed not. Foreknowing therefore what future is, to whom also He would reserve the glory of His praise's laud, so even by delaying the gift of health, from evil made first good. Lastly on one night in his bed prostrate, through a vision in his sleep he was admonished, that to the Malmesbury church, where His servant Aldhelm's body rested, his step he should direct: from heaven admonished he comes to Malmesbury: God helping and His Saint's prayer this requiring, the lost so long light he would recover. These things said by God foretold, to the Malmesbury church a companion preceding he was brought on the morrow. There indeed for seven continuous days, with vigils and prayers God's mercy with His Saints' suffrages he beseeches, that He who had come sinners to make safe, to the prior light's state him He would deign to bring. He was sustained meanwhile by the Brothers' alms, who so desired the grace of the Lord. On the seventh moreover Lord's day, our Redeemer to him willing mercy to afford, and His faithful one's fame also in this to make known (that be true that sentence; If anything you shall ask the Father in my name, it shall be done for you) this Saint's prayers and suffrages, and of other Saints there resting, the sight which he had lost so he received. John 14, 13 While on the Lord's day the monks in the wonted manner through the cloisters to the procession of the monastery went, and to the entrance of the church singing had returned; he in the middle of the temple before the Crucified in prayers lying, so great the Holy Spirit's grace upon him descended, that with all beholding blood from his eyes drop by drop flowed, and the sight he receives. and the scales falling himself now to see he cried. And at once rising, who before without a leader to go could not, to the sepulchre of the Saint alone to come hastens: who long there for joy weeping prostrate, at length rising thither whence he had come was returned. These things seeing all who were present, to God praises devoutly rendered, to whom honor and glory in the ages of ages. Amen.

[30] Above in the series of the reading we related, the most sacred bones of our Father Aldhelm, on account of the Danes' perfidy, by the reverend Bishop Dunstan of Canterbury, within a marble tomb honorifically, with silken garments, The chronology of S. Aldhelm's life. in wooden cases, to have been placed; now moreover how much of time between of each death of the Prelates was, and how much after Dunstan's dormition they lay, and in what way and by whom they were raised, to relate we take care. Had been the man this by B. Eleutherius, of the Saxons the fourth Bishop, at Malmesbury, in the church of the Apostles Peter and Paul, Abbot ordained, in the year of the Lord's incarnation six hundred sixtieth and about sixth; Bishop indeed, in the year of the same true Savior in the world according to the flesh of His nativity seven hundred and fifth, by Berthwald the successor of Theodore, of Canterbury the Archprelate, a man in Ecclesiastical things prevailing, and of good morals' honesty far endowed; and he died, in the year seven hundred ninth: which according to this supputation joined, would be forty and three: of which four, irreprehensibly in the Episcopate he lived, just as above has been said: the rest in the Abbot only order, yet not of one only Abbey, but of many Master he existed. He preceded indeed this in Christ Archbishop Dunstan's death by years two hundred seventy-nine, and rested his reverend Relics, in the place where by Dunstan they had been placed, after the same Archpontiff's migration, years^f ninety-two, whence to be raised this at length manner we saw.

[31] Presided in the same monastery the Abbot Warin, in several things a man erudite and of monastic religiousness in doctrine endowed; The second elevation made in the year 1080, who in life and morals prevailing the Flock to him committed governed with monastic traditions. Who for a while of the body doubting most holy, enjoins on the faithful Congregation a three-day to keep fast, the Psalms devoutly in places congruous to sing, and in all ways before the divine sight of clemency to be humbled, so that of the omnipotent God's mercy of so great a Prelate the Relics they might find. The Gloucester also religious congregation, because to this of charity joined had been by a bond, after the enjoined fast, commanding it the Father Serbo, in religion monastic reverend, this same did fast, in the days the holy day of Pentecost preceding. On the third indeed day of the aforesaid solemnity, made with reverence the matutinal Office, to the holy body both Abbots with fear filled came tomb. With whom two Brothers, who to them to raise the stone afforded help: of whom the one Hubert by name, a man and that one of wonderful patience, who (as to us often the same related) of a certain infirmity was burdened by the weight, at once as he felt of the holy Relics the fragrance, on the earth with the rest fixed knees of God omnipotent praised the clemency, which so the Saints to His own glorified, that both in heaven by the fellow-citizens Angelic spirits, and among mortals might be honored the bodies. Who after the prayer's instance when he arose, well sound^g himself felt, just as to us often he said; and we ourselves with many testify, who him quite infirm before had known. The Abbots moreover shut up the sarcophagus, and so until the eighth day, on which his future was the festivity, they left it untouched. On the day moreover of his festivity, summoned by the Abbot of that place's Diocese Osmund^h the orthodox Bishop, a man in humility, wisdom and sanctity to be honored and laudable, and by S. Osmund the Bishop. and the religious Abbot of Gloucester aforesaid, with a multitude of Clergy and a great people, of Princes a throng and bands of Soldiers, was made his second revelation, from the tomb in which placed he was, by the Archprelate Dunstan; and in a bier gilded to be honored by God's servants the placing; where on that day and afterward, by his benefits, and of others there resting Saints by the merits, are afforded of healings gifts to many, to the praise and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns through all the ages of ages. Amen.

ANNOTATIONS.