twelve hundred and twenty, in the nones of July, at three o'clock, in
the fiftieth year after his passion. For this glorious saint our Lord
hath showed many great miracles, as well by his life, as after his
death and martyrdom. For a little tofore his death a young man died and
was raised again by miracle. And he said that he was led to see the
holy order of saints in heaven, and there he saw a seat void, and he
asked for whom it was, and it was answered to him that it was kept for
the great Bishop of England, Saint Thomas of Canterbury. There was also
a simple priest that daily sang no other mass but of our Lady, whereof
he was put to Saint Thomas his ordinary, whom accused, he opposed,
and found him full simple of conning, wherefore he suspended him, and
inhibited him his mass. Wherefore this priest was full sorry, and
prayed humbly to our blessed Lady that he might be restored again to
say his mass. And then our blessed Lady appeared to this priest, and
bade him go to Saint Thomas, and bid him "by the token that the lady
whom thou servest hath sewed his shirt of hair with red silk, which he
shall find there as he laid it, that he give thee leave to sing mass,
and assoil thee of his suspending and thine inhibiting, and restore
thee again to thy service." And when Saint Thomas heard this he was
greatly abashed, and went and found like as the priest had said, and
then assoiled him to say mass as he did before, commanding him to keep
this thing secret as long as he lived.
There was a lady in England that desired greatly to have grey eyes, for
she had a conceit that she should be the more beauteous in the sight
of the people; and only for that cause she made a vow to visit Saint
Thomas upon her bare feet. And when she came thither, and had devoutly
made her prayers to have her desire, suddenly she wax stark blind, and
then she perceived that she had offended and displeased our Lord in
that request, and cried God mercy of that offence, and besought him
full meekly to be restored of her sight again. And by the merits of the
blessed Saint Thomas she was restored to her sight again, and was glad
to have her old eyes, and returned home again, and lived holy to her
life's end. Also there was a lord's carver that brought water to him at
his table, to whom the lord said: "If thou hast ever stolen anything
of mine, I pray God and Saint Thomas that thou have no water in the
bason," and suddenly it was all void of the water and dry, and there
was he proved a thief.
There was a tame bird kept in a cage, which was learned to speak. And
on a time he fled out of the cage and flew into the field; and there
came a sparrowhawk and would have taken this bird and pursued after.
And the bird, being in great dread, cried: "Saint Thomas! help!" like
as he had heard others speak, and the sparrowhawk fell down dead, and
the bird escaped harmless.
Also there was a man that Saint Thomas loved much in his days, and he
fell in a grievous sickness, wherefore he went to the tomb of Saint
Thomas to pray for his health; and anon he had his desire and was all
whole. And as he turned homeward, being all whole, then he began to
dread lest this health should not be the most profitable for his soul.
Then he returned again to the tomb of Saint Thomas, and prayed if his
health were not profitable to his soul that his old sickness might
come again to him. And it came anon again to him, and endured unto
his life's end. And in like wise there was a devout blind man which
had his sight restored to him again by the merit of Saint Thomas; but
after, he repented him, for he could not be so quiet in his mind as
he was before, he had then so much letting by seeing the vanities of
the world. Wherefore he prayed to our Lord that by the merits of Saint
Thomas he might be blind again to the world as he was before, and anon
he had his desire, and lived after full holily to his life's end. Who
should tell all the miracles that our blessed Lord hath showed for this
holy martyr, it should overmuch endure, for ever sith his passion unto
this day, God hath showed continually for him many great miracles. Then
let us pray this holy saint to be a special advocate for us wretched
sinners unto our Lord God, who bring us unto His everlasting bliss in
heaven.
Translated by William Caxton
ALLEGORY
AN EXTRACT FROM "THE CASTLE OF LOVE"
AN EXTRACT FROM "THE CASTLE OF LOVE"[43]
The King had a castle made, after His own device, so that it would
never dread the assault of any enemies. He set it on a white rock,
thick and high, with good ditches all about, deep and wide. Men can
never undermine this castle by any kind of craft, nor can any engine do
it harm. The castle is ever full of love and grace for any one who has
need of succor. Four towers it has, with fair battlements, and three
courts. Heart cannot think nor can tongue tell all the bounty and the
beauty of this castle. Seven barbicans are set so securely that no
manner of shooting from without can cause harm. The castle is painted
on the outside in three colors: a red burning color is above, towards
the fair towers; the color of the middle portion is blue softer than
indigo; and near the ground is green that never changes hue.
These colors cast such light both far and near that when men behold
them it greatly comforts their sight. The castle, within, is ever
blanched as white as any driven snow. Four fair streams flow out of a
well in the middle of the highest tower and fill the ditches. So fair
and so good is the water, that he who drinks of it has great bliss.
A throne of ivory there was set in this tower, and seven steps lead
upward, with great worship and honor. Never was a throne half so fair
seen in this world; nor did prince or queen ever have so beautiful
a one. It was made subtilely, by wondrous design, and a rainbow
steadfastly arched above it. The King's Son made it for His own seat;
never was there one so fair, nor shall there ever be.
This castle of solace and of succor is the blessed body of her who bore
our Saviour, and is a refuge for all mankind. Whosoever flees thither
shall find succor. The rock, white and fair and stable, is her heart in
all its holiness, that made her serve God without fear, in sovereign
purity of meekness and maidenhood. The green color, by the ground, that
will last so well, is the truth of our lady, aye steadfast. The central
color in the midst of this castle wall is enduring hope to attain the
grace that saves mankind. The red color above, burning to the sight, is
the burning love of God and man, that gives great light. No wonder if
this castle is wholly white within, for the heart of that maiden was
never defiled with sin. The four towers, great and strong, so fair to
see, were ghostly strength and soberness, righteousness and skill.[44]
These four virtues drive out all manner of wickedness, and keep fast,
within, all goodness.
The courts, one within another, in three stages, are clean maidenhood,
motherhood, and true wifehood. There never was a woman except Saint
Mary with all these three, but whosoever would be saved from sin, must
have one of these. The seven barbicans we call the seven fair virtues,
that suffered no vice to be in our Lady. Great meekness in her heart
forever vanquished pride; envy could not abide her great charity; her
devout abstinence destroyed all gluttony, and her clean maidenhood
forbade lechery; wicked covetousness might never dwell in her heart,
because wilful poverty guarded that castle; patience was always
watching, so that the sin of wrath could never have resting place.
There was in her heart so much spiritual comfort that the sin of sloth
could never dwell therein. The fair well of the castle, that ever fills
the ditches, is grace in God's mother, ever dear to sinful man. Thou
who hast need of grace, go to the well-spring; whosoever has her help
will never go to hell. Make the ditches of meekness and of good will,
and the four streams of grace shall soon fill thee: one stream evermore
shall wash thee clean of sin, another shall make thee steadfast against
temptation, the third shall bear thee to bliss that is for aye. This
well is evermore the spring of mercy and of pity. The throne of ivory
is the soul of our sweet Lady; the seven steps leading thereto are the
seven works of mercy; the rainbow of three colors bending over it is
the might of the holy Trinity, covering her. No wonder if this castle
is fair to see, since God, the sun of righteousness, would alight
therein. He came through the closed gate just as the bright sunbeam
comes and goes through the glass. All that man has need of is in this
castle; he who has its help has happiness enough.
Translated by M. H. S.
BESTIARY
LION, EAGLE, WHALE, SIREN
THE LION[45]
Nature
I
The lion stands upon a hill, and if he hears a man hunting, or through
his nostrils scents one approaching, he fills all his own footsteps, as
he goes down to the dale, by drawing either dust or dew into them with
his tail, so that the hunter cannot find him, and thus he speeds to his
den and there shelters himself.
II
Another nature he has. When he is born he lies still and stirs not from
sleep until the sun has shone thrice about him, then his father rouses
him by the cry he makes.
III
The third habit the lion has is this: when he lies down to sleep he
never closes the lids of his eyes.
Signification
I
Very high is that hill which is the kingdom of heaven; our Lord is the
Lion, who lives there above. Though He chose to alight here on earth,
the devil, even if he be a crafty hunter, could never know how He came
down nor how He dwelt in that humble maiden, Mary by name, who bore Him
for the salvation of men.
II, III
Though our Lord was dead, and buried, as was His will, and lay still
in a stone until the third day, His father aided Him, so that He arose
from the dead, to keep us alive. He watches, according to His will,
as a shepherd, and we are the sheep; He will shield us if we hear His
word, and go nowhere astray.
THE EAGLE
Nature
I will make known to you the nature of the eagle, as I read about it in
a book; how he renews his youth and how he emerges from old age when
his limbs are unwieldy and his beak all twisted, and his flight is
weak and his eyes dim; hear how he recreates himself. He seeks a well
which springs up ever, both by night and by day; over that he flies,
and up he soars until he passes through the sixth and the seventh skies
and reaches heaven, and hovers as close as he can to the sun. The sun
scorches his wings and makes his eyes bright; his feathers fall out
because of the heat, and he falls down then into the water to the
bottom of the well, where he becomes whole and sound and comes out all
new, except that his beak is crooked. Since his beak is twisted, though
his limbs are strong, he cannot procure food for himself. Then he goes
to a stone and strikes his beak on it and continues to strike it until
his beak loses all its crookedness, and at once with his straight bill
he seizes what food he likes.
Signification
Man is like unto the eagle,—if you will listen,—old in his secret sins,
ere he becomes a Christian. Before he had considered his sins his eyes
were murky. Thus he may renew himself if he goes to church, and, there
renouncing Satan and every sinful deed, betakes himself to Jesus
Christ, who will be his reward. He believes in our Lord Christ, and
learns the teachings of the priest, and the mist departs from his eyes
while he lingers there. His hope is all fixed upon God, and he learns
of His love which, like the sun, again restores his sight. Naked he
falls in the font, and comes out all new, except for one little thing.
What is that? His mouth is still untrue, his mouth is still unfamiliar
with pater noster and creed. If he goes north or if he goes south he
will soon discover his need; he will beg a favor from God and thus will
make his mouth perfect; so may he gain his soul's food, through the
grace of our Lord.
THE WHALE
Nature
The whale is the largest fish that is in the ocean. You would say, if
you should see it afloat, that it is an island, that sits upon the sea
sand. When this fish, so unwieldy, is hungry he opens his jaws wide,
and out of his throat comes a sweet odor, the sweetest thing that is
on earth. When other fish perceive it they are glad to draw near; they
come and hover in his mouth, unaware of his deceit. Then the whale
shuts his jaws, sucking in all these fish. It is only the small ones
he thus deceives; the big ones he cannot catch. This fish dwells at
the bottom of the ocean, and lives there, always hale and well, until
it comes to be the time when storms stir all the sea. Then summer
and winter contend, and the whale cannot stay there, because the sea
bottom is so turbid, so he rises and lies still, while the weather is
so bad. Sailors in the ships driven about on the sea, dreading to die
and anxious to live, look around and see this fish, and, believing it
is an island, are very happy as they draw near; with all their strength
they cast anchor, and go upon the island. By flint and steel they start
a fire burning well on this wonder, and warm themselves, and eat and
drink. The whale, feeling the fire, sinks them, for he quickly dives
down to the bottom of the sea and thus drowns them all.
Signification
This devil is strong in wile and might, as witches are in their craft;
he makes men hunger and thirst and have sinful desires; he entices
men to him with his breath; whoever follows him finds shame. It is
the ones of little faith whom he deceives, not those who are strong
and steadfast in flesh and spirit, holding to the true faith. He who
listens to the devil's teachings will at last repent it sorely; he who
fastens his hope on him will follow him to dim hell.
THE SIREN
Nature
In the sea are many wonders. The mermaid is like a maiden to the waist,
but otherwise she is exactly like a fish with fins. This marvel dwells
in dangerous places where the water is shallow, and she sinks ships and
works harm thus. Merrily this maid sings, and she has many voices,—many
and shrill,—but they are all evil, for sailors forget their steering
because of her singing, and they slumber and sleep and wake too late;
and the ships sink with the confusion, and come up nevermore. Wise men
and wary know how to flee, and often escape with uncorrupted heart. By
this maiden of whom you have heard, this monster half human and half
fish, something is betokened.
Signification
Many men illustrate the meaning of this example: without, they wear the
skin of sheep; within, they are wolves wholly; they speak piously, but
wicked are their deeds; their deeds are all unlike what their mouths
speak. Twofold they are in spirit,—they swear by the cross, by the
sun, and by the moon, and they lie both in their speech and in their
singing. They deceive thee then; they destroy thy goods with treachery
and thy soul with lying.
Translated by M. H. S.
LAPIDARY
DIAMOND, SAPPHIRE, AMETHYST, GERATITE, CHELIDONIUS, CORAL, HELIOTROPE,
PEARL, PANTHEROS; SYMBOLISM OF THE CARBUNCLE; SYMBOLISM OF THE TWELVE
STONES
EXTRACTS FROM LAPIDARIES[46]
Evax, king of Arabia, sent to Nero, the emperor of Rome, a book which
he had written concerning the nature of stones, telling their kinds,
their names, their colors, in what lands they are found, and the
virtues that they have. Many of their virtues are hidden, but others
are well known. Doctors who know the powers of gems find them of great
aid in their medicines. No wise man can doubt that God has placed great
virtue in stones, as He has in herbs.
Diamond
The diamond is as clear as crystal, but it has also the aspect of
steel. It is found in India. Such great hardness it has that neither
with iron nor with fire can it be cut, but if it is soaked in the hot
blood of a goat, a man can work it on the anvil with a hammer. The
sharp splinters which are broken off are used to cut other gems. This
stone is no bigger than a hazel-nut. In Arabia there is a kind of
diamond, not so hard, which can be cut without goat's blood. It is not
so beautiful nor so valuable as the other, although it is larger. A
third species comes from Cypress, and a fourth from Greece. Each one
has the power of attracting iron. Enchanters use this stone in their
enchantments. It gives to the man who carries it strength and virtue;
it protects him from bad dreams, from phantoms, from all poisons, and
from all hates and discord; it cures madmen, and defends a man against
his enemies. It should be set in gold or in silver, and worn upon the
left arm.
Sapphire
Sapphire is fit for the fingers of kings; it is resplendent and like
the sky when free from clouds; there is no other stone which has
greater virtue or beauty. Men call it Syrtites because it is found in
the sand of Libya near the Syrtes. The best is that which is found in
Turkey, for this is not translucent. It is of such great virtue that
it is by right called the gem of all gems. It comforts the body and
keeps its members whole; it overcomes envy and treachery, and it drives
away fear. It frees a man from prison and looses heavy fetters; it is
good for effecting reconciliation, and is better than any other stone
for seeing in the water the signs which reveal things hitherto not
known. As medicine it is valuable because it cools an internal fever;
if a person dissolves it in milk it will cure bad diseases. It is good
for the eyes, and for headache, and for disease of the tongue. He who
carries it must be chaste.
Amethyst
The amethyst has a purple color, or sometimes is like violet or like
drops of wine or like a rose. Some there are which turn almost white,
others are like red wine mixed with water. From India it comes; it is
easy to work, and it prevents intoxication. It would be precious if it
were not so abundant, but it is commonplace since there is so much of
it. There are five kinds.
Geratite
Geratite is black. It is of such a nature that if a man opens his mouth
and puts the stone under his tongue he will divine what another person
thinks of him, and can win any woman's devotion. This stone can be
tried as follows: let a man anoint himself with milk and honey, go out
into the sunshine where insects swarm, and if he has the stone in his
mouth the insects will not attack him; if he removes the stone they
will at once sting him.
Chelidonius
Chelidonius is a stone which one finds in the stomach of a swallow. It
is not very beautiful, but it surpasses all the beautiful stones in
usefulness. It is of ten sorts and of two colors—black and red. The
red is good for the frenzy which seizes people who are moon-struck; it
restores their sanity to madmen and cures those who are pining away. He
who carries this stone will be a good orator and will be much beloved.
One must carry it wrapped in linen cloth and suspended under the left
arm. The black, if worn in the same way, aids a man to accomplish
important things he has undertaken; it is also a help against the
threats and rages of kings and princes. The water in which it is washed
is helpful to diseased eyes. If wrapped in linen cloth of saffron tint,
it drives away fever and restrains the humors which injure the body.
Coral
Coral is a stone which grows in the sea like a tree. It is green
there where it grows, but when it is exposed to the air it hardens
and becomes red. It is like a bush hardly half a foot high. It is
very good to carry about, as say the authors Zoroaster and Metrodorus,
for it protects one from lightning and tempest, and if one scatters
it on vines or among olive trees, or upon a seeded field, it will be
a protection from hail and other storms. It makes fruits multiply,
it drives away phantoms, it gives a good beginning and a prosperous
conclusion.
Heliotrope
Heliotrope is of such a nature that if one puts it in a basin of water
opposite the sun, it makes the sun become red and creates an eclipse.
In a little while it makes the water boil up over the basin's edge, and
fall like a shower of rain. He who wears this can prophesy many things.
It gives a man praise and good health, it stanches the flow of blood,
it overcomes poison and treachery. Any one who takes the herb called
heliotrope and binds the two together with the proper incantation can
walk where he pleases and no one will see him. This stone comes from
Ethiopia, from Cypress, and from Africa. It is very much like the
emerald, but has red spots.
Pearl
The pearl is found in a shell, and it is called _unio_ (union), because
it is always found alone. The wise say that the oyster shells are open
at certain times, and they receive the dew of heaven; the morning dews
become white and clear pearls, while the evening dews are obscure. The
young shells produce clearer pearls than the old ones do. The more
dew the shells receive, the larger is the pearl, but no one is ever
more than half an ounce in weight. If there is thunder when the dew
is received, then the pearls perish. They grow in India and in Great
Britain.
Pantheros
Pantheros is of various colors,—black, red, green, gray, purple, and
rose color. All these shades appear in combination. Whoever sees it in
the morning will not be defeated in battle, that day, nor in any other
undertaking. In India there is a beast, of divers colors, called the
panther, of whom other beasts are afraid, and this stone is named after
him.
Symbolism of the Carbuncle[47]
The carbuncle is red, and surpasses the wonders of all other stones.
The books tell us that the gentle carbuncle, fine and clear, is the
lord of all stones, the gem of all gems, and has the virtue of precious
stones, above all. It is of such superiority, that when he who wears
it comes among people, all accord him honor and grace, and rejoice in
his coming. The books tell us that the beasts who drink of the stream
where carbuncles have been washed, are cured of their malady; and the
wretched who in good faith look at this stone are comforted and forget
their adversity. By the virtue which God has sent, it soothes the eyes,
comforts the heart and the body, and gives man lordship more than do
those stones which are larger. Carbuncles are found in Libya in the
river of paradise. The book of Moses says that God commanded that the
carbuncle should be first in the second row of twelve stones. By night
and by day it illumines all, and restores and lightens the heart.
Sunlight does not take away any of its great and joy-giving color.
Moses tells us that it signifies Jesus Christ, who came into the world
to lighten our darkness, and Saint John, speaking of the coming of
Jesus Christ, said He is the true Light who gives light to all men and
to all the world. Isaiah the prophet said of Him that the people who
walked in darkness have seen a great Light. Saint John did not find the
carbuncle among the foundations of the celestial kingdom of Jerusalem,
for all who desire to behold the carbuncle and the clearness of the
true sun must turn to the true light of Jesus Christ.
Symbolism of the Twelve Stones[48]
Twelve stones there are in this world which have great significance.
I shall not fail briefly to say what each one signifies. Red jasper
signifies love; the green, faith; the white, sweetness. Sapphire means
that he who has faith shall reign together with God. Chalcedony, which
is the color of fire, shows who will be neighbors with God. Emerald
signifies the faith which the Christians have in Him; sardonyx,
chastity and humility among the saints; sardius, the sorrows which they
had on earth for their love of God; chrysolite, the life celestial that
they have after the life terrestrial; beryl, purification, which the
saints pronounce to the people. Topaz signifies to us the crown of holy
life; chrysoprase, the reward which holy men will hold very dear; and
jacinth is a sign of the light which the saints have from the Creator.
Amethyst shows the martyrdom which God suffered.
Translated by M. H. S.
HOMILY
CONCERNING MIRACLE PLAYS, GAMES, AND MINSTRELSY
CONCERNING MIRACLE PLAYS, GAMES, AND MINSTRELSY[49]
It is forbidden a clerk in orders to perform or to see miracle plays,
for they are sinful gatherings and sights. He may, in church, play
the resurrection, showing how God rose, and thus make men believe
faithfully that Christ rose in flesh and blood, and he may play without
harm the part showing how God was born in Yule night, and thus teach
men to believe steadfastly that Christ was born of the Virgin Mary. If
he plays parts in the streets or in groves, it seems truly a sinful
sight. Saint Isidore bears witness to this, for he says, "These men
forsake what they accepted,—God and Christianity, when they take part
in such things as miracle plays or in games or tournaments of great
price." These are pomps that thou didst forsake when thou didst accept
Christianity. At the font the ignorant man says, "I forsake thee, here,
Satan, and all thy pomps and thy works." This is the instruction thou
hast had as a clerk. Hast thou kept thy promise when thou dost take
part in such performances? Thou hast broken thy covenant with God, and
dost serve thy sire, Termagant. Saint Isidore says in his writings,
"All those who delight in seeing such things, or who lend horse or
harness for them, are perilously guilty." If a priest or a clerk lends
a vestment which has been hallowed by the sacrament, he, more than
others, is to be blamed, for he shall have the infamy which attends
sacrilege, and shall be chastised as is right.
Dances, carols, and summer games bring shame in many ways; when thou
dost plan to take part in these thou art slothful in God's service, and
shalt be punished for thy sin.