THE MIRACLES OF * * 
 OUR LADY SAINT MARY 
 
THE MIRACLES OF * * 
 OUR LADY SAINT MARY 
 
 BROUGHT OUT OF DIVERS TONGUES 
 AND NEWLY SET FORTH IN ENGLISH 
 
 BY EVELYN UNDERHILL 
 
 NEW YORK: E. P. BUTTON 6f CO 
 1906 
 
PRINTED IN ENGLAND 
 
 All rights reserved 
 
B. A. C. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 INTRODUCTION page xi 
 
 BIBLIOGRAPHY page xxvii 
 
 AND FIRST THE PROLOGUE page i 
 
 THE CHAPLET OF ROSES page 7 
 
 And herein of a young religious, that by his 
 devotion did crown the Virgin Mary every day. 
 
 THE HEAVENLY VESTURE page 17 
 
 Here we tell of a Bishop that said Mass in his 
 church before Saint Mary and her meinie ; to 
 whom the said Lady did give a noble vestment. 
 
 GAUDE MARIA ! page 27 
 
 How wicked men took a little boy, because he 
 sang the Respond of Our Lady very sweetly ; 
 and how God's Mother did preserve him. 
 
 BREAD OF ANGELS page 41 
 
 Here we tell how a certain novice was an 
 hungered, and Our Lady gave him meat. 
 
 vii 
 
 270786 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 , I -THE KNIGHT OF THE COSTREL page 49 
 
 Of a great lord that might not accomplish the 
 penance he had, and how Saint Mary helped 
 him. 
 
 THE WINDOW OF PARADISE page 63 
 
 Here we tell how a certain sacristan had great 
 comfort of Our Lady, because of these words : 
 Coeli fenestra facta es. 
 
 STELLA MARIS page 71 
 
 Here are told certain fair miracles that Our 
 Lady Saint Mary did upon the sea. 
 
 THE EYES OF THE BLIND - page 85 
 
 The miracle of a gentlewoman to whom God's 
 Mother did restore the sight of her eyes. 
 
 THE LITTLE CLERK ^ page 97 
 
 Here we tell how the child of a poor woman 
 gave his cake to Our Lady's Child. 
 
 THE CHRISTIAN'S SURETY page 107 
 
 How a Christian of Byzance did borrow from a 
 Jew, and gave Our Lord to be his pledge. 
 
 ^, _OUR LADY OF THE TOURNAMENT page 121 
 Here we tell the history of the Blessed Walter of 
 Birbech and how the Virgin Mary honoured 
 him in the lists. 
 
 THE VIRGIN'S BRIDEGROOM page 133 
 
 And herein the history of a certain child that 
 betrothed himself to the image of Our Lady. 
 
 viii 
 
_ CONTENTS 
 
 THE LILY page 145 
 
 Of a knight that was monk of Citeaux ; the 
 which could learn no Latin save the words, Ave 
 Maria ! 
 
 THE MINSTREL OF ROC AMADOUR page 155 
 How he made music for Madame Saint Mary's 
 sake, and had therefrom exceeding sweet reward. 
 
 THE VIGILS OF THE DEAD page 165 
 
 Here is told the history of a certain noble virgin, 
 that said every day the Hours of Our Lady, and 
 once a week the Vigils of thq Dead. 
 
 THE CHILD VOWED TO THE DEVIL page 179 
 Of a little boy, that was dedicate to the Devil at 
 the hour of his birth ; and how the Virgin Mary 
 saved him. 
 
 SPONSAE CHRISTI page 193 
 
 Here we tell how Our Lady doth cherish her 
 daughters in religion, that are betrothed to be 
 the brides of her dear Son. 
 
 THE HOSTAGE page 207 
 
 How a poor woman that was a widow did take 
 from God's Mother her Child, for her own that 
 was condemned to be hanged 
 
 OUR LADY OF THE LINTEL page 219 
 
 And herein of a monk that was a painter, the 
 which painted the Devil as foully as he knew 
 how. 
 
 ix 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 SAINT MARY'S SCHOLAR page 231 
 
 How he did serve his glorious Mistress ; and of 
 the reward that she gave him. 
 
 THE CELESTIAL MEDICINE page 245 
 
 Here tell we the history of a certain brother that 
 was converted from the practice of pharmacy to 
 that of religion by Our Lady's grace. 
 
 THE DOVE THAT RETURNED page 255 
 
 How a certain clerk devoted to the Virgin Mary 
 invoked the Devil by necromancy, that he might 
 gain a bride thereby. 
 
 SAINT THOMAS OF CANTERBURY page 271 
 
 Herein are told certain favours that Our Lady 
 did for this lover of hers, and also the history of 
 the Priest that knew but one Mass. 
 
 THE DIVINE ENCOUNTER page 287 
 
 Of a young gentlewoman that was accustomed to 
 incite the little children to say Ave 9 Maria ! And 
 how God appeared to her in the form of a little 
 child. 
 
 THE CHURCH THAT IS IN EGYPT page 295 
 Here we tell how the most holy Virgin appeared 
 to the Archbishop Theophilus, and instructed 
 him concerning the journey that she took into 
 Egypt with her Son. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 THIS book constitutes an attempt to re- Introduction 
 introduce to English readers a cycle of 
 old tales in which their ancestors took great 
 delight a by-way of mediaeval literature which, 
 from one cause or another, is now practically un- 
 known except to professed students of folklore 
 and hagiography. This cycle, the Miracles of 
 Our Lady, or, to give it its terse and technical 
 name, the Mary- legends, is formed by a large 
 group of religio-romantic stories, linked together 
 by no closer tie than the fact that the Virgin 
 Mary supplies the supernatural element in each. 
 Varying between the extremes of mysticism and 
 melodrama, and belonging to many periods and 
 places, from England to Egypt, from the 
 fourth century to the fifteenth, they have yet 
 contrived to assemble themselves together, and 
 even to acquire a certain family likeness. Their 
 number is astonishingly great : in the " Analecta 
 Bollandiana " over four hundred are indexed. In 
 such a mass of material there is much, of 
 course, which is monotonous, unedifying, or 
 otherwise unsuited to the general reader ; but 
 nearly all these legends, whether they be 
 
 xiii 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Introduction historical, allegorical, or as is often the case- 
 pious adaptations of secular folk-tales, are full 
 of interest for the student of mediaeval manners 
 and Christian mythology. 
 
 Though now almost entirely forgotten, for 
 over four centuries the Miracles of Our Lady 
 occupied a very prominent place in popular 
 literature. They are the fairy-tales of mediaeval 
 Catholicism ; the result of the reaction of 
 religion on that spirit which produced the 
 romances of chivalry. These tales bring us to 
 the Courts of Paradise, but the atmosphere is 
 still that of the Courts of Love. By turns homely 
 and heroic, visionary and realistic, they do in 
 literature that which the Gothic sculptors do in 
 art ; make a link between heaven and earth, 
 give actual and familiar significance to the most 
 awful mysteries of faith, and set the Queen of 
 Angels in the midst of her faithful friends. 
 
 As other fairy tales, behind their apparent if 
 adorable absurdities, carry a secret message for 
 those who can pierce the veil, so in these legends 
 great mysteries are often concealed. It was in 
 this form that those mysteries were able to come 
 out from the cloister and spread themselves in 
 the world ; for it was amongst the people 
 that the Mary-legends prospered, and to the 
 people that they were primarily addressed. 
 They adorned sermons, they provided subjects 
 for poetry, painting and sculpture, they were a 
 part of the texture of the common life. 
 
 In England, where devotion to Our Lady has 
 always flourished, her miracles were well 
 xiv 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 known and greatly loved. They are sculp- Introduction 
 tured in the arcading of the Lady Chapel at 
 Ely Cathedral, and painted in the margins of 
 Queen Mary's Psalter, and other masterpieces 
 of the English illuminating schools. Unfor- 
 tunately, however, few were written in the 
 English language. The early collections, made 
 for the use of preachers, or for the edification 
 of those lords and ladies in whom the trou- 
 badours had roused a passion for romance, 
 are always either in Latin, the language of 
 religion, or in Norman-French, the language 
 of the Court. These Latin and French MSS. 
 still exist in great numbers in most of the 
 great European libraries ; sometimes alone, more 
 often bound up with prayers, tracts, homilies, 
 and miscellaneous religious tales. They begin 
 to be common in the twelfth century, are most 
 numerous in the thirteenth, and come to an end 
 at the close of the fifteenth century, the dooms- 
 day of so many simple and delightful things.-: 
 
 The most complete collections of the Mary- 
 legends were made in France. There, in the 
 thirteenth century, the Dominican friar, Vincent 
 of Beauvais, brought together in the seventh 
 book of that dull but careful compilation, the 
 "Speculum Historiale,"all the most popular and 
 best known of Saint Mary's miracles. There 
 also in the same period Gautier de Coincy, a 
 monk of the Abbey of Saint Medard at Soissons, 
 wrote in rhymed couplets of an adorable naivete^ 
 his " Miracles de la Sainte Vierge." Whilst 
 Vincent is a mere compiler, and does nothing 
 
 xv 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Introduction to improve the generally terse and arid style of 
 the originals from which he worked, Gautier 
 is a poet, in love with his subject, which he 
 adorns with innumerable fancies, quaint poetic 
 details, rhapsodies and invocations full of fire. 
 All lovers of old poetry should know his 
 book. In him, I think, the Mary-legends 
 found their finest expression. Neither his pre- 
 decessor, the twelfth-century poet Adgar, 
 with his barbaric Norman-French verse, nor 
 his fifteenth-century follower, Jean Mielot, 
 who wrote for Philip the Good, Duke of Bur- 
 gundy, "Les Miracles de Nostre Dame," in pretty 
 but insipid French prose, approach his level. 
 
 Here and there, however, amongst the 
 more fragmentary Latin collections, we find a 
 writer whose vivid style and sharp sense of 
 detail places his work in the first rank. It is 
 in such fragmentary collections that many of the 
 best stories, omitted by the great compilers, 
 are hid in MS. sermons, histories of the 
 religious orders, and those books of anec- 
 dotes which every mediaeval library possessed. 
 Here one often finds significant variants of 
 the more widespread tales ; additions and 
 alterations made to suit the tastes of the indi- 
 vidual or community for whom the MS. was 
 written. Few modern editors would care to 
 take the liberties which these mediaeval scribes 
 allowed themselves. Favours done to one 
 monastic order are attributed to another ; some- 
 times the venue of the miracle is changed, that 
 it may be given a more local interest ; details 
 xvi 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 and characters are added or eliminated at will. Introduction 
 
 Thus it is that of all the chief Mary-legends 
 
 endless variants exist ; and also that in some 
 
 cases one tale has become the mother of many 
 
 others, which, all evidently springing from the 
 
 same root, show strong family resemblances, and 
 
 equally strong individual differences. There 
 
 is, for instance, the so-called Mary-bridegroom 
 
 group, in which the hero, betrothing himself to 
 
 an image of the Virgin, is afterwards prevented 
 
 by her from contracting an earthly marriage. 
 
 This group is paralleled in folk-lore by the old 
 
 tale of " The Ring given to Venus." Perhaps 
 
 next in size and importance is the Rosary group, 
 
 a family of beautiful legends centred in the 
 
 idea that the Aves said by the faithful are 
 
 turned to roses by Our Lady's grace. Other 
 
 well-marked classes are the stories relating to 
 
 the Virgin's Electuary, the Mantle of Mercy, 
 
 and the Star of the Sea. 
 
 I have said that there are no Early English 
 collections of Miracles of the Virgin. Except 
 for one or two tales of this sort in the South 
 English Legendary and Northumbrian Verse 
 Homilies, England, until the time of the in- 
 vention of printing, read her Mary-legends in 
 Latin or French. But in A.D. 1483 Caxton pub- 
 lished an English translation of the " Legenda 
 Aurea," and with it those Miracles of the 
 Virgin which are inserted in the homilies 
 on the Purification, Annunciation, Assump- 
 tion, and Nativity of Our Lady. These, how- 
 ever, are few in number ; and, except for the 
 
 b xvii 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Introduction very fine Candlemas story at the Purification, 
 they are tersely and baldly told, comparing ill 
 with his picturesque and vigorous legends of 
 the saints. A little later, in A.D. 1514, his 
 successor, Wynkyn de Worde, " enprynted in 
 London in Flete strete at the sygne of the 
 sonne," a tiny book of " Myracles of our Lady " 
 a first and last attempt to popularise a selection 
 of the Mary-legends in the English tongue : 
 but as his work is in black-letter, and no new 
 edition has appeared since the sixteenth century, 
 it has not, at the present day, a large public. 
 
 So much, then, for the forms in which the 
 Miracles of the Virgin have come down to us. 
 In subject, they vary between the crudest sensa- 
 tionalism and the heights of mystical devotion ; 
 and often enough both extremes are present in 
 the same tale, as, for instance, in "The Dove that 
 Returned" and " The Virgin's Bridegroom." 
 Many are evidently local legends which after- 
 wards obtained a wider celebrity, being concerned 
 with miracles wrought by Our Lady at specific 
 shrines and holy places. The great French 
 pilgrimages of Laon, Soissons, Mont S. Michel, 
 Chartres, and Roc Amadour, had each such a 
 cycle of stories. From them come "The Minstrel 
 of Roc Amadour " and "The Eyes of the Blind." 
 Another group relates favours shown by Our 
 Lady to the saints. These also, in the first 
 instance, probably arose near the shrines of the 
 saints whom they commemorate, and, spreading 
 with their fame, became absorbed into the 
 general cycle of Mary-legends, losing all con- 
 xviii 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 nection with their place of origin, sometimes Introduction 
 
 even surviving in a vague and general form after 
 
 the very names of their heroes were forgot. 
 
 Thus we find compilers to whom the names of 
 
 Saint Bon and the Blessed Walter of Birbech 
 
 were quite unknown, relating their legends 
 
 under the titles of " A certain Bishop to whom 
 
 Our Lady gave a Vestment " and " A certain 
 
 Knight that tarried to hear Mass." 
 
 I have included three stories of saints in this 
 collection " Saint Thomas of Canterbury," 
 " Our Lady of the Tournament," and " The 
 Heavenly Vesture." Saint Thomas, I hope, needs 
 no introduction to English readers, though 
 perhaps few have heard of the very practical and 
 womanly service which Saint Mary rendered 
 him in the choir of Pontigny church. Saint 
 Bon, to whom she gave the Heavenly Vesture, 
 was much venerated in the south of France in 
 the Middle Ages. He was bishop of Clermont 
 in Auvergne A.D. 689-699, and the vestment 
 with which the Virgin rewarded his piety was 
 preserved in the treasury of the Cathedral of 
 Clermont as late as the twelfth century, when 
 it was seen and handled by Herbert Losinga, 
 Bishop of Norwich. This legend, based on the 
 very ancient and long-forgotten tradition that 
 none may enter a church in the night hours 
 lest they disturb the angels at their prayers, 
 must certainly have had an early origin, and 
 probably arose soon after Saint Bon's death at 
 the end of the seventh century. The Blessed 
 Walter of Birbech, for whom Our Lady of the 
 
 xix 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Introduction Tournament rode in the lists, was a Cistercian 
 monk, beatified but not canonised, who died 
 in the Abbey of Himmerode in the Eifel, circ. 
 1222. In the same century his life and 
 miracles were written at some length by 
 another German Cistercian, Caesarius, of the 
 daughter house of Heisterbach, in his " Dia- 
 logus Miraculorum." 
 
 Perhaps next in interest to the stories of the 
 saints are the religious folk-tales ; delicious and 
 fantastic stories, many of them still retaining a 
 strong Oriental flavour. These are in most 
 cases, like the legend of Saint Barlaam and 
 Saint Josaphat (for which see the "Legenda 
 Aurea "), Eastern tales converted to the uses of 
 Christianity. Most of them are located in 
 Egypt or Constantinople, and are probably 
 amongst the most ancient of the Mary-legends 
 known in the West. A version of " The Chris- 
 tian's Surety " has been found by Mr. Baring 
 Gould in a Greek sermon of the tenth century. 
 It is an early example of the anti-Semitic tale, of 
 which I have given another instance in the story 
 here called " Gaude, Maria ! " the original 
 of the " Prioress' Tale " in Chaucer's Canter- 
 bury Tales. " The Christian's Surety" is a great 
 favourite with the later French compilers; it 
 appears in Gautier de Coincy's collection, and 
 also forms the subject of a miracle play in 
 " Les Miracles de Notre Dame par Person- 
 nages." So, also, does the rather bizarre story 
 of " The Child Vowed to the Devil," a tale which, 
 like that of " The Dove that Returned," seems 
 xx 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 to have some affinities with the wild romances Introduction 
 of the Vitae Patrum." 
 
 After the folk-tales, sometimes inextricably 
 confused with them, come the mystical and 
 allegorical legends. It is amongst these that 
 we find the most lovely and poetic of the 
 miracles of Our Lady ; though even such 
 stories are not entirely free from that extraor- 
 dinary blend of mockery and piety, high heaven 
 and base earth the " love that built the cathe- 
 drals " and the " laughter that filled them with 
 grotesques " which seems inseparable from 
 Gothic art. Designed for the most part to light 
 up some dogma or observance of the Church, 
 or glorify the religious life, these are quieter, 
 more visionary in tone, than either the folk- 
 tales or legends of the saints. I have already 
 referred to the rosary motif ^ here represented 
 by " The Chaplet of Roses," "The Lily," and 
 the second part of " Sponsas Christi." In the 
 beautiful story of " Bread of Angels " we 
 have an allegory of the Mass; in "The 
 Knight of the Costrel," the sacrament of 
 penance. To the mystical class belong also, 
 in some degree, " The Celestial Medicine," 
 " The Divine Encounter," and the celebrated 
 story of " The Nun who Desired the World." 
 This, the original of Mr. Davidson's " Ballad 
 of a Nun," and M. Maeterlinck's "Soeur 
 Beatrice," is almost the only Mary-legend 
 which has been treated by a writer of our own 
 time : and for that reason I have not retold 
 it here. 
 
 xxi 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Introduction Finally, in the legend of " The Church that is 
 in Egypt " we have a story which stands in many 
 respects alone. The other Miracles of the 
 Virgin, as I have said, form a cycle, of which 
 numerous MSS., in French and Latin, still sur- 
 vive. But of this tale there is no trace in any 
 of the Western collections : only one version of 
 it is known, an Ethiopian text, containing 
 Miracles of the Virgin and magical prayers, 
 now in the Lady Meux MSS. This MS. has 
 been translated and printed by Dr. E. A. T. 
 Wallis Budge, to whose great kindness I am 
 indebted for permission to include " The Church 
 that is in Egypt " in this book. In it we have a 
 legend which puts us in immediate touch with 
 the primitive Coptic Church. It will be 
 noticed that it differs greatly in tone from the 
 other Miracles, which have had time, in the 
 course of a long descent through many MSS., 
 to lose most of their primitive features and 
 pick up mediaeval ones in their place. This 
 tale has been, so to speak, isolated : as a result, 
 it is fresh, strange, entirely un-European. It 
 is evident, from its accurate local colour, that 
 it was written in Egypt for the use and encour- 
 agement of the Coptic Church, and probably 
 not later than the fifth century. Theophilus, 
 or Philotheus, whose vision it relates, was 
 Pa triarch of Alexandria A. D. 385-412; and this 
 story must have taken shape shortly after, if not 
 actually during, his life. The account that it 
 gives of the Flight into Egypt contains many 
 details which are not found in the apocryphal 
 xxii 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 gospels of the Infancy, the Pseudo-Matthew, Introduction 
 and Saint James, from which the Eastern Church 
 obtained its history and the Byzantine artists 
 their iconography of the life of the Virgin and 
 the childhood of Christ. The Holy Family 
 here go on foot ; Salome, as in the Coptic His- 
 tory of Joseph the Carpenter, accompanies 
 them. The incidents of the healing fountain, 
 and the dwelling in the temple of Heliopolis, 
 are peculiar to this legend, but the story of the 
 two thieves appears, in a slightly different form, 
 in the Arabic Gospel of the Infancy. There is 
 little, however, in the Apocryphal Gospels to 
 equal the circumstantial and realistic quality of 
 the vision of Theophilus, which is full of the 
 living and convincing touches that come only 
 from the most intense simplicity or the highest 
 art. It is too old to be mediaeval, for it comes 
 from a period when the freshness of childhood 
 still hung about the legends of the Church, and 
 belongs rather to that eternal art of story-telling 
 which is neither ancient nor modern, but exists 
 wherever human life exists and is observed. 
 
 So much for the facts. This book, how- 
 ever, has not been written for the student of 
 facts, who will naturally fly to some more 
 learned treatise : it is offered rather to the 
 amateur, of old faiths and fancies, who may find 
 here a dim picture of the City of Mansoul as it 
 was before the Reformation came, like some 
 spiritual County Council, to cleanse its streets 
 of the picturesque and unprofitable litter of the 
 past. My object has been to show something 
 
 xxiii 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Introduction of the intimate charm of the mediaeval attitude 
 towards the Virgin Mary an attitude part- 
 familiar, part-chivalrous, part-devout, which 
 was far-reaching in its effect on the mental 
 temper and artistic ideals of the thirteenth and 
 fourteenth centuries. This was the attitude 
 which produced such sculpture as the Gothic 
 Madonnas of Flanders and France ; such paint- 
 ings as the Psalter of Saint Louis ; such poems 
 as " Veni Coronaberis." For those who wrote, 
 read, and lived by these legends, the Virgin 
 Mary was at once Queen, Mother, Mystery and 
 familiar friend ; not only the ineffable Mother 
 of God, but also the very courteous chatelaine 
 of Heavenly Syon, who would not disdain to 
 open the window to her lovers when Saint Peter 
 shut the door, as "The Window of Paradise " 
 relates : the practical and resourceful Help of 
 Christians, no less than the Mystic Rose. 
 
 Less awful than the Deity, more power- 
 ful than the Saints, one might speak with 
 " Madame Saint Mary " as woman to woman, 
 as lover to mistress ; might rely on her human 
 sympathy in matters of the body, as well as on 
 her mystical intercession in the affairs of the 
 soul. Thus it comes about that a certain 
 familiarity, a bold reliance on the patience and 
 comprehension of the Woman, her interest in 
 all things little and great, her desire for her 
 servants 7 love, becomes mixed with the awe 
 and reverence proper to those who invoke the 
 Queen of Heaven. As a mother evokes in her 
 children at once the simplest, most intimate 
 xxiv 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 confidence and also the most exalted emotion : Introduction 
 as they come to her, with no sense of incon- 
 gruity, in their most trivial necessities no less 
 than in the most sacred moments of their lives, 
 so " Goddes Moder and oures " received from 
 those who were in every sense her children, 
 simple and familiar friendship, mystical adora- 
 tion, and unfailing trust. 
 
 To drag back this sentiment and its literary 
 expression from the shadow-land to which it 
 has retreated is, therefore, the aim of this book. 
 In writing it, I have made full use of the 
 editorial privileges which my mediaeval prede- 
 cessors always allowed themselves, and have 
 paraphrased, rather than translated, the material 
 from which I worked. Sometimes I have con- 
 densed, sometimes expanded ; sometimes two 
 or three different versions of a legend have 
 been collated and the best details chosen from 
 each. No plot except for really necessary 
 editing has been tampered with, but the 
 student of hagiography must not be offended if 
 he find here and there a story, known to him 
 in an intolerably bald, didactic, or improper 
 form, which has been, like the kiss which 
 Rodolphe received back from the lady, <c revu, 
 corrige, et considerablement augmente," in its 
 passage from the middle to the present age. 
 
 I must here offer my most sincere thanks to 
 two kind friends, without whose constant help 
 and encouragement this version of the Miracles 
 of Our Lady could scarcely have been made. 
 Firstly, to Mr. J. A. Herbert, of the Depart- 
 
 c xxv 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Introduction ment of MSS. in the British Museum, who first 
 introduced me to the Mary-legends, and has 
 throughout placed his great knowledge of the 
 subject at my disposal, and given me all pos- 
 sible help. Secondly, to Mr. Arthur Machen, 
 who read the MS., and to whose kind sugges- 
 tions and criticisms it owes more than can here 
 be expressed. 
 
 E. U. 
 
 ASOLO, May 1905. 
 
 XXVI 
 
BIBLIOGRAPHY 
 
 [THE following short list contains only the principal 
 books and MSS. which I have consulted, and does not 
 pretend to completeness.] 
 
 MANUSCRIPT SOURCES. 
 (All in the British Museum.) 
 
 Royal, 6 B X; Arundel, 346, 406; Harley, 2316; 
 Egerton, 612 ; Additional, 15723, 27909, 32248, 
 33956. 
 
 PRINTED BOOKS. 
 
 Budge, E. A. T. Wallis. " Miracles of the Blessed 
 
 Virgin Mary," &c. Lady Meux MSS. 1-5. 
 
 1898-1900. 
 Caesarius of Heisterbach. " Dialogus Miraculorum." 
 
 Ed. Strange, Cologne, 1851. 
 Cowper, B. Harris. " The Apocryphal Gospels, and 
 
 other Documents relating to the History of 
 
 Christ." London: 1867. 
 "Exordium Magnum Ordinis Cisterciensis." Migne, 
 
 Patrologia Latina. Vol. 185. 
 Gautier de Coincy. " Les Miracles de la Sainte 
 
 Vierge, traduits et mis en vers." Ed. L'Abbe 
 
 Poquet. Paris : 1857. 
 Hagen, F. H. von der. " Gesammtabenteuer : alt- 
 
 deutsche Erzahlungen." Stuttgart: 1850. 
 
 xxvii 
 
BIBLIOGRAPHY 
 
 Jacobus a Voragine. " Legenda Aurea." Ed. 
 
 Graesse. Dresden : 1846. 
 Mielot, Jean. " Miracles de Nostre Dame." Ed. 
 
 from the MS. in the Bodleian Library by G. F. 
 
 Warner. Roxburghe Club. 1885. 
 " Miracles de Notre Dame par Personnages." Soc. des 
 
 Anciens Textes Francais. 1876-1881. 
 Neuhaus, Carl. "Adgar's Marienlegenden." Heil- 
 
 bronn : 1886. 
 " Die Lateinischen Vorlagen zu den alt- 
 
 franzosischen Adgar'schen Marienlegenden." 
 
 Heilbronn: 1886. 
 Thomas de Cantimpre. "Bonum Universale de 
 
 Apibus." Douay : 1627. 
 Vincent of Beauvais. " Speculum Historiale." 
 
 Douay:' 1624. 
 
 " Vitae Patrum." Migne, Patrologia Latina. Vol. 73. 
 Ward, H. L. D. " Catalogue of Romances in the 
 
 Department of MSS. in the British Museum." 
 
 Vol.2. London: 1893. 
 Wynkyn de Worde. " Myracles of our Lady." 
 
 London : 1514. 
 
 XXVlll 
 
AND FIRST THE PROLOGUE 
 
HERE begin we a little Prologue concern- The 
 ing the miracles of our sweet Lady, that Prologue 
 is the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. For whereas 
 to the glory of God Almighty, pious men have 
 ofttimes told and set in writing many fair 
 miracles of the glorious Saints that are in 
 Paradise, the which miracles the Divine Majesty 
 has done through them ; how much more 
 ought we to tell the wonders and mercies that 
 are done by the Blessed Virgin that is the 
 Mother of God, since these are sweeter than 
 honey ! 
 
 And I would have you to know, dilectissimi, 
 that these miracles of hers, and all the holy 
 gestes and devout adventures herein writ, tell 
 not of any greater marvel than that of her un- 
 failing love. For truly it is a matter for great 
 wonder and thankfulness, that she has this desire 
 toward us, that are her poor children, for that 
 we were made the brethren of her Son. More- 
 over we likewise rehearse that love which her 
 loyal servants had for her ; by the which love 
 they were enabled to look upon her face, and 
 hear her voice, as is testified in the histories of 
 
 3 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Saint Bon and Saint Thomas of Canterbury. 
 
 Prologue And by these acts of hers we may further learn 
 after what fashion she would have us love her : 
 as that we should worship her queenly, and serve 
 her with sacrifice and with purity, and call upon 
 her as on a friend. And also you may read of 
 that most piteous charity which the Queen of 
 Angels hath us-ward, whereby she is constrained 
 to show mercy to the poor and simple, and to 
 succour the wicked in their extremity, and to 
 defend her servitors : for truly doth she show 
 courtesy to all that reverently entreat her Name. 
 Therefore for all these causes is it befitting that 
 these her miracles should now be written, to 
 confirm in her love the thoughts of all faithful 
 Christians, and to stir the hearts of slothful 
 men. 
 
 And furthermore, carissimi^ let it not be to 
 you an occasion of contempt that of these tales 
 ensuing many tell of them that took on the 
 habit of religion ; and of the graces and adven- 
 tures that to them befell. For know that to 
 those that dwell in quietness in the convent, 
 having their minds set on Heaven and keeping 
 their souls in peace, holy visitations often come. 
 Yea ! as in sheltered gardens flowers do prosper, 
 so in the cloister pious histories flourish : these 
 are little chalices of honeyed sweetness very 
 often, and ever matters meet for thankful- 
 ness, for they be harbingers of a spiritual 
 fruit. Come therefore to this garden, where 
 I, that am but a pilgrim and a sojourner 
 therein, have sought out certain flowers, to 
 
 4 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 wit lilies, for the better honouring of Our The 
 Lady's beauty, and that all her faithful children Prologue 
 may be glad. 
 
 AND HERE FOLLOW THE MIRACLES OF 
 OUR LADY. 
 
THE CHAPLET OF ROSES 
 
AND HEREIN OF A YOUNG RELIGIOUS THAT 
 BY HIS DEVOTION DID CROWN THE VIRGIN 
 MARY EVERY DAY 
 
 HERE tell we the history of a young monk} The Chaplet 
 the which lived under the rule of our of Roses 
 father Saint Benedict and had a very great devo- 
 tion for the glorious Virgin Mary : and because 
 of this love of his, he kept in his cell a fair image 
 of that Lady, carved and painted to the semblance 
 of a living woman, that thereto he might pay his 
 courteous reverence. And even as lovers of an 
 earthly mistress do search out and contrive what 
 curious and delightful service they may offer her, 
 deeming themselves happy in that they may 
 spend themselves for her honour, and looking 
 for no better reward, so also did this young re- 
 ligious for his heavenly Friend. 
 
 Thus it came about that in the summer, which 
 is the time of roses, he would salute the Flower 
 of the World under that name of Rosa Mystica 
 which her litany hath given : and he would also 
 make for her a chaplet of red roses, and would 
 offer it upon his knees to the image that was in 
 his cell, making a very humble salutation to the 
 Lady of his desire. And so great was his ardour 
 
 9 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Chaplet of giving that it wrought upon itself a miracle, 
 of Roses as love indeed hath power to do : for though it 
 was but to the image that he brought his gift 
 and did his homage, yet an Heavenly Presence 
 deigned to receive it. For lo ! in that place 
 where the statue was accustomed to stand, the 
 glorious Virgin herself came at the prayer of her 
 lover that yearned toward her with so ardent and 
 so pure desire, and she bent her head very 
 graciously towards him that he might the better 
 place the chaplet of roses on her brow. And 
 for this cause his heart was filled with a deep and 
 grateful joy ; and every day he wove anew from 
 fresh and perfect flowers his Lady's chaplet, and 
 every day the Queen of Angels stooped towards 
 him that she might receive her servant's crown. 
 And because Saint Mary's love ever inciteth the 
 soul to humility and good works, this brother 
 was most meetly subject to his Abbot and to 
 all his superiors, and to the Rule, so that they 
 loved him. 
 
 But a time came when the summer was ended 
 and there were no more roses : then this young 
 monk became exceeding sad and pensive, and 
 fell at last into a most grievous melancholy, for 
 that now the season of flowers was done he could 
 no longer make a chaplet for the crowning of his 
 Mistress, that is the Virgin Queen. And he 
 stayed many hours in sadness, gazing upon her 
 image that stood uncrowned in his cell and 
 thinking within himself that all the joy he had 
 in loving her was dead, because he could do 
 nothing for her praise. Sad indeed was the 
 10 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 image without its living garland, and no longer The Chaplet 
 did the Mystic Rose bow toward him when he of Roses 
 knelt at her feet. 
 
 Now the Abbot, that loved this brother well - 
 for his simplicity and devoutness, was greatly 
 troubled at the sight of the melancholy into 
 which he had come ; and knowing naught of the 
 secret favours which Our Lady had once shown 
 to this servant of hers, he could not guess the 
 cause of his sadness. Therefore calling the 
 young man to him, he asked him privily what 
 ailed him, conjuring him by holy obedience to 
 tell the source of his grief. And being so com- 
 manded, the brother, as is the duty of every 
 religious toward his Father in God, did tell all 
 the truth, every word of it ; how that he greatly 
 loved that image of Saint Mary that he had in his 
 cell, and how he was sad because he could find 
 no more roses to make a chaplet for her head, 
 for he knew not how else he might please her. 
 
 Then said the Abbot to him for his com- 
 fort, " My son, because now the winter comes 
 in due season, and you cannot any longer make 
 chaplets of roses for Our Lady's honour, there- 
 fore must you find some other way of service : 
 for summer and winter alike have their duties, 
 and come alike by the will of God. And in the 
 place of that gift of roses that has been the 
 emblem of your love, I charge you that you 
 salute each morning the image of God's Mother, 
 saying twenty-five times the Ave Maria. For 
 the prayers of her faithful servants are as flowers 
 in that Lady's crown." 
 
 ii 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Chaplet The brother went away greatly consoled, and 
 of Roses did in all things as his Abbot had ordained to 
 him, saluting Saint Mary each morning with 
 twenty-five Aves well and devoutly said. And 
 therefrom he had exceeding comfort, for now 
 it was permitted to him to look again upon 
 the Lady whom he loved. And he saw that 
 each time he repeated that Angelic Salutation, a 
 fresh and perfect rose came into her hands 
 where he gazed on her in his cell, and from 
 these she wove for herself a right fair chaplet, 
 even such an one as he had been accustomed to 
 make : so that when his devotion was ended, 
 the crown of his Mistress was complete. Which 
 thing was so great a consolation and delight to 
 him, that he left his melancholy and entered 
 into a very holy joy ; growing day by day in 
 his devotion toward that glorious Virgin, who 
 of her tenderness and mercy doth thus help 
 her lovers in their devoirs. 
 
 Now this monk of whom we speak had yet a 
 father and a mother in the world, whom he 
 loved with a proper and a filial love ; and 
 desiring greatly to see them how they did, he 
 sought and obtained the permission of his Abbot 
 so to do. Now when he was given leave that 
 he might go on this journey, he was so filled 
 with joy at the thought of these parents, the 
 which he had not seen for many years, that he 
 forgat all else ; even his devotion to that Lady 
 whose love is above that of any earthly friend. 
 And when the day of his departure was come, he 
 set out right early in the morning, his thoughts 
 12 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 all earthwards, without having first saluted her The Chaplet 
 image that stood in his cell. And it was a very of Roses 
 cold day, white with rime, for they were near to 
 the season of Christ's birth. Another monk of 
 that abbey went with him, the which was a 
 discreet and pious brother ; and they went 
 quickly, heeding but little the hardships of the 
 way. 
 
 But at the hour of Prime, when they were 
 already far upon the road, this servant of Our 
 Lady remembered how that he had that morn- 
 ing left his Mistress without the crown of 
 worship she was accustomed to receive ; and 
 when it came into his mind, he was full of grief 
 for it. <c For," said he, " I am but recreant 
 knight and false servant of that Queen of 
 Ladies ; and this day in Heaven her chaplet will 
 be lacking by my fault." 
 
 So, being in great contrition and minded to 
 make such amend as he might, he said to his 
 brother that was with him that he should go in 
 front a short way, for he would be solitary 
 awhile. And when this one had done so, and 
 the young monk found himself alone, he went 
 from the road into the field that was beside it, 
 and threw himself upon his knees exceeding 
 humbly and cried mercy and forgiveness of the 
 Holy Virgin because he had been tempted of 
 earthly affection, and had forgotten to salute 
 her as he ought. And he bewailed his fault 
 with tears, crying, " Alas ! most sweet Lady, 
 thy servant whom thou didst love so well has 
 most foully betrayed thee ! " And when he 
 
 13 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 TheChaplet had so done, he recited with exceeding great 
 of Roses devotion the twenty-five Aves with which he 
 was used to greet her in his cell. 
 
 Now his companion, that had gone forward 
 on the way, hastening somewhat because it was 
 a keen and bitter wind, wondered that his 
 brother did not rejoin him. And presently, 
 because still he did not come, this one turned 
 back along the road to find the reason of his 
 delay. But wfien that he had gone a little while 
 he ceased his steps, being in great astonishment ; 
 for he saw that to the place where he had left 
 his comrade, that was a country-side and 
 desolate, a great and splendid meinie had now 
 come, to wit, a very beautiful Lady that was 
 robed right loyally, and about her a company 
 of angels and virgins crowned with jewels. But 
 the Lady's head was bare. 
 
 And though it was the season of winter and 
 hard weather, though snow lay in the field 
 wherein she stood, and no flowers there were 
 in the thicket nor leaves upon the trees, this 
 Lady was weaving a chaplet of most fair and 
 perfect roses, one by one as they came into her 
 hands : and when she had done it, she placed it 
 on her head as a crown. Then all the meinie 
 of the angels and the virgins bowed before her, 
 for she was seen to be crowned with the sove- 
 reignty of love : and they cried together, Ave 
 Maria I 
 
 And seeing this marvel, that monk went 
 hastily to the place where he had left his com- 
 panion ; and there he found him where he knelt 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 in the field, rapt in holy contemplation, but the The Chaplet 
 
 Lady he could not see any more. So he roused of Roses 
 
 him from his ecstasy, for now he was full of 
 
 dread, knowing that he had gazed on holy 
 
 things : and he told him all that which he had 
 
 beheld, namely that gracious miracle which is 
 
 done in Heaven when we poor children pray. 
 
 Then did this one confess to his friend the whole 
 
 of the matter ; and of his fault and penitence, 
 
 and the great mercy he had had, for that Our 
 
 Lady had deigned to help him. And they went 
 
 their way full of rejoicing, their hearts being 
 
 uplifted by thanksgiving and celestial love, and 
 
 singing sweet praises of that Virgin Mother, 
 
 Virgo clemens ! 
 
 Mater Amabilis ! 
 
 Regina sacratissimi Rosarii ! 
 
THE HEAVENLY VESTURE 
 
HERE WE TELL OF A BISHOP THAT SAID 
 MASS IN HIS CHURCH BEFORE SAINT MARY 
 AND HER MEINIE: TO WHOM THE SAID 
 LADY DID GIVE A NOBLE VESTMENT 
 
 IN the days when Pepin ruled in France, the The 
 blessed Saint Bon was bishop of Clermont Heavenly 
 in Auvergne ; the same being a just, a simple, 
 and an holy man. He ruled his diocese with 
 charity, he was constant in all good works, and 
 though he had exceeding great compassion on 
 the faults of others, yet did his own sins always 
 move him to a most lively contrition : and 
 beyond all these virtues, that were so proper 
 to his state, he had a very loving devotion to 
 our holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. 
 And because he was a man of good and simple 
 heart, that wearied not in love nor in well-doing, 
 being filled with that charity that will not have 
 reward for these things, the place of his pil- 
 grimage shone with a peculiar glory in the eyes 
 of the angels, being made radiant with some- 
 thing of that light which is in Heaven. There 
 they moved as in their home, standing there, no 
 less than in the Empyrean, before the very 
 countenance of God : for truly Paradise is not a 
 
 19 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The place, unless it be that place where love may dwell. 
 
 Heavenly Ye^ because he ever walked with eyes down- 
 Festure castj c[ es i r j n g j n fa s humility a greater perfec- 
 tion, Saint Bon discerned not the marvels that 
 lay about him. Rather did he bewail the sins and 
 shortcomings that withheld him, as he believed, 
 from the perfect performance of his heavenly 
 devoir, and so from the blessedness of those 
 called to be saints. And for this cause he spent 
 long hours in prayer and supplication, in that 
 his life did, as he thought, so little honour to 
 that Queen of Queens whom he would serve. 
 
 Now it happened thus, that on the vigil of 
 the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, Saint 
 Bon stayed after the singing of Vespers alone 
 in the choir of his cathedral-church ; and being 
 moved by deep contemplation of the mystery of 
 the Assumption to a very lively love, he rested 
 many hours in prayer, offering his tears, his 
 lauds and supplications at Our Lady's feet. So 
 night came upon him, and still he stayed, up- 
 lifted by his devotion above remembrance of 
 time. Nor did he know that in so doing he 
 had trespassed upon the angels' hour, for that 
 they made his church the sanctuary of their 
 night-watches ; for where meekness and purity 
 offer the sacrifice, there may the angelic censers 
 swing. 
 
 And he ceased not his orison till the hour of 
 midnight was come. Then did he raise his head 
 full joyously, and cried with a loud voice, saying: 
 u Exaltata est Sancta Dei Genitrix," in honour 
 of the coming of the feast. And when he had 
 20 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 so done, lo ! he was altogether filled with The 
 amazement ; for of a sudden he saw that a Heavenly 
 light exceeding great, the which made dim the 
 little lamp before the altar, was come into the 
 church, and in its shining many angels. Now 
 came there white processions into the choir and 
 stood about him as he knelt on the stones. 
 These were those saints that stand in Paradise, 
 all the meinie of Our Lady and her Son. He 
 saw the blessed martyrs, Saint Vincent and Saint 
 Laurence, vested as deacons for the saying of 
 the Mass ; and George and Alban, the soldiers 
 of Christ made glorious. He saw, too, those 
 holy and charitable bishops that had gone before 
 him ; the stars of the Church of God, whose 
 light he ever kept in mind Jerome and 
 Gregory, Ambrose and Augustine. 
 
 Then was Saint Bon filled with much fear and 
 reverence, saying : " Who am I, most sinful, that 
 I should be here ? " And he fell down upon the 
 stones of the pavement, crying aloud in the 
 words of the Patriarch Jacob : " Quam terri- 
 bilis est, locus iste ! non est hie aliud nisi domus 
 Dei, et porta caeli." That is to say, How dread- 
 ful is this place ! This is none other but the 
 house of God, and this is the gate of Heaven. 
 
 But whilst that he lay there full of awe, he 
 heard the comfortable sound of chanting ex- 
 ceeding sweet ; and being rapt from his fears by 
 this celestial melody, very slowly and reverently 
 he raised up his head. Then saw he that white 
 company of virgins whose high devoir it is to 
 attend on the Mother of God : Catherine of 
 
 21 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The the Wheels, Lucy of the Eyes, with Agnes, 
 
 Heavenly Cecilia, and also Dorothy ; and in the midst of 
 Vesture them was t h at sweet L a d V) t h e Blessed Virgin 
 
 Mary, Queen of Angels, and she was crowned 
 with jewels and apparelled right royally, yet 
 walked she with most gracious humbleness. So 
 all this train came forth into the choir, and 
 placed themselves orderly therein, and they sang 
 their hymn unto the end. And they stood in a 
 bright light circle-wise about the altar, as in 
 Paradise they stand about the Altar of the 
 Lamb ; but the light came not to the place 
 where Saint Bon was kneeling. 
 
 " Then heard he the saints that cried to Our 
 Lady, asking her whom she would have sing 
 the Mass of her feast. And Our Lady answered 
 them : " I will have that my servant who kneels 
 beyond the circle of light, and thence doth 
 offer for me his love and tears, asking naught in 
 return. For this cause have I chosen him to 
 offer for me the sacrifice of love." 
 
 Then was Saint Bon greatly abashed and full 
 of fear ; for, seeing his church thus filled with 
 all the Host of Heaven, and having still in his 
 ears the song of angels, it seemed to him too 
 great presumption that he, the meanest of God's 
 servants, should minister before these glorious 
 ones. But whilst he kneeled in adoration came 
 two angels, and raised him up and led him to 
 the altar at the Virgin's bidding ; and there 
 they vested him for the saying of the Mass. 
 And the glorious deacons Vincent and Lau- 
 eence served him; and the altar was censed by 
 
 22 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 angels, and by angels' hands the sacring-bell was The 
 rung. Heavenly 
 
 Now when he stood thus before that altar, Vesture 
 where every day he was used to offer the Holy 
 Sacrifice for the Church and for his people 
 whom he loved, courage came anew to the 
 heart of Saint Bon; for at this place he was 
 accustomed to stand always as before God's 
 face, in humbleness of spirit but fearing naught, 
 for that he had an heavenly Intercessor. There- 
 fore it seemed to him no more matter for dread, 
 but rather for thanksgiving, that he, unworthy, 
 was thus by divine mercy admitted to the Com- 
 munion of the Saints ; for he knew that no man 
 by his own power might attain to it. And, all 
 things being set in order, he sang the Mass of 
 Our Lady right clearly and well. And when 
 he was come to the words, "Assumpta est 
 Maria in coelum: gaudent Angeli," all the 
 saints and angels bowed before her, and cried 
 with a loud voice, " Alleluia ! " 
 
 And when that it was come to the ending of 
 the Mass, the most holy Virgin kneeled in the 
 midst of her saints, that she might receive the 
 blessing of Bon her servant ; and afterwards 
 she called him to her feet, and spoke with him 
 full sweetly, and gave to him a guerdon for the 
 devoir he had done, even an alb, a very noble 
 vestment that she had brought with her from 
 Paradise. And she warned Saint Bon very 
 straitly, saying : 
 
 " See that you let none other put upon 
 himself this holy alb, the which I give you in 
 
 23 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The reward because you loved me with that love which 
 
 Heavenly casteth out fear, and have well and truly sung 
 the Mass of this my feast ; for I can in no wise 
 offer this Mass in Paradise, where is the Holy 
 Sacrifice made perfect, but only by the hands 
 of my servants here on earth. And this that 
 I have given you is of that stuff which the 
 virgins my hand-maidens weave for the vesting 
 of the saints ; even the vesture of a lowly spirit, 
 which is acceptable to God. See, therefore, that 
 you keep it closely, for great virtue is therein. 
 And look further, that none come to this church 
 that is my sanctuary in the night hours when 
 my mysteries are here sung : for none may 
 gaze on this matter, save him to whom the 
 heavenly vestment has been given." 
 
 Then did the Virgin Mary and all her train 
 go back to heaven ; and Saint Bon went to 
 his house much comforted, for now he knew 
 well that his poor love was pleasing to Our 
 Lady, and that she looked favourably upon the 
 imperfection of his prayers. And he laid up 
 with exceeding care the vesture that she had 
 given him, and by it he did much healing and 
 brought many souls to God. 
 
 Soon after that Saint Bon had died and was 
 surely gone to the joy of Heavenly Syon, a 
 new bishop was made in his place ; and he be- 
 lieved not the wonders which were told of that 
 holy man, for he was a prelate of worldly con- 
 versation and doubting mind. And it vexed 
 him much that the alb of Saint Bon, the which 
 was laid up in the treasury of the cathedral, 
 24 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 should be held a vestment of no earthly making, The 
 and that for this he might not wear it for Heavenly 
 the saying of the Mass ; for it was exceeding 
 fair. Further, he held that to be but an 
 ignorant and idle fantasy which would have the 
 church sacred to the angels in the night hours 
 because of those words which Saint Bon had had 
 from Our Lady's lips. Therefore, on a certain 
 night, this bishop went alone into the choir of 
 his cathedral-church ; and he took from the 
 treasury the alb of Saint Bon, and there before 
 the altar would vest himself therein. But before 
 the heavenly vestment had touched his shoulders, 
 lo 1 his senses left him, and he woke not till the 
 dawn, and then he lay on his bed in his chamber 
 that was within the bishop's house. And the 
 alb of Saint Bon was found on the high altar, and 
 a fair linen cloth was on it. 
 
 Then was that bishop greatly astonished, and 
 his heart was moved, and he called his people 
 together and told them that which had be- 
 fallen : to the intent that all might know it was 
 unlawful that any should witness the divine 
 secrets which every night were celebrated at that 
 altar, save only him to whom Our Lady, of her 
 mercy, hath given the Heavenly Vesture. 
 
GAUDE MARIA 
 
, 
 
 HOW WICKED MEN TOOK A LITTLE BOY, 
 BECAUSE HE SANG THE RESPOND OF OUR 
 LADY VERY SWEETLY; AND HOW GOD'S 
 MOTHER DID PRESERVE HIM 
 
 HOLY Scripture doth declare to us that it is Gaude 
 our duty to make known the benevolent Maria ! 
 works of Almighty God ; for these are marvel- 
 lous, and their telling maketh glad His children's 
 hearts. As the Psalmist saith, " Cantate ei, et 
 psallite ei ; narrate omnia mirabilia ejus." There- 
 fore I will tell here the history of a mercy that 
 He granted at the hand of His Blessed Mother, 
 Queen of Heaven, for the solace of a poor 
 woman, a widow, the which greatly loved that 
 sweet Lady. 
 
 This woman lived in a city of England, and 
 so poor she was, that she was forced to wander 
 in the street and ask an alms. And she had 
 one son, a very fair child ; he was loved of all 
 for his beauty, for though he lived but on 
 charity he was exceeding comely and of good 
 stature. For the love of God and the Blessed 
 Virgin, this poor woman taught her child what 
 scholarship she could ; and Saint Mary of her 
 kindliness helped her in this devoir, for she 
 
 29 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Gaude put into the child's heart so great a love of 
 
 Maria ! learning that in half a year he knew more than 
 
 many children that have been four years to 
 
 school. Nor had she ever occasion to chastise 
 
 him, for he forgot nothing that he was told. 
 
 Soon the little boy could sing, and soon read ; 
 and so well did he sing, with so sweet and 
 piteous a voice, that so soon as he did begin, 
 all ran to hear him, both clerks and lay; for 
 they said, " It is like a little angel's song." 
 Never was heard such music from a child. 
 And because of the delight that they had in his 
 singing, all that heard him would make him 
 gifts; meat, bread, and also money; the which 
 he gladly took, and carried straitway to his 
 mother, for he loved her exceeding well. 
 
 And he said, " Dear mother, while I was 
 very little you did nourish and clothe me from 
 the alms that you gained ; but I cannot bear 
 that you should any longer beg our bread, since 
 I am of an age to earn it. Therefore if God 
 and our sweet Lady preserve to me my voice 
 and keep me safe and sound you shall no more 
 wander in the streets; but every day I shall 
 bring you enough of bread and meat and all 
 those things whereof we stand in need." 
 
 Thus did that little boy cherish his mother, 
 and would have her rest by the fireside with 
 her spinning, whilst he went to and fro in the 
 streets with his songs : and all heard him right 
 willingly and gave him what he asked, so that 
 he and his mother were well provided. And 
 amongst the many fair songs that he knew, 
 30 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 that child greatly loved the respond that Robert Gaude 
 King of France did make for the feast of the Maria ! 
 Purification of Our Lady; to wit, that which 
 begins, " Gaude, Maria Virgo, cunctas hereses 
 sola interemisti." For the words of this hymn 
 are very fair and piteous, and the melody 
 whereto they are sung exceeding sweet; and 
 the little boy sang it so well to the glory of our 
 gracious Lady, that many wept to hear it. And 
 so gentle he was, so full of prudence and 
 courtesy, that all loved him dearly and would 
 have taken him to their houses, there to feast 
 him; but when his song was done, he waited 
 not for any pleasure, but went home to his 
 mother with that which he had gained. And 
 that poor woman daily entreated God's Mother 
 Saint Mary, that she would have the child in 
 her keeping, lest evil should befall him when he 
 went alone through the town. 
 
 And one day, as this little boy went singing 
 through the streets, he came to the Jewry ; and 
 great company of folk were assembled there, 
 knights and burgesses, clerks and lay, for in 
 this place many bought and sold. When these 
 people saw the child, they cried to him that he 
 should sing Our Lady's song; for these were 
 Catholic men, that rightly loved the Blessed 
 Virgin. Then, so soon as he began, many other 
 ran to hear him from the streets that were near, 
 being much moved by the sweetness of his 
 singing, that was indeed a pleasant sound most 
 agreeable to God; and with them came a 
 certain Jew, that heard how the child did sing 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 in the midst of the Jewry the praises of the 
 Maria ! Queen of Heaven whom they revile. 
 
 Now at the time of this man's coming, the 
 little chorister began the second part of his song, 
 that, namely, which saith, 
 
 " Gabrielem archangelum scimus divinitus te esse 
 
 affatum ; 
 
 Uterum tuum de Spiritu Sancto credimus im- 
 praegnatum." 
 
 Then was the Jew much wrathful ; and when 
 that the last line was sung, that is, 
 
 "Erubescat Judaeus infelix, qui dicit Christum 
 Joseph semine esse natum ! " 
 
 the which puts all Jews to derision, he could not 
 contain his hatred ; for greatly did he long to 
 kill this child that thus poured contempt upon 
 his race. 
 
 Nevertheless, he dissembled his anger ; for he 
 knew that the people loved the little boy, and 
 greatly would they be enraged against any that 
 did him hurt. Therefore must he bide his time 
 that he might lay hands on him in secret, for 
 this was his resolve. And he waited till all the 
 folk were gone out of the street, for no witness 
 must he have, lest any, suspecting that he would 
 hurt their little singer, should afterward bring 
 him to his death for it. Then, when the child 
 was alone, this Jew went to him, and spoke him 
 very fairly and invited him to enter his house 
 there to sing. 
 
 " For I see well," he said, " that you have 
 32 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 been rightly taught ; never have I heard a child Gaude 
 sing so sweetly. You please all by your music, Maria ! 
 and indeed by this Respond that you did chant 
 my heart is altogether filled with pity and com- 
 passion. Therefore, if you will come into my 
 house and there sing it again, it shall be good 
 for you and for your mother also." 
 
 Then the child, simply and without fear, as a 
 little angel might, went with that Jew into his 
 house. But, alas ! how greatly cruel are God's 
 enemies, and them that know not His Mother's 
 love ! So soon as the door was shut the Jew 
 let bring a hatchet, and he dealt the little choris- 
 ter, that was a child exceeding small, so great a 
 blow that a man would have died of it. The 
 little boy fell down upon the ground, and blood 
 came forth from his fair and tender mouth that 
 sang so sweetly. Then as quickly as he could 
 the Jew made a grave close against the door, 
 and there he buried the child and heaped earth 
 upon him, for now he was afraid of that which 
 he had done. 
 
 When the poor woman his mother saw that 
 her little son did not return at the accustomed 
 hour, she was greatly troubled at it ; and she 
 prayed Our Lady to watch over the child, for 
 night was near. But when many hours went 
 by, and still he came not, she feared that he was 
 wholly lost. Then so great was her dolour that 
 her heart failed her, and she ran forth into the 
 streets crying aloud and seeking him. Here 
 and there, up and down, she sought and de- 
 manded him of all that she met ; but none could 
 
 c 33 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Gaude give her news of the child. And at last, for 
 
 Maria ! that darkness fell and she could no longer seek 
 him, she was constrained to go back to her home 
 much sorrowful, and there did make her com- 
 plaint to the Blessed Virgin, begging only for 
 death because she had lost her little boy. 
 
 And she said : " Sweet Lady, Saint Mary, for 
 that the Scripture telleth us that you sought 
 your own Child sorrowing when He tarried in 
 Jerusalem alone, keep, I pray you, my little son, 
 that is defenceless in the city this night, for I 
 know not where to seek him. Alas, most 
 piteous Mother ! my heart is sore ; for I feel 
 and know that but dolorous news shall I get if 
 He that can do all things cometh not to my 
 relief. Therefore in Him and His sweet Mother 
 I put all my trust, for very surely none other 
 can assist me.*' 
 
 So weeping and praying, that poor woman 
 passed the whole of the night ; and when day 
 was come she went out into the streets again to 
 seek her child, asking news of all the folk that 
 she met. 
 
 But they answered : " We know not where 
 he is, but this we know, that there is none in 
 the city, neither clerk nor lay, who will not 
 greatly grieve if he is come to any hurt, for we 
 all love him." 
 
 And one there was that said : " Good woman, 
 yester evening I saw your little son in the Jewry, 
 and there he did sing the Respond of Our Lady 
 in a voice most sweet and piteous, as he can; and 
 so clear and loud he sang that the Jews came 
 34 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 from all parts to hear him. It may well be that Gaude 
 they have taken him to do him some hurt, for Maria ! 
 greatly does it displease them to hear the sweet 
 and pleasant praises of God's Mother, whom 
 they hate. Therefore, if they have killed the 
 child, we will discover it, that they may die for 
 their misdeeds." 
 
 Another cried : " Small doubt is there that 
 the Jews misliked this little boy, for he praised 
 Our Lady so graciously that none could resist 
 it. If it be as you say, surely the glorious 
 Virgin will reveal it by her might, that her 
 chorister may be avenged." 
 
 Then was the poor mother beside herself with 
 grief, for now she was assured that the Jews had 
 taken her little son to kill him. And she cried 
 to Our Lady in her despair, and told her openly 
 that if she restored not the child, no longer 
 would she trust in her pity and power. Yea, 
 she was in such bitterness of spirit that I could 
 not tell you half her sorrow ; for she wept so 
 exceeding sore that she could take neither meat 
 nor drink. And all were greatly moved by it, 
 grieving most heartily because they had lost 
 their little chorister whom they loved. 
 
 But the great sin that had been done could 
 not for ever be hidden, for it was God's will 
 that it should be revealed, to glorify His holy 
 Name and that of His dear Mother, Lady Mary. 
 Therefore it happened after many days that the 
 sorrowing mother, that went day and night 
 through the streets wringing her hands and 
 calling on Our Lady for her child, came by 
 
 35 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Gaude God's grace to the Jewry. And many people 
 
 Maria ! ran together hearing her cries, the which had 
 exceeding pity of her grief ; for now all hope 
 that she might find the child had left them, and 
 they judged her to be mad with sorrow because 
 she sought him still. But this poor woman 
 stood and cried, " My son, my little son, my 
 heart is breaking for you ! My pretty child, if 
 that you are alive stay not so long from me, for 
 I need you sore. Sweet son, dear boy ! where 
 are you ? Can you not speak to your mother, 
 who is like to die of grief ? Alas ! little one, 
 you will come to me no more, for my heart tells 
 me that in this street you were killed and buried 
 by evil men." 
 
 Then went she to and fro, tearing her hair 
 and crying, " Hard, hard is the heart that 
 would not break for such a grief! Ah, Mother 
 of the King of Heaven ! how long with clasped 
 hands have I begged of you my little boy i I 
 gave him altogether to you, and taught him 
 right learning that he might the better serve 
 you and your sweet Son. But what have you 
 done with him, Lady, and where is he ? Tell 
 me, tell me, where he is bestowed ! Ah, 
 Mother of God, can it be that children which 
 are given into your keeping shall be lost ? If 
 that you cannot give him to me alive, then give 
 me death, that I may see him ! " 
 
 But Madame Saint Mary, that is the fountain 
 of all mercy, had compassion on this poor 
 woman, and turned her sorrow into joy. For 
 while that she and the folk that were about her 
 
 36 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 made this complaint, of a sudden they heard a Gaude 
 voice that sang exceeding sweetly ; and they Maria ! 
 knew that it was the voice of the little chorister, 
 for none other sang so well. And the words of 
 the song were that Respond of Our Lady, the 
 which he had so greatly loved, namely : 
 
 " Gaude, Maria Virgo, cunctas hereses sola intere- 
 
 misti ; 
 Quae Gabrielis archangeli dictis credidisti." 
 
 Verily, though he lay in his grave that was 
 within the house of the Jew, yet so high and 
 clear was his voice that all might hear it. 
 
 And when that poor mother heard her little 
 son, that sang as if he were yet alive, then was 
 she straitway lifted up with a fervour of great 
 joy, so that she cried to the Blessed Virgin, 
 saying : 
 
 " Sweet Lady, sweet Saint Mary ! I hear my 
 child ! I hear my child ! " 
 
 Then was great tumult ; all the people crying, 
 <c To the Jews 1 To the Jews, that have taken 
 our little chorister to hurt him ! for well we 
 know he lies within this house." 
 
 And all went to enter the said house, and did 
 attack and beat the Jews that would let them 
 from it ; and breaking down the door went into 
 every chamber, calling by name on the child 
 that was lost ; for they said : <c Of a surety 
 they have hidden him." Then were those evil 
 men that had killed and buried him greatly 
 afraid, and would have held back the people, 
 but they could not. Therefore they fled away 
 
 37 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Gaude whilst all were busied with their quest, lest they 
 
 Maria ! might be taken and burned for their sins. 
 
 But when they had searched chamber and 
 cockloft, and still found not the child, them that 
 sought were exceeding perplexed at it. 
 
 " By Holy Rood ! " said they, " this is 
 devilry indeed, that we find him not, for here 
 we heard him sing, and of a surety here he 
 must be ! Yet there is no part of this house 
 wherein we have not sought him, therefore if 
 we see him not it must be that they have buried 
 him in the earth." 
 
 Then did they make search where there 
 might be a pit dug ; and at last, when all were 
 weary and they knew not where next to look, 
 they found behind the door earth heaped, the 
 which those Jews had done the better to conceal 
 him. Then they cried : " Verily, here he must 
 be ; for it was from this side that we heard his 
 
 voice. 5 * 
 
 Then all together they fetched spades, and 
 straitway removing the earth as quickly as they 
 might, there they found the little boy lying 
 in a trench all safe and sound ; and he had no 
 grief, but seemed rather as if God's Mother 
 had cherished him at her breast. And all who 
 saw it marvelled greatly, for the child's cheeks 
 were as red, his face as fair, as a newly opened 
 flower, though he had lain within this pit for 
 many days. And they lifted him out and carried 
 him to his mother. 
 
 When that poor woman had her little son 
 again, how close and dear did she hold him, 
 
 38 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 kissing a hundred times his forehead and his Gaude 
 face ! So great a joy filled her heart that no Maria ! 
 word could she speak, for it seemed to her that 
 greater wealth she had than any lady in the 
 land. But the townsfolk, that were exceeding 
 glad for that their little chorister was come 
 again, came about the child, and asked him that 
 he should tell them by God's grace what had 
 happened and where he had been. Also, they 
 desired to know how his head had been so 
 greatly hurt ; for now they could see the wound 
 that he had of the hatchet of the Jew, the which 
 was like to have cut his head in twain, though 
 so well had the glorious Virgin healed it that 
 no herb nor unguent did it need. 
 
 Then said the child, that knew not how long 
 he had been lost : " Yesternight, when all the 
 company was gone from this street, a Jew that 
 loved me not did beg me to go to his house, 
 swearing that he would do great things for my 
 mother if I would sing for him there ; for he 
 would hear Our Lady's Respond. But when I 
 was come into the house, he did wound me 
 with a hatchet he had, and I know not what he 
 did with me then, for with that blow I fell fast 
 asleep. And so soundly I slept that I think I 
 should have been sleeping still, nor would have 
 woke for anything that might be, but a little 
 while since a very fair Lady came to me, and I 
 know that she is the Mother of Jesu Christ. 
 And this Lady did wake me, and said that I 
 slept too long and was but slothful ; for it was 
 time that I should sing her Respond, as was my 
 
 39 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Gaude duty every day to do. Then she went away, 
 
 Maria ! and I began to sing as she bade me, as well as I 
 could do it in the place that I was in." 
 
 Then cried all the clerks and priests, " Give 
 thanks ! give thanks ! for a great miracle has 
 been done ; for the Blessed Virgin hath come 
 from Paradise to save her little chorister from 
 the hands of the Jews." 
 
 And had I ten or twenty tongues, I could not 
 tell half the joy there was ; how that many great 
 bells were rung, and processions made, that the 
 Mother of God might be glorified and extolled 
 for this her most piteous grace. And the towns- 
 folk did take many Jews because of it, and some 
 were burned and some baptized. 
 
 Then, when all was done, that poor woman 
 took her little child to her home, and there she 
 cherished him greatly and bred him in Saint 
 Mary's love. Little do I know of fate they had, 
 or what did do, for indeed there is no more in my 
 book ; but very surely he grew in all virtue and 
 worthiness, and stayed ever faithful servant of 
 that Lady, who had brought him out of the 
 power of the wicked that he might come again 
 to his mother's arms. 
 
 40 
 
BREAD OF ANGELS 
 
HERE WE TELL HOW A CERTAIN NOVICE 
 WAS AN HUNGERED, AND OUR LADY GAVE 
 HIM MEAT 
 
 IT is told how a certain young man came to Bread of 
 the house of Qteaux, that he might be Angels 
 made a novice of this brotherhood : for he 
 ardently desired to take the habit of religion, 
 having his heart filled with exceeding great love 
 for Our Lord and Our Lady, so that he longed 
 to serve them. But because he had been gently 
 bred, and had lived always sumptuously at the 
 house of his father, that was a noble seigneur 
 keeping much estate, this novice could little 
 endure the hardships of the Rule. And espe- 
 cially the meat wherewith he was served in the 
 convent did seem to him most harsh and savour- 
 less, so that scarcely could he bear to eat of it, 
 and he was like to die of hunger. And of 
 this he had great grief, for he knew not whether 
 he should be able to end the noviciate he had 
 begun, because of the weakness of his flesh. 
 
 Therefore, being advised by his Superior, he 
 strove to conquer this frailty ; praying to Our 
 Lady Saint Mary with exceeding great fervour, 
 that she would help him, and turn his heart 
 
 43 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Bread of to a love of holy poverty, and make sweet to 
 Angels him the hard and sour bread wherewith he was 
 
 nourished. Yet still his stomach turned from 
 it, whereby he endured great pains both of body 
 and soul : for he saw that they that were of 
 the brotherhood received this food gladly and 
 ate of it with contentment, the which he could 
 no wise do. 
 
 Now it happened one night that he had 
 greatly prayed for strength that he might endure 
 the discipline of the flesh, and had bewailed 
 his state most bitterly before God with tears 
 and supplications : and when he had so done, he 
 lay down in his cell to sleep. And he was 
 exceeding hungry, having still in his hand the 
 piece of dry bread wherewith he had been served 
 for supper ; but he could not bear to eat of it, 
 for it was very hard and sour. And as he so 
 slept, the glorious Virgin Mary, who looks most 
 tenderly on all that would serve her Son in the 
 religious life, and seeks ever to help them in the 
 inward battle they must wage, had compassion on 
 him because he was so young and full of grief. 
 And since she knew well what ailed him, she 
 came to him there where he lay on his bed, and 
 took him by the hand, saying : 
 
 " Come, little son, rise up and follow me, and 
 I will give you that food of which you stand in 
 need. Now shall you eat to your satisfaction, 
 for I am come not to give you the dry bread of 
 bitterness, but rather to call you to that Banquet 
 which my Son hath spread for His friends." 
 
 When the young novice saw the Queen of 
 44 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Heaven, that stood by his bedside as his mother Bread of 
 
 might do, and heard her gracious words, he Angels 
 
 rose up, being wholly filled with love divine, 
 
 and remembering nothing of the hunger that he 
 
 had. And he thought within himself that she 
 
 had come to lead him to some great feast ; and 
 
 he had great joy of it. Then she took him by 
 
 the hand, and led him from his cell and forth 
 
 into the cloister, and he saw that she would go 
 
 toward the monastery church, for the which cause 
 
 he had great amazement. And it was very dark, 
 
 but in the light of her steps he walked securely. 
 
 So, when they were come to the church, he 
 
 looked to see where the banquet might be 
 
 spread. But no sign was there of any festivity, 
 
 neither did Our Lady stay to look for it ; but she 
 
 brought him strait way to the place where the great 
 
 Crucifix was hung, whereon Our Lord and Saviour 
 
 Jesu Christ displays His Sacred Wounds. 
 
 Then, "Look!" said she. "Here is your 
 feast made ready, for this is my Son, your Lord 
 and God, Who died to make all things sweet to 
 you. Therefore should you rejoice, sith now 
 there is in all the world no bread so harsh but 
 that His pains can savour it. But because you 
 know not the taste of that meat which He pre- 
 pares for His lovers, you go hungry ; yet hath 
 He said, * Accipite et comedite.' Take therefore 
 this crust of bread, the which you despise so 
 greatly, and draw near dreading nothing, for 
 verily He gave Himself that you might be fed. 
 Now shall you dip this your meat into His 
 wounded side, the which was pierced for you ; 
 
 45 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Bread of and thereby you shall know whence comes the 
 Angels savour of that food wherewith poverty is nour- 
 
 ished for His sake." 
 
 Then, when she had so spoken, that merciful 
 Lady did lead the novice to the foot of the Tree 
 of the Cross, and to her Son that hung thereon. 
 And being so taught by her, he, that was now 
 full of fear, for he knew that a great mystery 
 was herein shown him, did let reach out his 
 hand with exceeding awe and reverence, and 
 dipped the crust that he carried deep into the 
 wound that was in his Redeemer's side. And 
 when he had so done, the glorious Virgin saith 
 to him : 
 
 " Ecce Panis Angelorum ! " 
 And lo ! when he did eat of this food, that 
 had been dipped in the holy blood of Jesu Christ, 
 an exceeding great peace entered into that 
 novice's heart, and his hunger was altogether 
 stilled ; and he was refreshed both in body 
 and soul. For it seemed to him that this crust 
 was a Bread of more than earthly savour, the 
 sweetest he had ever taken unto his mouth : so 
 sweet was it that he desired it greatly, nor would 
 he have had any other if he might. And kneel- 
 ing down before that Cross whence came his 
 comfort, he did give thanks to God and to His 
 compassionate Mother, with great fervour and 
 holy dread ; being uplifted toward his Saviour 
 with thanksgiving and burning love. And he 
 said, as the Patriarch Job did do, " Quae prius 
 nolebat tangere anima mea, nunc, prae angusta, 
 cibi mei sunt " : for now it was revealed and 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 made known to him by that holy food where- Bread of 
 with his hunger had been stilled, how that 
 Jesu Christ did die in great grief upon the 
 Tree that thereby He might bring to us poor 
 sinners that Bread which the Blessed Angels 
 do desire. f Yea ! to them that have recourse to 
 Him He giveth ever His very substance for 
 their nourishment : the which maketh sweet the 
 harsh bread of tribulation, and the bitter chalice 
 of His children's tears. 
 
 47 
 
THE KNIGHT OF THE 
 COSTREL 
 
OF A GREAT LORD THAT MIGHT NOT AC- 
 COMPLISH THE PENANCE HE HAD; AND 
 HOW SAINT MARY HELPED HIM 
 
 IN Egypt there was a rich and powerful The Knight 
 knight, the which lived in great luxury, of the 
 lavishly expending his wealth and keeping high 
 estate ; and he had many friends and retainers, 
 for he generously entreated them that served 
 him. But because of the ease and splendour 
 that he lived in, this seigneur forgat God and 
 his duty, and went never to Mass, nor yet to 
 confession ; for he was proud of heart, and held 
 them to be but fools that told their evil actions 
 to their curate or any other priest. Long did 
 he live in this foolish error, and because he had 
 a dread of the penance that should now be put 
 on him should he turn from it, and of the 
 mocking of his friends, that were of a worldly 
 conversation, he neither made confession nor 
 left his fault. 
 
 But one friend he had that was of a right 
 disposition and grieved greatly for the hatred 
 that this knight his comrade had of the sacra- 
 ment of penance; and he was exceeding desirous 
 to turn him from these courses if he could. 
 
 51 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Knight Therefore on a certain Good Friday, this 
 of the gentleman, meeting him in the way, said to the 
 
 Costrel knight, for that he knew him doer of many 
 evil deeds and unconfessed : 
 
 " Messire, I marvel much that you can bear 
 to look upon your ill doing, which is greatly 
 displeasing to God and Our Lady, and to the 
 world. For in that you confess yourself never, 
 your sins go alway ^ith you, the which are a 
 heavy burden for any man to bear alone. And 
 behold ! Easter Day comes, when every Catholic 
 man should put himself in a state of grace that 
 he may have God's mercy. For on this Friday, 
 God did suffer shame and pain upon the Tree 
 of the Cross, to save His people and rebuke the 
 Enemy in Hell; in that before His Crucifixion 
 all went to damnation. J And He won for us 
 so great freedom that none can now be damned 
 that makes confession and repents. Therefore 
 we should every one seek our soul's health in 
 this sacrament, both for sign of our thankful- 
 ness that this day He did the penance of the 
 world, and for that our reason bids us so to do. 
 Verily, he is but foolish that neglects it. And 
 I entreat you, brother, that you also will be 
 shriven ; for you stand in exceeding need of it. 
 Let us go talk with that hermit who lives in 
 the mountain ; he is a good and discreet man of 
 right holy life. Of a surety he will give you 
 no ill counsel, but will tell you all that is meet 
 and right to do." 
 
 Now the knight, that had so stubborn a 
 mind, was moved by these words to some 
 
 5 2 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 apprehension of the error he was in; and he The Knight 
 bethought himself that if the thing indeed were of the 
 thus, then was he in evil case. Therefore he 
 made soft answer, saying : 
 
 " I will go right quickly, for indeed I see 
 that I have held myself toward my Redeemer 
 but unknightly, and have repaid His bounty by 
 discourtesy. And now I feel the load of my 
 sins heavy upon me, thetwhich I will confess 
 full speedily, for I know that I shall have great 
 ease of it." 
 
 Then without delay he set forth to the 
 mountain, and with pains he mounted to the 
 harsh rocks whereon the hermit dwelt, who 
 there implored God night and day for all 
 sinners. And that hermit was exceeding glad 
 of his coming, and made good cheer for him. 
 " For," said he, " Gaudium erit in caelo super 
 uno peccatore poenitentiam agente, quam super 
 nonaginta novem justis, qui non indigent 
 poenitentia." That is to say, Joy shall be in 
 heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more 
 than over ninety and nine just persons which 
 need no repentance. 
 
 Then did the knight speak to him a long 
 while of his sins, for indeed there was much to 
 be told ; and the hermit, who was expert in the 
 cleansing of souls, knew well how to search and 
 question him, so that presently he was ac- 
 quainted with the whole of the matter. 
 
 And when all was told and confessed, he said 
 to the knight very gladly, " Fair brother, 
 rejoice, for that you shall be cleansed of your 
 
 53 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Knight sin; and know that soon the love of God and 
 
 of the of well doing shall be engrafted in you, by the 
 
 Costrel grace of the holy penance you will have to bear." 
 
 Now these words troubled the knight greatly, 
 
 for he was of those that would have God's 
 
 mercies living softly the while, and giving 
 
 nought for that which he had got. Therefore 
 
 did he say to the hermit : 
 
 <c Alas, my father, in the matter of this 
 penance I know not how it may be. I can in 
 no wise bear a great one, nor set myself to 
 fasting; for I am none of those lusty fellows 
 that may with ease of body mortify the flesh, 
 since I was bred softly, and love only to eat 
 delicates. All know it is my custom so to do. 
 Therefore, because I live in the world, where 
 all observe me, I must have a penance I can 
 do at my ease ; for great austerities will but 
 cast me down quickly and throw me back into 
 
 sin." 
 
 " Messire," answered the hermit, " Do not 
 fear. You shall have so light an one, that 
 none could refuse it, were he never so im- 
 potent or so old." 
 
 Said the knight, "Pardieu ! I ask no better I" 
 Then that hermit admonished him and said, 
 <c Mark well that which I shall ordain to you, 
 for herein shall be proof of your contrition. 
 You shall take this costrel which here you see, 
 and shall go down to the stream that is below, 
 and there you must fill it with water to the 
 brim ; and when that you have so done and 
 brought it me again, you shall be quit of all 
 
 54 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 your sins. But take heed that you sin not The Knight 
 again." of the 
 
 "So will I do," said the knight, exceeding Costrel 
 joyous for the indulgence he had had, for indeed 
 this penance was a little matter. And he took 
 the costrel, that was a vessel made in the fashion 
 of a little flask, and ran quickly to the stream, 
 and seated himself upon the bank. Then 
 dipped he the said flask into the stream to 
 fill it ; but the water, that was flowing swiftly, 
 turned aside when it came near and went 
 on either hand, and it stayed empty. And 
 he did all that he could for the filling of his 
 costrel, dipping it more deeply in the pools 
 under the banks, but at the end of his travail 
 it was empty still, at the which he marvelled 
 greatly. 
 
 And so striving and accomplishing nothing, 
 he began to wonder what it might be that letted 
 him; for neither in the flowing of the water nor 
 in the fashion of the flask could he see any 
 hindrance, and yet something that was past 
 his wit fought against him. And first he was 
 exceeding wrathful, conceiving that there was 
 witchcraft therein, but presently it came to his 
 mind that it was but the vileness of his own 
 soul that tormented him thus, whereby the water, 
 that was pure, fled from before him, making it 
 to be impossible that his penance should be done. 
 Then was he greatly alarmed, having knowledge 
 of his evil state, and he swore and promised that 
 he would not return to that hermit till his flask 
 was filled and his penance accomplished : for he 
 
 55 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Knight knew that absolution he must have, though he 
 
 of the went oversea to gain it. 
 
 Costrei B ut wnen ne had ma d e this vow, seeing his 
 
 costrel yet empty, he repented incontinent of 
 that which he had said, for it seemed to him 
 that perhaps for this promise he must indeed set 
 himself to long pilgrimage, the which was little 
 to his mind. And he thought : 
 
 " Shall I do so great a folly as to leave my 
 wife and honour and the great station in which 
 1 am, because this mad hermit hath set me a 
 penance that I may not do ? Verily I was but 
 a fool to come to this confession, for only this 
 morning I lived in ease, doubting nothing. It 
 is meet that ill should come of such traffic. But 
 now I will give back this costrel, and will go 
 home ; nor will I seek to get me shriven by 
 this madman that hath vexed me thus." 
 
 Then he thought again, for indeed he was in 
 great trouble and perplexity, " Yet, if I do this, 
 what shall I say to him ? Return ? Folly ! I 
 cannot thus forsake that which I undertook, for 
 he is no true knight that denies his promise, 
 whatsoever it may be. I have sworn to do this 
 thing, and I will hold to it : therefore I go my 
 way and return not until this flask be filled with 
 water to the brim." 
 
 Then did he depart from that place, but he 
 went heavily, doubting whether he might accom- 
 plish this quest; for now he knew that God loved 
 him not, because there was no good thing in 
 him. And leaving his wife and his estate, this 
 seigneur went a solitary penitent through the 
 56 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 world, and whenever he came to a spring, or to The Knight 
 any running water, there did he stay his steps of the 
 and dipped his costrel therein. But in no wise Cost l 
 could he fill it ; and his heart was often wrathful 
 because of this burden that had been set on him, 
 for no peace could he get, neither of body nor 
 soul. Thus did he go many months, by dust 
 and heat, by rain and wind, by snow and frost, 
 ever on foot and companionless. And it came 
 that he wandered for two years and more, search- 
 ing for the means by which his penance might 
 be done ; and now he was become poor, thin, 
 and ragged, suffering cold and weariness, but 
 still his vow was unfulfilled. And a great desire 
 drove him, namely, that he might have peace 
 with God ; but no help would he ask, for by his 
 own strength he was resolved to get it. 
 
 But it happened one winter's day that he 
 wandered in a great and thick forest, and he was 
 very weary and full melancholy, for he went 
 ill-shod, and had but rags to keep his body from 
 the cold. Therefore he began to bewail himself 
 because of the exceeding great misery that he 
 endured, and, 
 
 " Alas ! " he said, " how foolishly have I lived, 
 that have brought myself to this wretchedness, 
 wherein I am robbed of all ease, and am like to 
 die without honour upon the road ! Was ever 
 such unhappy knight ? And yet, if at last I can 
 accomplish this quest, I shall have no ill, but 
 rather great blessedness, for then I shall be ac- 
 ceptable to God. Let me wander therefore in 
 patience, for by my own ill-doing am I thus 
 
 57 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Knight exiled from all joy, and verily he turns from 
 of the good to evil that turns from the fulfilment of a 
 
 Costrel vow h e fas ma d e) f or this were a disloyal act." 
 
 And his heart being softened, he cried also to 
 Our Lady, saying, " Alas ! dear Lady, sweet 
 Saint Mary, how greatly discourteous have I been 
 to your Son, that He turns from me thus ! Yet 
 I know that I lead not this wretched life for 
 nought, for some day my penance shall be done, 
 and then by your grace I shall have great geur- 
 don from God, Who lifts up sinners and com- 
 forts them when it pleases Him. Most glorious 
 Virgin, will you not pray for me ? for indeed I 
 stand in great need of your compassion, and I 
 know that you do most powerfully plead for 
 sinners before God. And by my own grace I 
 may never come from my sufferings, for well 
 have I deserved them : and this no man knoweth 
 better than I." 
 
 When Madame Saint Mary, that is full 
 pitiful and kindly, heard this poor knight thus 
 entreat her, and saw that he wandered solitary 
 through the world because he had not the 
 companionship of God, her heart was grieved 
 for him : for she knew him to be a right loyal 
 gentleman, that would never forsake the accom- 
 plishment of his quest. Therefore she came to 
 him, where he walked in that dark forest : and 
 she gave him counsel that he should return to 
 the holy hermit with the costrel he might not fill 
 and confess his failure with humility, asking his 
 help for that he grew old and weary in this 
 pilgrimage. 
 
 58 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 When that knight heard the words that the The Knight 
 glorious Virgin put into his heart, he was ex- of the 
 ceeding glad; and he turned back upon the Costrel 
 road and went into his own country as quickly 
 as he could, and to the cell of the hermit that 
 lived yet amongst the rocks. And the hermit 
 made for him right joyous welcome, as he did 
 for all travellers that had need of it, though he 
 knew him not for whom he was, because of his 
 thinness and his sorry clothes. Verily, all the 
 signs of his estate had long gone from him, and 
 he seemed as some poor pilgrim that is glad to 
 ask an alms. 
 
 But when that he made himself known, show- 
 ing to the hermit his costrel into which no drop 
 of water had yet come, then that good and holy 
 man did recognise him indeed, and he gave 
 thanks to Jesu Christ and to His glorious 
 Mother with tears and clasped hands, because 
 this penitent had returned in safety. Then 
 made he the knight to sit down near him, and 
 heard most gladly the life he had lived and 
 how that he had been brought to discipline his 
 flesh on this quest. And that knight told him 
 all he had suffered, confessing very meekly that 
 his penance was yet undone, for that no water 
 would come into the costrel. 
 
 Then said the hermit to him, " Messire, know 
 that by these griefs you have had you have 
 gained great merit and great price. For you 
 are quit for all your sins, in that you have borne 
 this heavy penance of weariness and poverty, 
 leaving your estate and honours for the getting 
 
 59 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Knight of your salvation, the which God shall give you 
 of the D y j:[- s g race< And know that if hereafter you 
 
 keep yourself at this point of virtue, you shall 
 receive the crown of Paradise. Therefore may 
 you now leave this costrel that you have carried 
 with you, for I will give you another penance, 
 the which shall be the ending of your grief." 
 
 But the knight, that had now a most ardent 
 and an humble heart, and was altogether dedi- 
 cate to God and to Our Lady, said to him : 
 
 " Nay, good father, this cannot be ; for I will 
 have no other penance while I live till this that 
 was put on me for my sinfulness be done. Of 
 a surety I may not leave a quest that is not 
 ended ; and I know that God will by His grace 
 enable me to do it when my penitence is pleasing 
 in His sight. Therefore when I have rested me 
 and heard that which you would say for my ad- 
 monishment, I will commend me to Saint Mary's 
 guidance and go again into the world." 
 
 Then the hermit, exceeding joyful, praised 
 God most heartily ; and he spoke many com- 
 fortable words to the knight for his encourage- 
 ment. And so did he do till at last the hour 
 came when the penitent must depart from that 
 cell and set himself upon the road again. So 
 they made their farewells ; and now the hermit 
 wept greatly, being full of pity, and the knight 
 wept also, for his heart was moved by Our 
 Lady's grace so that he knew his evil state and 
 had great grief of it. And he had still slung 
 about him that costrel which he carried for his 
 penance through the world. 
 60 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 And it happened, by the sovereign mercy of The Knight 
 Madame Saint Mary, and of her Son Jesu of the 
 Christ, that one of his tears which he shed fell 
 by chance within that costrel. Then God, Who 
 hated him not no, nor hateth any contrite 
 sinner did do for him great marvel : for that 
 tear of penitence which he had shed so great did 
 grow that it filled all the said costrel to the 
 brim, and so his penance was accomplished 
 before ever he set foot upon the road. When 
 that knight saw this fair miracle greatly was he 
 amazed, and he fell down upon the ground 
 rendering thanks and praise to God and His 
 Mother; and so also did that holy hermit, as 
 indeed religion did enjoin. And the hermit 
 took from him his costrel that now was full, 
 and absolved him, saying : 
 
 " Go you back now to the world, and to 
 your estate and to your wife; for by Our 
 Lady's intercession you are made clean and 
 shriven. And set you ever to well-doing in 
 remembrance of the grace that Our Lord her 
 Son hath here shown to you : for unto the tear 
 of your penitence He hath added the ocean of 
 His Love." 
 
 61 
 
THE WINDOW OF 
 PARADISE 
 
HERE WE TELL HOW A CERTAIN SACRISTAN 
 HAD GREAT COMFORT OF OUR LADY, BE- 
 CAUSE OF THESE WORDS : COELI FENESTRA 
 FACTA ES 
 
 VERILY, it is a great matter to have Our The 
 Lady's friendship, and little need they Window of 
 fear that possess this sovereign grace ; for neither 
 man, nor the Enemy in Hell, nor the very Saints 
 that are in Paradise can hurt them, so great a 
 power and subtlety hath the glorious Virgin in 
 her children's help and defence. And that ye 
 may know somewhat of the manner in which 
 she guards us, I will here set in writing the 
 adventure of a certain poor Christian that was 
 sacristan in the church of the Blessed Apostle 
 Saint Peter that is in the city of Rome. 
 
 Now amongst the many offices wherewith this 
 sacristan was charged, one devoir he had of 
 great import, namely, to tend and nourish with 
 pure oil the lamps that burned before the altars 
 of the Saints ; for these lamps should burn for 
 ever with an unchanging light, being indeed the 
 emblem of the Church's prayers. And because 
 he had a special love for our dear Lady Saint 
 Mary, this sacristan had exceeding care of the 
 
 E 65 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The lamp that was before her altar, and trimmed it 
 
 Window of very often, and kept it always filled with oil and 
 
 Paradise burning brightly. But one day it chanced that 
 
 this lamp wanted for oil, so that its light grew 
 
 dim and was like to be extinguished ; and when 
 
 he saw it he was much vexed, and cast about to 
 
 see what he might do to replenish it as quickly 
 
 as he could. 
 
 Now the lamp that burned before the shrine 
 of the Blessed Apostle Saint Peter was full of 
 oil even to the brim ; and it burned with a great 
 light, exceeding all other in the church. There- 
 fore this sacristan, for that he was old and some- 
 what slothful, bethought him that he would 
 take a little oil from Saint Peter's lamp, and 
 therefrom replenish that of the Blessed Virgin 
 Mary, the which was like to be extinguished. 
 This he did, thinking no harm of it, for he held 
 that even the Prince of the Apostles should find 
 it a pleasant thing and just to give to God's 
 Mother those things of which she stood in need. 
 And not on this day only, but on many others, 
 he fed the lamp of his Lady from out the super- 
 fluity of oil which Saint Peter's suppliants 
 offered at his shrine. 
 
 Nevertheless, that holy Apostle was greatly 
 vexed at it ; for he was of opinion that in this 
 church, wherein his confession was, he stood 
 higher than all other saints, yea, even than the 
 Queen of Angels herself. And he could not 
 endure that the oil of his lamp should be taken 
 in order that a brighter flame might burn before 
 that Lady's shrine. Therefore one night he 
 66 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 came from Paradise and appeared in vision The 
 before that sacristan whiles he slept, and with Window of 
 angry looks he saith to him : Paradise 
 
 " Wherefore, oh sacristan, have you taken 
 the oil from my lamp ? Is it for this that my 
 shrine has been given into your keeping ? " 
 
 Said the sacristan, " Messire Saint Peter, I 
 did but borrow a little that the lamp of Our 
 Lady Saint Mary might be fed." 
 
 The Apostle replied, "God's Mother hath 
 much honour in many lands, and many shrines 
 and pilgrimages there are established in her 
 name : but this is my house, wherein my body 
 lies, that is the very Rock on which the Church 
 is built, and here I can in no wise suffer that 
 you do the Lady Mary this courtesy at my ex- 
 pense. Oil has been provided wherewith to 
 light her altar, and this must suffice. Here am 
 I accustomed to be honoured above all other 
 saints, and ill shall it be for them that fail to 
 give me my due. Behold, I keep the key of 
 Heaven, and none can enter in save them to 
 whom I open ; and if you be so hardy to come 
 thither, that have given me less oil that the 
 Blessed Virgin may have more, very surely I 
 shall shut the door in your face." 
 
 Then the sacristan awoke, full of dread, and 
 he rose up swiftly and went into the church ; 
 and there he made haste to tend the lamp of the 
 Blessed Apostle Saint Peter and show him 
 every courtesy he could. But little hope did he 
 have of it, for he knew him to be a hasty and a 
 vengeful man. 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The And when he had done all he might for Saint 
 
 Window of Peter's lamp, then did he give oil to the one 
 Paradise tnat burned before Saint Mary's altar, and, "Ah, 
 dearest Lady," he said, "how dearly have I paid 
 for my love ! For the Blessed Apostle Saint 
 Peter is very wrathful because I have dared to 
 prefer your service before his ; and since I have 
 earned his enmity, he will not open the door of 
 Heaven to let me in. Alas, Madame, what 
 shall I do ? Because of my devotion I am like 
 to be damned, for very surely none shall enter 
 Paradise that have not the goodwill of him that 
 keeps the keys." 
 
 But behold, that night as he lay on his bed, 
 Madame Saint Mary came and stood beside that 
 poor sacristan, and spoke comfortable words to 
 him, saying : 
 
 " My very dear friend and faithful servant, 
 be joyful and fear not, for none can harm you 
 whiles you have my love. Therefore continue 
 firmly in all that you have aforetime done, 
 honouring me at my altar and tending my lamp 
 before all else. If this you do, greatly shall it 
 profit you ; for though the Apostle Saint Peter 
 refuse to open the door of Heaven to let you 
 in, yet is he powerless to keep you from the 
 Celestial City so long as you do call upon my 
 name. Very truly he keeps the keys of the 
 door of Paradise, but so soon as he hath shut it 
 against you, I, of whom my anthem saith, "Coeli 
 fenestra facta es," shall open the window, that 
 thereby you may come in. This will I ever do 
 for my friends that fail not in my service ; for 
 68 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 the door of Heaven is a very narrow gate, and The 
 Saint Peter keepeth it exceeding straitly, but Window of 
 the window of my love is very wide." Paradise 
 
 Then was the poor sacristan greatly comforted 
 by the words that the Queen of Heaven had 
 said ; and he rose up full of joy to give her 
 thanks, repeating much devoutly the anthem that 
 was an earnest of her grace. Ever after he 
 tended her lamp before all others, so that it 
 burned day and night with exceeding splendour, 
 the brightest in all that church. No heed 
 did he give to the wrath that the Blessed Apostle 
 Saint Peter might feel at it, that was so greatly 
 jealous for the honour of his shrine ; for he 
 knew that all the Saints that are in Paradise, 
 yea, and the very hosts of highest Heaven, are 
 powerless to do hurt to those poor Christians 
 that do serve God's Mother zealously and with 
 love. 
 
STELLA MARIS 
 
HERE ARE TOLD CERTAIN FAIR MIRACLES 
 THAT OUR LADY SAINT MARY DID UPON 
 THE SEA 
 
 HE that would know and understand how Stella 
 God's Mother doth keep and defend Marts 
 her loving children, let him consider in his heart 
 the great mercies she hath done for them that 
 adventure in ships upon the sea. For verily, as 
 the Psalmist saith, "Qui descendunt mare in 
 navibus, facientes operationem in aquis multis, 
 ipsi viderunt opera Domini, et mirabilia ejus in 
 profundo." 
 
 It is told that on a time an abbot and certain 
 other folk were in a ship upon the British seas, 
 making voyage from England unto France ; and 
 when they were a great way from land, a tem- 
 pest arose exceeding fierce and put them in 
 great peril, so that they feared their ship must 
 break in two and they be drowned. And night 
 came upon them very dark and full of dread, for 
 there was no moon ; neither did the storm abate 
 with the darkness, but rather grew in power. 
 Then, because they knew not what should befall, 
 for that they were altogether at the mercy of 
 the wind that blew them whither it would, all 
 
 73 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Stella that company set themselves to call upon the 
 
 Marts Saints of Paradise ; for indeed there was nothing 
 
 else that they could do. And each, according 
 to his devotion, made his prayer to them ; one 
 crying, " Surely Saint Nicholas will help us, that 
 did great things for mariners in their distress ;" 
 and another, " Let us call on Saint Clare, that she 
 may give us light." And many said, "Nay, 
 pray rather to Saint Christopher, that is right 
 powerful upon the waters ; for did he not bear 
 God in safety through the floods ? " And one 
 and all they promised many fair gifts and candles 
 to their patrons, if that they would bring them 
 safely to shore ; yet still the tempest raged ex- 
 ceeding fierce and decreased not, so that all these 
 poor people were tossed most cruelly upon the 
 waves, and were in much misery and dread. 
 
 Then said that abbot their fellow traveller, 
 the which was a discreet and holy man : " My 
 fair friends, I marvel much that you should 
 make your orisons to these Saints that are so little 
 powerful, and that you forget to call first upon 
 our Blessed Lady s Saint Mary, for no other Saint 
 hath so great a power to help us, and no tempest 
 can long endure in that place where her name is 
 heard. I say not that you do ill to entreat the 
 other Saints, for they, no doubt, will aid you if 
 they can ; but certainly you would do better 
 still to confide your business to that glorious 
 Virgin, for she is the help of the helpless and 
 Star of the Sea." 
 
 When they heard the good abbot speak thus, 
 all, both men and women, set themselves to 
 74 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 pray to the Mother of Mercy with great fervour Stella 
 of supplication ; crying aloud and saying, " Most Marls 
 noble Lady, fair Queen of Heaven, have mercy 
 on your poor children, we beseech you ! Dear 
 Mother of our gentle Saviour that did walk in 
 safety on the waves, will you not succour us in 
 our extremity ? Verily, if you help us not, we 
 must be drowned ; and we know that you can 
 save us if you will." 
 
 And the abbot himself, though he was so sick 
 and feeble that no more could he bear, in that 
 during two whole days he had eaten only an 
 apple, began to sing that respond of the Blessed 
 Virgin which begins, " Felix namque es, Virgo 
 Maria ut omni laude ! " And all they that were 
 in the ship sang with him, so that the sound 
 of their voices was greater than the cry of the 
 wind. 
 
 And lo ! when this song was partly done, all 
 saw a great marvel, to wit, a fair candle or 
 waxen taper, in the manner of those that are set 
 before the altars of the Saints, descending full 
 quickly out of heaven. And this taper shone 
 with a bright light exceeding wondrous, and it 
 came and rested upon the mast and there did 
 stay, lighting all the ship most sweetly, as the 
 sun might do, and chasing away the shades of 
 night from round it. And when that fair celestial 
 light did shine upon the sea, lo ! of a sudden 
 the tempest was altogether stilled, so that the 
 waves, which had been so great that it seemed as 
 if each one might drown the world, rose not, 
 neither did the wind buffet them to and fro ; 
 
 75 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Stella but the ship lay full quietly upon the waters, 
 
 Marls and by that blessed taper, the which left them 
 
 not till day came, it was kept and guided till 
 
 it came safely to the haven where it would 
 
 be. 
 
 Then had all those voyagers great joy because 
 of the fair miracle Our Lady had done for them ; 
 and they gave her thanks most heartily, and 
 offered many candles at her altar in remem- 
 brance of that torch which had lit them in the 
 darkness and driven the tempest from their path. 
 And the good abbot had this history put in 
 writing, for the comfort of all mariners and 
 pilgrims ; that they might know how that 
 Madame Saint Mary is truly Stella Marts, and 
 day and night doth lead and keep her children 
 that voyage upon the waters of the world. 
 
 To the same intent hear this history. A 
 company of pilgrims there was that took ship 
 at Venice to go to the Holy Sepulchre of Jesu 
 Christ our Lord. And when they were on the 
 high seas far from land, a mighty and an evil 
 wind arose, by the which they were driven from 
 their path and much hurt was done to the ship 
 they were in ; so that presently, when the tem- 
 pest was gone, they found that there was a great 
 breach made in the hull of it, by which the sea 
 entered in full quickly, and it was like to founder 
 and be lost. Then the master, that was a very 
 prudent man, seeing that nought he could do 
 might save the ship, the which was indeed near 
 foundering, let launch a little boat ; and he took 
 therein a bishop that was of his company, and 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 several other pilgrims, men of substance and Stella 
 consideration. But he said nothing of the danger Marts 
 they were in, inviting them only that they should 
 take a little row upon the sea whilst they tarried 
 for a favourable wind. 
 
 And because the ship rolled somewhat with 
 the motion of the waves, it happened that one 
 of the said pilgrims missed his footing as he 
 descended into the little boat, and fell into the 
 abyss of the sea ; and for nothing that they 
 could do might they save him, for he sank 
 straitway into the deeps. And they grieved 
 greatly for it, for they had loved him well ; 
 nevertheless the master waited not, but when he 
 saw that this poor man indeed was lost, full 
 hastily he pushed off from the great ship. And 
 when he had gone a little way, being yet within 
 earshot, he stayed and cried to those pilgrims 
 and mariners he had left behind, and told 
 them how that they were very near to death ; 
 for the ship must sink, and nothing could 
 he do for them, in that there was no more 
 room in the little boat. And he exhorted 
 them that they should think each upon his 
 conscience, imploring the mercy of Almighty 
 God. 
 
 Ah ! how piteous a thing it was to hear the 
 cries and lamentations of those unfortunates 
 when they knew the danger they were in ! 
 Nevertheless, being pious folk and well advised, 
 full swiftly they stilled their complaints, and set 
 themselves to confess their sins one to another 
 very humbly : and when so they had done, they 
 
 77 
 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 commended themselves to the care of Our Lord 
 and Our Lady with great fervour of love. But 
 little time did they have wherein to make their 
 orisons, for very soon they that were in the 
 little boat saw the great ship break asunder with 
 rending sounds exceeding grievous and go 
 down suddenly into the deep, and all those 
 pilgrims with it ; at the which sight they that 
 were saved had great sorrow and dole in their 
 hearts. And the bishop, that was a very good 
 and compassionate man, wept exceeding sore, 
 seeing his comrades thus destroyed ; and he 
 prayed most heartily to Jesu Christ the sweet 
 and merciful, and to His Blessed Mother Lady 
 Mary, that they would have pity on these 
 pilgrims that were drowned whilst seeking the 
 Holy Sepulchre for their souls' health. And he 
 watched the sea a long while, lest any floated 
 upon it that yet lived ; for he desired to save 
 them if he could. 
 
 And lo ! whilst so he did, presently by the 
 grace of the Holy Spirit that bishop saw a sight 
 most fair and wondrous ; to wit, great company 
 of white doves, that came up out of the midst 
 of the waters, here two, here three, there five, 
 there ten ; and all these having come together 
 in a great cloud, they flew up to heaven. Then 
 he gave thanks rejoicing, for well he knew that 
 these were the souls of the good pilgrims, the 
 which, while they sought the earthly Jerusalem, 
 had found the straight way to Heavenly Syon ; 
 and he grieved also, repenting and reproaching 
 himself in that he had not remained with them 
 
 78 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 in the ship that had brought them to so sweet Stella 
 an haven. Marls 
 
 " Ah, Jesu Christ ! " said he, " Fair and dear 
 God ! It is plain that my life is but little 
 pleasing unto you ; for were it so, very surely 
 you would not have left me to toss thus upon 
 the perilous waters whilst my companions are 
 taken to yourself." And he said, u Quis dabit 
 mihi pennas sicut columbae, et volabo, et 
 requiescam ? For little need man desire to be 
 left here below, where all is as unstable as the 
 ocean ; but he who flies above shall come to the ^ 
 port of Heaven there to dwell for ever in tran- 
 quillity." 
 
 And after this, that bishop and his com- 
 panions floated fifteen days upon the waters, in 
 great misery and wretchedness ; but at last by 
 Our Lady's help they came to land. And 
 behold ! when they were come out of the boat 
 and stood upon the shore, there they found that 
 pilgrim their comrade that had fallen into the 
 sea as he descended from the great ship to join 
 them. Then all marvelled exceedingly to see 
 him thus safe and sound upon the beach, for 
 they made sure he had been drowned. And 
 many thought it was a spirit, so that they 
 adjured him in God's Name to tell them if 
 indeed it were he, laying hold upon his garments 
 and entreating him that he would speak : but 
 when that he answered them, and they were 
 assured that he lived, then were they altogether 
 amazed, and they did kiss and embrace him 
 with much joy and thanksgiving. 
 
 79 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Stella ^ And the bishop said, " Verily it is meet and 
 
 Mans j us t that we should give thanks to that Lady, 
 the Star of the Sea, in whose keeping all pilgrims 
 do stand ; for this is her handiwork." 
 
 Said the pilgrim, " Messire, you speak truth ; 
 for Saint Mary it is that hath upheld me in the 
 waters and brought me safely to this shore." 
 
 Then said the bishop, " Tell us, I pray 
 you, my brother, what befell you when you 
 were cast into the sea ? For you went down 
 straitway into the abyss, so that we thought 
 you dead, for we could not see you any more." 
 
 Answered the pilgrim, " Small marvel is 
 therein ; for verily we know that Our Lady 
 can save her servants from the very pains of 
 Hell. Therefore most easily can she succour 
 them from the perils of the sea." 
 
 The bishop replied, " I doubt it not, for I 
 am assured that the Mother of God can do all 
 things. Nevertheless, we are greatly impatient 
 to know by what road and in what manner she 
 brought you here ; for fifteen days have passed 
 since that you fell into the waters, in the which 
 you can have had neither meat nor drink." 
 
 Said the pilgrim, " I have neither hunger nor 
 thirst." 
 
 " By the Rood ! " said the bishop ; " great 
 favour have you had ! I pray you tell us, if 
 you can, how it has chanced." 
 
 Said the pilgrim, " When I fell from the ship, 
 and saw below me the great gulf of the sea, I 
 called upon Our Lady, Stella Mar is, and did 
 entreat her help with all my heart. But so 
 80 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 quickly I fell, that no other saint could I invoke ; Stella 
 neither did I pray to her Son, for there was no Marls 
 time. Nevertheless, so soon as I was in the 
 waters, Madame Saint Mary came to me ex- 
 ceeding swiftly, and very gently she did wrap 
 me in her mantle, so that the waves touched 
 me not at all. And when that I felt those 
 folds around me, I had no more fear. And that 
 sweet and glorious Virgin carried me under her 
 cloak through the midst of the waters ; and she 
 brought me in safety to this shore where now 
 I am, in the same moment wherein your boat 
 did come to land." 
 
 Then the bishop, being full of awe, knelt 
 down upon the beach and gave thanks to the 
 Blessed Virgin, saying, "Sweet Lady, Saint Mary, 
 most piteous Maiden, verily, neither in Heaven 
 nor earth is there any that shall call on you in 
 vain ! For so soon as you hear the cry of your 
 children, very speedily you come to their help, 
 and wrap the mantle of your mercy around them, 
 by the which they are preserved from every 
 grief." 
 
 Of a surety, Our Lady's mantle hath great 
 virtue for the protection of them that are shel- 
 tered therein ; no peril shall come near to that 
 traveller about whom it is cast. Thus did it 
 happen on a time that certain clerks were in a 
 galley on the sea, making passage to a shrine 
 where they would go ; and a great tempest 
 arose, by the which they were put in much 
 danger, for so high was the wind that they could 
 not row at all, but were compelled to let drift 
 
 F 81 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Stella the galley whither it led them. Now these were 
 
 Marls lettered men, expert in Latin ; therefore, being 
 in much need of Our Lady's protection, they 
 began to sing her hymn, that is called " Ave, 
 Maris Stella," with a very great devotion. And 
 they were in much dread, for the waves were 
 exceeding great; yet had they trust in Saint 
 Mary's power. 
 
 Then was their faith justified unto them, for 
 when they were come to the words, " Monstra 
 te esse Matrem ! " behold ! they saw our com- 
 passionate Mother, that is the Queen of Heaven 
 and Earth, who came to them upon the waters ; 
 and whilst they gazed upon her beauty, she took 
 from her fair shoulders the Mantle of Mercy, 
 and spread it as a veil about the galley that was 
 in such distress. And at once there was a great 
 calm, for no tempests nor foul winds may come 
 therein. 
 
 Then said the master of the ship, " Row, 
 brothers, row, lest the storm come on us again ! " 
 And so did they do, and that Lady conducting 
 them, and keeping them ever under the shelter 
 of her love, they came quickly to land in great 
 peace and joy, praising and lauding that Blessed 
 Virgin, the Star of the Sea, and the Helper of 
 Christian folk. 
 
 Verily, there is no sinner so great that Saint 
 Mary will not shelter him in the mantle 
 of her mercy if he ask it ; nor is there any so 
 virtuous that he may do without its aid. 
 Let us fly quickly, oh my brother ! beneath the 
 cloak of that compassionate Lady, that there we 
 82 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 may be safe from every peril, and sheltered Stella 
 against the righteous anger of the Judge. And Marts 
 let us make our humble petition to that glorious 
 Virgin, saying devoutly : 
 
 u Dear Lady, Star of the Sea, without thee our 
 ship wanders helpless upon the troublous waters 
 of the world ! Send, we beseech thee, fair winds 
 to fill our sails, that swiftly we may achieve that 
 comfortable haven that thy Son hath prepared 
 for them that adventure on the seas : even the 
 joyous port of Heavenly Syon, where no storms 
 nor tempests ever come. 
 
 " Placa mare, Maris Stella, 
 Ne involvet nos procella, 
 Vel tempestas obvia ! " 
 
THE EYES OF THE BLIND 
 
THE MIRACLE OF A GENTLEWOMAN TO 
 WHOM GOD'S MOTHER DID RESTORE THE 
 SIGHT OF HER EYES 
 
 IN the city of Roc Amadour there was of old The Eyes of 
 time established a right solemn pilgrimage of the Blind 
 Our Lady unto the abbey-church of that place. 
 There was her shrine set up, that was exceeding 
 rich with gifts and treasure, and many fair 
 miracles were done therein. 
 
 Now it happened on a time that a certain 
 gentlewoman of the country side, a very fair and 
 gracious lady, did lose the sight of her eyes ; 
 for the which cause she was full of grief, as well 
 might be. Alas ! thus does it ofttimes befall 
 them that abuse what they have ; for this lady 
 was a person of much beauty, comely and de- 
 bonair, that greatly did misuse her gifts, in that 
 being subject to vanity she governed herself so 
 ill that her life was an evil ensample, a stumbling- 
 block to many and displeasing to God. There- 
 fore did He take her sight from her, because she 
 had used it but foolishly, gazing upon worldly 
 gauds and never looking on the light divine. 
 
 But when she found that she must live in 
 darkness, this gentlewoman was greatly penitent 
 
 8? 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Eyes of for the many follies she had done : and being 
 the Blind moved to put her trust in the infinite pity of the 
 Virgin Mary, she vowed herself entirely to that 
 Lady, and prayed to her most heartily, promis- 
 ing to amend her ways if that she might have 
 her sight again. And being advised by a priest 
 of her township, she undertook to make pilgrim- 
 age upon her feet to Roc Amadour, a long way 
 and weary : and many of her neighbours went 
 with her, for they were grieved for her mis- 
 fortune, and hoped she might get great good of 
 that pilgrimage. Thus they went altogether, a 
 day's journey, and when they had come within 
 sight of the abbey-church, that is to the place 
 that is called Mont Joye, because here the 
 pilgrim's happiness begins, they stayed for to 
 ask the blessing of God and Our Lady on the 
 adventure ; and all kneeling down right humbly 
 on the earth, they made their devotions, saying 
 the Salve Regina and Ave Maria, as their hearts 
 did move them to do. And the neighbours 
 called this lady that was blind by her name, and 
 said to her that now she should have good cheer 
 for her sorrow was nearly done, in that they were 
 come within sight of Roc Amadour, and of Our 
 Lady's shrine. 
 
 Then, when she heard this, that poor gentle- 
 woman began to weep exceeding sore, and to 
 call upon the Blessed Virgin Mary, saying, 
 " Sweet and most piteous Lady ! I entreat 
 you by your holy name, and that of your dear 
 Son that did have mercy on the blind to heal 
 them, that you will look favourably on this poor 
 88 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 sinner, the which is both sad and suffering. The Eyes of 
 
 Most glorious Lady, I know well that if you the Blind 
 
 grant it me, I may regain my sight ; for I am 
 
 assured that in this your renown lies not. Ah, 
 
 give me my sight again, dear Queen of Heaven, 
 
 and I vow that from this day forth I will amend 
 
 my life, and do all things that be pleasing unto 
 
 you." 
 
 No sooner had she said those words of peni- 
 tence, than great light came to that lady, the 
 which had stood in darkness so long ; for the 
 glorious Virgin gave to her her sight again, and 
 never in all her life had she seen more clearly. 
 Then she began to cry with a loud voice, for 
 she was exceeding glad and full of amazement, 
 saying, " Dear Saint Mary ! I see clear ! Lady, 
 Lady, I give you great thanks, for I know that 
 I am altogether vile and have done nought that 
 might deserve this sovereign grace." And 
 gazing with much devotion on the shrine of Roc 
 Amadour that was before them, she said also, 
 " Levavi oculos meos in montes, unde veniet 
 auxilium mihi " with many other devout psalms 
 and lauds. 
 
 Then all the folk her neighbours that were 
 with her cried out with joy, weeping because of 
 the marvel they had seen ; and they ran before, 
 that they might tell the miracle to all the pil- 
 grims that were on the road. And these came 
 also, great company, hastening that they might 
 see the lady for whom the Queen of Angels had 
 done this kindliness : and all did gaze upon her, 
 praising God and His Mother the while. So 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Eyes of did they go, till that they were come to the 
 
 the Blind precincts of the church ; and they would enter 
 
 by the great door into the nave, that they might 
 
 go to the chapel of the Virgin and make their 
 
 orisons without delay. 
 
 But when that gentlewoman came to the church 
 door, lo ! she could in no wise enter it; at which 
 she marvelled much, and so did her neighbours, 
 and they let press and compel her to pass the 
 threshold, but she could not do it for anything 
 that might be. And at last, when many efforts 
 they had made, she said to them that they must 
 cease from it, for they did but hurt her body by 
 their travail. " For well do I know/' said she, 
 " that hands which we see not keep me from this 
 door, and nought that you can do will make me 
 to pass it." 
 
 And so it was, for though all the world had 
 put its strength to the test, yet could they not 
 have made this lady to enter God's House ; for I 
 would have you to know that she was unshriven, 
 and till that she had made her confession her 
 sins, that were many, held her back. 
 
 Therefore after a while, her friends went into 
 the church and left her where she stood alone 
 outside the door : and they took counsel one with 
 another, and also with the priests of the place, 
 what were best to do. Then said the priests that 
 very surely the Devil had power over this lady's 
 body, to keep it from the House of God. There- 
 fore it were convenient that she be confessed 
 there where she stood, for until she should repent 
 her of her sins and be absolved, very certainly 
 90 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 she might not come within the church to do her The Eyes of 
 devoir, namely, to give thanks to Our Lady of the Blind 
 Roc Amadour for the mercy she had nad. And 
 one of them, that was a discreet and zealous man, 
 went out to the porch in his surplice to hear her 
 confession; the which she did make full humbly, 
 telling all her life that she had led and the many 
 follies of it word by word, and how that by reason 
 of her vanity she had led divers men to evil con- 
 versation and vile desires, grievously sinning 
 against God. 
 
 And when this priest had looked upon her, 
 that was indeed a very comely lady, having her 
 head adorned exceeding sweetly with hair of 
 golden colour, soft fine and plenteous beyond 
 all measure : 
 
 " My dear sister," said he, " I am very sure 
 that by these fair tresses of yours you have done 
 great hurt to many souls, for all to whom you 
 have shown them have desired you. And indeed 
 such twisted locks and vain delights are but a 
 snare of the Enemy, for though your head were 
 apparelled with pure gold, yet had God preferred 
 that you should wear the ornament of modesty. 
 Therefore I charge you, if you would be shriven 
 of your sins, that you let cut off these fair locks .-- 
 that have been so great an hindrance to your 
 soul, and do make offering of them in honour of 
 God and His Mother, giving thanks because 
 your blindness has been healed. For when you 
 are delivered from the bondage of vanity, very 
 surely you shall see with a ghostly sight, that is 
 with the eye of the soul, whereby we apprehend 
 
 91 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Eyes of celestial things. Then may you enter the church 
 the Blind to make your thanksgiving, and the fruit of your 
 penitence shall be greatly acceptable to God." 
 
 The lady, being in great fear because of the 
 miracle, and desiring also to be shriven lest her 
 blindness come on her again, durst not withhold 
 herself from this penance that was put on her ; 
 but she was exceeding displeased in her heart, 
 for her hair was the greatest treasure that she 
 had, and she was little minded to go all her days 
 coiffed in the manner of a nun, the which became 
 her not at all. But little time did she have to 
 ponder the matter, for scissors being brought, 
 straitway her confessor cut the hair from of? 
 her head, so that nought remained of it to please 
 the eye; and when it was done he caused it to be 
 carried to that place within the church where are 
 exposed the tresses of those women that desire 
 salvation, as also the fetters of freed captives and 
 other matters of like kind. And the gentle- 
 woman having received absolution, behold! she 
 entered most easily into the church where before 
 she might not come, and led by her confessor 
 did go to the shrine of the glorious Virgin, 
 where, taught by him, she made her thank- 
 offering, and also recited many prayers. But 
 her heart was exceeding sore for the loss of her 
 tresses, for she saw that her neighbours looked 
 curiously upon her, the which she liked not. 
 
 Then when she had done, she went with the 
 other pilgrims to an inn for to dine ; and all that 
 were there gave her joy of the miracle, but little 
 joy was in that lady's soul. And after dinner 
 92 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 they set forth again by the road by which they The Eyes of 
 
 had come, for they would reach home before the Blind 
 
 night fell : and as they went upon the way, this 
 
 gentlewoman, being no more in the church but 
 
 having her face set toward the world, was full 
 
 sorrowful thinking on her beautiful hair that 
 
 she had left behind her, and how that when she 
 
 came home they that had desired her would 
 
 know her not because she was shorn. And she 
 
 grieved much for that being full of fear and 
 
 dread she had so easily been spoiled of this her 
 
 treasure. Thus did she do and thus go, till 
 
 they came again to the hill that is called Mont 
 
 Joye, where first they had seen Roc Amadour 
 
 and the comfortable vision of Our Lady's church. 
 
 There they stayed one for another, that those 
 
 who lingered might not be left behind ; and 
 
 kneeling down upon the earth they made each 
 
 their farewells to our sweet Lady, saying the 
 
 Ave Maria. 
 
 But this gentlewoman, that had had so great 
 a mercy, thanked her not at all, but cried with 
 a loud voice and woeful, saying : 
 
 " Alas, Saint Mary, what have you done to 
 me ? Behold, I came to you apparelled in 
 much beauty, and you have robbed me of that 
 which I loved: and now my heart has great 
 dole because of the fair tresses I have left with 
 you, and therefore I cannot be at peace." 
 
 And lo! so soon as she had spoken, great 
 marvel came on all that company; for in that 
 instant, her hair that had been cut from off her 
 came to her again, quicker than eye could close 
 
 93 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Eyes of or open, and strait way her head was set about 
 the Blind with golden tresses that fell in twisted locks to 
 her waist, as fair as had ever been. But little 
 joy did she have of it, for in that same moment 
 the sight of her eyes that Our Lady had re- 
 stored was taken from her; and she stood in 
 great darkness, nor could ever see again the 
 golden hair that she so greatly loved. For 
 Saint Mary taketh not a grudging gift; nor 
 doth she bestow her mercies on them that 
 dispute with her the price of their relief, 
 desiring the pleasures of the world along with 
 the blessing of Heaven. 
 
 And when the neighbours that were with this 
 lady saw the miracle, they were full of amaze- 
 ment; but nought could they do for her, for 
 well they knew that this was the judgment of 
 God. And they led her to her home, and to 
 her friends, and told them all the adventure, 
 and the news of it ran through all the country, 
 for indeed it was a very wondrous thing. And 
 though much prayers were made to God and to 
 His Mother, yet that gentlewoman got little 
 good of it but stayed ever in the darkness to 
 which she was returned ; for little would it avail 
 to restore the sight of the eyes to them that 
 have the blindness of the soul. 
 
 Now this history should be a most precious 
 ensample to all ladies, the which are greatly 
 inclined to the sin of vanity, desiring in their 
 folly to make show in the world and turn hearts 
 from God by their fair appearance. These do 
 search and find out how they may get false joys 
 94 
 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 of their comely faces, taking pride in their The Eyes of 
 curled tresses and fair skins, that are but a the Blind 
 fleeting gaud agreeable to the eye of sense. 
 But the eyes of the wise do rather seek to 
 apprehend a spiritual beauty, that is a per- 
 durable treasure most pleasing in the sight of 
 God. 
 
 95 
 
THE LITTLE CLERK 
 
HERE WE TELL HOW THE CHILD OF A 
 POOR WOMAN GAVE HIS CAKE TO OUR 
 LADY'S CHILD 
 
 i 
 
 THERE was upon a time a certain bishop The Little 
 of the city of Spires, the which had an Clerk 
 exceeding love for little children ; and because 
 he was of opinion that none was too small nor 
 too simple for God's service, he would have 
 these little ones brought to him full early, that 
 they might be clerked and set to sing the Office 
 of the Church. Thus it was that in his cathedral 
 young canons there were that knew not their 
 letters nor scarce how to say Amen, and many 
 little clerks that had prayed better at their 
 mothers' knee than in the stalls of the choir. 
 But because they were of his kindred, the bishop 
 considered not their shortcomings, which indeed 
 were many, for barely did they know how to 
 comport themselves mannerly, much less how 
 the Psalter should be sung. Yea, pardoning 
 their errors of Latinity, he loved to hear his 
 little ones sing the Hours as best they could, 
 holding that the Holy Child would Himself 
 look gently on their childishness. 
 
 Now there was amongst them one very little 
 
 99 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Little boy, the child of a poor woman, a widow ; and 
 Clerk he was a clerk of the cathedral, and came every 
 
 day in his surplice to walk in the procession of 
 the singers. But he was so small a child that he 
 could not rightly understand the service of God ; 
 therefore, when the Office began, he would go 
 very often from the choir and play alone in the 
 cathedral aisles whiles his brothers, that were 
 lettered, said their prayers. And specially he 
 loved to be in one place, namely, the ambu- 
 latory that goes behind the screens of the choir ; 
 for here he had a friend that ever waited him, to 
 wit, Our Lady's Child, as I shall tell. 
 
 Now in this place there was a very ancient 
 image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that held 
 Our Lord, that is her Baby, in her arms ; and 
 it stood in a corner niche, close to the ground, 
 where all might come near it. And I would 
 have you to know that this image had been once 
 of an exceeding price and beauty, and for long 
 time had been bestowed in a chapel, greatly 
 worshipped, and made rich with candles and 
 with votive gifts. But because it was now grown 
 old, blackened with the smoke of many torches, 
 and the fair colours that had been on it were 
 altogether worn away, it had seemed to the 
 people of that city to be no longer of a splendour 
 befitting their cathedral-church. Therefore had 
 it been taken from its altar, and stayed now in 
 this corner, where few passed by but clerks going 
 on their business from the sacristy to the choir. 
 And none heeded it, for there was a finer and a 
 newer image in the Lady Chapel, painted in the 
 100 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 very colours of life ; before this the townsfolk The Little 
 made their orisons, and the old, worn Virgin Clerk 
 was forgot. Nevertheless, this image had stilt 
 the high and golden crown that had been given 
 her in the days when many prayed to her ; but 
 the Child that she carried wore only the king- 
 ship of infancy. 
 
 The little clerk came often to the dark corner 
 where this Lady stood alone, and there he would 
 talk to that other Child, and invite Him to play 
 and bear him company ; and though this Friend 
 of his would answer never, yet he came gradually 
 to love Him, and desire His comradeship and 
 love. And he would say within himself as he 
 came to the church, " Perhaps my fellow will 
 speak with me to-day." 
 
 Now there came a day when a great feast was 
 held, and all the clergy and singers and the bur- 
 gesses and their wives came to the cathedral, and 
 High Mass was sung with great solemnity. The 
 little clerk came also, but because of the great 
 press of clergy he could not find place for himself 
 in the choir : so he wandered to the ambulatory, 
 and, said he, " Perhaps my fellow will play with 
 me to-day and I will give him of my cake to eat." 
 For his mother had given him for his dinner a 
 feast-cake, such as are sold in fairs, and this he 
 was eating as he went through the church, and 
 to the corner wherein the image stood. 
 
 Then he looked up and saw the worn face 
 of God's Mother that gazed at him from her 
 niche, and the Baby that was in her arms ; 
 and it seemed to him that whiles much orison 
 
 101 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Little was made in the choir to some God that he 
 Clerk knew not, this Lady and her Child were very 
 
 lonely, and had little joy in the feast. Then the 
 little clerk, that was but a simple child, came to 
 the feet of that image, as he might have done 
 to his mother's feet, and he spoke as he was used 
 to do to the Christ-child that was his Friend. 
 And he offered Him a piece of cake, saying : 
 
 " Taste, little Baby, of my dinner ; for you 
 are welcome." And he broke off a bit from the 
 cake and put it within the hand of the Holy 
 Child, saying again, " Eat, little one ! " 
 
 But when he saw how that his Friend neither 
 answered nor ate of the cake, that little clerk 
 was so greatly disappointed that he began to 
 cry ; and he reached up and put his arm about 
 the neck of the Christ-child, as children do to 
 one another in love, saying, " What is the 
 matter, good fellow, that you will never speak 
 with me nor play with me ? Wilt not have 
 my cake ? Canst not speak ? " For he thought 
 within himself, " Perhaps such a very little boy 
 had not yet learned to speak." 
 
 Then did he take comfort, considering in his 
 mind how that doubtless so small a Baby re- 
 frained not from any unkindness, but rather 
 because He understood not what was said, nor 
 ate, unless of pap or broth. Therefore said 
 he to Him, as his nurse might have do : 
 
 c< Suck, pretty Boy, this pap." 
 
 And this he said to see if he were under- 
 stood, putting a soft crumb from the dough of 
 his cake to the lips of the Holy Child. 
 102 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 " Yes, eat, dear Baby, in faith, God helping The Little 
 you," he said, " for I fear You may die of Clerk 
 hunger if You eat not. Taste, then, a little of 
 my dinner, for truly it is very good, and after- 
 ward we may play together if You will. I see 
 well that there be none here to care for You nor 
 feed You ; therefore will I do so if God will be 
 my helper." 
 
 Then did God do great miracle ; for Our 
 Lady Saint Mary spoke by the mouth of this 
 her image, and she said to her Son : 
 
 " Fair Son, what recompense shall be given 
 to this little child for his cake, the which he hath 
 freely given to You ? Shall You not eat with 
 him as he hath asked You, and be his good 
 fellow in love ? " 
 
 And at once the child that was held in her arms 
 replied to her, saying : " Dear and sweet Mother, 
 I know that this little clerk would serve Me well 
 if he could ; for during all the years wherein I 
 have rested in this place, and have received the 
 prayers of those that call upon Me, none before 
 has given Me to eat, save only this little boy, 
 who has said, * Taste of my cake, little one.' 
 Sweet Mother, here I may not eat with him nor 
 play with him, but I say unto you that in three 
 days this child shall come to Me in Paradise, 
 and there we shall dine together, and I will give 
 to him a crown exceeding glorious ; and never 
 before has he tasted such meat as that which 
 he shall share with Me then." 
 
 Then said Our Lady to the little boy : " Dear 
 my child, you have heard the words that my 
 
 103 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Little Lord and Son hath said : therefore keep them 
 Clerk well in mind, for in three days you shall most 
 
 surely come to my Son and to me, and I will 
 receive you and cherish you full sweetly, for 1 
 am the Mother of all children that give to one 
 another in love. Now go you to your mother, 
 and tell her all that I have said to you, and lie 
 down upon your bed with thankfulness, for my 
 Son calls you to a better place, and there He 
 waits His brother, and I with Him, and He 
 shall give you of a bread sweet as honey 
 whereon you shall dine." 
 
 Said the little clerk, " Right gladly will I 
 come to my fellow and dine with Him, what 
 day soever it please Him best ; but shall not 
 my mother come too ? " 
 
 The Blessed Virgin replied to him, "She is 
 not ready for that dinner, but afterward she 
 shall come." 
 
 Then the little clerk went out from the 
 cathedral, and he returned to his home and lay 
 upon his bed. And his mother said to him : 
 
 " Why have you come from the church 
 in the midst of the feast ? " 
 
 " Mother," said the little boy, " be not 
 wrathful, for I must lay me on my bed with 
 patience, because the image of Our Lady has 
 spoken with me and ordained it, and so has my 
 fellow, that is her Child. And they said unto 
 me that in three days I should go hence that I 
 may dine with Him, and then I shall be lodged 
 in Paradise, for so the image of Saint Mary has 
 willed. And 1 long greatly," he said, " to be 
 104 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 again with that little Child, and to play with The Little 
 Him and He with me, for I love Him ; and I Clerk 
 know that it shall be so, for already my head 
 begins to hurt me very much, and I am sure 
 that I must die." 
 
 Saith his mother : " My sweet boy, say you 
 truly that the image has spoken with you ? " 
 
 " Yes, mother, doubt it not ; even that old 
 image of which none take heed, the same that 
 stands in the niche behind the choir." 
 
 Then that mother ran in haste to the cathe- 
 dral-church, and to the image ; and there she 
 saw the Holy Child that held still the piece of 
 cake He had received from her little son. And 
 by this was she shown the truth of that which 
 she had heard ; and she came back much sor- 
 rowful to her child where he lay on his bed. 
 And for three days she tended him in his sick- 
 ness, but he mended not. 
 
 And on the morning of the third day, as she 
 sat beside him, she saw our most gracious Lady, 
 even the glorious Virgin Mary Queen of Angels, 
 crowned and vested in the manner of that image 
 by the which she had spoken to the little clerk. 
 And this most sweet Lady came and stood by 
 the bedside, and said to the child : 
 
 " Come, little son, your Brother awaits you; 
 for you are made one of His family, in that you 
 have freely and lovingly given of that which was 
 yours. Even now He looks for your coming, 
 that you may eat together in Paradise the ban- 
 quet He hath set for all His friends." 
 
 Then did Our Lady receive right tenderly 
 
 105 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Little the soul of the little boy, and bore it with her 
 Clerk to Paradise ; and his mother went forth weeping 
 
 much bitterly for that she had lost her child, 
 and told the matter to her priest. And because 
 of the miracle they took the body of the little 
 clerk and laid it in the cathedral-church with 
 great and joyous ceremony ; and the miracle 
 was fairly writ and put in authority, for the 
 comfort and encouragement of all faithful 
 folk. 
 
 But who is there that can truly write or say 
 all the grace and kindness of that Virgin Mother, 
 Mater Purissima, Janua Coeli ; even she that 
 disdains not the gifts of the little children of the 
 poor nor the love of simple men ? Verily hath 
 he chosen wisely who hath chosen this best and 
 sweetest Friend ! 
 
 106 
 
THE CHRISTIAN'S SURETY 
 
HOW A CHRISTIAN OF BYZANCE DID BOR- 
 ROW FROM A JEW AND GAVE OUR LO'RD TO 
 BE HIS PLEDGE 
 
 SO many things there are that must be told The 
 concerning the sweet miracles that Our Christian's 
 Lady hath done, that I know not which to Suret y 
 choose first. Therefore must I do as those that 
 search for wild flowers in the fields ; the which, 
 seeing so many and diverse blossoms on every 
 side, of red, white, golden and all fair colours, 
 are fain for lack of time to pluck those that 
 come first, waiting not to order them according 
 to their several kinds. And thus will I do with 
 those flowers of courtesy, the miracles that God's 
 Mother hath wrought for our relief. 
 
 Therefore I will now tell of a merchant that 
 dwelt in the great city of Byzance, of whom it 
 is written that he greatly loved Our Blessed 
 Lady. His name was Theodore. He had 
 great wealth and honourable estate, living in 
 splendour in a right fair mansion of that town. 
 Every day his house was open to all that came ; 
 and he would have his friends ever about him, 
 feasting and making merry, and gave great 
 largess to them that asked it. Nor did he 
 
 109 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The forget the poor, but made himself their friend, 
 
 Christian s and was ever ready to relieve all that were 
 Sure *y distressed. 
 
 But so quick was this merchant at spending, 
 and of so liberal a mind, that at last all his 
 wealth was done ; for that he made so many 
 gifts to his friends and kindred and never 
 would send empty away them that were in 
 need. And at last he was brought to such 
 straits that he must sell his lands ; and when 
 the gold he had of them was gone also, he set 
 himself to borrow of his friends. But whatever 
 they lent him he straitway spent again, nor 
 could he refuse any that asked him an alms ; so 
 that he repaid his debt never. Therefore it 
 came that after a while his friends would not 
 lend to him any more, for though he had 
 bestowed great benefit on them when that he 
 was wealthy, little were they minded to bring 
 themselves to poverty for his sake. Verily, he 
 who borrows and pays not again hath soon lost 
 his credit ; yea, even though he be King of 
 France. 
 
 Now was Theodore greatly troubled, for he 
 was in much poverty and knew not what to do. 
 He could not have his friends about him, for he 
 might not feast them ; nor could he give to the 
 poor as he had been accustomed to do. And 
 he was exceeding sorrowful that he might no 
 longer give to any man, for he delighted in 
 liberality. His friends turned from him and 
 left him solitary, because he had so melancholy 
 a mien, and that having fallen into poverty he 
 no 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 could no longer make them good cheer ; and The 
 
 for this he was in great misery. Christian's 
 
 And because it seemed that all had forsaken $ uret y 
 him, even God, and he knew not what to do, 
 he went at last to a Jew that was an usurer, 
 named Abraham, the richest in Byzance. And 
 he demanded of the Jew that he should lend 
 him money, that therewith he might go 
 trading. 
 
 " For," said he, " all have forsaken me ; 
 friends, kindred and all those for whom I have 
 given my riches, and something I must do, for 
 that I am left in great poverty. But it is known 
 that I am a merchant of skill and knowledge ; 
 therefore, if you will lend me the gold that I 
 need, so well shall I cause it to increase by my 
 trading that you will get great gain of it." 
 
 Abraham said to him, " This may well be ; 
 and most willingly shall I lend you all that 
 you need if you will give me a surety for your 
 debt." 
 
 " Fair and sweet friend," replied Theodore, 
 " if, as I tell you, all have gone from me, 
 friends, servants, kindred, and all those to 
 whom I made gifts, how then can I give you a 
 surety ? For nought remains to me in all the 
 world save my faith and my truth, the which I 
 most willingly give you in pledge." 
 
 Said the Jew, u If this be all, I can lend you 
 nothing ; for little will faith and truth avail in 
 the place of my gold, should you lose it." 
 
 " Fair brother," said Theodore, " if indeed a 
 pledge you must have, then take in surety, I 
 
 i ii 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The pray you, my God in whom I trust, even Jesu 
 
 Christian's Christ my Redeemer, King of Kings and Lord 
 Surety o f Lords, Whom our most Blessed Lady, ever 
 
 Virgin, did bear to heal our sin. For I will 
 swear to you, oh Abraham my friend, by God 
 and by His dear and sweet Mother Saint Mary, 
 that if I repay not my debt on the day that you 
 shall name in the bond, then will I give myself 
 wholly into your hands, that you may sell my 
 body into slavery or do with me what you 
 will." 
 
 Abraham replied to him, " I believe not that 
 Jesu the Son of Mary was ever God : but 
 because He was a good prophet and just, and 
 because you seem to me a man of honour and 
 good heart, I will lend to you on His image 
 and on that of His Mother whatsoever you 
 desire. And if you make default, then shall 
 you be my chattel, and I shall sell you into 
 bondage for the repayment of your debt." 
 
 On these words, the merchant and the usurer 
 went together to the church of the Virgin Mary 
 that was in that city, and there in the presence 
 of many witnesses, both Jew and Christian, 
 clerk and lay, Theodore fell on his face before 
 the image of Our Dolorous Lady that was 
 therein, that holds her crucified Son upon her 
 knees and shows His wounds to all the world ; 
 and he cried to her with tears, saying : 
 
 " Most merciful Lady, because my poverty 
 is great, I have now no other helper left but 
 you : but I know that you are the friend of the 
 poor, and therefore in you and in your Son I 
 
 112 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 do put all my trust. And I make my prayer to The 
 you, that you will help me, and will intercede Christian's 
 with Him that He may be surety for this my Surety 
 debt." 
 
 Then when he had made this orison, he stood 
 up, and took the hand of the Crucified Whom 
 Our Lady held in her arms, and said : 
 
 " Friend Abraham, here is my pledge : for 
 by the help of our glorious Lady, I give you 
 as gage her Son Jesu Christ, Who did make and 
 create me, and by His Death did deliver me 
 from Hell. Better pledge you could not have ; 
 for thus hath God Himself become my surety." 
 
 Thereon he did place the wounded hand of 
 Our Lord within that of the Jew, that the 
 pledge might be duly sworn; and when he had 
 so done he kneeled down anew, and again made 
 his prayer to Our Lady, saying : 
 
 " Most dear and holy Virgin, Queen of 
 Heaven, in the name of your Son my Lord and 
 God, Who lies here wounded for my sake, I do 
 most heartily entreat your aid. Behold, I have 
 given your Son's image in pledge for the moneys 
 that this usurer hath lent me, for indeed He 
 died to be surety for us all. Therefore I do 
 beseech you, that if by any impediment I cannot 
 return to this city and render to this Jew his 
 gold on the day that shall be appointed in the 
 bond, and I do render the said moneys back to 
 you at the place where then I am, you will 
 acquit me before my creditor and give to him 
 his gold again." 
 
 Then when he had so said, he saluted Our 
 
 H 113 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Lady's image with exceeding great reverence; 
 
 Christian's and he went from the church, and the Jew with 
 Surety ^im, t j lat fr Q m \gh t have his loan. And when 
 
 all was done, and Abraham had paid to him the 
 gold that he needed, Theodore let buy a ship, 
 and much merchandise wherewith he laded it. 
 Then did he adventure forth with God to 
 strange countries, where he traded the goods 
 that he had with much profit, and without delay 
 bought others to sell again, by the which he 
 had great gain. Thus he prospered and grew 
 rich ; nor did he forget to render to the poor 
 usury on that wealth which God had restored to 
 him, but remembering the days of his poverty 
 he was compassionate of their distress. 
 
 And trading in this manner, he travelled into 
 distant countries that were far from the city of 
 Byzance; and the years passed, till at last that 
 time was come which Abraham the Jew had 
 appointed for the repayment of his debt. And 
 when that this term was but one day off, of a 
 sudden Theodore remembered it; for indeed 
 the matter had passed altogether from his mind. 
 And he thought on his bond, and how that he 
 had sworn to be sold into slavery if that he 
 failed of his obligation. And greatly was he 
 grieved because the time was so short and he 
 could in no wise return to Byzance by the 
 appointed day ; for he lay with his ship in the 
 haven of Alexandria. 
 
 So, being in great despair, he went into a 
 church of that city, and there he did throw 
 himself upon the ground before the image of 
 114 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Saint Mary, beating his breast and making his The 
 bitter complaint. Christian's 
 
 " Alas ! " he cried, " Sweet Queen of Angels, Suret y 
 most compassionate Lady, I am undone! for 
 surely the Devil has deceived me, thus to make 
 me forget the day of payment. Now must I 
 go into bondage, as I did swear by your Son's 
 image that I would do ; for though I had the 
 wings of a dove, yet could I not come to 
 Byzance from the place where I am till that the 
 appointed time has long been past." 
 
 Then did Our Blessed Lady come to the aid 
 of Theodore her servant, and she put into his 
 heart a remembrance of the prayer that he had 
 made to her, what time he had borrowed the 
 money on the surety of her Son. Then he 
 cried out, and said: 
 
 " How greatly foolish am I thus to trouble 
 myself concerning the matter of this debt! 
 Our Lord Jesu Christ, did He not die for me 
 upon the Rood ? Hath not His glorious 
 Mother an infinite pity for all that believe on 
 His Name ? Whilst this surety I have, who 
 can destroy me ? Truly, I have but to render 
 to her here the money I have borrowed ; and if 
 it please her she will give it back to the Jew, 
 even according to my desire." 
 
 Then without delay Theodore got him a 
 little casket, wherein he enclosed the whole of 
 his debt, and locked it securely. And he went 
 to the sea shore and there did commit the 
 casket to the waters, recommending it to the 
 care of Him by Whom both land and sea were 
 
 "5 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The made, and to His dear Mother Saint Mary, 
 
 Christian's Stella Maris, Auxilium Christianorum. And 
 
 Surety o f ^\ s ^ e h ac [ g rea t consolation, for now he 
 
 knew that his fortunes lay altogether in the 
 
 hands of Our Lord and Our Lady, than whom 
 
 no man has better help. 
 
 Oh marvellous goodness of God ! In that 
 same night the casket did safely pass the waves 
 of the great ocean, and came before the house 
 of Abraham the Jew, where he dwelt by the 
 sea shore in the city of Byzance, that was many 
 leagues away. And it happened, that the 
 servant of this Abraham issued forth from his 
 house in early morning, and he saw the little 
 casket floating near shore. Therefore did he 
 advance to take it, for it was fairly wrought 
 and he coveted it greatly ; and he wondered to 
 see it floating thus upon the sea. But behold ! 
 as he approached, the casket did draw back; 
 and whichever way he went to take it, still it 
 retreated before him. And the servant, mar- 
 velling greatly that it beguiled him thus, called 
 his master that he might see the miracle. 
 
 Then did Abraham come without delay, and 
 saw the casket that floated near the shore beyond 
 his reach. But when he came near it, greatly 
 was he astonished, for forthwith the waves 
 brought it to his feet : so that he stretched forth 
 his hand and took it without difficulty, and he 
 carried it into his house. Then, when he was 
 alone, he opened it discreetly, and there did he 
 find the gold that Theodore had placed therein, 
 even the amount he had lent him : but he knew 
 116 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 not that this was the quittance of that debt. The 
 Therefore he was exceeding joyous, accounting Christian's 
 it treasure trove ; and he took the money, and Surety 
 the empty casket he put at the foot of his bed. 
 But he told the matter to none. 
 
 And after many weeks, Theodore the mer- 
 chant came back to Byzance with all the riches 
 that he had gathered in foreign lands : and 
 because he had been fortunate, his friends made 
 him welcome, and feasted him and had great joy 
 of his return. When Abraham the Jew heard 
 of this he was exceeding wrath, and he went, 
 and sought out Theodore without delay : and 
 when he saw him, how prosperous he was, he 
 looked on him very severely, saying : 
 
 " Alas ! Theodore, meseemeth you are a 
 true Christian : for you come to us in your 
 need, but when that you are prosperous you 
 repay us not again." 
 
 Then did the merchant begin to smile, for he 
 knew himself to be secure ; and he said, " What 
 mean you ? " 
 
 Abraham replied, <c I lent you of my goods all 
 that you desired, that you might trade with 
 them and restore your fortunes for that you 
 had come to poverty. And you gave me your 
 troth, that if by one day you exceeded the 
 time of repayment, then should you be my 
 man, that I should sell you into bondage. And 
 behold, the term that was appointed is already 
 long past ; nor have you done aught to repay 
 me." 
 
 Then said Theodore, " I owe you nought ; 
 
 117 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The for on the day that was appointed I did repay 
 
 Christian's the whole of my debt." 
 
 Surety Abraham answered, " Christian, these words 
 
 avail you nought ; for I have many witnesses 
 that will testify of the money that I lent you, 
 but you can have no evidence of this repayment 
 of which you boast. Therefore you may not 
 deny your obligation." 
 
 "I have," said Theodore, " that Lady for 
 witness, whose Son I did make surety of my 
 debt. And by her I will testify to you, if it be 
 necessary, that 1 have sent you safely all moneys 
 that you did lend." 
 
 Now at this, because the merchant was ob- 
 durate, Abraham was greatly wrath ; and he 
 replied to him that this thing he could neither 
 prove nor do. And so high the words mounted 
 between them, that at last they must go to the 
 church where the pledge was given, there to 
 settle their dispute : and great company of 
 people went with them, for the matter had 
 been noised abroad in their neighbourhood. 
 Then, having come to the church, Theodore, 
 for that he did put all his trust in God and 
 Our Lady, went, and kneeled down right 
 humbly before the image of the Crucified in His 
 Mother's arms, Whom before he had given as 
 his pledge. And he prayed with all his heart to 
 Our Dolorous Lady that she would have com- 
 passion on him, and incline her Son to his relief. 
 And he cried saying : 
 
 " Sweet Lady, Saint Mary, who didst bear in 
 maidenhood my Lord and God, I humbly be- 
 118 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 seech you to hear me to-day, that am your The 
 very faithful child and poor servant. And I Christian'* 
 entreat, most glorious Lady, sith that your Surety 
 Son whom you hold is most truly God my 
 Redeemer, my surety and my pledge, that 
 you will bear witness of the truth before this 
 Jew that would destroy me : to wit, that I did 
 render back again the moneys that he lent." 
 
 Then, to the great amazement of all that 
 were in the church, the image of the Blessed 
 Virgin replied to the prayer of Theodore the 
 merchant : and it said, so loud and clear that 
 all who were present might hear it : 
 
 " I am witness indeed that you have sent to 
 this Jew the gold that he did lend, even on 
 the day he ordained. And good proof hath he 
 got, for the casket wherein you did place his 
 gold lies even now at the foot of his bed." 
 
 When Abraham the Jew heard Our Lady 
 thus speak, he was greatly afraid ; for now it 
 came into his mind that this casket indeed had 
 come to him on the waters on the day he had 
 ordained to the merchant for repayment of his 
 debt ; and none save himself knew that gold 
 had been therein, nor yet where he had bestowed 
 it. Therefore, being brought to an exceeding 
 fear of God's judgments, he did let know pub- 
 licly that he had indeed found his moneys in 
 that casket, the which by a miracle had been 
 brought to his door : and because of this 
 marvel he was converted to our holy Faith, 
 and was baptized, he and all his family. And 
 in remembrance of this favour that the Queen 
 
 119 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The of Angels did for Theodore her servant, each 
 
 Christian's year upon the day wherein she did witness for 
 Surety fa m fa^y j o s j n g caro ] s an j hold solemn vigil 
 
 in the Church of Our Lady that is in the city 
 of Byzance. The which city the mighty Em- 
 peror Constantine, of great and noble memory, 
 did afterwards cause to be called in his name, 
 Constantinople. 
 
 120 
 
OUR LADY OF THE 
 TOURNAMENT 
 
HERE WE TELL THE HISTORY OF THE 
 BLESSED WALTER OF BIRBECH, AND HOW 
 THE VIRGIN MARY HONOURED HIM IN THE 
 LISTS 
 
 IN Germany there lived a certain noble knight, Our Lady 
 that had to name Sir Walter of Birbech : vfthe 
 he was a right powerful lord of that land, for he Tournament 
 possessed much riches and was beside a very - 
 valiant man. But this knight, though all did 
 him great honour, had a pious and an humble 
 heart ; for all his love was set on things unseen, 
 and even from his childhood he had been 
 accustomed to count himself above all else the 
 friend and servant of God and of His Mother, 
 Madame Saint Mary. Therefore, when that he 
 was come to the flower of his age, at the which 
 time it is the custom of chivalry to swear fealty 
 to some fair lady, whose gage one may bind 
 upon one's arm, and for whose sake one may 
 tilt in the lists, jousting against all comers to 
 uphold her fame : then did it seem to Sir 
 Walter that no better Queen of Love could he 
 choose for his Mistress than the Virgin Mother 
 of the Love Divine, to wit, Our Lady, Queen 
 of Heaven. And he dedicated himself altogether 
 
 123 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Our Lady to the upholding of her honour, and dubbed 
 of the himself her liege servant and very faithful 
 
 Tournament knight . taking her devicC) that is the lily flower> 
 
 to set upon his pennon and his shield, and bind- 
 ing about his arm her favour, that is a scarf of 
 blue exceeding fair. Great joy did he have of 
 this devotion, as all that Lady's lovers do ; and 
 he fasted and gave alms that he might make 
 himself more worthy of his Mistress, every day 
 hearing her Mass if he might contrive it. And 
 thus in the secret places of his heart he greatly 
 increased in her love. 
 
 Now on a certain time it was decreed and 
 proclaimed that a great tourney should be held 
 in a castle of that land. Thither would Sir 
 Walter go with many knights and squires of his 
 company to do battle for his Lady's fame : for 
 verily all his heart was given to the worship of 
 the Blessed Virgin, so that she seemed to him 
 the fairest Maid and most noble Mistress knight 
 could desire, and whensoever he dreamed of 
 womanhood, then that Queen of Women came 
 into his mind. Therefore, having made himself 
 ready, he set out for this tournament on the day 
 that was ordained, having with him his esquire 
 and divers knights of his meinie, that would join 
 in the jousts. And it was Saturday, the which 
 day is most specially dedicate to the Blessed 
 Virgin Mary. 
 
 And it happened that their road passed by a 
 certain Abbey, that was consecrated in the name 
 of the Mother of God : and it was very early in 
 the morning, being close upon the hour of 
 124 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Prime. And when Sir Walter saw this abbey- Our Lady 
 
 church, he, knowing that very surely the Mass of the 
 
 of his Lady was at that time sung therein, did Tournament 
 
 exhort his companions with exceeding fervour 
 
 that they should enter and hear Mass before 
 
 they went into the lists. 
 
 " For it may be," he said, " that we shall this 
 day lose our lives, and then we may never again 
 do this devoir for the Queen of Heaven ; and 
 moreover this is Saturday, that is the day 
 whereon all her friends should do her worship if 
 they can." 
 
 But the knights his companions refused him, 
 saying, "It grows late, and if we loiter we shall 
 but arrive when the tourney is at an end. 
 Therefore tarry not for this office this morning, 
 for indeed there is danger in delay." 
 
 Saith Sir Walter, " Natheless I will go in ; 
 for never did faithful knight come to misfortune 
 for any courtesy he did to the Lady of his 
 desire." 
 
 Then he entered into the church, that was 
 very great, having several fair chapels and altars 
 therein : and at one of the said altars a priest 
 was, that said with his clerk the Mass of the 
 Blessed Virgin. Thither Sir Walter went, and 
 kneeled down upon the ground right humbly, 
 that he might have the benefits of that most 
 sweet and piteous miracle whereby the Lady 
 Mary's Son is brought anew into the world. 
 
 But or ever this Mass was ended, came a 
 priest to another altar, and there began to say 
 the Introit of Our Lady, that is the " Salve, sancta 
 
 125 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Our Lady Parens." Then did Sir Walter think within 
 
 tfth* himself, c ' Verily, it would be greatly discour- 
 
 Tournament 
 
 church 
 
 whiles that my Lady's Mass is being said. 
 Rather must I wait till this one be finished, and 
 so soon as the Ite is come I will go out right 
 quickly and haste me to the tourney lest I be 
 too late." 
 
 But when the second Mass was nearly over, 
 came the Lord Abbot to recite his confiteor 
 before the High Altar that was in the midst of 
 the choir ; for it was the pious custom of this 
 abbey to honour Our Lady each Saturday with 
 so many Masses as they might. And one 
 following another as quickly as could be, Sir 
 Walter left not his devotion, but heard each 
 right humbly to the end : for he held it but 
 unknightly to break by his departure this 
 pageant of worship which so sweetly honoured 
 the Lady that he loved. 
 
 Then when at last the Masses were done and 
 the clerks gone out of the choir, he went out 
 from the church and pursued after his comrades 
 as quickly as he could : and now the morning 
 was well-nigh spent, but he knew it^ not, for 
 short had seemed the time whilst he made his 
 orisons. And when he drew near to the castle 
 where the tourneying should be, there he met 
 many knights all armed for the lists that came 
 from it. 
 
 Then he hailed them, and said, " What ! is 
 not the jousting yet begun ? " 
 
 They answered, u Yea, and is long since 
 126 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 over, for it is close on noon, and we go home- Our Lady 
 wards." rfthe 
 
 And he, greatly vexed because of his ill Tournament 
 fortune, said, " Who has prevailed ? " 
 
 Replied these gentlemen, " Sir Walter of 
 Birbech, a most fair and valiant knight ; and 
 indeed his name is in all men's mouths, for he 
 carried all before him." 
 
 Then was Sir Walter full of amazement, for 
 he could not understand how this might be : 
 howsoever he went on his way to that place 
 where the tourney was, and there he entered 
 into his pavilion that was set upon the field and 
 made him ready ; putting on his armour that 
 was bound about the arm-piece with the gage of 
 blue stuff that he wore for his Lady's sake, and 
 taking his shield whereon was blazoned her lily 
 flower. Then he went forth into the field : but 
 the joust was altogether done, as those knights 
 he met upon the way had said, and the ladies 
 were gone from the galleries and the heralds 
 from the lists. Natheless, much folk yet there 
 was, that spoke upon the fortunes of the day ; 
 and so soon as Sir Walter was come into the 
 ground, behold divers knights that were there 
 armed cap-a-pie separated themselves from this 
 company, and came, and set themselves before 
 him exceeding humbly, and begged of him that 
 he would be pleased to show them mercy and 
 use them courteously. 
 
 Then said Sir Walter, " Fair sirs, I know not 
 of what you speak nor what may be the cause of 
 your petition." 
 
 127 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Our Lady Said the knights, " Know you not that this 
 of the day you have overcome us in the lists ; wherefore 
 
 Tournament we are ever y one vour prisoners according to the 
 law of chivalry ? Therefore we make our sub- 
 mission, and ask only that you do entreat us 
 graciously and use us well." 
 
 Sir Walter replied, " My sweet friends, here 
 is some error ; for very surely I have neither 
 jousted with you nor overcome you this day." 
 
 " Nay," said the knights ; " but it is a true 
 thing that this day we have given ourselves into 
 your hand : and indeed no man could resist you, 
 so well and fiercely did you tilt. Never have 
 we seen such marvellous deeds of arms as those 
 that you have done in these jousts : for wher- 
 ever the press was thickest, there did we see 
 your shield that has the lily flower, and wherever 
 you went, good fortune went with you. Verily, 
 it seemed that some power was with you ; 
 for none might touch you, however valiant, and 
 no man, however skilled, went free of your spear. 
 And no error can there be, for we heard your 
 voice, that cried perpetually, Virgo Vir- 
 ginum ! and also Jesu Maria ! and likewise 
 we saw the blue gage that is yet bound about 
 your arm." 
 
 Then did Sir Walter fall down upon his 
 knees right humbly, giving thanks ; for he per- 
 ceived that no less an one than his dear Mistress, 
 that is the very Mother of God, had that day 
 upheld his honour in the field. For whilst that 
 her knight did kneel before her altar and there 
 do her all the courtesy he could, that sweet Lady 
 128 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 did arm her in his likeness, and ride to the Our Lady 
 tourney in his place. And when he disclosed of the 
 the matter to those knights his adversaries, Tournament 
 greatly were they amazed ; and they cried mercy, 
 one and all, to the Blessed Virgin, for that they 
 had presumed to tilt against her spear. Then 
 did each embrace other, all weeping for glad- 
 ness, and they went altogether to the Abbey 
 Churchof Saint Mary, that there they might give 
 thanks. 
 
 And Sir Walter made offering of his shield 
 upon the altar, for he knew that he had 
 a better defender than any earthly weapon, 
 even that scutum fidei of which the Apostle 
 speaks : and he thanked his Lady very heartily 
 for this courtesy of hers, and swore ever to 
 keep spotless the pennon that she had deigned 
 to bear, and never to use that spear wherewith 
 she had helped his honour save for the defend- 
 ing of pure womanhood or the succouring of 
 the oppressed. 
 
 Now after many years had gone, it happened 
 on a certain high feast of the glorious Virgin 
 Mary, that Sir Walter came with many others 
 to a church where her Mass was said. And 
 now his age was ripe, and the fame of his valour 
 and holiness was gone out into many lands ; 
 whereby it was known of all that he was the 
 knight of Madame Saint Mary, and rode not save 
 in defence of the just. But the priest that said 
 this Mass was a stranger unto him, being newly 
 come to the place, and he knew not whom the 
 knight might be to whom all did so great a 
 
 i 129 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Our Lady reverence. And behold ! when he was come to 
 
 of the the sacring of the Blood of Christ, and raised 
 
 Tournament t h e ^ o \y chalice from the altar whereon it stood, 
 
 that priest saw beneath the place where the cup 
 
 had been, a cross of pure gold, exceeding rich 
 
 and fair, and therewith a cartel of vellum ; and 
 
 on the cartel there was much writing, that 
 
 was in letters of fine gold like to those Gospel 
 
 books that are made for the use of pious 
 
 kings. 
 
 And he took it in his hand and read it, and 
 these were the words thereon : " This holy 
 cross you shall bear on my part, that am Mary 
 the Mother of Christ, to my dear friend and 
 servant, Walter, knight of Birbech ; and for my 
 sake and that of my Son, Whose sign and gage 
 it is, this token he shall now put on and bear 
 even until the end of his life, in the place of 
 that favour of blue that he hath long worn 
 about his arm." 
 
 When this matter he had read, the priest was 
 greatly amazed ; but he doubted not the truth 
 of it, for he was a right faithful man. There- 
 fore, being come to the ending of the Mass, he 
 mounted into the pulpit, and cried, saying : 
 " Is there here a knight that has to name Sir 
 Walter of Birbech ? " 
 
 Then several of them that stood about Sir 
 Walter, that knew him well, cried : " This is 
 he," and they brought him to the priest, the 
 which led him apart a little way, that they 
 might speak together privily. Then when they 
 were alone, that priest saith to him : 
 130 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 " Give thanks, my brother, for Our Lady Our Lady 
 Saint Mary is pleased to show you a most of the 
 sovereign grace." Tournamtnt 
 
 Saith the knight : " This may well be, for 
 the lovingkindness of that Lady is beyond 
 aught that we can understand." 
 
 The priest said to him : <c Kneel down upon 
 the earth, the more fitly to receive the holy gift 
 that she hath sent you." And when Sir Walter 
 had so done, he gave to him the fair cross and 
 also the cartel, saying : " Now have you re- 
 ceived the very gage of Jesu Christ His Love, 
 even the Sign of our salvation." 
 
 Then did Sir Walter receive the cross with 
 exceeding great joy, giving thanks upon his 
 knees in that his glorious Mistress had held 
 him worthy of this gift ; for thereby he knew 
 that he was called to an higher service than that 
 of earthly warfare namely, to the very chivalry 
 of God and of His saints. And being wholly 
 converted to thoughts of heaven by this high 
 mystery that the glorious Virgin had declared 
 to him, he did betake himself straitway to 
 the Abbey of Hemmerode in that country ; 
 and there he made offering of Our Lady's cross 
 upon the altar, and took the habit of religion 
 according to the Rule of Citeaux. Many years 
 did he live in that brotherhood, in God's fear 
 and much gladness, and great and arduous 
 battle did wage against the Enemy in hell, the 
 which is doughty foe for any knight. Many 
 wonders did he also by Saint Mary's grace, that 
 here were too long to set in writing, and the 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Our Lady Order of Citeaux had great honour because of 
 
 of the the sanctity of his life. 
 
 Tournament And when he was come to a great age, being 
 full of faith and of charitable works, contrite 
 though holy, for he knew that nought he might 
 compass could make him worthy of his Mis- 
 tress* love, the Blessed Mother of God was 
 pleased to call him to herself. And by her safe 
 conduct, that had vanquished alike his temporal 
 and his spiritual foes, he did pass from darkness 
 unto light, from labour to rest, from warfare to 
 reward ; from this world's tournament to the 
 pleasaunce of his heavenly home. Whereto we 
 do pray one and all that our Lord Jesu Christ, 
 that is the Lady Mary's Son, may lead us : 
 
 Qui EST VIA IN EXEMPLO, VERITAS IN PROMISSO, VITA 
 IN PRAEMIO, AMEN. 
 
 132 
 
THE VIRGIN'S BRIDEGROOM 
 
AND HEREIN THE HISTORY OF A CERTAIN 
 CHILD THAT BETROTHED HIMSELF TO THE 
 IMAGE OF OUR LADY 
 
 THERE was in the old time a great lord, The 
 a prince duke or count, that was rich and Virgin's 
 powerful, having the governance of many lands. Bridegroom 
 And he was the king's kinsman, and had to wife 
 a most noble lady, the which was of good renown 
 in that country because she led an holy life and 
 was the friend of God. One son she bore him, 
 and reared him in Christ l s brotherhood to the 
 age of ten years ; and he was a fair and well- 
 spoken child, so that his father loved him well, 
 as much and more than fathers are wont to love 
 their sons. He made him to learn all scholar- 
 ship, and his mother bred him in all piety ; nor 
 was there ever a day in which the boy said not 
 the Hours of Our Lady if he could, for this he 
 loved to do. And there was a chapel close 
 against his father's house where this good child 
 could serve the glorious Virgin : there he went 
 with his schoolmaster each day to make his 
 orisons. 
 
 Now there was in this chapel a most fair image 
 of Saint Mary, that was of a woman's height, 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The and so richly painted that it seemed no carven 
 
 Virgin's image but a living thing ; and the child loved it. 
 Bridegroom When he found himself alone there, as some- 
 times chanced, he would go to the feet of that 
 Lady, and would pray to her with great devo- 
 tion, and tell her all he did, and ask her love : 
 and the day that he did not thus draw near her, 
 there to say his prayers, he had neither joy nor 
 good courage. Of a surety it became to him all 
 his life and all his comfort thus to do, so that 
 he wished to make of her his Mistress and his 
 Queen, and to speak with her and she with him, 
 as Mistress and servant may do : for so it is 
 with children when they love. Thus it was that 
 as he grew in age and understanding, he ever 
 redoubled his ardour towards her : and he was 
 her faithful servant and very loyal page, but 
 none knew it, neither his parents nor his school- 
 master, for he hid his devotion discreetly. 
 
 And it happened, that one day this child went 
 alone to that chapel ; and there he knelt down 
 full gladly, and prayed devoutly and with all 
 his heart that he might have Our Lady's grace 
 and ever serve her. Then that dear and 
 honoured Lady, because she knew him how 
 constant he was and how desirous of her grace, 
 and that he was yet a pure and clean virgin, the 
 which she greatly loves, began to call the child 
 by the mouth of her image. And she said, 
 
 "My sweet friend, doubt not. Because that 
 you have warmly loved me, very surely all that 
 you desire shall come to pass." 
 
 Now at this the child began to tremble, for 
 136 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 he was frightened, hearing the image speak : The 
 he was not more than eleven years old. But Virgin^ 
 presently for his encouragement, Our Lady Bridegroom 
 spoke to him again ; and now her voice was 
 sweeter than honey, so that none might resist 
 it. 
 
 And she said, " Have no fear, little brother, 
 but rather let your heart be full of joy ; for 
 my Son has for my sake granted your prayer, 
 that you should know me what I am, and there- 
 fore I may speak with you by the mouth of this 
 image. And for this cause you must not doubt 
 nor be afraid ; neither of me nor of any other 
 thing. For I love you more than I love my- 
 self, and surely I will protect you." 
 
 " Hahay, most sweet Lady," said the child, 
 " what is this that you have said ? It is not 
 possible that you love me more than you love 
 yourself. Very surely I love you exceeding 
 well ; for I come every morning and evening to 
 pray before your image without fail. But you 
 love me not at all, for you speak to me never, 
 though I have often asked it ; neither do you 
 show me such kindness as my father and mother 
 have done, the which I have desired of you 
 greatly." 
 
 When the Queen of Angels heard this child 
 so loving and so ardent towards her, she was 
 minded to test him, for she wished to have his 
 love. Therefore said she, " Tell me the truth, 
 in what manner and how greatly you do love 
 me. Take care that you lie not ; for if you do 
 this, of a surety I shall know it well." 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The " Lady," he said, " I love you more than I 
 
 Virgin's love my father or my mother or myself." 
 Bridegroom u Mv f airest f r i en d," said she, " now I see 
 that indeed you love me without fantasy ; there- 
 fore I will have you to know that I have set my 
 love upon you also, and so greatly that I am 
 jealous to have you. Now look at me well, and 
 consider whether I please you, that you may not 
 make a bargain of which you will repent. Am 
 I as fair and as queenly as you would that your 
 sweetheart should be ? " 
 
 Then the Mother of God did illuminate that 
 image with her gracious presence, till it shone 
 with so great a glory that no tongue could ex- 
 press it. And it was very old, for it had been 
 in that place an hundred years, yet now it seemed 
 to the child new-made and exceeding fair, for it 
 shone with that light which dwells in the Empy- 
 rean Heaven, the which makes all things new. 
 
 And the Blessed Virgin spoke by its mouth 
 and said to him, " Fair and dear boy, are you 
 willing to take for yourself so sweet a woman- 
 friend as this, that will be with you all your life 
 to your comfort, and in death will stand by you 
 to save your soul ?" 
 
 " Hahay, Lady," said the child. " I ask no 
 other Paradise." 
 
 "Draw near, then," said the image, "and give 
 me your hand and your troth, in token that you 
 will have no other espoused wife but me. For 
 in you is that treasure of virginity which I greatly 
 love. Therefore I do desire to preserve it ; and 
 to bring you, by this troth that we shall make, 
 
 138 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 a clean maiden to Heaven, there to receive the The 
 crown that is laid up for them that will love me Virgin's 
 with a pure love. Verily that crown is exceeding Bridegroom 
 fair, and great is the joy of those that shall 
 wear it." 
 
 " Lady/' answered the child, " I shall do 
 nought that can deface your love ; and I promise 
 you that I will love you while I live, and will 
 take no other sweetheart, nor wed no other wife 
 no, not though I should lose my life for it." 
 
 u My friend," said she, " come now and 
 kiss me ; and I will give you my hand in troth/' 
 
 Then did the little boy draw near to the 
 image, the which reached out her hand and gave 
 it to him, and he kissed it three times, weeping 
 because of the great joy that he had ; for now 
 his heart was filled with a marvellous happiness, 
 being uplifted by the love divine. And when he 
 had so done, Our Lady took her hand from him 
 and said, 
 
 " Fair sweet friend, now must you make good 
 cheer, for I am your Bride that is duly affianced, 
 and my love is always with you. Remember 
 me ever, for now we may no longer talk 
 together. I go my way, and do commend vou 
 to the care of God." 
 
 And presently the child's schoolmaster came 
 to the chapel, and found him kneeling before 
 the image of Saint Mary ; and he saw that he had 
 been crying. But the child told him nought of 
 what had chanced, neither then nor afterward, 
 but kept all that had happened very closely. 
 And he was of good cheer, as his Sweetheart 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The had bidden him to be, returning often to her 
 
 Virgin's chapel, that he might be with her image that he 
 
 Bridegroom l ov ed. In this was all his joy, for though he 
 
 never heard her voice again, he knew that there 
 
 she was with him. 
 
 But his father, that was a very valiant lord, 
 more apt in the exercise of arms than in the 
 making of orisons, marvelled greatly where his 
 son went so often ; for he would never ride to 
 hawking nor to the tournament, though he was 
 a brave and graceful child, but would be always 
 about his secret business, that was, though they 
 knew it not, the service of his heavenly Friend. 
 And his father was displeased at it, for he would 
 have his son expert in chivalry and deeds of 
 war. Therefore when he was gone fifteen years, 
 and kept still these habits of devotion, going 
 little abroad and refusing himself to all feasting 
 and merriment, for that he had an inner and a 
 secret joy, it came into the thoughts of that 
 seigneur his father that it were best that the boy 
 be married as quickly as might be, for then his 
 wife would shame him from his foolishness. So 
 he did send and let make great search, with 
 intent to find some fair and discreet maiden of 
 good lineage ; and at last he discovered one, that 
 was damoiselle at the court of the king. So 
 there would he go with the child, that the mar- 
 riage might take place without delay. 
 
 But when the boy heard of it he was full of 
 grief and fear ; for he knew that he might not 
 do this thing, because he had given his troth to 
 an heavenly Bride. And indeed, for the love 
 140 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 that he had of her, he was most firmly deter- The 
 mined against it, and so did he say ; but his 
 father was set upon the marriage, and would 
 not hear him. Therefore, when the day of de- 
 parture came, the child, that knew not how else 
 he might keep his loyalty, hid himself in secret ; 
 and great search was made for him through the 
 demesne, but at the last he was discovered. 
 Then did his father curse him and threaten him, 
 for now he was exceeding wrath. And he took 
 the boy and brought him by force to the king's 
 palace, and to the damoiselle whom he should 
 wed ; for which cause many laughed and mocked, 
 to see so unwilling a bridegroom brought to 
 church. And there was great company of 
 knights and ladies assembled for the marriage ; 
 and these came with the child and his parents 
 to the chapel where the wedding should be. 
 There was also the damoiselle, and she was ex- 
 ceeding fair of body, young and gay. And the 
 bishop and his clerks were there, that should 
 say the nuptial Mass. 
 
 Then said the bishop : " Fair friend, tell me 
 truly, will you have this woman to be your 
 wife?" 
 
 " Of a surety, sir," said the child, " I will not. 
 For nothing in the whole world will I wed any 
 woman, for, indeed, I had rather lose my life 
 than do it." 
 
 "Believe it not," said the father. "He is 
 but ashamed before his sweetheart, whom he 
 sees here so fair and debonnair. It is the way of 
 children ; therefore take no heed of his words." 
 
 141 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The And he took the boy, who would have with- 
 
 Virgirfs drawn himself, and by force he pushed him 
 Bridegroom forward, so that he should stand by his bride. 
 Then the child, seeing that they would use 
 violence with him, and being in great terror for 
 fear that they should make him to break his 
 troth, struggled against his father and against 
 those that helped him : for now the knights 
 and ladies of that meinie laid their hands on 
 him to restrain him, with laughter and mock- 
 ing. And so greatly did he struggle that at 
 last he broke from them, and escaped out of 
 their hands, and ran away. 
 
 Then the father cried out exceeding wrath- 
 ful, " Take him quickly ; let him not go, he is 
 mad." 
 
 And a great rout went after the boy to wit, 
 all the wedding guests and serving-men that 
 were about them. But he ran quickly, so that 
 he won out of the chapel, and to the stairway 
 that went from it into the palace-yard. And 
 because of the haste he was in, coming to the 
 descent of the stairs he miscounted one, and 
 missing the step he fell from top to bottom a 
 great way : and there he lay upon the paving, 
 for he had broken his neck. And when the 
 company that went after him came to the foot 
 of the stair, there did they find his body lying. 
 Then those knights and ladies, squires and 
 damoiselles, seeing this thing, began to cry and 
 make great moan, so that some were near to 
 swooning of it ; for indeed this was most 
 piteous end to marriage feast. And what shall 
 142 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 I say to you of his mother ? Too long were The 
 it to tell all her grief and pain, the which was Virgin's 
 so great that she longed only to die, thus to be Bridegroom 
 with her child again : for he was her only son. 
 
 But whilst all endured this anguish, standing 
 about the body of the child, their grief was on 
 a sudden turned to amazement: for they saw in 
 the sky great light, as it were of many suns, 
 and in it a rich company that came toward 
 them, so full of splendour that no tongue could 
 describe it. Then also did they hear about 
 them a sweet and most melodious chanting, and 
 none might say who made it, for no minstrels 
 could they see. And all their sorrow went 
 from them when that light and that music drew 
 near, for this was that heavenly melody which 
 is heard before the Throne of God, the which 
 puts out the thought of earthly grief. 
 
 And from out of the midst of the light there 
 came presently a lady, most exceeding fair : and 
 it was seen that she was whiter than a lily 
 flower, as was said, "jSicut lilium inter spinas, 
 sic arnica mea inter filias," for this was the 
 Mother of the King of Heaven. And so 
 great was the shining of her purity that no 
 man could endure to look upon it : for the 
 which reason all lowered their eyes and gazed 
 upon the ground, fearing lest they might be 
 blinded. And whilst they so stood, much as- 
 tonished and full of dread, that sweet and holy 
 Lady came from amongst her train, and went 
 to the body of the child where it lay. And 
 she took him by the hand and raised him up ; 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The and at once he opened his eyes and smiled upon 
 
 Virgin's her, for he still lived. 
 
 Bridegroom Then said the Blessed Virgin : " Fair brother, 
 here is your bride ; therefore make ready for 
 your nuptial feast. For I am come in quest of 
 your soul, the which you did long since betroth 
 to me ; and I pray you that you will give it to 
 me quickly, that I may go hence." 
 
 Then the child did heave a sigh, and his soul 
 left him, the which the Mother of God re- 
 ceived in her arms, and carried with great joy 
 to Paradise ; and it was crowned with the crown 
 of virginity. 
 
 Good is it therefore to keep with constancy 
 the vows we have made to that Lady ; and 
 ever to observe her law, that is the perfect law 
 of purity. For by this miracle we do know 
 that she keepeth her troth with her lovers ; 
 yea, even to the end of the world ! 
 
 144 
 
THE LILY 
 
OF A KNIGHT THAT WAS MONK OF CITEAUX, 
 THE WHICH COULD LEARN NO LATIN SAVE 
 THE WORDS AVE, MARIA ! " 
 
 HERE tell we for the comfort of the un- The Lily 
 learned the history of a very simple and 
 ignorant knight. He was a man much skilled 
 in the exercise of arms, that had fought right 
 valiantly under the banners of the Emperor, 
 the Doge, and the Most Christian King ; so 
 that he had gathered to himself great riches 
 and many wounds. But in spite of his hardi- 
 hood, he grew old, as we all must do ; and came 
 at last to the time in which the making of his 
 soul seemed a greater matter than the taking of 
 many towns, and rest more desirable than 
 victory. For though battles be great and 
 honourable things, yet is there a greater and 
 a secret fight ; and this every man must conduct 
 in privity. 
 
 Now this knight, though he had loved not 
 the air of the withdrawing rooms, nor idled 
 ever in the Courts of Love, had throughout his 
 life most tenderly esteemed all ladies, being 
 quick in their defence and exceeding careful of 
 their ease. And at those times when he had 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Lily found opportunity for the hearing of the Mass, 
 it was rather to the Mother than the Son that 
 he found it easiest to offer his devotion. Thus 
 he would salute right courteously the Lady of 
 Ladies, the Queen of Heavenly Love, saying 
 very devoutly, Ave, Maria ! for these words 
 he had learned whilst yet he was very young, 
 though what followed them he never could 
 remember. Nor did he ever, that he knew it, 
 pass by an image of the Blessed Virgin without 
 offering her this salutation ; a thing that should 
 greatly have edified his followers, and if it did 
 not, may their souls bear the blame ! 
 
 But in that he had now come to an age in 
 which the ladies of this world no longer needed 
 his devotion, the thoughts of this knight 
 turned naturally to that Better Country where, 
 as he was taught, grey hairs and stiff joints are 
 no impediments to success. And because from 
 the castles of his patrons that country seemed 
 dim and very hard of access, he dismissed his 
 men-at-arms, withdrew from his services, and 
 in the seventieth year of his age retired to the 
 cloister, taking the habit of religion in the house 
 of Citeaux. 
 
 Now if the first business of a good monk be 
 holiness, the second is very surely the due and 
 learned recitation of his prayers ; and more 
 especially of that divine and daily Office whereby 
 the brotherhood from the stalls of the choir do 
 mark the night hours and the divisions of the 
 day. It was therefore with a very natural 
 vexation that the monks of Citeaux discovered 
 148 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 that their new brother knew two words only of The Lily 
 the Latin tongue ; those namely of Ave> 
 Maria ! which had blessed the motions of his 
 worldly life. With these words he would very 
 rightly greet the image of Our Lady whenever 
 he passed it ; nor did this courtesy content 
 him, for he would also laud her in this manner 
 during the hours in which the choir Office was 
 sung. And the cantors were much wrath at it, 
 for they deemed that such antics comported not 
 with the right worship of God. But this brother, 
 for that he was altogether without scholarship, 
 could in no wise read in the Psalter the psalms 
 of the day, nor divine the matter of his brethren's 
 prayers ; and ever in the chant of Beatus Vir and 
 Dixit Insipiens his voice might be heard 
 crying Ave, Maria ! The thing brought con- 
 tempt on the singing of the community ; 
 amongst those brothers that were tempted to 
 the sin of ribaldry it became even an occasion 
 of mirth. It was plain to all that this ignorant 
 brother must be so instructed that he might 
 at least stay silent whilst those wiser than he 
 offered the fruits of their scholarship to God. 
 The Lord Abbot had ever been of opinion that 
 a bad Latinist maketh a bad monk ; there- 
 fore did he ordain that his sons should make it 
 their business to teach this poor novice the 
 language of religion as quickly as they might. 
 But the new brother was old, and not apt at 
 the learning of new words : they were hard to 
 utter and easy to forget. He was humble and 
 obedient, full of a very loving devotion ; but 
 
 149 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Lily the tongue that could order his men-at-arms 
 stumbled amongst the antiphons, and found 
 even the Paternoster too hard to be contrived. 
 Though he was much diligent, yet many weeks 
 went by and still the only prayer ever heard 
 upon his lips was that same cry of Avc, Maria ! 
 with which he was accustomed to greet the 
 
 . Mother of God. This did he say continually, 
 with exceeding great fervour of devotion ; nor 
 did he forget to wake oft in the darkness to 
 offer his praise to that Lady, for he loved her 
 well. 
 
 So at last, because he was very old and 
 simple, and it was plain that he could learn 
 nothing, the brothers left their teaching, agree- 
 ing together that he was a witless person lacking 
 
 - all true vocation, and insusceptible of divine 
 knowledge. When strangers came to the 
 monastery, they looked curiously at the foolish 
 monk that knew no Latin but Ave, Maria ! : 
 and some there were that mocked at him, but for 
 the most part they left him alone as a simple 
 fellow whose deeds were of little account. He 
 was given that stall in the choir whence his 
 
 . voice might make least confusion ; and there, 
 at the hours of the Office, he confidently offered 
 his praise to Our Lady, whilst his brothers 
 chanted their verses and responds from "Domi- 
 nus vobiscum " to " Sicut erat in principio." 
 
 And at last, when he had lived amongst them 
 many years, often the subject of laughter and con- 
 tempt, yet never ceasing the courteous devotion 
 which he offered to the Queen of Heaven in all 
 150 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 love and loyalty, as good knight to liege lady The Lily 
 ever should, that ignorant brother died. And 
 he was wrapped, as the Rule ordains, in the habit 
 of the order, and buried without pomp or out- 
 ward show in the cemetery of the monks. Nor 
 did any give great heed to his passing, for he 
 had been a very humble and a quiet old man, 
 unnoticed save for that constant prayer of A<ve^ 
 Maria ! with which he had marked the minutes 
 of his day. His life had done nought, save by 
 the gift of his great riches, for the advancement" 
 of religion ; his death meant only the ending of 
 a folly too gentle for any to resent. Only the 
 Lord Abbot, for that he had much skill in the 
 art of music, perceived that the daily Office was 
 now chanted with a greater smoothness and har- 
 mony than it had aforetime attained. And he 
 was exceeding glad of it, for though his sons 
 might not all be saints, he greatly desired that 
 they should be known in the courts of Paradise 
 for good musicians, and the ill-timed devotions 
 of the ignorant monk had vexed him oft. 
 
 But it happened a while after, when already 
 the absence of that brother had ceased to be 
 matter of common speech and the memory of 
 his folly had grown dim, that a certain lay 
 brother, the which was also an unlettered man, 
 walked in the hour of recreation in the cemetery 
 of the monks. And it was an exceeding bare and 
 desolate place, that had no trees nor flowering 
 plants therein ; but crosses there were of black 
 wood that marked the graves wherein the 
 brothers had been laid. Therefore was that lay 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Lily brother greatly astonished when he saw, in a 
 corner beneath the wall, some white and golden 
 thing that grew to a man's full height. It 
 seemed to him that this must be a flower, and 
 he knew not who had dared to plant it. And 
 being filled with a very ardent curiosity, he drew 
 nearer that he might the better see what it was ; 
 for it was the hour of twilight, and already 
 distant things grew dim. But this thing did not 
 vanish away, as he had feared that it might do 
 when he came near ; rather did it grow in size, 
 towering above him in great majesty. And he saw 
 that it was a great and pale lily, even such a lily 
 as Saint Gabriel the Archangel bore to Our Lady 
 with his Salutation. And it sprang from the 
 earth that was heaped upon one of the graves ; 
 and though its roots were planted in corruption, 
 yet its petals shone with a whiteness that is of 
 Paradise, and letters of fine gold were written 
 on each of its leaves. And the lay brother, 
 seeing it thus, was full of amazement ; for the 
 place wherefrom it grew was not that in which 
 the body of the sub-Prior, an holy and a learned 
 man esteemed of all, had been laid ; but it was 
 the newest grave in all the cemetery, even that 
 of the ignorant monk. 
 
 Then, because he was exceeding perplexed by 
 that which he had seen, and further, being un- 
 lettered, could not read the words that were on 
 - the leaves of the flower, that lay brother went 
 in haste and great fear to the Lord Abbot, and 
 told him of the lily that grew amongst the 
 graves. And the Abbot was much astonished, 
 152 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 and he came straitway with many of the monks, The Liiy 
 to see what it might be. But when they 
 were come to that part of the cemetery wherein 
 the lily was, behold, great fear and reverence fell 
 on them ; for these were lettered men, and they 
 knew that the flower they looked on was not 
 such an one as grows on our poor earth. For 
 the light which came from its petals put out that 
 of the lantern which they carried, and on each 
 of its leaves was written in letters of gold the 
 words of the Angelic Salutation, even Ave^ 
 Maria ! 
 
 Then were they all greatly amazed, devoutly 
 regarding this miracle ; and some crossed them- 
 selves, fearing an evil magic, and some went 
 hot-foot to their prayers. But the Lord Abbot 
 was full of perplexity, for he knew not any cause 
 wherefore this mercy should have been vouch- 
 safed to his flock. Therefore he did ordain that 
 spades be brought, and that they should dig 
 with much care and dread about the roots of 
 the lily where it sprang from the earth, to the 
 end that they might discover the secret of its 
 growth. And having so said, he retired to his 
 chamber, there to give thanks for the miracle ; 
 and he also entreated God right humbly that 
 light might be granted him concerning that 
 which this marvel should portend. 
 
 And the brothers did as he commanded them 
 with exceeding care and reverence, for they feared 
 to lay hands upon the holy flower or trouble 
 the earth about its roots. Yet for all their 
 travail they shook it not at all ; but they dug 
 
 '53 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Lily deep and yet deeper, and still the roots went 
 before them into the earth. And when they 
 had gone to a great depth, they found at last 
 the place wherefrom it sprang ; as with due 
 labour and searching the roots of all things that 
 flower upon this earth may be found. Then 
 left they their toil and went to the Abbot, 
 greatly troubled at that which they had seen ; 
 for this matter they might not understand. And 
 they said to him : 
 
 " Oh, Lord Abbot ! we have discovered the 
 roots of the heavenly lily and the place where- 
 from it draws its nourishment ; for we have 
 searched out its beginnings, and have found 
 them where they do take their rise. And they 
 spring from between the lips of that ignorant 
 monk our brother ; even he that could utter no 
 Latin save the words ' AVE, MARIA ! ' " 
 
 154 
 
THE MINSTREL OF 
 ROC AMADOUR 
 
HOW HE MADE MUSIC FOR MADAME SAINT 
 MARY'S SAKE, AND HAD THEREFROM EX- 
 CEEDING SWEET REWARD 
 
 OUR dear Lady, God's Mother, Queen of The 
 Angels, hath done in her church of Roc Minstrel 
 Amadour many miracles both fair and kindly, '/&* 
 and they are written in the French tongue in a Amadour 
 great book, that all may know them. And one 
 exceeding courteous marvel did she do for a 
 certain minstrel her servant, the which I will tell 
 here, that every heart may understand Our Lady's 
 courtesy. 
 
 In that country there was a troubadour, a 
 man of much renown, for he had great skill in 
 the tenzon and the sirvente : his name was 
 Pierre de Syglar. He was a very courteous 
 minstrel, loving to laud all ladies with voice and 
 with viol ; and especially would he sing the 
 praise of Saint Mary Queen of Ladies whenever 
 he might, for he held her in great love and 
 reverence. To Roc Amadour Pierre came on a 
 certain day, that was a time of pilgrimage ; for 
 the which reason many folk of his neighbour- 
 hood were with him. And within the church 
 was also great company of other pilgrims, that 
 
 '57 
 
The 
 
 Minstrel 
 of Roc 
 Amadour 
 
 THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 had come out of distant countries for the sake of 
 their salvation, and there did make great feast. 
 
 And having entered into the chapel of the 
 Blessed Virgin, wherein is her shrine all set 
 about with candles and with votive gifts, there 
 did Pierre make his orisons, imploring very 
 meekly her protection and her aid. Then, when 
 he had so done, he took his viol, the which he 
 always carried with him because he loved it 
 much, and : 
 
 " Now, dear Lady," he said, " sith I have paid 
 my reverence and made my most humble 
 request, deign, I entreat you, to hear the sweet 
 music wherewith I will entertain you if I can. 
 Verily it is the joy of all ladies ; therefore may 
 hap, Madame, it shall be pleasing to you. For 
 meseemeth that here many do make prayers to 
 you, and ask your comfort and your help, but 
 few laud you with lai and rondel, or seek to 
 pleasure you with songs of chivalry and love, as 
 every loyal troubadour should laud and serve 
 the Mother of his King. And moreover, if 
 this I may not do for you, then nought can I 
 compass for your service, the which were a sorry 
 thing ; for in the making of melody is all my 
 skill." 
 
 Then did Pierre draw the bow very softly 
 across the strings of his viol, so that there came 
 from it such heavenly melody that it drew all 
 the folk wherewith the church was filled. And 
 soon he had about him great company of clerks 
 and pilgrims that would hear him ; for indeed 
 he made so fair a music that it seemed as if his 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 viol would speak. And when he had sweetly The 
 greeted and long praised Saint Mary with all his Minstrel 
 heart, then did he play to her those melodies f & 
 whereto the maidens love to dance, and sang 
 also many piteous histories of heroes slain in 
 battle and gentle ladies crossed in love. And 
 when he was come to an end he fell down 
 before her image and cried with a loud voice, 
 saying : 
 
 " Dear Mother of God, most courteous Lady, 
 if this my music has made you glad, now I do 
 ask of you a gueridon ; for it is the custom of 
 all ladies so to reward their troubadours. 
 Therefore I do most humbly demand that you 
 will give me one of those candles of which 
 you have so many round your shrine ; verily, 
 you cannot need them all, for never have I seen 
 so great array. Peerless Lady, will you not 
 spare me one, that therewith I may light me at 
 my supper, and think upon your love ? " 
 
 Now the heart of Our Lady Saint Mary, that 
 is the fount of courtesy and the source of 
 kindliness, was inclined towards this minstrel 
 that had played his best to please her ; there- 
 fore, because she can do all things that she 
 will, she granted his request, and at the hand 
 of her angel she caused a tall and fair candle 
 that burned before her shrine to descend from 
 its place, and come, and rest on the viol where- 
 with he had extolled her. And all the people 
 that were in the chapel saw it. But one of the 
 monks of the abbey, a foolish and an ignorant 
 man that had to name Gerard, the which was 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The custodian of that place, stood before the shrine to 
 
 Minstrel guard the treasure thereof, for it was very rich. 
 f* , And he, because he was dull of wit and might 
 
 not understand the matter, was exceeding wrath : 
 for he dreamed not that the glorious Virgin 
 would do marvels for a minstrel's sake, and held 
 the miracle to be an evil sorcery. Therefore he 
 fell upon Pierre the troubadour, and took from 
 off his viol the candle which the Queen of 
 Heaven had made to descend on it, and put it 
 back on the shrine whence it had come, threaten- 
 ing him harshly, and saying : 
 
 " Let us cast out from the church the en- 
 chanter that has done this sacrilege, for very 
 surely the Enemy is with him." 
 
 But the jongleur heeded not the foolish monk 
 that thus maligned him, for well he knew that 
 Our Lady was his friend ; and because of the 
 gueridon she had given him, so great joy was in 
 his heart that he was moved to tears, giving 
 thanks in silence to God's Mother for her 
 exceeding courtesy. Then presently he took 
 his viol anew, for he was in no wise abashed 
 by the vain words that Gerard had spoken : 
 and lifting up his heart toward the Queen of 
 Angels, he made in her praise a lai so sweet and 
 pleasant that fairer melody that Blessed Lady 
 had never heard in her church neither in 
 kyriel, sequence, nor respond. And so great 
 joy did she have of it, that she was moved to do 
 her minstrel the more honour therefore : and 
 she made the fair candle that he had asked of 
 her to descend anew from her altar, and it came, 
 160 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 and rested once more on his viol. And full five The 
 hundred saw this miracle. Minstrel 
 
 Then Gerard the sacristan, seeing this thing, tf&* 
 and being but a fool that had his head full of Amadour 
 relics and knew nought of the mercies of 
 Almighty God, was altogether filled with anger ; 
 for he loved not those matters that he might 
 not understand. And he cried : 
 
 " Here is magic and vile sorcery, thus to 
 desecrate Our Lady's shrine ! The idle and 
 the ignorant marvel at it, believing that a 
 miracle has chanced; but well do I know that 
 such enchantments are but the work of Simon 
 Magus and his crew. Yea ! his evil power it 
 is, and no other thing, that hath caused this 
 impious troubadour to call a candle from our 
 holy shrine." 
 
 And he leaped upon Pierre the jongleur, 
 being full of vexation because the people, that 
 were amazed, doubted his words and helped 
 him not ; and he took from off" the viol Saint 
 Mary's gift, and mounted to the shrine there 
 to fix it on that place wherefrom she made it 
 to descend. Then said he : 
 
 4 'Behold! your miracle is put to nought; 
 and now you shall be cast out of the church for 
 blasphemer and magician." 
 
 But the minstrel, that was a wise and prudent 
 man, was nowise moved by Gerard's wrath, 
 but did most patiently endure it : for so glad 
 he was to have Our Lady's grace, that nought 
 that man might say could hurt him. There- 
 fore, heeding not the foolish sacristan, that 
 
 i 161 
 
The 
 
 Minstrel 
 of Roc 
 Amadour 
 
 THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 would have turned him away from her chapel, 
 he began anew his music and singing ; for well 
 did he know that the glorious Virgin would 
 bring him well out of the matter if he might 
 please her by his song. And he sang a right 
 joyous carol of Christ's Birth, and of the love 
 He had toward His dam ; and playing upon 
 his viol, he sighed and wept also, being uplifted 
 with exceeding fervour of spirit, for whilst 
 his mouth sang the words of love, so did his 
 heart entreat her. And he sweetly prayed 
 God's Mother of her courtesy to hear him, and 
 show him earnest of her grace ; and that all 
 might know him guiltless of blasphemy, he 
 begged that she would again give her candle 
 into his hands, the which the sacristan, that 
 knew not Saint Mary's bounty, had twice taken 
 away. 
 
 And now there was in the chapel great press 
 of people that were much amazed by the 
 wonder they had seen ; and all marvelled 
 greatly whether the candle, the which had twice 
 descended at his prayer, would come again to 
 Pierre the troubadour. And so sweetly did 
 that minstrel play before Our Lady's image, 
 that he made many souls to weep from pity ; 
 and so high did his heart sing, that the sound 
 of it went even up to God. And now, as we 
 are told, while he did serenade the Queen of 
 Angels with all the skill he had, the candle did 
 descend a third time from its place before the 
 altar, and rested on his viol. Yea ! three times did 
 Saint Mary make this gift to her jongleur, that 
 162 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 so courteously entreated her and made music for The 
 her delight ; and when this they saw, the people Minstrel 
 cried, saying : of Roc 
 
 " Ring ! ring the bells ! for great marvels are ****** 
 here ; never did the Blessed Virgin fairer miracle, 
 nor ever will at this her shrine." 
 
 Then was great feasting in the church, of 
 priests and pilgrims and all pious folk, with 
 much anthems and orisons and the carrying of 
 lights. And all the bells were rung, that the 
 people of the country side might know it ; never 
 did God hear them louder ring. And Pierre 
 the minstrel came once more to the chapel of 
 Our Lady, and there did offer upon her altar 
 the candle wherewith she had paid his songs ; 
 most heartily thanking God and His glorious 
 Mother for this exceeding grace. Hard must 
 have been the heart that was not moved for joy 
 of it ; to see Our Lady's courtesy, and this 
 courtesy that her troubadour did render her 
 again. 
 
 Nor did he leave his devotion, nor ever for- 
 get the Queen of Heaven ; for all his life long, 
 each year he let bring to Roc Amadour a candle, 
 that was of virgin wax and a full pound in 
 weight. And he offered it before her shrine, 
 and when he had lit it, he took his viol and 
 made music, singing a sirvente in her praise. 
 And he lived always Saint Mary's very loving 
 servant, so that whensoever he entered any 
 church, never would he leave it till he had 
 sought out her image and there had sung her 
 a lai ; for he knew that she had joy of his songs. 
 
 163 
 
The 
 
 Minstrel 
 of Roc 
 Amadour 
 
 THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 And when that it pleased God to end his life, 
 be ye sure that the sweet Virgin forgat not 
 her jongleur, but did bring him to Heavenly 
 Syon ; and his soul appeared at the Throne of 
 God by the virtue of her intercession, that there 
 it might evermore make music before her face. 
 
 Thus may those do that make music in Our 
 Lady's honour, entreating her right courteously 
 and serving her with their art. For if they 
 laud her as her minstrel did, surely shall they 
 be given another viol and a sweeter voice, to 
 the end that they may join the company of 
 minstrels that is in Heaven : even those spirits 
 of the just made perfect, the which do offer day 
 and night to God and to His glorious Mother 
 the celestial music of their burning love. 
 
 164 
 
THE VIGILS OF THE DEAD 
 
HERE IS TOLD THE HISTORY OF A CERTAIN 
 NOBLE VIRGIN, THAT SAID EVERY DAY THE 
 HOURS OF OUR LADY, AND ONCE A WEEK 
 THE VIGILS OF THE DEAD 
 
 THERE was a maiden of noble birth that The Vigils 
 was comely and debonair and had much of the Dead 
 riches ; for sith her father and mother died 
 whilst yet she was a child, great wealth Came to 
 her, and many lands. And since she was thus 
 solitary in this world's wilderness, having none 
 to whom she owed obedience nor any save God 
 in whom she might trust, this noble lady made 
 offering of her virginity to Jesu Christ, and to 
 His Mother, the glorious Virgin Mary ; for she 
 greatly feared the deception of earthly love. And 
 she prayed Our Lady to have charge of her and 
 help her keep her maidenhead, that she might 
 be a worthy bride for her dear Son. 
 
 Thus dwelling on her demesne with her 
 household, and living in honesty and charity as 
 becomes the friend of God, this gentlewoman 
 had all men's love and worship, for indeed she 
 was a most fair ensample to that country side. 
 For this cause, and also for the great wealth she 
 had and the exceeding fairness of her face, many 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Vigils knights and noble lords did demand her hand in 
 of the Dead marriage ; yea, so sweet of aspect she was, that 
 assuredly there was no man in the kingdom that 
 would not have right willingly possessed her. 
 But the lady was full of prudence, courtesy, and 
 learning, knowing well how to read both Latin 
 and French, and her mind was little set on 
 gallantry ; moreover, of her piety each day it 
 was her custom to say the Hours of Our Lady 
 her protectress, that she might guard her from 
 all villainy and grief, and once every week she 
 said also the Vigils of the Dead, to help all 
 faithful souls. And though many lords and 
 gentlemen did ardently entreat her love, yet she 
 replied to them all that for the vow she had 
 made she might not give it them ; for the love 
 of Jesu Christ her Saviour was more precious 
 than that of earthly friend. 
 
 Now certain of her kindred, hearing how 
 that their cousin lived alone upon her lands, 
 refusing herself to all men, so that she had no 
 defender to do battle for her rights, made com- 
 mon cause that they might steal her lands and 
 wealth from her : the which she could in no 
 wise keep from them, for what can woman do 
 alone ? And by their villainy she saw herself 
 greatly despoiled and impoverished, and she was 
 full of grief for it, fearing lest in the end she be 
 brought to beggary. And there was a knight, 
 a strong lord and powerful in that land, valiant, 
 discreet, and debonair, the which had set his 
 heart on this lady ; and she knew that he loved 
 her exceeding well. Therefore, being in great 
 168 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 distress, not knowing what to do against them The Vigils 
 that would despoil her, she asked of this lord of the Dead 
 his help for friendship's sake. But he answered 
 her saying : 
 
 " If you will give me your love, I will make 
 war upon your kindred that do you this mis- 
 chief, and restore all the lands that you have 
 lost ; but nought will I do for you till that you 
 give me your troth." 
 
 She said, " Fair friend, this I cannot do, for 
 my Lord Christ constraineth me." 
 
 Replied the knight, " If you will not do me 
 this courtesy, little help shall I give you." 
 
 And he went his way, but he was in no wise 
 disheartened, for he was well aware that this 
 lady had small knowledge of love ; therefore in 
 a little while he came to her again and did 
 beseech her anew, and told her the griefs that 
 he endured because of his passion, which were 
 indeed so great that often times he wished to 
 die. And again he swore to be her defender in 
 all things if that she would give him her troth. 
 
 But the lady excused herself very courteously, 
 saying, " Verily, sire, I cannot break the vow 
 that I have made for anything that may befall ; 
 and indeed he is but foolish that would tempt 
 me to do it, for God and His Mother forbid, 
 and I will not put my soul in peril to have 
 worldly gain thereby. If my goods must go, 
 so shall it be ; for certainly it is better to know 
 poverty in this world than damnation in the 
 world to come." 
 
 Then the knight departed from her a second 
 
 169 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Vigih time, and went home all discomforted, recom- 
 of 'the Dead mending himself to God ; but he came back 
 before a fortnight was passed and prayed the 
 lady anew that she would be his sweetheart. 
 What need to set out all the words that passed 
 between them ? So many times did he come 
 and go, and to so great straits was the lady 
 brought both by reason of his gallantries and 
 importunities, and also because she stood in 
 much need of his help, that at last she was forced 
 to yield all. And forgetting altogether how 
 that she was the bride of Jesu Christ, she did 
 make tryst with that knight to meet him in 
 secret that they might exchange tokens of their 
 love ; for the ardour of his wooing was so great 
 that it had altogether conquered her, and driven 
 all else from her mind. And she took and 
 showed him all the secret places of her demesne, 
 saying : 
 
 " You will come to me by the orchard, and 
 cross the little bridge, and enter into this oratory ; 
 there will I go so soon as it is night, and will 
 wait you alone. And be sure that you are very 
 secret, for none must know this thing." 
 
 The knight took but one kiss, the which the 
 lady gave to him again, and he went away to 
 await the hour that he had so long desired. 
 And very long it seemed in coming ; but if one 
 cry Nowell long enough, No well at last is here, 
 as the saw saith ; and so it was with the day 
 of this knight's joy. Then he disguised him- 
 self, that he might not be perceived ; and he 
 came alone to the garden that was about his 
 170 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 mistress's house, there to wait till night fell. The Vigils 
 And the lady made her household to go early of the Dead 
 to bed while yet it was light, for it was summer 
 time; and she dressed herself in a plain cotta 
 without kerchief and put a circlet of gold on 
 her head, the which became her well. More- 
 over her tresses, that were of a golden colour 
 exceeding fair, fell to her waist. Verily she 
 was a right comely lady, most meet to be the 
 friend of any lord. 
 
 Then when she was ready, this gentlewoman 
 departed from her chamber and came into the 
 oratory, where there was a counterpane of 
 silken stuff spread upon the earth; and she sat 
 on it. And inasmuch as the hour she had 
 appointed to her lover was already come, she 
 looked every way to find him ; but she saw no 
 one, neither within the chapel nor without, and 
 she was much vexed at it. 
 
 " Benedicite ! " said she. " Was ever so false 
 and laggardly a knight as this ? Is it for such 
 a man that I imperil my immortal soul ? He 
 should have been waiting in this place, yet he 
 comes not. Of a surety he shall never have 
 my love ! " 
 
 Then she rose up full of wrath, and went 
 from that oratory and returned into her chamber 
 and sat on her bed. But after a while she 
 repented her of her impatience and thought she 
 would go anew to the tryst, lest he might be 
 there; for she was assured that he loved her 
 well, and she feared that if he came and found 
 her not he might kill himself for grief. And 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Vigus remembering that she had not said her prayers, 
 of the Dead the which she would never willingly neglect to 
 do, she took her Book of Hours from off the 
 coffer where it lay and went anew to the said 
 chapel, and there kneeled down to make her 
 orisons. The moon shone exceeding bright, 
 and this lady thought that she could read in her 
 prymer by its light, and say her prayers for 
 God's love whiles she waited her lover. And 
 she began to recite the Vigils of the Dead, for 
 this was the day on which she was accustomed 
 to say them ; most piously commemorating her 
 father and mother and all the faithful departed, 
 that their pains might be eased. 
 
 And whilst she did thus, the knight her lover 
 left his concealment, for he judged the hour to 
 be ripe ; and he came to the door of the oratory 
 and there saw the lady kneeling. But greater 
 things he saw also, by the which he was filled 
 with holy dread; to wit the shining bodies of 
 the dead, that had arisen from their graves and 
 were there upon their knees, a multitude ex- 
 ceeding great, crying mercy to the lady as it 
 seemed. Verily at this sight that knight was 
 so amazed that he dared go neither forward nor 
 back. He looked at the dead, that were both 
 men and women, young and old, of many and 
 diverse manners, and began to weep right 
 bitterly; for he perceived that this lady his 
 sweetheart did miracles before his eyes. And 
 it seemed to him that he had greatly sinned in 
 that he had constrained her to give him of her 
 love, for very surely it is an evil thing to tempt 
 172 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 them that God would have to be His saints. The Vigils 
 And as he watched, being full of fear, the of the Dead 
 maiden made an end of her prayer and came to 
 the Requiescant in Pace, the which is the con- 
 clusion of this Office. And when this she said, 
 all the dead bowed down at her feet giving 
 thanks with exceeding great devotion ; and then 
 they rose up and went very gently away. 
 
 Then did the lady straitway begin to recite 
 the Compline of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and 
 the knight her lover still watched her, for he 
 dared not enter in, being full of awe. And it 
 was not long before he saw another marvel, to 
 wit the fairest company that ever was assembled 
 under heaven; for there came into that oratory 
 Our Lady Saint Mary, Mother of God, ex- 
 ceeding fair and clothed with so great a glory 
 no tongue could tell it, and this gracious Virgin 
 was encompassed by many angels, and seated 
 on a throne most fairly wrought of precious 
 stuffs, as are the works of Paradise. And ten 
 or twelve angels upheld this throne, and thus 
 did bear their Queen very gloriously ; and after 
 them came other that sang her praises. Of a 
 surety, when they came into the chapel so great 
 a light did shine there and so exceeding sweet 
 and joyous was their song, that this knight 
 could in no wise endure it, but he fell upon the 
 earth in a swoon. 
 
 And presently, coming to himself, he lifted 
 up his head and looked within the place dis- 
 creetly ; for now he thought he had been 
 dreaming. And there he did see the light 
 
 173 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Vigils divine, that is the light of Our Lady, her 
 of the Dead angels, her archangels and virgins ; and behind 
 the Queen of Heaven two angels standing that 
 held two burning candles, one to the right hand 
 and one to the left. And in the midst of this 
 glorious company was that gentlewoman his 
 mistress, that most meekly and devoutly said 
 her prayers ; and when Compline was done, 
 then said she the hymn, Salve Regina. 
 
 Then sang with her all the angels and arch- 
 angels, saints and virgins, praising the Mother 
 of God and crying : 
 
 " Salve Regina ! Mater misericordiae, 
 Vita, dulcedo et spes nostra, salve ! " 
 
 And when this song was finished the Queen 
 of Heaven and all her angels went away, and 
 left that gentlewoman her servant kneeling 
 alone ; and she knew not that the Host of 
 Heaven had been there. 
 
 Then her lover, that had seen these marvels, 
 being greatly afraid, entered into the oratory 
 and fell down at her feet, saying, " Alas ! most 
 dear and sainted lady, I cry you mercy of my 
 sin ! " And he kissed her feet, weeping 
 bitterly. 
 
 But the maiden, knowing not what ailed him, 
 and being grieved against him because she had 
 waited so long, said : " Oh, recreant knight and 
 false lover ! Are these the customs of chivalry, 
 to come thus laggardly to the tryst ? Go your 
 ways, for you shall never have my troth. Here 
 have I waited so long that I have said my Vigils 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 from Placebo to Requiescant, and after them The Vigih 
 the Compline of Our Lady. Call you this of the Dead 
 the ardour of true love ? " 
 
 Whereto the knight, greatly taken up with 
 those wonders that she knew not, answered her, 
 " Alas, lady ! I might not come to you, for I 
 have seen this night great marvels and holy 
 matters that were done here by your grace. 
 And by this I know that you are in the keeping 
 of God and of His angels, and that no mortal 
 man may lay his hand on you." 
 
 Saith the lady, " What have you seen ? " 
 
 The knight replied to her, " At the hour of 
 the tryst I came to the door of this oratory, and 
 there I saw you kneeling upon the earth and 
 reading I know not what ; and the light of the 
 moon fell on the book wherein you read. And 
 because of this matter which you did read and 
 recite, there came about you the shining bodies 
 of the holy dead, so many that this place was 
 full of them. And they kneeled with clasped 
 hands before you, and so did stay a long while ; 
 verily because of them I dared not enter in. 
 And at last you said somewhat that I might not 
 hear, and they bowed themselves before you 
 right humbly, and so did go their ways." 
 
 When the lady heard these things she was 
 full of dread, and she began to praise God 
 with tears. For well she knew that these souls 
 had been called about her for her defence, by 
 the virtue of those Vigils she said, by the which 
 labour she did lighten their purgatorial pains : 
 and she gave thanks to Our Lord Jesu Christ 
 
 175 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Vigils that of His mercy it had been permitted to these 
 of the Dead holy souls to guard their friend from sin. Then, 
 when she had so done, the knight saith to her : 
 " This is not all, for when that the dead had 
 gone from you I saw yet holier things, to wit, 
 that this chapel was altogether filled with ghostly 
 light, and in that light there came God's Mother, 
 the Virgin Mary, who did descend from Heaven 
 accompanied by angels and archangels and holy 
 virgins, the which were a long time with you 
 whiles you prayed. And at the end, when they 
 must depart, the angels and virgins sang with you, 
 lauding the Queen of Heaven with sweet sound 
 and joyous melody, and then did go back to 
 Heaven, leaving you here alone. I suppose no 
 man ever saw the Mother of God better than I 
 have done this night. And because of this, I 
 am minded to repent me of all sinful desire, 
 and to offer to her my body and soul ; and for 
 this I will get me to an hermitage there to serve 
 her. And you, lady, my very sweet friend 
 and dear mistress, think on your soul, for verily 
 it belongs altogether to that Lady that has 
 guarded your maidenhead this night. That 
 love which I did ask of you I give you back 
 again ; but I will preserve your lands from 
 them that would despoil you, that if it please 
 you, you may offer them to God." 
 
 Then he went his way ; and the lady, that 
 was full of contrition because she had been 
 tempted to the breaking of her vow, gave 
 thanks with exceeding fervour to that compas- 
 sionate Mother, who of her infinite mercy had 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 kept her poor servant from this sin. And she The 
 
 was shriven as soon as might be, for she greatly of the Dead 
 
 desired to make confession, fleeing all worldly 
 
 pride and vain deceit ; in that now she knew 
 
 she had about her a fairer meinie than earth 
 
 could furnish to wit, the Queen of Angels 
 
 and the souls of all good Christians, that are 
 
 ever by the side of them that pray. 
 
 And with those riches that the knight her 
 lover restored to her according to his word, 
 this gentlewoman did presently build a fair 
 abbey, and put many nuns therein. She her- 
 self also, having taken anew the vow of chastity, 
 did live there in religion more than twenty 
 years, and the fame of her holiness went through 
 all the land and won many souls for God. 
 Night and day did she laud her glorious 
 patroness Saint Mary, making sweet hymns 
 in her honour. Nor did she forget to entreat 
 God for the souls of the faithful departed, that 
 He would ease their pains and bring them to 
 celestial joy ; for these had helped their friend 
 in the hour of her temptation, and kept her 
 from the snare of Sathan to bring her to the 
 perdurable blessedness of them that look on 
 the Eternal Light. 
 
 REQUIEM AETERNAM DONA EIS, DOMINE, ET LUX 
 PERPETUA LUCEAT EIS ! 
 
 M 177 
 
THE CHILD VOWED TO 
 THE DEVIL 
 
OF A LITTLE BOY, THAT WAS DEDICATE TO 
 THE DEVIL AT THE HOUR OF HIS BIRTH ; 
 AND HOW THE VIRGIN MARY SAVED HIM 
 
 THERE lived on a time in the land of The Child 
 France a certain noble lady, that was vowed to the 
 joined in marriage to a very valiant knight : and 
 they dwelt long together in much harmony, 
 being greatly beloved by all, for they were most 
 prudent and charitable folk. And this lady, 
 having borne her husband many fair children, 
 both sons and daughters, the which she bred in 
 God's love, did very ardently desire to give her- 
 self to Our Lady Saint Mary, 'living to her life's 
 end in honourable chastity for her sake. There- 
 fore she made a vow to the intent that no more 
 children would she have, for she wished to 
 devote herself altogether to matters of religion ; 
 and she held that the rearing of babes but 
 hindered the advancement of the soul. 
 
 Nevertheless, a while after, this gentlewoman 
 found that she must have a child. Then she 
 was greatly vexed, for she did not desire it, 
 deeming that it would keep her from Our Lady's 
 service ; and she complained right bitterly to 
 her husband and also to the women of her 
 
 181 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Child household. Yea, so angry she was, that when 
 vowed to the her time came and she gave birth to a fair son 
 Devil 5]^ ^d j n h er wra th that the Devil might take 
 
 this baby if he would, for nought did she care 
 what became of it. But the child flourished 
 exceedingly and increased in beauty ; wherefore 
 in a little while his mother hated him not as she 
 had thought to do, but loved him well, as a 
 mother should love her child. And he grew 
 and prospered, being a very gentle boy, so full 
 of grace and prudence that all were astonished 
 at it. He went early to school, and learned to 
 read right quickly ; never was seen a child so 
 industrious and so meek. 
 
 But his mother, remembering how that she 
 had given him to the Devil when he was born, 
 wept often to see her little son ; for now she 
 loved him with all her heart, and greatly she 
 feared that the Enemy would take him from 
 her. But she hid this matter in her heart and 
 revealed it to none, save to the glorious Virgin, 
 whom she entreated in her prayers. Neverthe- 
 less, Sathan, that forgets no sin, remembered 
 the promise that she had made to him ; and 
 when the child was near twelve years old, he 
 appeared before that poor mother, more ugly 
 and terrible than mind can conceive. And he 
 said : 
 
 " Have a care, madame, of the child that I 
 have left in your keeping, for within three years 
 of this day you must deliver him up to me body 
 and soul, as you did promise and give at the 
 hour of his birth. Therefore forget it not, but 
 183 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 keep him for me safely, for he is my chattel, the The Child 
 which, if you give it not willingly, I shall take vowed to the 
 by force ; nor will anything that you can do */ 
 save him out of my hand." 
 
 Then the Devil returned to Hell, and that 
 poor gentlewoman had such grief of his words 
 that she could scarcely bear it ; but from this 
 day forth wept and made her moan without 
 ceasing. And when her little boy came each 
 evening from his school she received him with 
 tears, and the more she looked at him the more 
 sorrow she had ; nor could she hear any speak 
 of him without torment. And at this the child 
 was greatly astonished, for he could not under- 
 stand the cause of it, and he asked her, saying : 
 
 " Fair mother, why do you weep so much ? 
 Is there nought I can do to ease you ? Verily, my 
 heart is very sad because of this grief of yours. 
 My father has much joy of me and plays with 
 me exceeding gladly, and so do all the people ; 
 but you, mother, sigh so piteously when you 
 see me that I go heavily for it. Do you see 
 aught in me that displeases you, or is there any 
 devoir I have left undone ? Tell me, sweet 
 mother, what ails you, for I will do anything 
 for your comfort that I can." 
 
 But the lady would tell him nothing, for she 
 wished not that he should live three years in 
 misery, knowing that which must be. But at 
 last, because the time drew very near when he 
 must leave her, so great was her grief that she 
 could hide it no more ; and at the instance of 
 her son, that was now a fair youth well grown, 
 
 183 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Child she told him all the truth how she had given 
 vowed to the him to the Devil at the hour of his birth, and 
 Devil ] 1OW the day was near when he must be deli- 
 
 vered into Sathan's hand, and be carried to Hell, 
 body and soul. 
 
 When the child knew this, he had great dread, 
 as well he might, for it was grievous news ; and 
 he wept and moaned right bitterly, and implored 
 the Blessed Virgin Mary with all his heart, that 
 she would give him counsel in his need. And 
 having considered with himself what were the 
 best thing to do to save his soul that was so 
 nearly lost, he, being advised by that Lady, and 
 knowing that in his father's house he could find 
 no shelter from the Fiend that sought him, rose 
 up one night and adventured forth alone and 
 full of grief, quitting his father and mother and 
 all the joys of his home that he loved. Then 
 he wandered through the land, as a palmer 
 might do, ceasing not to ask counsel of the 
 wisest clerks he could find, for he hoped that he 
 might discover a remedy for his misfortune ; but 
 none could he find that had the wit to advise 
 him to his satisfaction. 
 
 At last, when he had journeyed a long while, 
 he came to Rome, and there did see our Holy 
 Father the Pope : to him he told his grief with- 
 out concealment. And the Pope, when he 
 heard it, knew not what to say, for this matter 
 was too hard for him ; nevertheless, being filled 
 with compassion for this innocent boy that stood 
 in such peril for his mother's fault, he wrote a 
 letter which he gave to the young man, saying : 
 184 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 " Fair son, no help can I give you but this The Child 
 parchment, wherewith you must pass oversea, vowed to the 
 and go to the Patriarch of Jerusalem, for he is Devil 
 the wisest man in all the world. To him you 
 shall tell all this matter, doubting nothing ; and, 
 if he cannot bring you from it safely, then have 
 you no hope save in God." 
 
 The child took the parchment and went his 
 way greatly sorrowing, for small hope did he 
 have of this journey, and now but a little while 
 was left before the Fiend must take him. 
 And entering into a ship, he set out for the 
 Holy Land ; and he had great torment upon 
 the sea, so that often he cried to God that He 
 would take away his life and end his pain. But 
 he came at last to land, and to Jerusalem ; and 
 there he sought out the Patriarch and gave to 
 him the letter of the Pope. 
 
 When this holy man was acquainted with the 
 matter, he was much amazed ; and being greatly 
 pitiful of this poor child he called together many 
 wise men of the city that he might have their 
 counsel. These, when they were come and had 
 heard the adventure, wept for compassion, 
 gazing on the fair boy that so soon must go to 
 Hell. And each said : 
 
 " Verily God will be but neglectful if He let 
 this child be lost for his mother's sin ; for it were 
 exceeding grievous that so sweet and good a 
 boy be given into Sathan's hand. Shall none be 
 found that can intercede for him with Our Lady 
 the Merciful Mother, that she may save him 
 from this fate ? " 
 
 185 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Child Then the Patriarch pondered the matter a 
 vowed to the long while ; and so doing there came at last into 
 Devil hi s m i n d a certain hermit, a very holy man, that 
 
 lived in such a state of perfectness that the 
 blessed angels were accustomed to visit him and 
 speak with him face to face. Yea, and each day 
 an angel brought him from Paradise a loaf of 
 bread, white as snow, wherewith he was 
 nourished ; for no other food did he have in the 
 wilderness where he dwelt. And the Patriarch, 
 because he was very familiar with this holy 
 hermit, called the child to him and gave him 
 certain letters, saying : 
 
 " Fair and sweet son, you shall go to this 
 hermit, with whom the Holy Ghost most surely 
 is, and you shall tell him all your grief ; for so 
 holy is he, that if he pray God for you, very 
 certainly you shall be saved. But the way that 
 you must traverse to come to his cell is long 
 harsh and difficult, for he lives in the midst of 
 the desert that is two days' journey from hence." 
 Then the boy departed and went alone into 
 the desert, weeping sore and full of dread ; for 
 now but one day remained before the Fiend 
 should claim him, and he feared he might not 
 come to the hermit in time, but must encounter 
 his Enemy in the wilderness alone. And as he 
 went, he cried to Our Lord Jesu Christ and to 
 His Mother, Madame Saint Mary, that they 
 would be with him to keep his body from Hell. 
 Then God, Who had care of the child, as He 
 hath of all poor pilgrims in the world, helped 
 him ; and so well he sped, that he came straight 
 1 86 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 to the place where that holy hermit was before The Child 
 the day was done. And it happened on this day, vowed to the 
 that the angel brought the holy man two loaves 
 of bread instead of one, by the which he knew 
 that he should have a guest ; wherefore he was ex- 
 ceeding joyous, giving praise and thanks to God. 
 
 And a little after the angel had departed came 
 the young man, and gave the hermit those letters 
 which the Patriarch of Jerusalem had sent. 
 When he had read them, that good man was so 
 greatly amazed that no words could he say ; but 
 weeping full piteously for the grief of it he led 
 the child into his little chapel, and there did 
 exhort and advise him that he should set himself 
 to prayer forthwith. And greatly he marvelled 
 that Sathan should have power over one so simple 
 sweet and fair. 
 
 " Sir," said the child, " for Christ's sake pray 
 for me ; for I am so full of fear and dread that 
 I tremble in every limb, and cannot make my 
 orisons as I should. " 
 
 Replied the hermit : " That will I surely do, 
 but you also must call on God as best you can. 
 Remember also to entreat the glorious Virgin, 
 for verily she is Lady over Heaven and Hell, 
 and there is no door so strong that she cannot 
 open it. So great is the power of her might that 
 where she is the Enemy can never come ; there- 
 fore call on her with all your heart and doubt 
 nothing, for she is a Mother right full of mercy 
 and love. " 
 
 Then when he had so exhorted him they 
 supped together on the angels' bread, that is 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Child sweeter than honey and whiter than snow, and 
 vowed to the the hermit comforted the child as well as he 
 Devil could. And after this they betook them again 
 
 to the chapel, and there said Matins and Lauds 
 with great devotion. Then the hermit, meekly 
 kneeling on the earth, did pray heartily for the 
 child till day came, with tears and sighs recom- 
 mending him to God and Our Lady. And it 
 was Easter Eve, wherefore, so soon as dawn was 
 near, he vested himself that he might say Mass 
 right early, in honour of Jesu Christ our Lord, 
 Who did this day conquer Sathan and rise tri- 
 umphant from the dead. And the young man 
 desired greatly that he might be commemorated 
 in this blessed Sacrifice, and also make his com- 
 munion that he might have his Saviour with 
 him ; for he was in much fear lest the Devil 
 should surprise him unprotected and fetch him 
 suddenly away. 
 
 Then the hermit, for greater safety, took and 
 placed the child between himself and the altar, 
 for there, he thought, the Fiend could no wise 
 come ; and holding him thus securely, he began 
 the saying of the Mass. But the Enemy, that 
 hateth all innocent children, had long desired 
 this day, for he was exceeding impatient to have 
 possession of the boy ; and when he saw that the 
 holy hermit would give the Body of Christ to 
 the child, he was greatly vexed, in that he can 
 in no wise touch them that are made partakers 
 of God's Passion. Therefore, so soon as the 
 Paternoster was said, he came quickly and seized 
 the boy from before the altar, despite all the 
 188 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 hermit could do to preserve him. And he The Child 
 carried him through the air incontinent to Hell, vowed to the 
 
 Then was the holy man altogether beside Devil 
 himself, seeing his endeavour put to nought ; and 
 he cried to the Virgin Mary with tears, saying : 
 
 " Ah, Mother of God ! awake ! awake ! for 
 it seemeth you have slept too long this morn. 
 Shall one that was in your guardianship be thus 
 destroyed ? This child, that was committed to 
 your keeping, hath been taken from before your 
 Son's altar by the Enemy, and verily he shall 
 be lost both body and soul if you succour him 
 not as quickly as you can." 
 
 How greatly powerful are the prayers of the 
 holy ! \ Right quickly did the Queen of Heaven 
 come to the help of that child when she heard 
 the hermit that asked it. And she appeared 
 straitway before Sathan even as he came with his 
 victim to Hell's gate, and took the young man 
 from his hands without parley, and put him 
 back in the place whence he had come : namely, 
 between the hermit and the altar of her Son Our 
 Lord. More quickly than tongue can say she 
 did it, so that when the holy man, that ceased 
 not in his singing of the Mass, said " Pax 
 Domini sit semper vobiscum," the boy replied 
 to him, c< Et cum spiritu tuo." 
 
 And the hermit, hearing it, cried and said 
 Deo gratias ! and also Ave, Regina Coelorum ! 
 for he was altogether filled with joy ; and he 
 gave very sweetly to the child the Holy Com- 
 munion of the Body of Our Lord, the which he 
 received with great devotion. Then, when Mass 
 
 189 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Child was done, and he had made his humble thanks- 
 
 vowed to the giving, that young man told the hermit all the 
 
 adventure, how that the Devil had borne him to 
 
 Hell, and there he had seen much folk in great 
 
 torment, more than he could count. 
 
 " But," said he, " before I could pass the gate- 
 way, that was very dark and foul, Our Blessed 
 Lady came from Paradise right swiftly, and she 
 drew me out from between the hands of Sathan, 
 and carried me in her arms through the air, and 
 set me again in safety before this altar where 
 I am." 
 
 Then said the hermit : " Fair son, this day 
 the Holy Spirit of God hath been with you. 
 Have a care, therefore, that henceforth you serve 
 Him and His Mother Saint Mary with all your 
 heart, for it is by their grace alone that you have 
 been saved out of Sathan's power." 
 
 " Sir," said the child, " Our Lady has put into 
 my heart so great and loving ardour, that more I 
 could not desire to be her servant. Therefore 
 I pray you tell me those things that she would 
 have me do, for in this henceforth is all my joy." 
 
 Then the holy man did teach him very gently 
 the knowledge of which he had need, and so 
 greatly was the child filled with burning love 
 toward God that he would have stayed all his 
 days in that desert to serve Him in the soli- 
 tary life. But it might not be, for his parents had 
 need of him, and moreover he was very young. 
 
 Therefore he presently took leave of the 
 hermit, and went his way to Jerusalem ; and 
 there he rendered thanks to the Patriarch, 
 190 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 telling him the mercy that he had had. And The Child 
 after these things, taking ship, he came to his vowed to the 
 home, and to his friends, that long had 
 mourned him for lost. And when his mother 
 saw her child all safe and sound, she had 
 exceeding great joy, and did sing, laugh, and 
 make feast, giving thanks to God and the 
 Blessed Virgin in that he was not destroyed 
 because of her sin. 
 
 And being greatly desirous to serve God 
 and Saint Mary all his life, the child was made 
 clerk, and presently was hallowed priest. And 
 he had much joy of Our Lady's friendship, 
 for she filled his heart with so pure and fervent 
 a love that compared with it all earthly plea- 
 sures seemed but bitterness ; and he daily 
 increased in wisdom and in understanding, as 
 her lovers ever do. Long did he live in this 
 joy, and did great things for her worship ; and 
 at last she took him to the blessedness of 
 Heaven, where all her children have their place. 
 
 Now this should be an ensample to all parents, 
 by the which they may know how greatly 
 perilous it is to dedicate their children to the 
 Devil ; for he who so doeth, giveth the Fiend 
 in Hell power over these innocents, the which is 
 greatly displeasing to God and to His Saints. 
 And further we may know by this history how 
 that it is a great thing and sure to call on 
 Madame Saint Mary in our need ; for she 
 hath truly great power to deliver her friends 
 from Death and Sathan, and her mercy and 
 lovingkindness knows no end. 
 
 191 
 
SPONSAE CHRISTI 
 
 N 
 
HERE WE TELL HOW OUR LADY DOTH 
 CHERISH HER DAUGHTERS IN RELIGION, 
 THAT ARE BETROTHED TO BE THE BRIDES 
 OF HER DEAR SON 
 
 SAINT MARY, Queen of Virgins, hath a Sponsae 
 very special love for those children of hers 
 that serve her in the cloistered life, having given 
 their troth to Jesu Christ her Son ; and she 
 watches over them right tenderly and shields 
 them from danger if she can, that they may 
 every one come safely to their heavenly nup- 
 tials, as did the blessed Saint Catherine. Yea ! 
 she rebukes them in their wrongdoing and 
 strengthens them in their prayers, nor will she 
 let any that have given themselves into her 
 keeping escape out of her hand. 
 
 Many are the snares that Sathan sets to tempt 
 Our Lady's daughters from their home. For 
 those that live in convents are, as it were, a 
 company kept safe in a strong castle that is de- 
 fended by the chivalry of God, where none may 
 reach them from without to wound or slay ; 
 therefore will he use much guile to bring 
 them from it, and set them again in the battle- 
 field of the world. And he tempts them thereto 
 
 195 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Sponsae with earthly thoughts and vain desire ; yet 
 Chrtstt Saint Mary is ever at their side to keep them 
 from his hand, if they do but remember to call 
 upon her name. 
 
 There was a certain young sister that dwelt 
 
 in an abbey of nuns in England ; and she was 
 
 exceeding fair of face, a most sweet and comely 
 
 maid. Now because of her great beauty, a 
 
 knight of the neighbourhood had long and 
 
 ardently tempted this little sister with his love, 
 
 that he might bring her from her cloister and 
 
 lead her in the evil paths of sin ; and being very 
 
 young and ignorant, knowing little of the bliss 
 
 of Heaven but greatly desiring the joys of our 
 
 poor earth, she listened to his words. Then, 
 
 because he was a courteous knight and debonair, 
 
 she became inflamed with love for him, and for- 
 
 gat her profession and that Bridegroom she had 
 
 wed, longing only that she might escape out of 
 
 the convent and have joy of her lover in the world. 
 
 Therefore one night when all her sisters 
 
 slept, this nun entered very discreetly into the 
 
 cell of the sister sacristan, and took from off the 
 
 hook that was above her head the key of the 
 
 convent door that hung thereon ; for she would 
 
 fly to her lover that awaited her without the 
 
 gate with promise of much happiness. Then, 
 
 having taken the key, full swiftly she descended 
 
 into the cloister, and would go to the door that 
 
 was therein. And the night was exceeding 
 
 dark, for the which cause this young religious 
 
 was full of dread, being in the cloister alone ; 
 
 for she knew that God was not with her. 
 
 196 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Now there stood in the said cloister an image Sponsae 
 of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that was there set Christi 
 up to watch over the comings and goings of her 
 daughters therein ; and when she passed this 
 image, that nun, because she was accustomed so 
 to do, tarried and saluted it very devoutly, 
 saying, " Ave Maria ! gratia plena, Dominus 
 tecum ! " for she loved that Lady well. And 
 also she said, " Saint Mary, keep me ! " being 
 greatly afraid because of the darkness and the 
 solitary place. 
 
 Then, when she had done her prayer, she 
 kissed the earth and hastened very quickly to 
 the door ; for she was much impatient to be 
 gone to the knight her lover, before her sisters 
 should discover her flight. But when she was 
 come to the door, and had taken the key that 
 she had hid in the fold of her sleeve that she 
 might unlock it, behold, she could in no wise 
 make the said key to enter into the lock. And 
 she tried this way and that, but still it refused 
 her, as if some barrier stood between. All night 
 she laboured to open the door, but nought could 
 accomplish ; for so soon as the key was come 
 near to its keyhole, there it stayed and would 
 not go in. And she was much perplexed, for 
 she could not understand the matter. And so 
 long she travailed, that at last dawn came, and 
 fearing lest she be discovered, she went back 
 full softly into the convent, and laid the key in 
 its place whilst yet the sacristan slept; and she 
 entered into her cell that she had thought not to 
 see again, and laid her down upon her bed and 
 
 197 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Sponsae wept bitterly, for she was greatly amazed and 
 Christi much sorrowful because she could not open the 
 door. 
 
 And the second night, so soon as it was dark, 
 that sister rose up again and took the key from 
 its place, and went down into the cloister ; and 
 passing by the image of Saint Mary, she saluted 
 it right courteously as she had done afore. And 
 all night she strove to unlock the door, but 
 naught could accomplish, for still the key re- 
 fused her ; and she was wrathful, for she feared 
 lest her lover grow weary, waiting so long. 
 But when it was dawn still she stood within the 
 cloister ; and she went back to her cell full 
 heavily and laid her down. 
 
 And the third night, as she went through the 
 cloister, being full of melancholy because her 
 travail seemed in vain, and now but little hope 
 did she have that the lock would yield, she cried 
 to the Blessed Virgin, and said : 
 
 " Alas ! dear Lady, what must I do ? And 
 what is the magic that constrains me thus ? 
 Verily, small skill should it need for them that 
 have the key to open the door that leads unto 
 the world ; yet for all my toil I may not 
 accomplish it." 
 
 Then went she to the door, and because she 
 was now greatly impatient and lifted up with 
 a passion of love for that knight her betrayer 
 that had waited two nights in vain, with all her 
 strength she strove to force her key into the 
 lock. Nevertheless, she could not do it, for 
 when it approached the keyhole there it stayed, 
 198 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 and press how she might it would not go in. Sponsae 
 And as she so laboured in vain, behold, of a Christi 
 sudden, she saw a hand, exceeding white fair 
 and gracious, that was spread over the keyhole 
 to cover it ; so that with all her travail she 
 might in no wise force the key into the lock till 
 she had pierced and wounded the fair hand that 
 was between. And light came from this hand, 
 that shone in the darkness ; and she saw how that 
 it was right cruelly torn and bruised by the 
 great key that she did press into its tender 
 palm. 
 
 When this she saw, much fear and dread fell 
 upon that nun, and she raised her eyes, that had 
 afore been upon her toil so that she saw naught 
 else ; and there she beheld the glorious form of 
 an heavenly Lady, that stood very meekly at 
 her side. 
 
 Then this holy one spake, and saith to her : 
 " What would you do, my daughter ? Would 
 you force your key through my hand ? Verily, 
 these three nights past you have done me great 
 grief and anguish ; yet have I not forsaken you, 
 for that a little while since you did implore me 
 to keep you safe and sound." 
 
 Saith the sister : " Let be, let be, gracious 
 Lady, your poor child and servant, that I may 
 unlock the door ; for my lover awaits me beyond 
 it, and I am greatly impatient to be gone." 
 
 The Mother of Mercy replied to her : " And 
 is your lover to whom you would hasten more 
 wise, more sweet, and more fair than my Son 
 your Bridegroom ? Think, my daughter, on 
 
 199 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 your vow of virginity, for this is a flower that, 
 if any pluck it, you shall never have again. 
 And because I would keep this flower to bloom 
 in the garden of Paradise, therefore I have laid 
 my hand, that you have wounded so cruelly for 
 your desire, before the lock that should open to 
 you the gate of Hell." 
 
 Then that poor sister fell down at the feet of 
 the glorious Virgin, weeping right bitterly and 
 bewailing her sin, and how that she had hurt 
 God's Mother thereby. And that compassionate 
 Lady raised her up with exceeding courtesy and 
 lovingkindness ; and she carried her in her arms 
 from the cloister and laid her in her bed in her 
 cell. And the key she took in the hand that it 
 had so grievously wounded, and hung by the 
 head of the sacristan whence it had been with- 
 drawn : that none might know how that one of 
 her daughters had so nearly escaped out of her 
 Mother's hands. 
 
 Now I would have you to know that for 
 these benefits that the Lady Mary doth to us, 
 she would have her daughters do her certain 
 courtesies again ; and especially does she love 
 that we should keep her in mind of those joys 
 and dolours of her earthly pilgrimage, the which 
 mysteries her psalter, that is the holy Rosary, 
 recites. Verily, they that so praise her, recol- 
 lecting the gladness she had when Saint Gabriel 
 did salute her, and when that our Saviour Jesu 
 lay a Baby in her arms, shall have great gueridon ; 
 for the joys and sorrows of Our Lady are every 
 one jewels of great price. 
 200 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 There was a very pious lady that lived in Sponsae 
 religion, having taken on her the rule of an Christi 
 anchoress ; and she had a little servant that 
 brought her meat and raiment to the anchorage 
 in which she dwelt, that was set within the 
 churchyard wall, for because of her profession 
 she might not stir therefrom. And because she 
 loved this little maid, yea, over and above that 
 lovingkindness that she had for all the children 
 of God, this lady would teach her somewhat of 
 religion, and of the holy courtesy that she should 
 show our Blessed Lady, that thereby she might 
 increase in godliness. But the child had no 
 scholarship, to read or count withal ; therefore 
 her mistress taught her very sweetly how that 
 she might worship God's Mother by the recital 
 of her Fifteen Mysteries, telling them upon her 
 fingers the better to remember how they came. 
 Thus would she make her to say the prayers of 
 the Five Joys, to wit, the Angelic Salutation, 
 the Visitation of Our Lady, and the most blessed 
 Birth of Jesu Christ her Son, and also His 
 Presentation in the Temple of His Father, and 
 the hour when His Mother did find Him dis- 
 puting with the doctors therein ; and whiles she 
 said them she counted on her finger-tips. In 
 like manner, she would tell upon the middle 
 joints Saint Mary's Dolours, that she had for 
 the Passion of her Child ; and her Triumphs 
 she would count upon the knuckles of her 
 hand. Thus those fingers wherewith this little 
 servant did her devoirs in the world became 
 also the instrument of her ghostly duties, and 
 
 201 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Spomae she carried upon her body the chaplet of her 
 Christi 
 
 And it happened after a while that the child 
 found the way of death and entered therein, and 
 very sweetly fell asleep. Then was that lady 
 anchoress her mistress full of grief, for she 
 loved her well ; and she ceased not to weep and 
 mourn her night and day, and pray that her 
 soul might be at peace. 
 
 And when that she had so done a long while, 
 and would not be comforted, behold the Blessed 
 Virgin Mary, who appeared to her and said : 
 " My sister, why do you weep ? " 
 
 Answered the anchoress : " Lady, I weep for 
 my little servant that is dead." 
 
 Saith the Mother of God : " Weep not, but 
 rather rejoice ; for here is my little daughter 
 your servant, that has much gladness in the love 
 divine. For because of that loving courtesy 
 which you did teach her toward me, she has 
 great reward, and being with me is blessed for 
 
 ever more." 
 
 Then that holy woman looked, and beheld by 
 the side of the Queen of Angels the little servant 
 whom she loved ; and the child held out toward 
 her the hand wherewith she had made count of 
 her orisons, and lo ! on every joint thereof a fair 
 ring there was, all set with precious gems. And 
 they shone with a celestial radiance, making glad 
 the heart, as do those Fifteen Mysteries that are 
 set as an heavenly treasure in the Rosary that is 
 Our Lady's Crown. 
 
 Now that we may know how great ^a matter 
 202 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 it is rightly to understand the recital of this Sponsae 
 devotion, I will tell here of a certain nun whose Chnsti 
 brother, that was a knight, was taken in battle 
 and thrown into prison by the tyrant that was 
 his foe. And when his sister heard of it, she 
 was full of grief, for she loved him well. Then, 
 because she had a great devotion for the 
 glorious Virgin, and trusted altogether in her 
 might, she threw herself down upon the ground 
 before the Blessed Mother of God, and en- 
 treated her with tears and lamentations that she 
 would come to her brother's relief. And her 
 sadness was so great, that no other thing would 
 come to her mind but the griefs that Lady had, 
 to wit, the Passion of her Son Our Lord, and 
 all His bitter pains ; and therefore she implored 
 her in this wise, saying : 
 
 " Oh, sweet Lady, Queen of Angels, whose 
 only Son did die, as Scripture saith, ' ad prae- 
 dicarem captivis indulgentiam, et clausis aper- 
 tionem,' being the Redeemer of our bondage ; 
 remember now, I pray, how that you did stand 
 weeping before His cross in misery, how that 
 you heard the sighs of His anguish and could 
 help Him not ! Remember how His sacred 
 flesh was torn with wounds, and how that your 
 soul was torn thereby ! Remember the hours 
 wherein your Son hung upon the tree for the 
 healing of human pain ! Lo ! even as you 
 were intolerably grieved for His torments, so is 
 my heart cruelly torn for my brother's captivity. 
 By your sorrows, therefore, oh pitiful Lady, I 
 confide my sorrows unto you ; and I offer to 
 
 203 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 you, oh Virgin of Virgins, my contrite soul to 
 be a partaker in your griefs for evermore, if 
 you will but bring my brother out of the prison 
 wherein he lies." 
 
 Now as thus she spoke in her misery, there 
 appeared before that nun the glorious Queen 
 of Heaven, Mother of God ; the which saith 
 to her : 
 
 " Daughter, why do you call on me in this 
 manner ? Why do you invoke my sorrows 
 and tears, reminding me only of the death of 
 my dear Son and all the anguish that I then 
 endured ? Why do you not rather entreat me 
 in the name of that Ineffable Joy which was shed 
 abroad through all the world for the redemption 
 of man in the hour when I gave Him birth ? 
 For it is greatly pleasing to me that these glad 
 mysteries be kept in remembrance, and I love 
 very dearly all my children that bring them 
 often to my mind, and will give them for my 
 joy's sake all the happiness I can. But you, 
 daughter, were so greatly taken up with your 
 own grief that you thought not of my gladness ; 
 nevertheless, for the fervour of your prayer 1 
 will bring your brother out of the durance in 
 which he is. But that he may have his freedom, 
 you must give your soul in ransom into my 
 hands, and I will bring it out of the prison of 
 the world to that place where it shall be purged 
 of the sin of melancholy and learn the gladness 
 of the saints ; the which, heeding not their 
 pains and travail, rejoice without ceasing in the 
 joy divine." 
 204 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 This said, that Blessed Lady vanished away ; Sponsac 
 and the nun was alone, for the vision was at an Chrlsti 
 end. And at the same time, the Queen of 
 Heaven came to the prison where that knight 
 was captive, and she opened the door of it, and 
 took him by the hand, and led him forth very 
 sweetly, saying : 
 
 " Come ! for I have received the price of 
 your ransom and you are free." 
 
 And he came forth full of joy, and went 
 straightway to his sister in religion, the which 
 received him very gladly, giving thanks to the 
 glorious Virgin because she had heard her 
 daughter's prayer. And at once she lay down 
 upon her bed exceeding meekly, and desired 
 that she might be shriven ; for she knew that 
 she must die. Then came all the convent, 
 making great moan, for they loved this sister 
 well ; and they let fetch a priest that she might 
 be confessed, and partake of her Saviour to 
 strengthen her upon the way. And so soon 
 as she had that Blessed Food, she gave her soul 
 very humbly into Our Lady's hands that re- 
 quired it ; and was departed out of this world to 
 that place where her spirit should be cleansed. 
 
 Now by this ensample we may learn in what 
 manner the Blessed Virgin Mother of God 
 would have us call upon her ; how that she 
 would have us remember the Angelic Salutation, 
 and put her in frequent mind of her Son's 
 Ineffable Birth. For greatly does it pleasure 
 her to recollect how in that hour she heard the 
 choirs of angels that hymned her, and also the 
 
 205 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Spomae rejoicings of the shepherds, and the kings that 
 Chrlsti came from Chaldea led by a star. And we 
 should also commemorate and applaud the 
 triumphs of the glorious Resurrection, and the 
 forty Sacred Days wherein her Son did walk on 
 earth. For she loves to ponder the glory of 
 that Redemption which she did bring from 
 Heaven into the world ; and they that are her 
 friends will ever keep it in her mind ; for 
 inasmuch as they do celebrate these joyous 
 mysteries so, by their might, will she bring them 
 to a perdurable joy. 
 
 206 
 
THE HOSTAGE 
 
HOW A POOR WOMAN THAT WAS A WIDOW 
 DID TAKE FROM GOD'S MOTHER HER CHILD, 
 FOR HER OWN THAT WAS CONDEMNED TO 
 BE HANGED 
 
 IN the city of Rome there lived a poor The Hostage 
 labouring man, the which had to wife a 
 woman of good countenance that lived as re- 
 ligion ordaineth us, doing her duty towards all. 
 These two gained their bread by the labour of 
 their hands as best they might ; but a child they 
 had that was all unlike them, for he was of a nature 
 so evil and perverse that he would learn no trade 
 nor craft, nor do aught that a good child should 
 do. And the older he grew the greater grew 
 sinfulness within him : he sought the company 
 of the idlers and the libertines, and of those that 
 take their ease in taverns, and no woman was 
 safe from his insults, were she wife or maid. 
 Thus growing in evil, as those must ever do 
 that will not grow in good, he became at last a 
 robber and a murderer, feared of all in the night, 
 fearing all in the day; for well he knew that 
 should the law but overtake him, he would go 
 not to prison but incontinent be hung for his 
 deserts. 
 
 o 209 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Hostage Now his father fell sick and died, and there- 
 fore must his mother, that was made a widow, 
 get her livelihood alone ; for her son helped her 
 not at all, but that which he gained by villainy 
 he spent in villainy again. Therefore this poor 
 woman would earn her bread by spinning and 
 by such travail as she might, and hard indeed 
 did she labour from dawn to eve. But on a 
 Saturday she would not work at all, because it 
 is Our Lady's day, for she had been accustomed 
 all her life to serve and honour Saint Mary with 
 exceeding great devotion, being bred to pious 
 uses when that she was yet a child. And near 
 to the place where she lived there was a great 
 and fair church of Our Lady, and therein an 
 image of God's Mother set upon an altar, in the 
 likeness of a woman that nursed her child. It 
 was finely gilt and of right fair device. This 
 poor woman loved that image so well that she 
 could not take her heart from it, but whether 
 she were at her prayers or at her spinning, she 
 yearned with a great desire toward that Mother 
 who held alway her Baby at her breast. 
 
 " Even thus," said she, "did I hold my boy, 
 that was once but simple and weak." For truly 
 every mother has once nursed the Holy Child. 
 
 And every Saturday, because of this devotion 
 of hers, she made herself ready at the hour of 
 None and came to the church with a gift of green 
 herbage, the which she took and spread before 
 the altar. And she was accustomed also to offer 
 two candles, having fasted the Friday on bread 
 and water that she might give them. The other 
 210 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 women, her neighbours, mocked at her, for know- The Hostage 
 
 ing that she lived in poverty they held that she was 
 
 a fool and wastrel thus to do. Nevertheless, so 
 
 soon as None sounded on Saturday, she lit her 
 
 two candles and placed them before the image 
 
 of the Virgin Mary, whom she honoured with 
 
 words of very loving devotion, and the grasses 
 
 she spread upon the floor; and there she would 
 
 kneel at prayer before that glorious Lady, nor 
 
 would she move from her place until nightfall, 
 
 no, not for any necessity. Verily, she was a 
 
 woman of pure and spiritual heart, and God did 
 
 great favours to her, and showed Himself to 
 
 her, as He doeth to all them that love Him 
 
 truly and serve Him well. Many a time did 
 
 she feel about herself all the sweetness of Paradise, 
 
 so that had she done what she would, she had 
 
 stayed for ever with such blessed thoughts. 
 
 Yet was this widow greatly condemned of her 
 neighbours, that held her to be a dissembler and 
 an hypocrite, for they said : " Better doth her 
 spinning wheel profit her than her prayers, for 
 God feedeth her not, nor payeth her any wage 
 for these hours that she gives Him." Thus do 
 the wicked alway toward them that would do 
 well, for the fool ever willeth that all men should 
 be like to him. But the wise man heedeth not 
 his words, and for his part the wicked heedeth 
 not the words of the good. Thus doth each 
 according to his part, one good and the other 
 evil. 
 
 This wise woman did well, thus to serve 
 Madame Saint Mary in faith and in peace, and 
 
 211 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Hostage greatly did she profit of her love. For it fell 
 out on a certain Saturday, as she was at prayer 
 before the image, that her son, the which lived 
 so evil a life and governed himself so ill, was 
 taken for thieving. Then was the reward that 
 his acts had earned meted to him quickly, for 
 the provost of the city took him, and tied him 
 to a horse's tail, and so dragged him through 
 the streets toward the gallows, that there he 
 might be hanged. And great company of people 
 came after, mocking and reviling him, and shout- 
 ing one to another of his capture full gladly, for 
 he had been greatly feared. 
 
 Then one cried to other, saying : <c Is not this 
 the son of that old witch that prays in the church 
 continually ? " 
 
 And others answered them : " Yea, and well 
 have her prayers been answered. Great joy 
 must she have this day of her devotion, when 
 her child, that is all she has, is dragged to the 
 gibbet ! " 
 
 And whenas the company that was with the 
 young man came past the church where she 
 was, an old woman that was one of her neigh- 
 bours saw her through the door, where she knelt 
 and made her supplications before Our Lady's 
 image : and she called her, saying : " Hay, 
 gossip, come hither ! " 
 
 When that she had come, " Hahay ! " said 
 that neighbour, " dost know what has befallen ? 
 What a miserable woman art thou, and how 
 little does God love thee ! Verily, thou hast 
 grief and ill-fortune in all things. Behold, at 
 212 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 this moment thy dear son is dragged through The Hostage 
 the streets to the gallows, and there shall he 
 be hanged without delay, for the people are in- 
 flamed against him ; and whilst thy child goes 
 to his damnation (for very surely Sathan waits 
 his soul) thou kneelest before this dead image 
 as if it might aid thee ! Now give up this 
 folly of thine, and this wasting of thy sub- 
 stance, for thou seest thou gettest no help, but 
 rather hast lost all thy care and pains." 
 
 This poor mother, hearing thus of her child's 
 extremity, felt her heart so greatly moved with 
 grief and anguish that she knew not what to 
 do : for though her son had brought her much 
 wretchedness, still she loved him, being even 
 as other mothers are, the which are turned no 
 wit from their great love because their children 
 be perverse. Nevertheless, though her pain 
 was exceeding great, she hid that which was in 
 her heart discreetly. " For," said she, " if I 
 go out from the church and cry my sorrow in 
 the streets, all the people will rail against me 
 and set upon me to hurt me, and I shall 
 accomplish nothing. It is better that I 
 stay here where I can have the ear of our 
 Merciful Mother, that can do all things if she 
 will." 
 
 Therefore did she remain standing before 
 the image of Our Lady, gazing upon it and 
 thinking full bitterly of that child of hers that 
 was in peril, and of her helplessness. And as 
 she so stood and so gazed there came into her 
 heart so great an ardour of supplication and of 
 
 213 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Hostage love that she burst into tears and flung herself 
 down before that image, crying : 
 
 " Dear Lady, Holy Mary ! I ask your help 
 in my necessity ! Lady, who didst conceive the 
 Son of God in pure virginity (and this is true, 
 I know it well), keep now for His sake Who 
 did save the thief of Calvary, the soul and 
 body of my poor son, that I have conceived 
 and borne. Lady, you knew the death of your 
 Son : will you not give me for His sake the 
 life of mine ? " 
 
 But the image was silent. 
 
 Then cried she again with a loud voice ; and 
 so greatly was she moved by her passion of 
 asking that she was near to swoon. 
 
 " Sweet Lady ! " she said, " can you not do 
 it ? Shall my child be lost ? Not so, for I will 
 in no wise consent to it. My very sweet Friend 
 and dear sister in motherhood, child I must 
 have, for I cannot live without it. Therefore 
 give back to me my son that is lost, or verily 
 I will take your Baby from you, and will 
 hold Him as hostage and pledge in place of 
 
 mine." 
 
 And this spoken she seized the Child of 
 Our Lady where it was in the arms of that 
 image, and with great force she tore it from 
 its place and held it in her arms full closely, 
 and, 
 
 u Lady," said she, " let my child come back 
 to me, or give me your Son in his place ; for 
 truly He gave Himself for the comforting of 
 the sorrowful, and died that sinners might be 
 214 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 saved. Therefore will I hold Him as hostage The Hostage 
 for this poor child of mine." 
 
 Now the Blessed Virgin Mary, who saw that 
 the young man, the son of the widow, went to 
 his death, would not suffer this disgrace ; for 
 she could in no wise endure to go without her 
 Baby, and further this poor woman served her 
 well. Therefore did she come from Heaven 
 full swiftly, that she might save this sinner and 
 have her Child again ; and when the young man 
 was come to the gallows whither he was led, 
 and when that the hangman already had put 
 the rope about his neck, and he was uplifted in 
 the air that all the people might see how he 
 died at that hour great miracle was wrought 
 before them that stood there, and he was 
 brought alive out of his extremity. For it 
 was seen of all that this malefactor, as he hung 
 on the gibbet, was lifted up, all bound and 
 helpless, and was carried through the air, and so 
 out of their sight. Of a surety it was Our Lady 
 that succoured him and had him in her keeping, 
 but none saw her : for the light that was about 
 her was so fair and bright that they could not 
 endure its shining to gaze upon it, and in that 
 shining she was hid. And she brought the 
 young man safe and sound into the precinct of 
 that church where his poor mother was, that still 
 held the Christ-child to her bosom, and kept Him 
 from His Mother's arms because of the rage and 
 anguish she was in for her own child's sake. 
 
 Then came to her that young man her son, 
 whom Saint Mary had brought hither, and he 
 
 215 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Hostage put his arms about his mother, and drew her to 
 him, and said : 
 
 ct Fair and dear mother, leave, leave this Child 
 Whom you withhold from His mother's arms, 
 and be at peace ; for the Mother of God hath 
 most marvellously succoured me for your 
 prayers, and that she may have again her Baby 
 that you have held hostage for my soul. Yea, 
 she hath brought me from the power of Sathan, 
 though my bed was already made in hell, for 
 well I saw it as I hung ; but the Holy Virgin 
 would not suffer my damnation, and she took 
 me from the hand of them that had seized me, 
 even from the. clutches of the Enemy, who called 
 me to Hell for the sins I had done. I had put 
 myself within his power, but the Lady whom 
 you serve has ransomed me. Therefore have I 
 vowed my life to her, to do her bidding without 
 fantasy, and ever will I remain her loyal and 
 devoted servant ; for though great has been my 
 sin, greater far shall be my labour in well-doing. 
 And it is in my mind that I would enter an 
 abbey and put on me the habit of religion, the 
 better to be taught the love of God ; thither 
 will I straitway go to make my peace with Him, 
 if that it be your will." 
 
 " Of a good heart, dear son,'* said his mother, 
 " for I am altogether of your mind." 
 
 Then this good woman did bow down her 
 body before the altar, and with clasped hands 
 gave thanks to God and to His glorious 
 Mother, for she was filled with an exceeding 
 joy. And so greatly did she weep for the 
 216 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 delight she had, that the ground was wet with The Hostage 
 her tears. " For," said she, " my son that was 
 lost is found." 
 
 Then went she out from the church with her 
 child, that had escaped this great peril both of 
 body and of soul, and they betook them to an 
 abbey ; and the Abbot received the young man 
 much willingly, and vested him as was right. 
 And the mother went back to her house, prais- 
 ing God ; nor did she forget her duty, for she 
 served the Lord Christ and His sweet Mother 
 ever more devoutly till her death. 
 
 And her son governed himself so well in that 
 abbey to which he was come, that he was made 
 priest, and at last Abbot. And all his life he 
 loved Our Lady and served her with a special 
 diligence, so that all who knew him held him to 
 be a very holy man. Arid when he had lived 
 many years he went from this world, and Saint 
 Mary led him straight to Heavenly Syon, and 
 there was he crowned exceeding gloriously by 
 her dear Son, even Our Lord Jesu Christ, " qui 
 dixit : Non veni vocare justos, sed peccatores ad 
 poenitentiam." 
 
 217 
 
OUR LADY OF THE LINTEL 
 
AND HEREIN OF A MONK THAT WAS A 
 PAINTER, THE WHICH PAINTED THE DEVIL 
 AS FOULLY AS HE KNEW HOW 
 
 SAINT MARY, that is our dear Lady, had Our Lady 
 in the city of Auxerre a great and of the Lintel 
 splendid abbey. Therein were many monks, 
 good and devout men, that most heartily served 
 God and His glorious Mother ; for they kept 
 their cloister and their rule, and were of an 
 honest and an holy life. And the church of 
 this abbey was made rich with paintings and 
 images exceeding fair, for many skilled crafts- 
 men were of that brotherhood ; and these gladly 
 gave the cunning of their hands no less than the 
 inclinations of their hearts, for the greater 
 honouring of God. 
 
 And this abbey-church had in the west of it 
 a great portal that opened upon the city street, 
 whereby the townsfolk might enter into the 
 nave for the hearing of the Mass. And this 
 door, that was for them an ensign of the 
 heavenly treasure which their souls should find 
 within, was richly arched and canopied right 
 nobly with mason's work of fretted stone ; but 
 its niches were empty and the histories that 
 
 221 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Our Lady should complete it were not made, because none 
 of the Lintel there were in the brotherhood that were fit to 
 undertake it, for this was a great work. And 
 whilst it stood thus, it chanced that there came 
 into the Order a certain man that had been 
 a painter in the world and very excellent in 
 his craft ; and now he wished, for a vow he 
 had made, to take on the habit of religion. 
 Therefore it seemed most right to the con- 
 vent that this new brother of theirs, that had 
 such skill in the painting of things, should 
 be given in charge the beautifying and com- 
 pleting of that door which bade all them 
 that were of the city to the mysteries of Holy 
 Church. 
 
 " For," said they, " this art of his, that is so 
 far beyond the common, shall there cause all 
 men as they pass to think on God and Our 
 Lady ; and thereby religion shall be honoured, 
 and our house also." 
 
 So was it done, and ladders were made, and 
 beams laid on them that he might work without 
 hindrance on every part of the door ; and 
 loving both God and his craft very greatly, he 
 entered upon the work with joy. 
 
 Now this was a man most expert in his art, 
 that could handle both chisel and brush ; having 
 also that eye of faith which sees as in a mirror 
 the very lineaments of things divine. And so 
 great pains did he bestow upon this porch, that 
 was the first fruits of his religious life, and with 
 such gracious sights were his prayers rewarded, 
 that presently it was all filled with fair figures, 
 222 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 to wit the Blessed Saints that stand to guide us Our Lady 
 to the gate of Heaven. rfthe Lintel 
 
 But without, above the lintel was a great space 
 wherein no figures were nor tracery work. Here 
 then were his ladders now set up, that he might 
 make there a Majesty, that is to say an image 
 of Our Lady Queen of Heaven reigning glori- 
 ously, and holding her Child Jesu in her arms : 
 and this he did to show that she is truly Porta 
 Coeli y that is, the Door by which our salvation 
 doth come. And the said monk took great 
 pleasure in making the image of the Most 
 Blest, for he had her always in his heart. He 
 made her as fair as he could, and her shoulders 
 he clothed with the Mantle of Mercy, and on 
 her head he laid the angels' crown. And he 
 enthroned her in the centre of the portal, where 
 all must see her as they passed ; for was not the 
 church dedicate in her name ? Never had more 
 lovely Lady held her court in that town. 
 
 Then, when this he had done, that painter 
 mounted higher, even to the gable of the roof. 
 There above all did he portray Our Saviour 
 Jesu Christ, as He sits in judgment for the 
 judging of all manner of men ; stern of aspect 
 he made Him, as in the Dies Irae He shall be, 
 and a rainbow was under His feet. And he 
 made at the right hand of this High Judge a 
 Paradise exceeding fair, wherein one might see 
 God encompassed by the angels, of whom this 
 part was full. And after this, as tradition 
 enjoins, the said brother made a Hell upon the 
 other side ; and he began to paint therein an 
 
 223 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Our Lady image of the Devil with his horns and cloven 
 of the Lintel feet, so hideous and so terrible to see that I 
 think fiend was never fashioned of so great an 
 hideousness before, no, neither in painting nor 
 in stone ; for none could look on it without 
 fear. And so ugly was this history of his, that 
 Sathan himself, who is in Hell, was angry 
 thereat ; for he is proud of heart and loves not 
 to be brought into derision. Therefore he hid 
 himself in the likeness of a man, and came from 
 Hell, and appeared before this monk, that 
 worked yet upon his likeness, making with great 
 skill the red eyes of it, and the tusks that came 
 out from the lips. 
 
 Then said the Devil to him, as a gossip might 
 do that loved to watch others at their work, 
 
 " Hahay ! brother, what do you here, that 
 you so horribly disfigure this wall ? I know 
 not of what you can be thinking, to paint upon 
 a church so foul a form, nor what your Abbot 
 shall say when he sees this handiwork of yours. 
 Naught have I seen so hideous as this history 
 that you have drawn, nor can I think that any 
 man will endure to look upon it twice." 
 
 Then the monk laughed right joyfully, for 
 he knew that his work was well done ; and he 
 answered : 
 
 ''Fair and sweet brother, if God will aid me 
 there shall be in all the world no better nor 
 more hideous history of Hell than that which 
 here I paint. It is plain that you are not accus- 
 tomed to look upon the Devil ; but, had you 
 ever seen him, so ugly is he that you would take 
 224 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 little account of this picture. And know well Our Lady 
 that if I can make it yet more vile than now it of the Lintel 
 seemeth, that will I surely do ; for he is indeed 
 more monstrous than aught we can fashion of 
 our utmost wit." 
 
 When Sathan heard these things he could no 
 longer contain himself, for he was exceeding 
 wrath ; and, 
 
 " Have a care," saith he, " for I am he whom 
 you defame, and I will in no wise suffer your 
 villainy. What boots it to you thus to malign 
 the Devil? A pretty trade indeed, to bring 
 scorn upon the Prince of Hell ! If thus you 
 do, you will make me to lose all the servants I 
 have in this city, the which have served me 
 truly all their lives ; for when they see so 
 hideous an image of their sovereign, they will 
 cease to love me, and instead they will love that 
 woman whom I see that you have made below, 
 for that she hath great beauty. A sorry matter, 
 that a wench should take from Lucifer his due ! 
 Amend, therefore, this work of yours, for it is 
 but foolishly done. I did you never an ill, yet 
 have you done me all the most grievous hurt 
 you could. Is this the precept of religion ? 
 Efface this history whilst you may, lest I do 
 you some evil, and make me in the likeness of 
 a young knight that is valiant and fair. And I 
 warn you straitly that if you do not, you will 
 repent it. I go my ways ; forget me not, for 
 he that so doeth, doeth but foolishly." 
 
 Then Sathan vanished and went back into 
 Hell ; and the monk, that was the painter, 
 
 p 225 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Our Lady found himself alone. And he was much afraid, 
 of the Lintel for he knew that he had spoken with the Prince 
 of Darkness that was strong to hurt him : yet 
 it seemed to him that some help he might have, 
 if he but asked Our Lady for it. Therefore on 
 the next day, when that the Mass of the Blessed 
 Virgin had been sung, he kneeled down before 
 her altar that was in the church right humbly, 
 and cried to her with clasped hands, saying : 
 
 " Alas ! dear Lady, what shall I do ? The 
 Devil has threatened me, and therefore do I 
 stand in great danger ; for I know that he is 
 the master of all cunning and deceit, and can 
 compass my undoing if he will. Certainly 
 should I be his very good friend if I changed 
 to fairness his likeness that is foul, and gilded it 
 all about as he ordains. Then he might find 
 many lovers in this city that now desire him 
 not, and for this he would cherish me and hurt 
 me not at all. Alas ! poor wretch that I am ! 
 What have I said ? Shall I serve the Devil ? 
 Shall I not serve God and His Mother ? Verily, 
 we are told that they are secure that love God 
 and serve Him with good will ; and I know 
 that none can serve two masters, for if he please 
 one he displeases the other. And I am assured 
 that they do but foolishly that leave God to do 
 the bidding of the Enemy in Hell. Rather is 
 it my devoir to make hideous the image of that 
 Enemy, that the more I may put him to shame 
 and despite, for he tramples on God's service 
 wherever and whenever he can. For this I hate 
 him, as every religious should ; therefore I will 
 226 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 take heart, and do him all the shame and Our Lady 
 grief I may, if God and Our Lady give me of the Lintel 
 strength." 
 
 So it was that on the next morning this 
 brother mounted again upon the ladders ; and 
 being full of good courage he set himself to his 
 labours, to wit, that he might paint the most 
 ugly and terrible Devil that ever limner devised. 
 Monstrous and crooked he made him, with 
 horns that grew from his forehead and hairy 
 limbs like unto the beasts. And when Sathan, 
 that was once a fair angel, saw himself thus made 
 more hideous than tofore, and matter of mockery 
 to all that passed, he was filled with rage, and 
 he came and appeared to that painter in his 
 proper shape, more vile and monstrous than 
 our wit can fashion it, for it is the very shape of 
 sin. And the said monk, seeing him thus, was 
 so greatly affrighted that more he could not 
 have borne, for indeed he was near to swooning 
 with the terror of it. 
 
 " Monk," saith the Enemy, " I see that you 
 keep not the rule of obedience as a religious 
 should. Did I not charge you yesterday that 
 you should cease this dishonouring of my person, 
 and make me beautiful and gracious even as I 
 am in the eyes of my servants, and as that 
 woman whom you have painted here below ? " 
 
 Now when Saint Mary heard the Fiend, that 
 used her image with discourtesy, it vexed her 
 much ; and she put courage into the heart of 
 this craftsman of hers that he might stand firm 
 in her defence. And being renewed with great 
 
 227 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Our Lady love of that Lady, he replied to the Devil right 
 
 of the Lintel boldly, saying : 
 
 " How shall I do this ? You speak but 
 ignorantly, for it is the property of art to show 
 all things according to their kind. Know that 
 she whom you see there is the Queen of Heaven, 
 you are but the Devil : therefore it is not meet 
 that any offer you the worship that is her due. 
 Had I fine gold here upon my palette, with that 
 I would surround her as with an aureole, for 
 she is holy ; but your image I would encompass 
 with foulness all I might." 
 
 Then said the Devil, exceeding wrathful : " I 
 see well that you think yourself no man, but 
 rather some angel, that you wage war upon me 
 thus. Know then that you stand within my 
 power and kingdom, for I am the Prince of the 
 Air, and here have dominion to raise up and 
 cast down as I will. Let us try together what 
 helper you have to hold you secure in my realms 
 withal, for you shall stay here no longer to 
 defame me." 
 
 Then did Sathan hurl himself against those 
 high ladders and the beams that were upon them, 
 whereon that painter stood, that were so far 
 above the earth and close beneath the gable of 
 the church ; and he broke the ladders into many 
 pieces, so that they fell down, and he with them, 
 like a thunderbolt might do, even as once he 
 fell from before the Throne of God. And the 
 citizens that stood below to watch the painting 
 were in great fear, looking for the death of that 
 brother, for that all he stood on was destroyed. 
 228 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 And indeed he fell also ; and he was in great Our Lady 
 anguish and torment, for now he thought that of the Lintel 
 he was lost, and that the Devil would bear his 
 soul to Hell. 
 
 But as he fell, he cried with a loud voice, 
 saying : " Help me Saint Mary ! Help me, or 
 I die ! " And after this he could speak no 
 more, because of the quickness of his flight. 
 
 Nevertheless, Our Lady helped him ; for as 
 that he fell past that place where he had made 
 her image, that was above the lintel of the door, 
 she stretched out her right arm and took him, 
 and drew him to herself and held him fast. 
 And so well and safely did she hold him, that 
 he received no hurt thereby, but rather a very 
 great beatitude ; and her Child, that is Our 
 Lord Jesu Christ, held him upon the other side. 
 So lay he secure between God's Mother and 
 her Son, as those that call on them in peril yet 
 may do. 
 
 Now when this miracle was seen of those 
 that stood beneath, they cried out in their 
 amazement ; and all the people ran to look at 
 the marvel of the image that held the painter in 
 safety, so that he was neither afraid nor suffered 
 any hurt. For indeed he was far above the 
 ground where none might reach him, neither 
 had he any rest for his feet ; yet he feared not. 
 And all the religious of the abbey came, and 
 the Lord Abbot with them, singing devout 
 antiphons and psalms of victory : and when 
 they had so done, and saluted full courteously 
 that Queen of Mercy who had helped her 
 
 229 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Our Lady craftsman in his distress, they raised a ladder 
 of the Lintel that they might bring down that monk from 
 where he lay. But little haste had he to de- 
 scend, because of the great ease he was in. 
 " For never," he said, ct have I known so great 
 comfort as this, that I was held closely in Our 
 Lady's arms ; nor would I leave it, but that 
 I may serve her the better thereby." 
 
 So, coming to the earth, he entered into the 
 abbey, and went straitway to kneel before the 
 altar of the Blessed Virgin, that had saved her 
 servant's soul alive when Sathan would have 
 destroyed it. And he gave thanks to that 
 Lady weeping ; and he served her with his art 
 all the days of his life, making many histories 
 in her honour, the which were richly coloured 
 with crimson and azure and set about with 
 much fine gold. And in all things he worked 
 right diligently for the glory of God and His 
 Mother, and the putting of their enemies to 
 despite. Thus will all prudent painters ever 
 do ; for good is it to serve such a Lord and 
 such a Lady, that keep the body from pain and 
 torment and bring the soul to a perdurable 
 ioy. 
 
 230 
 
SAINT MARY'S SCHOLAR 
 
HOW HE DID SERVE HIS GLORIOUS MIS- 
 TRESS; AND OF THE REWARD THAT SHE 
 GAVE HIM 
 
 is the mercy of Almighty God, for Saint 
 many miracles and favours doth He do 
 for His saints and servants upon earth. Yea ! 
 and day and night He does great things for 
 His poor little ones, at the intercession of that 
 Maiden who did bear Him in chastity and 
 nursed Him and rocked Him to sleep. 
 
 Here we tell the history of a certain poor 
 scholar, the which was a very loving servant of 
 Madame Saint Mary. He dwelt in a city of 
 Germany, that was a seat of learning, and went 
 most diligently to school, there to be taught 
 the Holy Scriptures and the liberal arts of 
 rhetoric and grammar. And the heart of this 
 young man had ever been inclined towards Our 
 Lady with exceeding great love ; so that for her 
 sake he had made a vow of his virginity, and 
 shunned all worldly gauds and vain conceits. 
 Every day before he went to his school he 
 saluted her with great M reverence and courtesy, 
 kneeling before a fair image of God's Mother 
 that there was in the church, and reciting seven 
 
 233 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 times the Ave Maria ; nor would he forego 
 this devotion for any necessity. And this poor 
 scholar was accustomed to ask alms every day 
 in the streets that he might have meat and 
 drink, for he was far from home and his poverty 
 was great. Often his body went hungry that 
 his mind might have food ; in that he was 
 greatly set upon the attaining of scholarship. 
 So did he live till his fifteenth year, in poverty 
 and chastity, as Our Lady's servants should ; 
 nor was he led astray by the evil conversation 
 of his fellows, for he had a pure and upright 
 heart. 
 
 Now it befell at this time that a great feast 
 was held in a village of that neighbourhood, 
 and all who went thereto to make their orisons 
 might gain an indulgence for their sins ; and a 
 fair was held there because of the feast, and 
 there was much buying, selling, and revelry. 
 Therefore came folk from all the country side 
 to gain this indulgence, and the poor scholars 
 of the city also, hoping that amongst so great 
 company many might have pity on them and 
 give them an alms. Thither would Saint 
 Mary's scholar go to gain the indulgence ; but 
 because he had no money to pay for a bed at 
 the inn, he would not go beforehand on the 
 day of the vigil, as did the other pilgrims, but 
 rising betimes before the dawn on the morning 
 of the feast, he set out alone upon the road. 
 
 And because it was so early, and he was in 
 haste to be gone, he forgot to say the seven 
 Aves that he had vowed to offer to the Blessed 
 
 234 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Virgin every day ; but when the sun rose, and Saint 
 the time was come when he was accustomed to Marf* 
 pray to her, he remembered his duty that he Scholar 
 had left undone. And he was heartily sorry for 
 it, and grieved greatly. Indeed, he would have 
 turned back to the city, and gone to her chapel, 
 there to laud her according to his wont; but so 
 doing he would have missed the indulgence he 
 sought, the which was given only to them that 
 heard Mass on the day of the feast, and this 
 he could not bear to do. Wherefore he kneeled 
 down in the road where he was, and prayed to 
 Our Lady, and said : 
 
 " Most dear and glorious Virgin, sweet 
 Saint Mary ! Have compassion, I entreat you, 
 on the feebleness of your poor scholar, that has 
 forgotten his duty this day. Dear Lady, be 
 not angry with me, for I acknowledge my sin 
 and do most heartily bewail it. Here can I 
 make you no amend, but I do promise that so 
 soon as I come to the church whereto I journey, 
 I will go to your chapel that is therein, and 
 salute your image and do penance for my fault. 
 And if that your chapel be shut, I will wait 
 there till it be opened, even until the hour of 
 Vespers if need be ; nor will I break my fast till 
 I have made my peace with you." 
 
 Then when he had so prayed, he kissed the 
 earth and went his way, weeping right bitterly 
 because of his contrition and having all his 
 thoughts set on the gaining of Our Lady's 
 forgiveness. And so enrapt in meditation he 
 came to an exceeding great wood, a very solitary 
 
 235 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Saint place, and his road lay through it ; and when 
 
 Mary's ne na d entered therein, he came presently on a 
 Scholar pj ace w h ere woodcutters had been, and the 
 trees they had felled lay still upon the ground. 
 There did he see, upon one of the said trees, an 
 image of the glorious Virgin Mary, fairer than 
 anything that craftsmen of this land have skill 
 to carve or paint. He thought that some 
 sculptor had left it by error in the wood, for it 
 was most excellently gilt and coloured, and in 
 all respects like to those images that stand 
 within the church to bring the blessed saints 
 into our minds. Great joy had the poor scholar 
 when he saw it, for now he might take his 
 devotions to Our Lady without delay. There- 
 fore, falling on his knees before this image, he 
 begged Saint Mary's favour, and made his 
 prayer to her in full, saying seven times the 
 Ave Maria. And when he had done this, 
 being filled with a great and pure love, he 
 thought what he might do as earnest of his 
 thankfulness, for that by this image she had 
 helped him to redeem his fault. And it seemed 
 to him that something indeed he might do for 
 it ; for there were none in this forest to cherish 
 it, and ill was it prepared to endure the foul 
 weather or the dangers of the place, having no 
 shelter from wind and rain, nor aught defence 
 against the creatures of the woods. 
 
 Then straightway he let pick leaves from 
 the trees, and made from them a little hat, the 
 which he placed upon her sacred head that the 
 birds might not perch upon it nor rain wet it ; 
 236 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 and when he had so done he saluted her very Saint 
 courteously and went his way. But when that Mary's 
 he had gone a little while, great fervour of love 
 came anew to his heart for that fair image, and 
 he was grieved because the rich colours of it 
 for indeed it was right skilfully painted with 
 azure and gold should have naught to keep 
 them from the weather. Therefore he turned 
 back, and since he had nothing else but a shirt 
 and breeches of linen stuff, and a cloak where- 
 with he covered them, he took his shirt and 
 tore it into two parts, and folded it about the 
 image of his Lady as best he could, that it might 
 keep her somewhat from rain and cold. Then 
 he wrapped himself in his cloak to cover his 
 nakedness, and set forth upon his journey again, 
 for no more could he do. 
 
 But behold ! no sooner was he gone from her 
 than he heard the image that called him to her 
 again; and at this he was much amazed, for he 
 had thought it nothing different from those 
 carved images of wood, the which are common 
 in that country and stand in every church. But 
 he knew that none else could have spoken to 
 him, for he was alone in the forest and very far 
 from any house, and on each side of him was the 
 brake where no man might be. Therefore he 
 came back quickly, and with exceeding awe and 
 reverence did offer himself wholly to the Queen 
 of Angels, for he believed that he had heard her 
 voice. 
 
 Then, whilst he knelt there, the Blessed Virgin 
 spoke to him and said : " My little son, I thank 
 
 237 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Saint you for these gifts you have made me; for indeed 
 
 Mary's \ nac [ great need of them for in that you have 
 Scholar clothed this my image and have sheltered its 
 limbs from cold and its head from rain, these 
 things have you done unto me. Now shall you 
 proceed on your journey to that shrine whither 
 you are bound, and when you are come there 
 you shall go to the bishop and speak with him in 
 my name. And you will find him in the parson's 
 house, there where he sits at meat with his friends. 
 Then shall you say to him : ' My Mistress, that 
 is the Virgin Mary, greets you, and she would 
 have you to know that I am her scholar, and 
 she would have me serve her at her altar forth- 
 with. Therefore it is her will that you do 
 ordain me priest to-morrow, for she is greatly 
 impatient to have me sing her Mass. 7 ' 
 
 When the poor scholar heard this, he thought 
 it some jest, or rather a device of the Evil One 
 to put foolishness into his heart. He knew that 
 he was too young to be priested, for he had but 
 fifteen years, and but little learning had he got 
 in divine scholarship ; and also the season of 
 the orderings, when clerks are hallowed, was 
 not come. 
 
 But the Queen of Heaven, who can read the 
 heart though the tongue be silent, saw that he 
 doubted her words. Therefore she spoke to 
 him again and reassured him, saying : " My 
 little one, be of good cheer ; for all that I have 
 promised shall befall. And when you are come 
 to the bishop, if he believe you not, you shall 
 give him a sign, saying : c My lord, I am come 
 238 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 from that Lady to whom you did devote your- Saint 
 self on the day when this see was given to you. Mary's 
 For then you did secretly vow and promise that 
 you would be wholly her servant, and each day 
 would salute her, saying fifty times Ave Maria; 
 the which you have long time ceased to do. 
 Therefore she ordains, that if you would again 
 have her favour, you make me priest ; for she 
 would have me serve her at her altar all the 
 days of my life.' ' 
 
 When the poor scholar heard the Lady Mary 
 thus speak, he fell down upon his face before 
 her, and prayed most heartily that of her pity 
 she would make him worthy of her grace. And 
 when his prayer was done he rose up, and raised 
 his eyes toward that image whence his happiness 
 had come ; but no image was there, for it had 
 vanished clean away, and he was alone in the 
 forest. 
 
 Then, when he saw this, he knew that Our 
 Lady had shown him a fair miracle, and he 
 began to laud her with a loud voice, for he was 
 full of thankfulness. And so praising her, he 
 continued on his road, and came to the village 
 where the feast was held, and to the church. 
 There he went in and heard Mass, that he 
 might have the indulgence for his soul ; nor did 
 he forget the glorious Virgin, for he went to 
 her chapel that was in the church and there 
 made orison. Then did he go to the parson's 
 house, as she had bid him ; but in that he was 
 now half naked, having but his cloak and 
 breeches, the porter would not let him come 
 
 239 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Saint in, turning him from the door with blows and 
 
 Mary's harsh words, as he did all poor folk. Never- 
 Scholar theless, Saint Mary's scholar was nothing dis- 
 heartened; but because of the strength that his 
 Mistress's words had given him, he would not 
 be thrust out, but won past the door and came 
 into the great hall where the bishop sat at meat 
 with his friends, priests, knights, and gentlemen 
 of the pilgrimage. And he drew near the high 
 board where the bishop was, and there stood, 
 and cried with a loud voice that he had a message 
 of great import to deliver. 
 
 The bishop, seeing this young man that was 
 clad only in cloak and linen breeches, yet spoke 
 with so great assurance, supposed he was some 
 wandering jester that had come to the fair ; and 
 he and all his company held their peace, that 
 they might the better hear his fooling. Then, 
 when all were silent, Saint Mary's scholar spoke 
 as Our Lady had commanded him, saying : 
 
 u My Mistress, that is the Virgin Mary, 
 greets you ; and would have you to know that 
 I am her scholar, and that she would have me 
 serve her as her priest." 
 
 But when he had thus spoken, the bishop 
 would hear him no longer, crying : " Fool, jest 
 how you will of such things as be lawful, but the 
 name of God's Mother you shall not bring 
 into contempt, for this is malice and great 
 blasphemy." 
 
 Then said the scholar : " This shall I never 
 do, for I love Our Lady's honour above all else. 
 But the devoir she has laid on me I must surely 
 240 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 perform, and therefore I demand that to-morrow Saint 
 you ordain me priest, for this is her will." Mary's 
 
 Then the bishop mocked him and said : 
 " Nay, you are too finely clad for the poor 
 service of religion; but very surely if you cease 
 not this blasphemy I will send you to the whip- 
 ping-post, that your body may be better adorned 
 with many stripes. To jest is good, but ill does 
 it fare with them that lightly speak of holy 
 things." 
 
 Said the poor scholar : " My lord, will you 
 send to the whipping-post the messenger of that 
 Lady to whom you did on the day of your 
 consecration vow fifty Aves a day ? These 
 you have not given her, for the which cause she 
 is angry ; and now she demands a better chap- 
 lain, that shall serve her without neglect." 
 
 When the bishop heard these words he was 
 so greatly astonished that he rose from before 
 the table and dismissed the company without 
 delay ; and when they were gone, he bade 
 Saint Mary's scholar to approach him and sit 
 by his side and tell him all the matter. Then, 
 when he had heard it, he fell down on his face 
 before that glorious Virgin, who had thus re- 
 buked him out of the mouth of this poor child 
 of hers ; and he promised that he would do in 
 all things that which her messenger commanded, 
 praying very humbly that she would pardon his 
 neglect. 
 
 Then, when morning was come, he went with 
 the poor scholar to the church, and there did 
 hallow him : and when this was done he led him 
 
 Q 241 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Saint to Our Lady's altar and bade him to be her 
 
 Mary's chaplain and to sing her Mass forthwith. But 
 
 Scholar at t j 1 j s t j ie y OU ng man was greatly afraid, for he 
 
 was wholly ignorant of the manner in which 
 
 this high service should be sung : therefore 
 
 did he entreat that he might be excused from 
 
 it till he had learned somewhat of the matter, 
 
 but that instead he might read Mass, the which 
 
 he could well do. 
 
 "Nay," said the bishop, "this Mass you 
 shall sing, for it is a Mass of thanksgiving. 
 Have no fear, for she who has sent you hither 
 and called you to her service will be with you 
 to aid you in your task." 
 
 Then said the young priest : " Domine, labia 
 mea aperies ! " And being vested he went to 
 the altar, and there did recite the confiteor and 
 the secret prayers. And when he had so done 
 his heart was filled with a great fervour of love 
 divine, and his tongue being moved by the spirit 
 of wisdom and understanding, he began to sing 
 the Introit of Our Lady, namely, that which 
 begins c< Salve sancta Parens," in fair and goodly 
 sort, as one of long custom in that service. 
 And lo ! when he had sung the words, " Enixa 
 puerpera Regem," the whole congregation took 
 this song from his lips and cried, saying, " Qui 
 coelum terramque regit in saecula saeculorum." 
 Therefore, being greatly encouraged by this 
 marvel, Saint Mary's scholar did well and 
 bravely sing her Mass : so that one might 
 have thought him a priest of great age and 
 learning, for love had made him wise. And 
 242 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 behold ! when he came to the Offertory, the Saint 
 bishop, who sat in his throne that was in the Marys 
 choir, saw great wonder ; to wit, his holy Mis- Scholar 
 tress, that is Our Lady Queen of Angels, who 
 came into the church with all her train. And 
 she was most excellently apparelled in velvet 
 and silk, and the clasp of her mantle shone like 
 the stars, and her crown glittered so that no eye 
 could bear it. And when her chaplain sang the 
 Offertory words, namely, " Beata es Virgo 
 Maria, quae omnium portasti Creatorem," this 
 glorious Lady came very humbly to the altar, 
 and there she offered, with exceeding great de- 
 votion, the little hat of leaves that he had woven 
 for her in the forest. And it was as fresh and 
 green as in the hour when it was made. 
 
 Then she withdrew a little space with her 
 maidens, and the young priest, that had seen 
 her offering, was uplifted with right holy joy, 
 for now he knew his service was accepted. And 
 the bishop also saw the miracle, by the which 
 he was the more persuaded of the truth of all 
 that he had heard ; but the people that were in 
 the church saw it not. And when the Obla- 
 tion was made, and the priest began the prayer, 
 " Suscipe sancta Trinitas," again the Queen of 
 Angels drew near him, and with her fair and 
 holy hands she offered upon the altar the linen 
 shirt wherewith her scholar had wrapped her 
 from the cold : and when she had so done she 
 returned to Heaven with all her company. 
 
 Then did her chaplain sing her Office to the 
 end exceeding sweetly, for his heart was full of 
 
 243 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Saint joy ; and when that her Son was present upon 
 
 Mary's t he altar, and he had partaken of that Blessed 
 Scholar Bread, he turned and raised his hands to bless 
 the people. But no words came from him ; 
 rather stood he as an image might do that 
 raises its hands toward God. Then his clerk, 
 perceiving that he spake not, ran to him, fearing 
 some ill ; and the bishop came also, full of 
 dread, for he knew that there was great and 
 marvellous work in the sacring of this Mass. 
 And verily, a fresh marvel there was ; for the 
 soul of Saint Mary's scholar was gone from him, 
 even whilst he sang his Mistress's Mass. Yea, 
 that Mistresswhom he had clothed and cherished, 
 the which forgets not the lovingkindness of her 
 friends, had taken him altogether to her keep- 
 ing : that he might never leave her, but serve 
 her in blessedness eternal before the very Altar 
 of the Lamb ! 
 
 244 
 
THE CELESTIAL MEDICINE 
 
HERE TELL WE THE HISTORY OF A CER- 
 TAIN BROTHER THAT WAS CONVERTED FROM 
 THE PRACTICE OF PHARMACY TO THAT OF 
 RELIGION BY OUR LADY'S GRACE 
 
 I 
 
 T is told in the chronicle of the Order of The 
 
 the Cistercians how that there lived on a Celestial 
 time in the Abbey of Clairvaux a certain brother, Medmne 
 that was exceeding delicate of body, being full 
 of infirmities that tormented him much. And 
 he, pondering greatly on his maladies and how 
 best to heal them, had become an herbalist of 
 much skill, a wise physician, learned in all 
 diseases of the flesh, and in the preparation of 
 those simples wherewith we poor children seek 
 to cosset and repair our mortal frame. Indeed, 
 this was a man of great scholarship, virtuous 
 also, and of right sober conversation ; but 
 because he laboured under much infirmity, being 
 ofttimes tormented with a grievous sickness that 
 kept him many days within his cell, he was 
 tempted to think too greatly on the needs of 
 the body, as what he should eat and what drink, 
 and what cordial were best against the cold. 
 And believing that he might not bear the hard- 
 ships of religion and the coarse food that holy 
 
 247 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The poverty enjoins, he refused the common meat of 
 
 Celestial the refectory, that he might have some choice 
 Medicine morsel for his stomach's sake, and searched out 
 vain and curious medicines for the solace of his 
 poor body when he had done better to consider 
 the health of his soul. For when his brethren 
 were engaged in holy meditation, this monk was 
 ever mixing potions or seeking rare simples in 
 the fields ; and every new pain that he had, he 
 would devise some new essence to heal it. And 
 so greatly did he labour in the practice of phar- 
 macy, that the Abbot and his brethren held him 
 a very learned physician, and they came oft to 
 him for medicine and for counsel when any pain 
 they had, the which pleased him well. 
 
 But our most gentle and merciful Lady, that 
 is the Mother of all them that are dedicate to 
 God, was grieved for this religious that was so 
 careful of his bodily well-being and so negligent 
 in the purging of his spiritual distempers, on 
 the which indeed he pondered not at all. And 
 because of her compassion she desireth to bring 
 all her erring children back to the true path 
 whence they have strayed, she had it in her 
 mind to correct him, that he might learn and 
 understand how that our true health hangs not 
 on our own cares, but altogether on the loving- 
 kindness of Almighty God ; and how that He 
 cherishes exceeding sweetly all that give them- 
 selves entirely to His keeping, and like as a 
 Father doth pity the simple and sinful, keeping 
 them in health and sickness, and mending their 
 grief. For little do the ills of the body trouble 
 248 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 them that have the promise of eternal life, and The 
 small need have we of earthly medicines when Celestial 
 
 79 /T 7* * 
 
 we have partaken of the healing potion of His Medicine 
 grace. But these things that poor brother knew 
 not, for all his thoughts were set on the gather- 
 ing of roots and pungent herbs, and the making 
 of unguents and electuaries to comfort his weak 
 body if he could. 
 
 And one night, when he had laboured many 
 hours at the distilling of an essence that should 
 be sovereign against disorders of the spleen, the 
 Blessed Virgin caused this monk to fall into a 
 deep sleep there in the midst of the pharmacy 
 where he tended his still. And as he slept thus, 
 it appeared to him that he was brought from 
 this place and set in the choir of the abbey- 
 church, and he saw all his brethren seated in 
 their stalls, and the Lord Abbot also, and they 
 were singing the Hour of Lauds. But when he 
 looked upon the faces of his brothers he had 
 great amazement ; for it seemed to him that 
 they were full sick and weary, and in great 
 need of refreshment. And he said within 
 himself : 
 
 " What has chanced ? My brethren, that 
 were so hale and hearty, and easily endured all 
 the hardships of the rule, are become miserable 
 and infirm, even as I." 
 
 But little time had he to observe them, for 
 behold, there came to the door of the church 
 the sublime and humble Mother of Mercy, 
 even Saint Mary the Virgin, and the light 
 of her presence fell on all that were within 
 
 249 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The it. And she carried in her hands a little pyx 
 
 Celestial ^^ was f u \[ o f t h e mO st precious electuary, and 
 
 all the church was filled with the perfume of it, 
 that was as the scent of apple-blossom in the 
 spring. And as he watched, that sweet Lady 
 came into the choir of the church and passed by 
 the stalls of the brethren one by one : and she 
 stayed before each of the monks that there did 
 make orison, and as they did open their mouths 
 for the singing of the psalm she placed therein, 
 with her pure and venerable hands, a little of 
 the electuary that she carried in the pyx. And 
 each, when he received it, tasted it with joy and 
 thanksgiving, being refreshed with sweet wonder 
 and with health divine, so that his weariness 
 vanished and he felt no more the burden of his 
 mortal frame ; for this is that heavenly medi- 
 cine that shall be for the healing of the servants 
 of God. 
 
 Then that brother the herbalist, seeing this 
 thing, was filled with an exceeding joyous ex- 
 pectation ; for he said within himself that 
 doubtless he also should receive this celestial 
 medicine, by which his many pains should be 
 relieved and his body made altogether whole. 
 And further he was greatly curious to know the 
 simples wherewith it was made, whether they 
 were such as grow in earthly gardens, and what 
 cunning had been used in the compounding 
 thereof. 
 
 But lo ! when that holy Virgin came to the 
 place where he stood, she offered him not the 
 electuary wherewith he had seen his brethren 
 250 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 fed, but would have passed him by. And he, The 
 being greatly disappointed, and full of dread Celestial 
 lest he should miss his portion, caught her robe 
 as she passed him, and cried, saying : 
 
 " Dear Lady, sweet Saint Mary, will you not 
 give me some of this precious medicine ? My 
 brothers, that are hale of body, have received 
 it ; but I, dear Virgin, need it more than they 
 can do, for I am a right sickly man, full of dis- 
 tempers, that can scarce bear the infirmities 
 wherewith I am distressed." 
 
 But the Blessed Virgin looked on him ex- 
 ceedingly sternly and repulsed him, saying : 
 " Medice, cura teipsum ! What need have you 
 of our medicines ? For you are a very wise 
 physician, that thinks of no other thing than 
 the compounding of simples for the healing of 
 your pains. It were a sorry matter if you, that 
 ponder incessantly what meat you may have, 
 and what herbs are best to remedy your fever 
 or your flux, could not care for your health 
 alone. But these your brothers, that think first 
 on God and His worship, are in other case, for 
 they have thrown all their cares upon my Lord 
 and Son ; and they that so do are become my 
 children, and I cherish them and give them all 
 things whereof they stand in need, as well for 
 the healing of the body as for the refreshment 
 of the soul." 
 
 When he heard these words, that monk was 
 filled with exceeding contrition and amazement, 
 and he abased himself right humbly before the 
 Queen of Angels, and promised that henceforth 
 
 251 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The he would devote himself altogether to God : 
 
 Celestial thinking no more of himself, what he should 
 
 m JT j O 
 
 eat and drink, or what herbs should take against 
 his maladies, but casting all his care upon that 
 Father and giving himself entirely into His hand. 
 
 And when she heard this promise, the heart 
 of that glorious Lady, who is truly the refuge 
 and protector of all Christians but the special 
 helper of her servants that have chosen the 
 religious life, was moved towards him ; and 
 she accepted his penitence with courtesy, and 
 blessed him, and gave him from out her little 
 pyx a portion of the electuary that he desired. 
 And when this infirm and sickly brother tasted 
 that heavenly medicine, straitway great com- 
 fort and healing entered into him ; so that for- 
 getting all the ills of his poor body, he began to 
 praise God with a loud voice, for his heart was 
 so greatly uplifted with love and thanksgiving 
 that he could think of no other thing. 
 
 And as he was in the midst of these lauds 
 that he said, he awoke out of his vision ; and 
 he found that he was no longer in the choir of 
 the church, but in the pharmacy wherein he 
 had that evening undertaken to make an essence 
 that should be sovereign against disorders of 
 the spleen. And the still was there, and the 
 vessels, wherein the said essence should be pre- 
 pared ; but now he looked on them with dis- 
 gust, as good monks should on fond deceits, for 
 he had tasted of that celestial medicine which 
 puts away from them that do partake of it all 
 care for the prosperity of the flesh. And lo ! 
 252 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 he, that in spite of all his care and learning had The 
 ever been infirm and subject to maladies most Celestial 
 grievous, was now altogether renewed with 
 health and strength ; and abjuring all herbs 
 and drugs, forthwith he cast out from his cell 
 his jars and phials, and the potions and powders 
 that he had therein, and seeking no more to 
 feed upon delicates for his stomach's sake, he 
 willingly accepted the coarse and common food 
 wherewith his brethren were fed. And joining 
 with them in the service of God and in well- 
 doing, he was endowed with health and strength 
 both of body and soul ; and he prospered 
 exceedingly in wisdom and in love divine, and 
 had great peace. 
 
 Now there be many monks, my brethren, 
 that, though they have chosen the religious life, 
 yet seem more to be pupils in the school of 
 ./Esculapius than in that of Jesu Christ. These, 
 forgetting how that it is the duty of every 
 religious man to love God above all else, to 
 minister to His glory, and to perfect themselves 
 in spiritual things, would ever be seeking the 
 health of their mortal flesh, caring little what 
 canker there may be in the immortal soul so 
 long as the body gives not pain. All the 
 summer do these foolish brethren wander in the 
 fields, leaving their convent where their rule 
 doth bid them be, that they may seek out vile 
 and nauseous herbs and roots to heal the 
 maladies that they think they have. And when 
 winter comes, no other care do they have but 
 in the drying preparation and commixture of 
 
 253 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The these simples, that they may partake thereof 
 
 Celestial and also give of them to their brethren, the 
 Medicine w hich, having their minds set on heavenly 
 mysteries, desire them not at all ; for they 
 know that God will have care of their bodies 
 no less than of their souls. Thus these fond 
 physicians, knowing not that true and effective 
 medicine wherewith Our Lady heals her faithful 
 children, do search out and invent strange and 
 dangerous potions, trusting their own wit, the 
 which can help them not at all. Let all such 
 brothers therefore read and mark the ensample 
 herein writ, that they may be taught thereby to 
 put more confidence in God than in Galen, to 
 hope more in the Queen of the Heavens, than 
 in the herbs of the field. 
 
 254 
 
THE DOVE THAT 
 RETURNED 
 
HOW A CERTAIN CLERK DEVOTED TO THE 
 VIRGIN MARY INVOKED THE DEVIL BY 
 NECROMANCY, THAT HE MIGHT GAIN A 
 BRIDE THEREBY 
 
 THE Devil, that is our Enemy, doth ever The Dove 
 wage great war upon them that love that 
 and serve Our Lady Mary, seeking what he Returned 
 may do to tempt them from her service, for he 
 knoweth that all her children are his foes ; and 
 especially will he lead them if he can to choose 
 another and an earthly mistress, that shall turn 
 from love celestial to the enjoyment of this 
 world's love, for by this he gains great power 
 over their souls. 
 
 There was a certain young clerk that served 
 in the cathedral-church of his town ; and he 
 was a pious and a gentle youth, having his 
 heart filled with a pure and fervent love for 
 God and Our Lady, so that he served them 
 gladly and as well as he could. His bishop 
 cherished him as a father might do, for he 
 judged him to be a child of God ; and he 
 taught him much scholarship, and would keep 
 him ever at his side. And the young man, 
 because of the great love he had for things 
 
 R 257 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Dove divine, hated the world, and longed only for 
 
 that the time when he might be hallowed priest. 
 
 Returned Furthermore, he was diligent at his prayers, 
 
 saying each day with exceeding fervour the 
 
 Hours of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 
 
 Now this was a matter greatly vexing to 
 Sathan, who is the foe of all that Lady's friends: 
 and seeing how that this young clerk increased 
 in virtue and religion, he was jealous to turn 
 him from it and steal his soul from God. 
 Therefore he entered into his heart, one day as 
 he was at Vespers in the choir, and caused him 
 to look upon a certain maiden of the congre- 
 gation that was very fair of face : and the 
 young man, when he saw her, was suddenly 
 filled with a great passion of love, so that 
 forgetting all else he most ardently desired her 
 for his wife. Then did he do great battle with 
 himself, for he knew that his life was promised 
 to God and to the Church, and that all worldly 
 love for him was but a sin ; moreover, he was 
 very poor, and dared not ask this lady of her 
 parents, the which were wealthy folk and pious, 
 and were minded to give their daughter to a 
 nunnery that there she might pray for them all 
 her days. 
 
 But he could not overcome his desire, for 
 the Enemy was always at his side to tempt him 
 with thoughts of it, so that he had no more 
 peace nor any joy in the service of God ; and 
 at last a day came when he might bear it no 
 more, being indeed ready to die of grief and 
 anguish because he might neither have the 
 
 258 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 maiden whom he loved nor find anything to The Dove 
 heal his pain. Then, because he knew not that 
 what else to do, Sathan put it into this young 
 man's heart that he should have recourse to a 
 certain sorcerer, that lived in that city, an 
 heathen man that was a friend of the detested 
 Evil One, that he might have of him a love- 
 philtre or other villainy. To him did he go ; 
 and when he was come into his house, he saith 
 to him : 
 
 " Messire, it is said that you are greatly 
 learned in the magic arts. If this be true, 
 conjure for me, I pray you, the devil by whom 
 you do your works, that he may help me gain 
 my mistress' love. If this you will do, it shall 
 profit you well ; for I will give you all the 
 gold that I possess." 
 
 Said the sorcerer : " My friend, I am not 
 able to do this of myself, for the devil that 
 serves me has not power for it. If this you 
 indeed desire, you must put yourself in the 
 hands of his master and mine, the Prince of 
 Hell ; and if you please him and do his will, 
 very surely he will give you that which you 
 crave." 
 
 Saith the clerk : " What would he have me 
 to do?" 
 
 Answered the sorcerer : " It is needful that 
 you do abjure in writing the service of Jesu 
 Christ your God." 
 
 That poor youth replied : "I will do it, if 
 thereby I may have my sweetheart's love." 
 
 Then said the wizard : " If indeed you are 
 
 259 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Dove ready to do this, I will help you all I may, and 
 that fi rs t I will dictate the letter that you must 
 
 Returned carry to the p r i nce of Hell." 
 
 Then did he dictate to him a letter in this 
 manner : " Most puissant Prince and Lord of 
 Evil ! Whereas it is our bounden duty to give 
 to the God that did make and redeem us our 
 love and all our works, nevertheless, I do 
 altogether deny Him and also the Christian 
 religion, and seek of my own will to be made 
 of your company. And I do humbly entreat, 
 that you will accept this my service, and in 
 recompense thereof will smite the maiden whom 
 I desire with the pangs of love, that I may 
 have her to be my friend. If this you will do, 
 then am I your man for evermore to serve and 
 to obey you." 
 
 Then when this letter was writ and engrossed, 
 the sorcerer warned the young man, saying : 
 " You must go at a certain hour of the night, 
 and stand upon the heathen stone that is 
 beyond the gates, and hold this parchment in 
 the air. Then one will come who shall lead 
 you into the presence of Sathan, that there you 
 may give it into his hands. And have no fear, 
 for thus you will get all your desire." 
 
 Then did that unfortunate receive the parch- 
 ment right eagerly, and he carried it in the 
 night to the place that was ordained him ; and 
 there, standing on the stone where heathen men 
 had aforetime sacrificed to Sathan, he most 
 heartily invoked the Prince of Darkness and 
 asked him for his help. And behold, when he 
 260 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 had so done a little while, came an evil spirit, The Dove 
 the which, perceiving him to be altogether led that 
 astray and ripe for deeds of sin, took him with Returned 
 much joy and brought him to the place where 
 Sathan was, where he sat enthroned above the sun 
 with the company of the wicked all about him. 
 
 And when he had received the letter of the 
 sorcerer, the Prince of the Powers of the Air 
 saith to this young man, " Credis in me ? " 
 
 Replied the poor clerk, " Credo." 
 
 The Devil then saith to him, "This is well; 
 nevertheless, it does not content me, for I have 
 great knowledge of you Christians, how that 
 very often you repudiate your debts and evade 
 your obligation. For you come to me when you 
 would have my help in your iniquities, but 
 when all is done, and you must pay me the 
 price of your sin, you deny me altogether, and 
 flee for help to my enemy Christ : Who, 
 because He is both patient and merciful, doth 
 forgive and receive you, and keeps you from my 
 power. Therefore, before I help you, you must 
 deny the God in Trinity, in Whose Name you 
 were baptized, and also His Virgin Mother 
 Mary, giving yourself wholly into my hands. 
 For I would have you by my side at Judgment 
 Day, that we may taste together the eternal 
 torments that are prepared for me." 
 
 Said the clerk, "I cannot deny my sweet 
 Lady, the Blessed Virgin, for she hath shown 
 me much kindliness, and therefore must I use 
 her courteously ; but all else will I do as you 
 desire." 
 
 261 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Then right solemnly did that unfortunate 
 abjure his Holy Baptism in the name of Father, 
 Son and Holy Ghost; and lo ! when he did 
 reny the Holy Spirit, a white dove came from 
 out his mouth and flew away into highest 
 heaven. And the young man saw it with dread 
 and amazement ; nevertheless he repented not 
 but persevered to the end. And when he had 
 done, Sathan saith to him : 
 
 " I am content ; but be not too sure that 
 you shall have your will of your sweetheart, for 
 that Lady whom you will not deny is a strong 
 saint and dangerous, and she will work against 
 it if she can." 
 
 Then did the Prince of Evil send a fiend 
 exceeding subtle, the which entered into the 
 heart of that maiden, and laboured greatly to 
 imprint upon her mind the image of the young 
 clerk that desired her. And so much did he 
 tempt her, and so continually, that at last, alto- 
 gether forgetting the religious life for which 
 she was intended, she became inflamed with 
 ardent love for this young man ; the which 
 wrought in her so powerfully that she could 
 not conceal it, but came and threw herself upon 
 the ground before her father, saying : 
 
 " Miserere mei, miserere ! for I suffer tor- 
 ments of love for a certain young clerk that 
 sings in the cathedral choir. Alas ! father, 
 will you not have pity on me and join me to 
 him ? Verily, if you do not, in a very little 
 while you will see me dead of love, the which 
 you must justify before God at the Doom. 
 262 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Dear father, have pity on your flesh and blood The Dove 
 that suffers so great pain, and deny me not my that 
 heart's desire ! " Returned 
 
 Her father said to her with tears, " ' Heu 
 mihi peccatori ! ' What has befallen my un- 
 happy child ? Who has robbed me of my 
 treasure ? It is known of all that I had de- 
 voted you to a celestial marriage, namely, to 
 be a bride of Jesu Christ, that you might be of 
 the household of the angels, and with them re- 
 joice in the perfect love of God. But now you 
 are inflamed with earthly passions, and desire 
 the love of man, the which is a poor and tran- 
 sitory thing. Nevertheless, if husband you 
 must have, I will find you a better one than 
 this young man, for he has neither nobility nor 
 wealth ; therefore have patience." 
 
 But the maiden persevered in her demand, 
 saying, " Nay, father, no husband will I 
 have but this, and no habit will take but the 
 wedding garment. Neither can I wait, for I 
 suffer great torments ; therefore give me what 
 I ask, for if you will not I shall surely die." 
 
 Then was the poor father full of sorrow. 
 " For," said he, " if I do this thing I break 
 my contract with God, and my daughter's soul 
 will go down into the pit." And he took 
 counsel with his friends what were best to be 
 done. These said to him that it were better to 
 do the will of the maiden than incite her to 
 seek death, the which were surely a great crime 
 displeasing to God and His Saints. Therefore 
 at last he went to the bishop and told him his 
 
 263 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The daughter's grief, and asked of him that he 
 
 Dove that would release his clerk from orders, that they 
 Returned might be wed, for no other remedy could he 
 see. The bishop was greatly vexed at it, for 
 much better had he loved that this clerk whom 
 he had cherished should wed his Heavenly 
 Mistress than take to himself a wife according 
 to the world : and he called the young man to 
 him and questioned him straitly, admonishing 
 him that he should think well on the dis- 
 courtesy he did to God, Saint Mary, and the 
 Church. But nought that he could say might 
 move him, so that at last he was forced to 
 consent to the marriage lest worse befall ; and 
 the young clerk was exceeding glad, remember- 
 ing not the price that he must pay to the Devil 
 for his joy, nor how that God was no longer 
 with him, because he had denied His Name. 
 
 Now when the day of the wedding was come, 
 came the young clerk and his friends, and also 
 the maiden and her parents, to the cathedral- 
 church for the saying of the Nuptial Mass. 
 And whiles the said Mass went forward, it came 
 of a sudden into the mind of the bridegroom 
 how that he had long neglected to say the 
 Hours of the Blessed Virgin, the which in the 
 time of his innocence he had been accustomed 
 to recite each day. Therefore he began them 
 forthwith, and said them to the end of Sext : 
 but even as he began the Hour of None the 
 Mass was ended, and the priest having come to 
 the dismissal, it was convenient that he should 
 go home with his bride and the guests. Never- 
 264 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 theless, he was not content to leave this Hour The Dove 
 unsaid, for now he remembered that Our Lady 
 was all the friend he had, because he had 
 abjured Our Lord her Son ; for the which 
 reason he stood in great need of her grace. 
 
 Therefore, when the time came that the 
 wedding guests should wash their hands in 
 preparation for the feast, he made his excuses, 
 begging that they would tarry a little, for he 
 stayed not long away ; and he returned back 
 into the church full hastily, and there kneeled 
 down before her altar, and began to say the 
 Hour of None with great devotion. But the 
 words of this Office filled him with dread, for 
 they showed him the peril in which he stood, 
 saying, "Nisi Dominus aedificaverit domum, 
 invanum laboraverunt qui aedificant earn/' And 
 again, " Beati omnes, qui timent Dominum ; 
 qui ambulant in viis ejus." 
 
 And pondering on these matters he fell into 
 a deep sleep ; and when so he lay, behold ! the 
 Virgin Mary appeared to him, in the likeness 
 of a right fair lady : and she asked him if he 
 knew her, whom she was. 
 
 Said the bridegroom, " Nay, lady, I know 
 you not." 
 
 " I am," said she, " that Mary of whom you 
 have just said the Hour of None. But greatly 
 am I vexed against you, for once you were 
 devoted to my service and that of my Son : but 
 Him have you abjured for Sathan, for the 
 which you will be very surely damned, and me, 
 though you denied me not, you have yet left 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 for another woman, to whom you have given 
 all your love." 
 
 When the young clerk heard these words, he 
 was filled with a very fervent sorrow for all the 
 evil he had done ; and he fell down at the feet 
 of the glorious Virgin, and wept bitterly, and 
 begged her grace. But she said : 
 
 " Touch me not : if you would have comfort, 
 go ask it of your new wife whom you have 
 taken in my stead, for I am your sweetheart no 
 
 more." 
 
 " Alas, sweet Lady ! " said that poor bride- 
 groom. " Turn not from me altogether, for 
 indeed I am in sorry case : and a heavy darkness 
 is upon me, in that now I know I have lost 
 the love of God. I pray you aid and counsel 
 me before it be too late, for I have not yet com- 
 pleted this marriage, for the which I have em- 
 perilled my soul. And I would have you 
 remember, my very dear Mistress and Queen, 
 that I denied you not, even though I abjured 
 Almighty God, for I have ever loved you 
 exceeding well. Yea, so greatly do I love you, 
 that even now if you demand it I am ready to 
 leave my bride forthwith, and have no other 
 wife but you." 
 
 Said the most holy Virgin, " If this you will 
 do, I will aid you openly and be your Bride 
 for evermore : but first you must make your 
 peace with God, that you may be saved from 
 the Enemy in Hell, for now His Spirit is no 
 longer with you, and without it no man can 
 have my love. Go therefore to your bishop 
 266 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 and make confession of your sin, and faith- The 
 fully perform the penance wherewith he shall Dove that 
 charge you. I, meanwhile, will go to Paradise, Re****** 
 there to intercede for you before my Son, that 
 He may bring you safely out of Sathan's 
 hand." 
 
 Then the Queen of Angels vanished away, 
 and at once the young clerk awoke from his 
 slumber ; and he rose up, being full of awe, and 
 thinking no longer of his bride nor of the mar- 
 riage feast. And he went straitway to the 
 bishop, and kneeling down before him very 
 humbly he accused himself of mortal sin, telling 
 him all his fault how that he had trafficked 
 with the Prince of Evil for his bride, abjuring 
 God that he might have his will, and how 
 the Blessed Virgin had rebuked him. And he 
 entreated the bishop very fervently with tears 
 and supplications, that he would release him 
 from this marriage and save him from the 
 Devil if he could ; for now he knew his wicked- 
 ness and was very sorry for it. 
 
 Then was the bishop full of joy, seeing his 
 contrition ; and forthwith he absolved him 
 from his marriage and gave back the maiden 
 to her father, that she might serve God in 
 the religious life. But he had great dread 
 because of the vows that the young clerk had 
 made to Sathan, by the which the Holy Ghost 
 had been driven from his soul ; and he said to 
 him that an exceeding bitter penance he must 
 bear if he would overcome the power of the 
 Enemy and have God's forgiveness of this deadly 
 
 267 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Dove sin. But the young man, being full of fear and 
 
 that repentance, was minded to do everything that 
 
 Returned was needfu^ for Our Lady had put a great 
 
 contrition into his heart. Therefore the 
 
 bishop did bring him to a very solitary place, 
 
 where a cave was wherein an holy hermit had 
 
 once dwelt, by whose presence that spot had 
 
 been so greatly sanctified that no foul spirit 
 
 could come near it. 
 
 And being come within this cave, the bishop 
 saith to him, " My son, here must you stay 
 three days and three nights, in honour of the 
 Holy Trinity Whom you denied, fasting con- 
 tinually and beseeching God's grace. And I 
 also will pray for you all I can to Our Lord 
 and Our Lady, that you may have their pity 
 and their love." 
 
 Then the bishop went a little way off, and 
 made orison to God, entreating Him most 
 ardently for this poor child that stood in such 
 evil case, that his penitence might be accepted 
 and his soul released from Sathan's power. And 
 when the first day was at an end, he came back 
 to the young man, that kneeled before the door 
 of the cave ; and he saith to him : 
 " My son, have you seen aught ? " 
 Replied the penitent, " Yea, I saw a dove in 
 highest heaven, that stayed above my head." 
 
 The bishop saith to him, " Wait patiently, 
 and pray most earnestly to God." 
 
 And when the second day was done, again 
 the bishop came and questioned him, saying : 
 " Have you seen aught to-day ? " 
 268 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The young man saith, " I saw the dove, that The Dove 
 came and hovered close about my head." 
 
 Then the bishop exhorted him, saying : 
 " Watch and pray without ceasing, for God is 
 very near." And he went away, but the third 
 day being done, he came to him again in the 
 evening, and said once more : 
 
 " Have you seen aught ? " 
 
 Then the young man fell down upon the 
 earth before him, and cried, saying : " My 
 father, let us give thanks to Almighty God, 
 for I have seen a great mercy this day. For 
 the dove did come, and stayed above my head a 
 long while, and I put out my hand to take it ; 
 and behold ! when I had so done, straitway it 
 entered into my mouth, and I had great joy, for 
 I know that the Holy Spirit is with me." 
 
 Then the bishop gave thanks with exceeding 
 fervour, praising God and Saint Mary, and 
 saying : " Behold, my son, God has accepted 
 your repentance at His Mother's prayers, where- 
 fore you are delivered out of the power of Hell. 
 See to it, therefore, that you serve that Lady 
 and her Son in holiness and chastity forthwith, 
 that the Blessed Spirit you have this day re- 
 ceived be ever with you, to help you in your 
 devoir and make you acceptable in their sight." 
 
 This did that clerk most willingly do ; and 
 forsaking the world he was hallowed priest, and 
 his life was greatly pleasing unto God. And 
 history saith, that when he lay upon his bed to 
 die, the Virgin Mary was seen visibly who came 
 to his passing ; and she stood at the head of his 
 
 269 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Dove bed. And at the moment when his breath did 
 
 that leave him, that pitiful Lady took from his 
 
 Returned mO uth a white dove, the which she received and 
 
 cherished very sweetly. And she laid it in her 
 
 breast ; and forthwith departing from that place, 
 
 she carried it with her to Paradise. 
 
 270 
 
SAINT THOMAS OF 
 CANTERBURY 
 
HEREIN ARE TOLD CERTAIN FAVOURS THAT 
 OUR LADY DID FOR THIS LOVER OF HERS, 
 AND ALSO THE HISTORY OF THE PRIEST 
 THAT KNEW BUT ONE MASS 
 
 H 
 
 ERE I will tell of a noble work that Saint 
 
 Christ's Mother did for her dear servant Thomas of 
 and martyr, Saint Thomas, that was Bishop of Canterbury 
 Canterbury. In a good time began the friend- 
 ship that was between them, to wit, whilst he 
 was yet but a young scholar in the University 
 of Paris ; for already he did love that Lady with 
 a great devotion, and served her with his lips 
 and with his life. 
 
 And it happened at this time that one day 
 he walked with other young men, his fellow 
 students in that city, and they jested together 
 concerning the sweethearts that they had ; 
 boasting one against the other, each of the 
 fairness of his friend. Then said Saint Thomas, 
 wishing to prevail over them, for he was but a 
 young man, and somewhat vainglorious : 
 
 " She whom I call sweetheart is fairest of all ; 
 for there is no woman in all France to compare 
 with her, neither for beauty nor for loving- 
 kindness." And this he said, meaning by his 
 
 s 273 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Saint words to honour Our Most Blessed Lady, the 
 
 Thomas of Virgin Mary ; for she was the only mistress 
 Canterbury t ^ at he had. 
 
 But his friends, deeming that he spoke of 
 earthly love, laughed, because they knew that 
 he desired to be priested, and went little amongst 
 women. And they said, " We do not believe 
 that you have any sweetheart. If that you have 
 one, tell us her name, that we may know her 
 since she be so fair." 
 
 He answered, "That I may not do; but 
 sweetheart I have exceeding fair and gracious. 
 Little would you heed any other could you but 
 see her." 
 
 Then said they, " No doubt this mistress of 
 yours has given you some gage or token, as is 
 the custom amongst lovers ? " 
 
 " This hath she done for certain," said he. 
 "And it is finer than any you have seen." 
 
 But in this he lied, for no testimony had he 
 received that Saint Mary accepted his devotion. 
 
 Then one and another showed the love-gage 
 that he had, and said, " Is it fairer than this ? " 
 And he answered, " It is more lovely by far." 
 And so at last his fellows were provoked by 
 this boasting, and they said, " If you will not 
 tell us the name of your mistress, show us at 
 least her love-token, that we may know you 
 speak truth." 
 
 He said, " That I cannot do." 
 
 They answered, " If you cannot, it is because 
 you have it not. And now we believe not that 
 you have any sweetheart, or if you have, it is 
 274 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 but some serving-wench whose kisses you buy Saint 
 
 of her, and she has given you no token." Thomas of 
 
 And he was abashed and could not answer. Canterbury 
 
 Then they departed from him, and Saint 
 Thomas went to his home. And now he was 
 full of grief, for it seemed to him that by his 
 idle boasting he had defaced the honour of his 
 glorious Mistress, that should be to him so great 
 a treasure, for that he had made her holy name 
 the subject of light talk and vain dispute. 
 Therefore, going into his oratory, he fell on 
 his knees before her image and cried her mercy 
 very humbly, saying : 
 
 " Alas, most blessed Virgin ! How great 
 has been my presumption, in that I have dared 
 to call you friend, and set your love against 
 that of earthly women ! And by this 1 have 
 been led to worldly conversation, to vainglory 
 and untruthfulness, a thing that ill becomes 
 your loyal servitors. And little benefit have I 
 got of this fault, for my companions that 1 
 undertook to deceive know well that I have lied 
 to them, and for this they will despise me, as 
 they should. Great Queen and dearest Lady, 
 I do most heartily entreat your pardon, the 
 which if you will grant it me, I will serve you 
 henceforth in secret all my life, for most truly 
 I love you ; nor will I be ever led to the mis- 
 using of your name." 
 
 Then he made his devotion with tears and 
 supplications, saying Salve Regina and Ave> 
 Maria ! very devoutly, as her servants should. 
 
 Now when God's Mother saw his repentance 
 
 275 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Saint she had pity on her servant, for she knew that 
 
 Thomas of he loved her truly and was of an upright life, 
 Canterbury an( j j t displeased her that he should be brought 
 into contempt for that by reverence he would 
 not name her to his companions that demanded 
 it. Therefore she came, and appeared before 
 him in that oratory, and spoke to him comfort- 
 able words of pardon and encouragement. 
 
 And she said, "Know, Thomas, that I am 
 most truly your Friend and Sweetheart, that am 
 ever with you to be companion of your loneli- 
 ness and help in your need ; therefore fear not 
 to confess me, for none may have more faithful 
 nor more loving Bride. And I have brought 
 you a love-gage, in token of the troth that is 
 between us ; and it is my will that you take 
 and carry it to your companions that they may 
 know that you speak truth." 
 
 Then did the Queen of Angels give into the 
 hands of Saint Thomas a little casket, most 
 fairly wrought of goldsmiths' work and set with 
 precious stones. On the sides of it was em- 
 blazoned in fair colours the lily-flower of Our 
 Lady, and about it much tabernacle work in the 
 manner of those coffers wherein are kept the 
 relics of the saints. 
 
 And she said to him, " Take heed of this gift, 
 for know that all your life and all your honour 
 is therein. Yea ! not alone the glories of your 
 earthly pilgrimage, but that perdurable joy 
 which my Son has laid up for those our servants 
 that will be faithful even unto death. ' Pretiosa 
 in conspectu Domini mors Sanctorum ejus.' ' 
 276 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Then that most gracious Queen departed, and Saint 
 went back to Paradise, where of her infinite Thomas of 
 compassion she does intercede for us before her Canterbury 
 Son. And Saint Thomas, being filled with new 
 courage by reason of the mercy he had had, 
 went and sought out his companions, and he 
 showed to them his love-gage, and told them 
 all that had passed : how that he was dedicate 
 to Our Lady, and how that she had wrought 
 for him this miracle that she might give him 
 token of her love. Then took they the little 
 casket to open it, for they greatly desired to see 
 what was therein, for that she had said that all 
 his life and honour were in it. And when it 
 was open they found a little vestment, most 
 marvellously fashioned of the fairest stuffs: and 
 they were filled with amazement, for these were 
 those robes that bishops wear when they say 
 Our Lady's Mass. By this token they all did 
 know that the glorious Virgin was truly the 
 friend of Saint Thomas, and that she was 
 minded to bring her lover to great honour in 
 the Church, and to the charge and governance 
 of many souls. For this cause they gave him 
 worship, yet he held himself ever very humbly, 
 since he knew that to his Mistress belonged the 
 praise. 
 
 Now when that Our Lady's promise was 
 accomplished, and Saint Thomas was Arch- 
 bishop of Canterbury and Primate of this land, 
 she did to him another courtesy ; for she 
 forgets not her lovers ever, as earthly women 
 do, but is ever quick to do them kindliness. 
 
 277 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Saint At this time that holy bishop was driven by 
 
 Thomas of God's enemies into exile ; and he fled into 
 Canterbury F rance) to Pontigny, and dwelt in the monastery 
 of the Cistercians in that town. And for 
 many years Saint Thomas had worn next to 
 his skin a shirt and breeches made of hair ; for 
 the greater mortification of his flesh, and that 
 he might ever keep in mind his Saviour's pains. 
 But none knew it, save only a holy woman, an 
 anchoress of Canterbury, to whom he would 
 take the said garments so that she might mend 
 them. 
 
 But when that he was compelled to flee into 
 France for his safety, because of the suddenness 
 of his going he could not provide himself with 
 a change of this vesture ; and for that it was 
 very old and greatly worn, that which he had 
 on him was falling to pieces. Therefore, being 
 in Pontigny, where he might not get what he 
 needed without disclosing the matter, which 
 for humility's sake he did not desire to do, 
 Saint Thomas was in great perplexity ; for 
 indeed his breeches fell into many holes, and 
 would scarce stay on him. Thus it was, that 
 one day, finding himself alone in the monastery 
 church, and being in the chapel of Our Lady 
 at the head of the choir where few passed save 
 at the hour of her Office, it came into his mind 
 that he would try what he might do for the 
 mending of the said hair breeches. And he 
 took them off his body very discreetly, and 
 examined them where they should be sewed. 
 But at this craft Saint Thomas had no skill, 
 
 278 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 being indeed wholly ignorant of the matter, as Saint 
 
 is the manner of men ; and how to begin he Thomas of 
 
 knew not, nor yet what contrivance he must Canterbur y 
 
 use, for he had not the needle and thread that 
 
 the business required. But far otherwise was 
 
 it with his Sweetheart, that is the Queen of 
 
 Ladies. Of such matters the Blessed Virgin 
 
 is not ignorant ; nay, rather is she skilful in 
 
 the rendering of womanly service, for she is 
 
 the very Pattern of right womanhood. 
 
 Therefore she came, and saluted that bishop 
 her lover with much courtesy, and comforted 
 his fears. " What ! " she said, " would you 
 do this alone, that might have your Friend to 
 help you ? Let be, for this is woman's work." 
 
 And thus said, she took the breeches from 
 his hands and sat down beside him, and re- 
 paired all the rents that were in them most 
 properly and well. And when the work was 
 done, she vanished. 
 
 Then did Saint Thomas burst into tears, and 
 he fell down on his knees and lauded the 
 glorious Virgin right lovingly, because she had 
 remembered her servant and humbled herself 
 to minister to his needs. And he did on the 
 clothing that she had mended for him, for now 
 it was made new and whole ; and so great was 
 the joy he had of it that it seemed softer than 
 the finest silk. But he told this adventure to 
 none, for he feared to boast of the favour that 
 his Lady had shown him. 
 
 Now that all may know that this history is 
 true, I will here put in writing another marvel 
 
 279 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Saint that befell to Saint Thomas, after that he 
 
 Thomas of returned to his cathedral-church of Canterbury 
 Canterbury in England. For because of the prayers that 
 he made to Our Lady his helper, for the heal- 
 ing of that strife which was therein between 
 the King and Holy Church, Philip King of 
 France did contrive the matter, and peace was 
 made. So Saint Thomas might go again to 
 the Kingdom of England, there to minister to 
 his faithful folk. 
 
 Now when he had been some while there 
 established, dissension arose within his diocese, 
 because certain men, the which were but 
 Pharisees and hypocrites, accused to his vicar a 
 priest of the place, that was of right happy and 
 holy life, making complaint of him that he 
 never celebrated any other Mass than that of 
 the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. For this was 
 a young man that lived wholly in the love of 
 Our Lady ; but though he had a heart full of 
 fervour, he was but slow of wit. And because 
 of the exceeding great devotion that he had for 
 the glorious Virgin, whilst he was still very 
 young he laboured greatly that he might perfect 
 himself in the saying of her Mass. And this 
 he learnt, though indeed he was unlettered and 
 knew nought that a clerk should understand ; 
 but those other Masses which Holy Church 
 appoints for the due observing of her feasts, 
 he might not learn, for all scholarship was too 
 hard for him save when it concerned the 
 Mistress whom he loved. 
 
 And this young man, being greatly impatient 
 280 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 to serve the Queen of Angels at her altar, did Saint 
 
 so importune his Ordinary that at last he Thomas of 
 
 prevailed with him, and despite his lack of Canterbury 
 
 learning was made priest. And every day in 
 
 the chapel that was at his house he did celebrate 
 
 the Mass of Christ's Mother, to wit, that 
 
 which beginneth " Salve, sancta Parens," with 
 
 much devotion and a right heavenly joy. 
 
 Which thing was greatly pleasing to our most 
 
 holy Lady, for she despises not the love of 
 
 unlettered men. 
 
 But otherwise was it with the priests that 
 were his neighbours ; for they were filled with 
 envy because the greater piety of his life did 
 manifest the worldliness of theirs. Therefore 
 they cited him before Saint Thomas the Arch- 
 bishop, because, knowing but one Mass, the 
 which he repeated daily, he had dared to take 
 on himself the duties of a priest. 
 
 " Thus," they said, " is the Church brought 
 to scorn and God's enemies are exalted ! This 
 ignorant man, that can say but one Mass, were 
 better at the plough than at the altar, for 
 indeed it is an insult to God to take Him thus 
 ignorantly into our hands. We know that His 
 service demands great scholarship, to the which 
 this clerk cannot attain, for he lacks under- 
 standing. Therefore we pray that he be de- 
 prived of his benefice, and that it be given to 
 some other in his stead. " 
 
 Then Saint Thomas questioned the young 
 priest concerning this matter ; and he denied 
 nought, but said that indeed he did celebrate 
 
 281 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Saint daily the Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 
 
 Thomas of nor had he used any other Mass since he was 
 
 Canterbury hallowed. And the Archbishop marvelled very 
 
 much, and grieved that he could give him no 
 
 dispensation, for he knew him for an holy man, 
 
 though lacking scholarship. Therefore he said 
 
 to him : 
 
 " My son, now must you cease the saying of 
 the Mass, and you must apply yourself to 
 scholarship until you have learned those matters 
 wherein a priest should be well skilled. And 
 when this you have done, I will give you back 
 your benefice, and you shall celebrate Our 
 Lady's Mass again." 
 
 When this he heard, that chaplain was 
 greatly cast down ; for he knew that these 
 things were too hard for him, and the service 
 of his Mistress was all the joy that he had. 
 And he went home to his chapel, wherein he 
 had a right fair image of the Blessed Virgin 
 that was above the altar, and he stood before 
 that image and cried, saying : 
 
 " Alas ! most merciful Mother and Lady, 
 what news is this ? I have lived wholly for 
 your sake, and for this I have despised marriage 
 and renounced the having of children, that I 
 might the more perfectly serve you. And 
 behold ! all my care goes for nought, and I am 
 cast down in confusion and utterly contemned ; 
 for because I am ignorant and dull of wit I 
 may no longer celebrate your Mass, the which 
 I had promised to do all the days of my life. 
 For they do say that I have sinned, in that I 
 282 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 have come ignorantly to your altar, there to Saint 
 take your Son into my hands. Sweet Saint Thomas of 
 Mary, most glorious Virgin ! I have no other Canterbury 
 helper left but you, to make my peace with 
 Jesu Christ your Son. Will you not aid me ? 
 for well I know that your intercessions are 
 acceptable to God ; and indeed, if I may not 
 serve you, then would I rather die." 
 
 This said, he wept bitterly, and threw him- 
 self down before the altar, for he was exceeding 
 sore of heart. And behold, the merciful 
 Mother, seeing her chaplain so full of grief, 
 had compassion on him, and she spoke by the 
 mouth of her image, saying : 
 
 " My dear one, lift up your heart and be at 
 peace, for I will not suffer you to be taken 
 from my service ; and think not that my Son is 
 vexed against you, for all His Mother's servants 
 are His friends. Go therefore to your arch- 
 bishop, and speak with him secretly, saying : 
 * My Lord, the Lady your Sweetheart has sent 
 me unto you ; the same that did come to you 
 in the monastery church of Pontigny, and with 
 needle and thread did mend your breeches of 
 hair. And she says and demands that because 
 I am her chaplain, and have given myself alto- 
 gether to her service, I may not be letted in 
 the saying of her Mass. In this you have 
 wronged her, for in all the city of Canterbury 
 there is none other priest that devotes himself 
 wholly to her praise." 
 
 When he heard the Queen of Heaven that 
 spake thus to him, that chaplain was greatly 
 
 283 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Saint amazed ; and he burst forth into lauds and 
 
 Thomas of thanksgivings, for that of her pitiful mercy she 
 
 Canterbury ^ a d snO wn this favour unto her poor clerk. 
 
 Then he arose and went quickly to the palace 
 
 of the Archbishop ; but when he came there 
 
 he found great press of people, priests, clerks, 
 
 and gentlemen, that were in the antechamber, 
 
 and they would not suffer him to come in to 
 
 the bishop where he held his court. 
 
 And they spoke of him one to another, 
 mocking, and saying, " See ! there is the 
 ignorant chaplain that knows but one Mass," 
 for the which cause he was confused afresh. 
 
 And after that he had waited some hours, 
 there came out from the court the Archdeacon, 
 the which knew this priest and loved him for 
 the goodness and innocency of his life ; and he 
 took and brought him into the presence of 
 Saint Thomas. Then, when the Archbishop 
 saw him, he accosted him gently, as his custom 
 was with all ; but when that the young priest 
 prayed him that he would amend his judgment, 
 and give him leave to say his Mass again, he 
 reproved him very strictly, saying : 
 
 " Better would patience and obedience com- 
 port you than these importunities, carissime. 
 All things that are necessary I will most wil- 
 lingly grant you : but that which you come to 
 ask I cannot do, for Holy Church forbids." 
 
 Then said the chaplain, " My Lord, hear me 
 with patience ; for I am sent to you from that 
 Lady who in the monastery church of Pontigny 
 did mend your breeches of hair. And she de- 
 284 
 
THE MIR'ACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 mands and ordains that you do restore to me Saint 
 the grace of celebrating her Mass, for she knows Thomas of 
 that I love her ; nor has she in Canterbury any Canterbury 
 other priest that serves her thus." 
 
 When he heard these words, Saint Thomas 
 fell at the feet of that chaplain, and prayed him 
 that he would intercede for him before the 
 glorious Virgin, because he had sinned in that 
 he had entreated her servant amiss. And he 
 gave him his cure again, and would have ad- 
 vanced him to high office. But that young 
 priest replied that he knew himself to be but 
 ignorant and unworthy of any honour ; and 
 therefore he asked only that he might serve his 
 Mistress, who, of her infinite compassion, did 
 deign to receive his prayers. 
 
 And so did he do ; but whereas aforetime he 
 had indeed been slow of wit, now by God's 
 grace he was quick to learn, so that soon he 
 might do all things that became a priest, and 
 rightly say the Daily Office. Yet because of 
 the mercy that he had had of the glorious 
 Virgin, he kept his old and loving custom ; 
 nor did he ever, so long as he lived, celebrate 
 any other Mass than that of Our Lady Saint 
 Mary. 
 
 285 
 
THE DIVINE ENCOUNTER 
 
OF A YOUNG GENTLEWOMAN, THAT WAS 
 ACCUSTOMED TO INCITE THE LITTLE 
 CHILDREN TO SAY "AVE, MARIA!" AND 
 HOW GOD APPEARED TO HER IN THE FORM 
 OF A LITTLE CHILD 
 
 OUR sweet Lady, that is the most glorious The Divine 
 Virgin Mary, has ever been the friend Encounter 
 of maidens and the guardian of pure woman- 
 hood. Yea, and to them that serve her 
 maidenly, having given their virtue into her 
 keeping, she will always preserve it as an 
 heavenly treasure. 
 
 Now one such servant had the Blessed Virgin 
 in the old time ; to wit, a certain young gen- 
 tlewoman of noble breeding, that was most lovely 
 and discreet. She was sought of many because 
 of her loveliness and fair report ; but for the 
 great love and devotion which she had for the 
 Virgin Mary, she was set upon another under- 
 taking, namely, upon the keeping of her 
 maidenhead. And all that love which she 
 might have given to an husband and to 
 children she offered to her celestial Bride- 
 groom, and to the poor, that are the little 
 children of Christ. 
 
 T 289 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Divine For she said, " Since none ever called my 
 
 Encounter dear Lady wife, why should I ask for it ? And 
 
 what children should I desire if not her little 
 
 ones, that are every one the brothers and sisters 
 
 of the Holy Child ? " 
 
 Therefore this gentlewoman refused her- 
 self steadfastly to all lovers, tempted neither 
 by riches nor by fairness of body nor by brave 
 deeds. " For," she said, " I have chosen a 
 fairer Master, that is the Captain of a more 
 shining chivalry." And she lived solitary and 
 in great simplicity, having always with her the 
 pure love of Our Lady, the which puts all 
 luxury to despite. Yet, having this great gift 
 of a devout chastity, still she thought herself 
 little worthy for the service of that Queen, 
 holding herself to be but the lowest of Saint 
 Mary's handmaids, and spotted with many 
 faults : so great was the meekness of her heart. 
 Those only, she thought, that had still the 
 hearts of little children could bring to that 
 service the white innocency it must have ; and 
 only from children's lips could the Virgin 
 Mother hear again the melody of that pure 
 and perfect love which her own Child had 
 brought into the world. 
 
 Therefore this maiden, that loved the honour 
 of Our Lady above everything yea, even above 
 the gaining of .merit and the safety of her soul 
 was accustomed to call to her side those little 
 children whom she met with in the way, and to 
 caress them and promise them a little gift if 
 they would say after her the Ave, Maria ! 
 290 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 For thus, she said, the circle of Our Lady's The Divine 
 lovers would grow wider ; and that Angelical Encounter 
 Salutation, the which was always in her heart, 
 would be offered for her by unsullied lips. 
 
 So it was, that one day as she went about 
 her business she met a young and most fair boy 
 upon the road. Never, she thought, had she 
 seen a child more fit for God's service, for he 
 walked as a king's son, yet meekly as becomes 
 a little boy. When she spoke to him, he saluted 
 her right courteously ; and he looked on her 
 without fear very sweetly, as one who knew she 
 was his friend. 
 
 And she said, " My fair boy, because by God's 
 will we have met upon the road, will you not 
 say with me the words of the Ave, Maria ? For 
 it is the duty of all children to salute thus their 
 dear Mother, that is the glorious Virgin Mary. 
 If this you will do, I will give you this beautiful 
 apple which I have here." 
 
 And the boy answered, " That will I do most 
 willingly." 
 
 Then this gentlewoman began to say the Ave, 
 Maria! and the child also said it after her, word 
 after word, with great seriousness and attention, 
 as if he knew not how to say it alone. And the 
 girl praised Our Lady, for that she had allowed 
 her to be the means of teaching this most dear 
 and gentle boy the noble salutation, for she 
 thought, "The defects of my offering may 
 surely be made good by the inriocency of his." 
 
 But when that they were come to the Domi- 
 nus Tecum, the child ceased to repeat that which 
 
 291 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Divine she taught him, and stayed silent. The gentle- 
 
 Encounter woman thought he had not heard her rightly, 
 
 and she recited the words several times, gently 
 
 and slowly, that he might say them after her ; 
 
 but he would not. 
 
 Then she admonished him, and said, c< Dear 
 boy, it is not enough that we should salute Our 
 Lady, saying, * Hail, Mary ! full of grace ! ' 
 For this it is truly right to do ; but it is also 
 our duty that we confess, as the Angel Gabriel 
 did, that God is with her, even the Lord Christ. 
 Therefore say after me those words that I have 
 taught you, that God may be also with you." 
 
 But still the child spake not ; no, though she 
 again charged him that he should do it. And 
 several times over she said to him that he 
 should do this devoir, lest God be offended by 
 his lack of love. And at last, when he saw 
 how strongly she pressed him, and that she 
 would not let him go from her until he had 
 recited the Dominus Tecum, the child said to her 
 exceeding sweetly : 
 
 " What would you that I should say, and how 
 is it possible that I should offer to My Mother 
 this prayer ? For I am that Lord Himself of 
 Whom speaks the Ave Maria: 'Et ille benedic- 
 tus fructus ventris sum." 
 
 And having said these words, He vanished, 
 and she was alone in the way. 
 
 Then the girl knew that Our Lord Himself 
 had visited her in His own Person, by His Most 
 Blessed Mother's grace ; and because she had 
 ever desired that Mother's honour, He had 
 292 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 deigned of His great mercy to take from her The Divine 
 lips the Angelic Salutation, making Himself Encounter 
 even as those little children that she taught to 
 be of His brotherhood. Thus doth He bless 
 the lowly and the pure of heart, making Him- 
 self the mediator of their prayers. Then went 
 she home, praising Him, and saying, ' Quia 
 respexit humilitatem ancillae suae,' for she was 
 exalted with a most holy joy. And by this 
 adventure she was so greatly consoled, and so 
 filled with a burning love towards Jesu Christ 
 and His glorious Mother, that afterwards she 
 lived even more devoutly than she had afore- 
 time done. Nor did she cease to seek out the 
 little children and make herself their friend, for 
 she said : 
 
 " It may be that I shall see Him again, for I 
 know that He is with them." 
 
 Thus did she serve God and Saint Mary 
 many years ; and having passed her earthly 
 days in the midst of good works, of innocency, 
 and of love, she did at last most gloriously give 
 back her soul to God. 
 
 293 
 
THE CHURCH THAT IS 
 IN EGYPT 
 
HERE WE TELL HOW THE MOST HOLY 
 VIRGIN APPEARED TO THE ARCHBISHOP 
 THEOPHILUS, AND INSTRUCTED HIM CON- 
 CERNING THE JOURNEY THAT SHE TOOK 
 INTO EGYPT WITH HER SON 
 
 THEOPHILUS the Archbishop, a good and The Church 
 pious man, was Patriarch of Alexandria that ls ln 
 in the days wherein our holy fathers, Saint 
 Augustine, Saint Ambrose, and Saint John 
 Chrysostom ruled in the Church of God. And 
 he, being thus set over the Egyptian Church, 
 wondered oft concerning it, in what manner it 
 had been stablished, and whence had come the 
 grace that dwelt therein. For it is the tradition 
 of the saints that this church is the first in 
 all the world, being founded by our Saviour 
 Jesu, when He fled, a little Child, into Egypt 
 in His Mother's arms ; and resting in the place 
 that is called Heliopolis, where a great church 
 now is, did bless it and consecrate it for ever to 
 His service, and that of His Father, Almighty 
 God. But others there be that utterly deny 
 the matter, and say not that Christ Himself 
 brought His Church into this land. 
 
 Now Theophilus the Archbishop, pondering 
 
 297 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Church these things, was greatly perplexed ; and he 
 that is in most ardently desired to know the truth of it. 
 And on one Sunday night, standing in the 
 church of Heliopolis after that the Evening 
 Office had been said, and the bishop and the 
 elders had betaken them to sleep, he, being 
 filled with exceeding longing for this knowledge, 
 did go up to that high place where abideth the 
 picture of our holy Lady, the Blessed Virgin 
 Mary, Mother of God ; and standing before 
 her, he stretched out his hands in holy suppli- 
 cation, saying : 
 
 " Hear me, oh my Lord and Saviour, Jesu 
 Christ, Who didst hearken unto them that were 
 gathered together in the council of Nicaea,so that 
 they did stablish the Creed of God, and didst 
 enlighten Athanasius Thy servant, and bring 
 him out of great tribulation to much honour 
 and peace ! Behold, I, Thy poor minister 
 Theophilus, am sore perplexed ; and therefore 
 I beseech Thee that Thou wilt show me how 
 Thou didst come and dwell in this house in the 
 wilderness, and establish Thy Holy Church 
 therein, that thereby I may gather strength the 
 better to build up this house, that it may be- 
 come a mighty church for the cherishing of 
 Thy children and the honour of Thy Name." 
 
 And when he had so prayed, behold! a great 
 light appeared to him, so that he thought the 
 sun had risen, for midnight was long past and 
 it was very dark within the church : and within 
 this holy light he saw with great awe and 
 thanksgiving the Queen of Women, even Our 
 298 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 Blessed Lady that gave birth to God. Exceed- The Church 
 ing splendour of great radiance was about her, that is in 
 and with her were Saint Michael and Saint 
 Gabriel and great company of angels that 
 worshipped and rejoiced. When this he saw, 
 Theophilus was full of dread, and he fell 
 down upon the ground as one that swoons ; 
 but Saint Michael raised him up right cour- 
 teously, and the glorious Virgin spoke to him 
 and said : 
 
 "Fear not, Theophilus ! for I am come in 
 answer to thy prayer. Salutation unto thee, 
 thou strong corner-stone of the Church of 
 God. Behold, I am Mary, the daughter of 
 Anna and Joachim, of the tribe of Juda, of the 
 seed of David ; and I am come to thee at the 
 desire of my beloved Son, that I may show 
 thee concerning the manner of His journey 
 into this land." 
 
 Then did Theophilus the Archbishop give 
 thanks with exceeding devotion ; and when he 
 had so done, Our Lady saith to him : 
 
 4 'Now will I reveal to you how that the 
 Holy One did come to Egypt, and the wonders 
 that He did therein, the grace of the which 
 miracles doth still endure. And think not that 
 He came with earthly majesty, rather was it a 
 bitter pilgrimage and perilous : for we came on 
 foot, because our estate was very lowly, for He 
 that rideth on the clouds of Heaven desireth 
 not the chariots of men. 
 
 " Now when Gabriel the Archangel warned us 
 concerning those things that Herod would do ; 
 
 299 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Church how that he would kill every male child, that 
 that is in amongst them he might take my little Son, we 
 rose up, and came into this country as quickly 
 as we might; and Joseph was with me, and also 
 Salome. And I was full of fear, in that being 
 a virgin, very ignorant and young, the only 
 child of my mother, I had no knowledge of 
 the manner in which little children should be 
 cherished. But I carried my Child as well as I 
 could, sometimes on my shoulders, sometimes 
 on my back, and sometimes in my arms ; and 
 ofttimes I was very weary because of the length 
 of the way, for I was a little woman, and weak. 
 Then would Salome carry Him for me in turn ; 
 and sometimes I would set Him on the ground 
 that He might follow me, as the women of my 
 country do when they teach their little ones to 
 walk. And my Baby would walk a little way, 
 holding to the hem of my skirt ; and then, as 
 other children will, He would cry to me to 
 carry Him again. And so soon as He desired 
 it I would pick Him up right swiftly and em- 
 brace Him, and rejoice in His walking, as is the 
 manner of women with their first-born sons. 
 
 " Now when that we had been many days upon 
 our journey, and were full heart-sick because 
 we could find no place wherein to tarry, for we 
 were very footsore and the Child needed rest, 
 we came near to a certain city ; and without 
 the gates of it we fell in with two thieves, an 
 Hebrew and an Egyptian, that went in com- 
 pany. Then, when they saw us, the Hebrew 
 saith to his companion : 
 300 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 " ' Do you see this Woman and her Son, The Church 
 whose apparel shines like royal raiment ? Let that is in 
 us wait a little and watch them, that we may Egypt 
 see whether it be possible to take it from them ; 
 for very surely it is of much price, and I desire 
 it greatly. Here we are too near the city, but 
 if we might meet them in the desert we could 
 despoil them as we chose, for little could this 
 old man do in their defence.' 
 
 " Saith the Egyptian : ' Let be, and do not 
 molest this woman and her little one, for these 
 are no common folk though they go on foot. 
 Verily, I have not seen so wonderful a Child 
 since the day that I was born, and I think that 
 He must be a king's son/ 
 
 " Then those thieves went their way ; and 
 when they were gone, Joseph and Salome sat 
 them down to rest beside the road. But I, 
 because I needed water for the Child, took Him 
 in my arms and entered into the city, for I 
 thought that some woman would give it me 
 for the Baby's sake. But though I asked it of 
 many, none would give it me, for the people 
 of that place were hard of heart. And behold ! 
 as I went with my Son through the market 
 place, the idols that were set therein fell down 
 with a great sound, and were broken ; for the 
 which cause the citizens were much afraid, for 
 they thought that some sorcerer was come into 
 the town. Then, because I could not have 
 what I needed, I came out, and said to Joseph 
 and Salome : 
 
 " * Rise up, let us depart from this city ; for 
 
 301 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Church the people thereof have no mercy, and I cannot 
 that is in g e t water for the Child/ And being sorely 
 wearied I wept, for I knew not what to do. 
 
 " And when that my Baby saw me weeping, 
 He sought to wipe away my tears with His 
 little fingers, and He said : ' Grieve not, dear 
 Mother, for we shall have all things that we 
 need.' And laying His hand upon the ground, 
 that was much parched by the drought there 
 was in all the land, at once a spring of water 
 welled up from beneath it, that was sweet as 
 honey and white as milk ; and we drank of it 
 and were refreshed thereby. 
 
 " Then, when our thirst was quenched, my 
 little Child made the sign of Holy Cross above 
 that spring of water, and He blessed it, saying, 
 4 Let this water be for the healing and refresh- 
 ment of all that shall drink therefrom : save 
 only the people of this city, that have harshly 
 entreated My Mother and caused her to weep/ 
 
 " And we rose up and went on our way ; but 
 now the day was near spent, and the road was 
 wearisome and very hard to find. Now we 
 journeyed toward this mountain whereon now 
 I stand, for we hoped to find shelter therein ; 
 and Joseph was much vexed, for he thought it 
 were better that we had rested near the city 
 than that we should be alone in the desert when 
 night fell, in that it was greatly solitary, and no 
 defence should we have if any set on us to do 
 us hurt. But I would not stay under the 
 shadow of that place where they had refused 
 water to my Son. 
 302 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 " And behold ! at the hour of sunset, as we The Church 
 went by the side of this mountain, a difficult *?* ls m 
 way and perilous, those two thieves that we 
 had aforetime met outside the city came and 
 followed in our steps ; and when we saw them 
 we were full of fear, for we knew not what to 
 do. And the Child was asleep in my arms, for 
 He was very tired. Then, when they saw how 
 that they were discovered, those two thieves 
 rushed on us with drawn swords, saying : 
 
 " ' Many days have we followed you and 
 found you not, oh strange woman that goes on 
 foot in royal raiment ; and now, behold ! you 
 are delivered into our hands where none can 
 give you help.' 
 
 "Then did they snatch my sweet Son from out 
 my arms, and took off His raiment and left 
 Him naked upon the earth ; and my apparel 
 they took also, even to the veil wherewith I 
 covered my head. Now these were those 
 garments of wine-coloured stuff that I had 
 from out my mother's house in the days of my 
 betrothal. And from Joseph, that stood there 
 like an innocent sheep, knowing not what he 
 should do, they took clothing also ; and Salome, 
 seeing these things, cast down her garments 
 before them lest she be evilly used. Then, 
 gathering all up, those thieves left us where we 
 stood, and went apart and conversed together: 
 and I was full of dread, seeing that they took 
 counsel, for I said in my heart, ' They will 
 take me, and make of me their bondwoman, 
 and my little Child they will surely kill.' 
 
 303 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Church " And being greatly sorrowful I lifted Him up 
 that is in in my arms, all naked as they had left Him, 
 and wept and laid my face to His face, so that 
 my tears ran down upon His head. And I 
 mourned, saying : ' Woe is me, woe is me, oh, 
 my sweet Son ! Whither shall I escape, and 
 where can I bestow You safely, for that all men 
 seek Your destruction wheresoever we go ? I 
 fled from Jerusalem lest Herod should take 
 You ; and lo ! wicked men pursue You even 
 into this wilderness. Ah, my little Child ! 
 how greatly unfortunate I am, that, being a 
 young maiden, I have no wisdom to know what 
 I should do. Whom do I know in this country 
 who would cherish the Light of my eyes ? 
 Where can I go ? Verily, all women that have 
 borne children would weep for pity could they 
 see me now ! Ah ! dearest Baby, how shall I 
 endure it if they kill You ? How shall I live 
 without the sweet and heavenly words that You 
 speak to me each day ? I would that those 
 mothers whose children Herod slew could weep 
 with me this night ! ' 
 
 "And whilst I lamented thus, weeping in great 
 anguish, so that my tears streamed down upon 
 the body of the Child, that thief that was an 
 Egyptian saw it; and being filled with com- 
 passion because of my grief, his heart was 
 moved toward us by God's grace. Then he 
 said to the Hebrew his partner : 
 
 " ' My brother, it were well not to take the 
 raiment of these travellers, for I am sure that 
 if we do so ill will come of it. For I see on 
 304 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 their faces a light greater than that which shines The Church 
 on other folk, and this Child that we have *h** m 
 stripped is like unto a king's son, so great a 
 beauty hath He got.' 
 
 " But that thief that was a Jew replied to him 
 very sourly, saying : ' Hold your peace, for I 
 will in no wise give back the apparel we have 
 taken from these wanderers; for it is exceeding 
 rich and fair, and merchants will give us much 
 gold for it. And nothing can they do to hurt 
 us, in that here they are helpless in the wilder- 
 ness ; wherefore it would be folly to leave them 
 undespoiled.' 
 
 " Saith the Egyptian : ' I will not consent to 
 it, for my heart is moved with pity towards 
 this little Child. Take therefore my portion 
 of that spoil which we did take yesterday in 
 the city, and give me in exchange the raiment 
 of the Child and His Mother that I may give 
 it back to them. Verily, I cannot endure to 
 see this little one lying naked in His Mother's 
 arms, as do the children of the poor.' 
 
 " Answered the Hebrew : c Take, if you will.' 
 Then did the merciful thief take and give it 
 back to us, and I dressed my Son full joyfully 
 and put on my cloak and veil again. 
 
 " Now when my dear Baby saw this courtesy 
 that the Egyptian did to us, He made a sign 
 like unto a seal over him with His little fingers 
 very sweetly ; then did those two thieves de- 
 part from us, and we gave thanks for our 
 deliverance to Almighty God. And when this 
 we had done, Jesu saith to me : 
 
 u 305 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Church " ' Mother, forget not these two thieves, but 
 that is in keep their likeness ever in your heart ; for I 
 say unto you that in the day of My Passion 
 they shall be crucified with Me, one on the 
 right hand and one on the left, in Jerusalem by 
 the Jews. And that thief the Egyptian, whom 
 My Father in Heaven hath moved to show Me 
 mercy this day, the same is he that shall believe 
 on Me when I hang upon the tree of the Cross 
 to suffer for the sins of men, and he shall enter 
 into the Garden of Paradise, being the first- 
 fruits of My Saints. But the Jew shall not 
 believe. And as for this place wherein they 
 have stripped Me naked, and you have washed 
 My body with the sweet tears of your eyes, 
 behold, a fountain shall here spring forth that 
 shall be for the healing of every sick person 
 that washeth therein. For the tears that you 
 shed for love of Me shall refresh the world 
 and give it life.' 
 
 4 'But whiles my little Child spake thus, the 
 night was come upon us very dark, and Joseph 
 admonished me, for he was greatly impatient, 
 saying : 
 
 '" Come, tarry not, let us be gone, that we 
 may reach the city as quickly as may be. For 
 because you would not listen to me, that 
 would have stayed in safety near the town, 
 behold ! we are here in the midst of the 
 desert, where no shelter is nor help against 
 wild beasts, and darkness is come. Verily, 
 were it not for the goodness of God, already 
 we had been killed by these thieves; and it 
 306 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 may well be that they will return and set upon The Church 
 us anew.' that is * n 
 
 " Then my Baby looked into Joseph's face E SfP t 
 and said : 4 Speak not thus to My Mother, oh, 
 father, for it is My will that you entreat her 
 with courtesy. Behold ! it was not by your 
 will, but rather by the will of My Father that 
 is in Heaven, that I was made man ; therefore 
 He hath not put it into your power to rule 
 over Me, for it is I that do rule the world. 
 Nevertheless, I will go where you wish and do 
 in all things as you desire/ 
 
 " And we set forth, and ascended into the 
 mountain whereto we had journeyed ; and there 
 we found this house where now I am, that was 
 a temple of false gods. And because we were 
 very weary we entered into it full gladly, and I 
 stood in the midst of it and set my Son upon 
 the ground. Then He, having His holy feet 
 set upon this earth that is before your eyes, 
 lifted up His hands, and straitway the house 
 was altogether filled with light divine ; and I 
 saw angels, that came and fed the Child, and 
 the hosts of Heaven here worshipped at His 
 feet. Then did I give thanks to God, Who 
 had delivered us from evil men and brought us 
 to this resting-place ; and we abode here a long 
 while, blessing and praising Him. And we 
 had all things whereof we stood in need, for 
 without the temple there was a cistern of stone, 
 where the well of water now is, and my Child 
 laying His hands upon it, it was filled even to 
 the brim ; and Salome, finding a basin and a 
 
 307 
 
THE MIRACLES OF OUR LADY 
 
 The Church pitcher in the temple, we washed Him therein, 
 that is in and laid Him to rest. And this shall be for a 
 sign how that the Son of God here rested on 
 His journey ; wherefore this place is very holy, 
 for it is the first in all the land of Egypt where 
 my Child did rest and was at peace.' 7 
 
 And thus said, the holy Virgin went out 
 from the church of Heliopolis, and with her 
 Saint Michael and Saint Gabriel and all the 
 angels of her host ; and the Patriarch Theo- 
 philus was alone. 
 
 HOC OPUS EXPLETUR 
 DEITATI GRATIA DETUR 
 ET MATRI DOMINI 
 QUAE NOSTRA SIT PIA FINI 
 
 AMEN. 
 
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