The aim of the present series of popular stories demands that some
notice should now be taken of such musical legends as breathe a thorough
Christian spirit. Several of these are, as might be expected, very
beautiful; but they are familiar to most readers. One or two which are
less well known may, however, find a place here.
The legend of the Monk of Afflighem bears some resemblance to the
beautiful tradition of the Seven Sleepers. If it fails to interest the
reader, the cause must be assigned to the simple manner in which it is
told rather than to the subject itself.
Towards the end of the eleventh century occurred in the Abbey of
Afflighem, in Dendermonde, East Flanders, a most wonderful event, the
pious Fulgentius being at that time the Abbot of the monastery.
One day, a monk of very venerable appearance, whom no one remembered to
have seen before, knocked at the door of the monastery, announcing
himself as one of the brotherhood. The pious Abbot Fulgentius asked him
his name, and from what country he had come. Whereupon the monk looked
at the Abbot with surprise, and said that he belonged to the house.
Being further questioned, he replied that he had only been away for a
few hours. He had been singing the Matins, he said, in the morning of
the same day in the choir with the other brothers. When, in chanting,
they came to the verse of the ninetieth psalm, which says: "For, a
thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday!" he pondered upon it
so deeply that he did not perceive when the singers left the choir, and
he remained sitting alone, absorbed by the words. After he had been a
while in this state of reflection, he heard heavenly strains of music,
and on looking up he saw a little bird which sang with a voice so
enchantingly melodious that he arose in ecstasy. The little bird flew to
the neighbouring wood, whither he followed it. He had been only a little
while in the wood listening to the heavenly song of the bird; and now,
in coming back he felt bewildered,--the appearance of the neighbourhood
was so changed he scarcely knew it again.
When the pious Abbot Fulgentius heard the monk speak thus, he asked of
him the name of the Abbot, and also the name of the King who governed
the country. And after the monk had answered him and mentioned the
names, it was found to the astonishment of all that these were the names
of the Abbot and the King who had lived three hundred years ago. The
monk startled, lifted up his eyes, and said: "Now indeed I see that a
thousand years are but as one day before the Lord." Whereupon he asked
the pious Abbot Fulgentius to administer to him the Holy Sacraments; and
having devoutly received them, he expired.[82]