In the year of Our Lord Jesus Christ 690, lived three maidens,
descended, by male issue, from the noble line of the great emperor
Octavian.
Their names were Blanche, Claire, and Candide.
Though they had dedicated the flower of their maidenhead to God,
it is not to be supposed that this was for lack of lovers.
For, on every day that passed, a crowd of people used to collect
for nothing else than to see them go by on their way to church,
and onlookers would say of them: "See what gentle eyes, see what
white hands!"
More than one, besides, with his mouth watering to look at them,
would say sorrowfully: "Must it be that such sweet maids as these
should dedicate themselves to God, who has eleven thousand or more
in his Paradise already."
"But none so fair," answered an old wheezing merchant behind them,
who was drinking in the fragrance of their dresses.
And going off on his way, if the old man saw any young fellow loafing
by the roadside, or lying on his belly in the grass to warm his back
in the sun, he would give him a kick in the ribs, saying: "Well now,
dost thou care nothing to see the finest flowers of beauty that were
ever blowing?"
II. How a prince of Araby was taken with love for the youngest sister,
and what came of it.
Not a few young men tried to win them in marriage, but failing in
this endeavour, turned moody and pined visibly away.
Among them was a certain prince of Araby, who had himself baptized with
great ceremony. And this for the sake of the youngest sister solely.
But, failing to attain his end, either by pleading or by force, set
himself one morning before her door, and there let himself fall on
his sword.
The maid, hearing this fair lord cry out, came down in haste and had
him carried in and laid on her own bed; whereat (for he was not quite
dead) he found great solace.
And when she bent over him to bathe and dress his wound, he roused
what force he had left in him, kissed her on her red mouth, sighed
like a man delivered from torment, and so gave up his soul happily.
But the maid was not at all pleased at this kiss, for she considered
it a dishonour to her divine husband Jesus. Nevertheless she wept
for the fair lord, a little.
III. Wherein it is seen how Satan persecutes those ladies who seek
to escape from the world.
There were oftentimes a great crowd of suitors before the dwelling
of the three ladies, some of them sighing laments, others prancing
up and down on fine horses, others without uttering a word, but only
looking up at the windows all the day long.
And oftentimes these men would fight together and kill one another,
from jealousy. At this the ladies were saddened exceedingly.
"Ah," said the two elder to their sister, "pray for us, white Blanche,
white of soul and white of body, pray for us, little one. Jesus
listens readily to the prayers of such maids as thou art."
"My sisters," answered she, "I am less worthy than you, but I will
pray, if you so wish it."
"Yes," said they.
Then the three sisters knelt down, and the youngest prayed in this
manner:
"Kind Jesus, we have sinned against you assuredly, else you would not
have let our beauty so touch these wicked men. Yes, we have indeed
sinned, but, weaklings that we are, despite ourselves, Lord. Ah,
grant us pardon for our great sorrow. You would have us for your own,
and so indeed we have kept ourselves: our youth and beauty, mirth
and sadness, vows and prayers, souls and bodies, thoughts and deeds,
everything. In the morning, at noon, and at vesper-time, at all hours
and all moments, do we not have you in our minds? When your bright
sun rises, O beloved, and no less when your bright stars shine in
your heaven, they can see us at prayer, and offering to you, not gold,
frankincense, or myrrh, but our humble loves and our poor hearts. That
is not enough, we know well. Dear one, teach us to do more."
Pausing here they sighed sorrowfully, all three.
"Kind Jesus," went on the youngest sister, "we know well enough
the desire of these men. They think themselves brave and handsome,
and hope on this account to capture our love, but they are neither
handsome, nor brave, nor good, as you are, Jesus. And yours we are
and shall be always, and theirs never. Will you please to love us
also a little, for you alone are our comfort and joy in this sad
world, Jesus? We will not be unfaithful to you in anything. Ah,
let us rather die quickly, for we hunger and thirst for you. If you
will, let these evil men continue to pursue us with their loves,
'twill be but delight to suffer it for your sake. Nevertheless,
the mortal husband leaves not his wife in danger, nor the betrothed
his bride. Are you not better than they, and will you not keep us
also from the snares of the enemy? If it be not pleasing to you, do
nothing, but then it may be that one day some one will steal from us
our virginity, which is yours only. Ah, dear beloved, rather let us
pass our lives old, ugly, leprous, and then descend into purgatory,
among devils, flame, and brimstone, there to wait until you deem us
pure enough at length to take us into your Paradise, where we shall
be allowed to see you and love you for ever. Have pity upon us. Amen."
And having spoken thus, the poor child wept, and her sisters with her,
saying: "Pity, Jesus, pity."
IV. Of the voice of the divine bridegroom, and of the horseman in
silvern armour.