A MIRACLE
Had one been on Bronffin, the mountain-brow overhanging Caio, on the
following morning, strange would have been the scene witnessed.
Those of the inhabitants who had not fled were engaged in the obsequies
of the hermit who had been burned when the presbytery took fire, and
whose charred remains had been extricated from the ruins.
The corpse was borne on a bier covered with a white sheet; and men and
women accompanied, chanting an undulating wail-like dirge, while the
priest from Llansawel--a daughter church--preceded the body.
Simultaneously arrived a number of armed men, retainers of the bishop,
under the command of his brother, with the chaplain Cadell in their
midst, accompanied by the Dean of Llandeilo and his deacon. Rogier had
recovered the use of his arm, which was, however, still somewhat stiff
in the joint from the blow he had received.
Their arrival disturbed the procession, for the newcomers rode through
the train of wailers manifesting supreme indifference with regard to the
proceedings.
"Put down yon bier!" ordered Rogier; and then, because none comprehended
his words, he made imperious gestures that could not be mistaken. He was
obeyed by the bearers, and the mourners parted and stood back, while the
armed men filled in about the chaplain and their leader.
Cadell rose in his stirrups and called in Welsh for silence, that he
might be heard.
Then, addressing the inhabitants in loud tones, he said: "It is well
that ye are present, assembled, without my having to call you together.
Ye shall hear what has been decreed. Proceed with the interment of the
dead after that. Draw around and give ear."
All obeyed, though slowly, reluctantly.
When Cadell saw that all those of Caio who were gathered to the funeral
were within earshot and attention, he said, speaking articulately, in
sharp, distinct sentences, raising himself in his stirrups: "His
fatherliness, the Bishop of St. David's, by the grace of God and the
favor of Henry King of England and Lord Paramount over Wales, in
consideration of the disloyal and irreligious conduct of the people
inhabiting the so-called Sanctuary of David in Caio, but forming an
integral portion of the patrimony of the see when he, their father and
their lord, visited the place but recently, and above all, because the
Archpriest did resist him, and further, did not shun to lift up his
sacrilegious hand against him, his father in God, and inasmuch as in the
divine law communicated to man from Sinai, it is commanded that he who
smiteth his father shall surely be put to death, therefore he, their
Lord and Bishop, in exercise of his just and legal rights, doth require
_imprimis_: That the said Archpriest, Pabo by name, shall surrender his
person to be tried and sentenced by the Court ecclesiastical, then to be
handed over to the secular court for execution; and, further, that he be
esteemed _ipso facto_ and from this present inhibited from the discharge
of any sacred office, and shall be destituted of all and singular
benefices that he may hold in the Menevian diocese, and that he be
formally degraded from his sacerdotal character, by virtue of the
authority hereby committed to me."
Then Howel the Tall stood forth, and approaching the chaplain, said,
"Good master Cadell, this matter hath already been decided and taken out
of the province of thy master. Pabo, Archpriest and hereditary chieftain
of the tribe of Caio, hath, as saith the Scripture, escaped out of the
snare of the fowler. We are even now engaged in the celebration of his
obsequies. You have interrupted us as we were about to commit his ashes
to the ground."
"How so!" exclaimed the chaplain, taken aback. "Pabo is not dead?"
"Look around thee," answered Howel. "Behold how that fire hath destroyed
the presbytery and at the same time hath consumed him who lay therein."
"It was the judgment of God!" cried Cadell. "The manifest judgment of
God against the man who lifted his hand against his spiritual father.
Did the lightning flash from heaven to slay him?"
"That I cannot affirm," said Howel.
"Heaven has manifestly and miraculously interposed," said the chaplain,
dismounting. In a few words he informed his attendants of what had
taken place.
"It is to be regretted," said Rogier. "I had hoped to carry a fagot,
wherewith to roast him."
"It soundeth passing strange," said another.
"It is a miracle," persisted Cadell. "God is with us and against those
who resist the bishop. This shall be everywhere proclaimed."
"I do not see that as a miracle it was necessary," said Rogier. "For we
would have burnt him all the same."
"But," said the chaplain, "it was the will of Heaven to reveal that it
is wroth with this people, and is on our side."
Rogier shrugged one shoulder.
"I will have a look at him and satisfy myself," said he, strode to the
bier, and plucked aside the sheet.
All recoiled at the object revealed--a human being burnt to a cinder.
"By the soul of the Conqueror," said the bishop's brother, "methought he
had been a man of more inches."
"He is shrunken with the fire," explained the chaplain.
"I would I could be certain it is he," said Rogier.
"We will subject them to an oath," said Cadell. "If it be he, then,
assuredly, his wife--that woman whom he called his wife--will not be far
away."
"She is the chief mourner," said Howel.
Then he took Morwen by the hand and led her forward. "She is here."
"Ah, ha! my pretty wench!" said Rogier, "praise Heaven that thou art
released from thy leman. We may find thee a better man, and not one that
wears the cassock."
"Come hither," said the chaplain; "I desire thee to take the strictest
and most solemn oath that he who there lieth charred as a burned log is
none other than Pabo the Archpriest, whom thou didst call thy husband.
What be the chiefest relics here?" he asked, looking round.
"We have but the staff of Cynwyl; but that is mighty and greatly
resorted to," said Howel.
"Where is it? Bring it hither."
"I am the custodian of the relic," said Morgan ap David. "But it is not
customary to produce it unless it be attended and treated with all
reverence."
"Take with you whom you will," said the chaplain impatiently. "Faugh!
cast again the pall over it."
Morgan chose Howel and another, and they departed towards the church.
After a few moments' delay they returned, Morgan in the center, bearing
the staff.
"Lay it on the corpse," said Cadell.
"Have a care," said Howel, with a curve in the lip. "That staff has been
known to have raised the dead to life again."
"It were well it did so now," laughed Rogier, when Cadell, somewhat
dashed, interpreted what had been said. "I' faith, I would be glad to
have a hand in the second burning of him."
"Hath it really done so?" asked the chaplain.
"There was Ewan, the son of Morgan ap Rees, who fell from a tree," said
Howel, "and he lay stone dead. Then, full of faith, his mother cried out
for the staff of Cynwyl, and lo! when it was laid on the lad he opened
his eyes and spoke."
"Hold it above the body," said the chaplain, "one at each end, so as not
to touch, and in such wise let the woman take oath."
Again was the linen sheet removed, and now Morgan and an attendant
sacristan held the relic--one at the head, the other at the foot--that
it was above the body, yet not touching it; only the shadow fell upon
it.
"Go thrice round it," enjoined Morgan, signing with his head to Morwen;
"thrice from left to right, with the sun, then lay thine hand on the
staff and take the required oath."
Morwen shuddered, but she obeyed, though pale as death. When she had
made the third circuit she was forced, shrinking and with averted head,
to approach the dead man. Then Cadell said in a loud voice, "Lay thy
hand thereon and say these words: 'I take oath before God and Cynwyl,
before the saints and angels in heaven, in the face of sun and moon and
all men here present, that this is the dead body of Pabo, late
Archpriest--whom thou didst esteem as thy husband.'"
Then Morwen repeated, mechanically, the first words of adjuration, but
added, in place of what Cadell had recited: "I take oath that if this be
not Pabo, the Archpriest, and my husband, I know not where he is."
"That sufficeth," said Cadell. "And now," he spoke aloud, turning to the
assistants, "seeing that this man hath manifestly died by the just
judgment of God, and to the notable confirmation of the authority of
Bernard, the bishop, I declare that he be treated as one excommunicate,
and be not buried within consecrated ground."
The people of Caio murmured and looked at one another disconcerted.
Then Howel went among them and whispered a few words. Cadell did not
observe him; he was intent on speaking once more. That he might be the
better heard, he remounted his horse.
"Inhabitants of the sanctuary and of the tribe of Caio," said he, in the
same distinct and sharp tones as before. "I have something further to
add. _Secundo_: Inasmuch as the Archpriest Pabo hath manifestly perished
by the interposition of Heaven, thus obviating his deposition as
purposed, now his fatherliness, Bernard, Bishop of Menevia, is
graciously pleased to nominate and present me, unworthy, to fill his
room; in token whereof, the Dean of Llandeilo accompanies, so as
straightway to induct me into all the offices, benefices, spirituals
that were possessed by Pabo, the late Archpriest. _Tertio_: And inasmuch
as the people of the territory and tribe of Caio did resist and
mutinously assail the servants of the bishop, he imposes on them a fine
of a mark in silver per house, great and small, to be collected and paid
within one month from this day, until which time his attendants now
accompanying me shall have free quarters and entertainment for
themselves and their beasts among you."
His words filled all with dismay. None answered.
Then said Rogier laughingly: "I' faith, while Providence punished the
late Archpriest, it did not mightily favor the incomer, for it hath
consumed his presbytery."
"The hall still standeth," said Cadell sternly. "Are we to question the
ways of Heaven!"
"'Ods life," pursued Rogier mockingly, "who would ever have considered
my brother a saint, and one to be sustained by miracles; and he, but the
other day, as great a Jew in grinding the peasants, and wringing the
blood from their noses, as any son of Abraham. By the paunch of the
Conqueror--and taking tithe and toll therefrom to his own benefit! Well!
If Heaven be not nice in whom it proclaims as saints. There is good hope
for such as me."
Somewhat later, the new Archpriest indited the following letter to his
ecclesiastical superior--
"Cadell, Archpriest of Caio, to Bernard, Lord Bishop of St. David's,
sendeth humbly greeting, with much filial affection.
"This is to inform your fatherliness that it has pleasured Heaven--which
is wondrous in the saints, to vindicate thy sanctity in a very special
and marvelous manner. It is now many hundred years ago since David, the
holy, founded the bishopric of Menevia, and primacy over all Cambria;
and it is said he was thereto ordained and appointed by the Patriarch of
Jerusalem. Now it is a notable fact that there was a certain Boia, a
chief of the land, who mightily opposed him. Then fell fire from Heaven
in the night, and consumed Boia and his wife and all that he had, in
witness thereto remaineth the Cleggyr Voia, his ruined and burnt castle,
unto this day. Since then many have been the bishops who have sat in the
seat of David, and many also have been those who have opposed them. The
Northmen have slain some, and have expelled others, yet did not Heaven
interfere in their behalf. Nevertheless, no sooner art thou, Bernard,
appointed and consecrated to this see, than have thy right and thy
holiness been vindicated miraculously in the sight of all. For the
Archpriest and chief Pabo did oppose thee even as did Boia oppose
David. And each was smitten in the same way. Manifestly in the sight of
all men, fire fell from Heaven and consumed him who sacrilegiously
lifted his hand against thee, him and all his house, whereof we are
witnesses--to wit, thy brother Rogier, the Dean of Llandeilo, and all
thy servants and the people of Caio, as well as my unworthy self, thy
servant, who beheld him--the transgressor--burned as a charred log,
blasted by Heaven. And forasmuch as he perished by the judgment of God,
I have bidden give to him but the burial of an ass.
"Be this known unto all men, and it will mightily extend the fear of
thee, and dissuade men from temerariously resisting thy just authority,
whether in the diocese or throughout Wales."
When the chaplain had written this, as he sealed it, he said to Rogier,
"It is so wonderful, he will hardly credit it."
"My good Cadell," replied the Norman adventurer, "I know my brother
better even than do you. He is so inordinately vain that he would
believe if you told him that the sun and moon had bowed down to worship
him. But I--whether I believe this, that is another matter."
"But I believe it--that I solemnly affirm," said Cadell.
"And, further, do you not recollect that his fatherliness, the Bishop,
did threaten as much, when he was here, and the Archpriest resisted him?
Did he not say, can I not send lightning to consume thee?--and lo! it
has fallen, even as he said."