From: Subject: Gregory the Great, Dialogues (1911) Book 1. pp.1-48 Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2007 14:26:59 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/related; type="text/html"; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0031_01C73E31.6044A6E0" X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.3028 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0031_01C73E31.6044A6E0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.ccel.org/p/pearse/morefathers/gregory_01_dialogues_book1.htm Gregory the Great, Dialogues (1911) Book 1. = pp.1-48

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Gregory the Great, Dialogues (1911) Book 1. = pp.1-48

The Dialogues of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope = of=20 Rome

The First Book

Being upon a certain day too much over-charged with the troubles of = worldly=20 business, in which oftentimes men are enforced to do more than of duty = they are=20 bound, I retired myself into a solitary place, very fit for a sad and = melancholy=20 disposition; where each discontentment and dislike concerning such = secular=20 affairs might plainly show themselves, and all things that usually bring = grief,=20 mustered together, might freely be presented before mine eyes. In which = place=20 after that I had sat a long while, in much silence and great sorrow of = soul, at=20 length Peter, my dear son and deacon, came unto me; a man whom, from his = younger=20 years, I had always loved most entirely, and used him for my companion = in the=20 study of sacred scripture: who, seeing me drowned in such a dump of = sorrow,=20 spake unto me in this manner: "What is the matter? or what bad news have = you=20 heard? for certain I am, that some extraordinary sadness doth now = afflict your=20 mind." To whom I returned this answer: "O Peter, the grief which = continually 1=20 endure is unto me both old and new: old through common use, and new by = daily=20 increasing. For mine unhappy soul, wounded with worldly business, doth = now call=20 to mind in what state it was, when I lived in mine Abbey, and |4 how then it was superior to all earthly = matters, far=20 above all transitory and corruptible pelf, how it did usually think upon = nothing=20 but heavenly things; and though it was enclosed in mortal body, yet did = it by=20 contemplation pass far beyond earthly bounds, and penetrate to the very = height=20 of heaven; and as for death, the memory whereof is almost to all men = grievous,=20 that it did love and desire, as the end of all misery, the reward of her = labours, and the very entrance to an everlasting and blessed life. But = now, by=20 reason of my pastoral charge, my poor soul is enforced to endure the = burden of=20 secular men's business, and after so excellent and sweet a kind of rest, = denied=20 it is with the dust of worldly conversation: and when it doth, at the = request of=20 others, attend to outward affairs, no question but it returneth back, = far less=20 fit to think upon those that be inward, spiritual, and heavenly. = Wherefore, at=20 this present, do I meditate what I suffer, and consider what my soul = hath lost:=20 and the memory of my former loss doth make that more grievous which I do = now=20 endure. For do you not behold at this present, how I am tossed with the = waves of=20 this wicked world, and see the ship of my soul beaten with the storms of = a=20 terrible tempest? and therefore, when I remember my former state of = life, I=20 cannot but sigh to look back, and cast mine eyes upon the forsaken = shore.

"And that which doth yet grieve me more is because I see myself so = carried=20 away amain with the boisterous blasts of this troublesome world, that I = cannot=20 now scarce behold the port from whence I did first hoist sail;1=20 for such be the downfalls of our soul, that first it loseth that = goodness and=20 virtue which before it possessed; yet so that it doth still remember = what it=20 hath lost; but afterwards, carried away more and more, and straying = further from=20 the path of virtue, it cometh at length to that pass, that it doth not = so much=20 as keep in mind what before it did daily practise: and so in conclusion, = it=20 falleth out as |5 I said = before, that=20 sailing farther on, we go at length so far, that we do not so much as = once=20 behold the sweet harbour of quiet and peace from whence we first set = forth.=20 Sometime also my sorrow is increased, by remembering thrives of certain = notable=20 men, who with their whole soul did utterly forsake and abandon this = wicked=20 world: whose high perfection when I behold, I cannot also but see mine = own=20 infirmities and imperfection: very many of whom did, in a contemplative = and=20 retired kind of life, much please God: and lest by dealing with = transitory=20 business they might have decayed in virtue, God's goodness vouchsafed to = free=20 them from the troubles and affairs of this wretched world. But that = which I have=20 now said will be far more plain, and the better perceived, if the = residue of my=20 speech be dialogue wise distinguished, by setting down each of our = names, you=20 asking what you shall think convenient, and I by answer, giving = satisfaction to=20 such questions as you shall demand at my hands."

PETER. I do not remember any in Italy, that have been very famous for = virtue;=20 and therefore ignorant I am who they be, that, comparing your life to = theirs,=20 you should be so much inflamed to imitate their steps; for although I = make no=20 doubt but that there have been many good men, yet do I verily think that = none of=20 them wrought any miracles, or at least they have been hitherto so buried = in=20 silence that, whether any such thing hath been done or no, not any one = man can=20 tell. 

GREGORY. If I should, Peter, but report only those things = which myself=20 alone have understood by the relation of virtuous and credible persons, = or else=20 learned by myself, concerning the life and miracles of perfect and holy = men, I=20 should sooner in mine opinion lack day to talk in, than matter to speak = of.

PETER. Desirous I am that you would vouchsafe to make me partaker of = some of=20 them: and not to think |6 much, = if, upon so=20 good an occasion, you interrupt your other study of interpreting the = scripture,=20 because no less edification doth grow by the relation of miracles. For = as by the=20 exposition of that, we learn how virtue is to be found and kept: so by=20 recounting the miracles of holy men, we know how that which is found out = and=20 possessed, is declared and made manifest to the world. And some there = are that=20 be sooner moved to the love of God by virtuous examples than by godly = sermons:=20 and oftentimes, by the lives of holy fathers, the heart doth reap a = double=20 commodity; for if, by comparing of his own life with theirs, he findeth = himself=20 inflamed with the love of heaven, although before he had haply a good = opinion of=20 himself, yet seeing now how far others do excel him, he becometh also = more=20 humble, and is brought to have a more lowly conceit of his own actions = and=20 virtue. 

GREGORY. Such things as venerable and holy men have told me, I will = now,=20 without any further delay, make you partaker of, and that following the = example=20 of sacred scripture: for sure I am that St. Luke and St. Mark learned = that=20 gospel which they wrote, not by sight but by the relation of others: yet = lest=20 any in reading should have occasion to doubt whether such things as I = write be=20 true or no, I will set down by what means and of whom I have learned = them: yet=20 in some of them you have to know that I remember not all the = particulars, but=20 only the matter: in other some, both the matter and also the words. And = besides,=20 if I should have been so curious as to have kept in mind each man's = particular=20 words, many, uttered after the country manner, would have made the style = of my=20 discourse nothing handsome nor seemly. Tnac story which I mean first to = begin=20 with, I had by the report of passing reverent men and of great = years.

 Chapter = One: of=20 Honoratus, abbot of the Monastery of Funda.

In times past one Venantius, a noble man, had a living in the country = of |7 Samnium; the farmer whereof had = a son=20 called Honoratus, who from his very childhood by the virtue of = abstinence did=20 thirst after the joys of heaven: and as in other things he led an holy = life, and=20 refrained from all idle talk, so did he much, as I said before, subdue = his body=20 by means of abstinence. His parents, upon a certain day, had invited = their=20 neighbours to a banquet which consisted altogether of flesh, whereof = because for=20 the love of mortification he refused to eat, his father and mother began = to=20 laugh at him, willing him to fall to that which they had: "For can we," = quoth=20 they, "get you any fish here in these mountains?" (for in that place = they used=20 sometimes to hear of fish, but seldom to see any.) But whiles they were = thus=20 jesting, and mocking at their son, suddenly they lacked water: whereupon = a=20 servant with a wooden bucket (as the manner is there) went to the well = to fetch=20 some: into which, as he was a drawing, a fish entered in, which upon his = return,=20 together with the water, he poured forth before them all. And the fish = was so=20 great, that it served Honoratus very well for all that day. At this = strange=20 chance all were stroken in admiration, and his parents abstained now = from=20 further scoffing at his virtue, and began to have him in reverence for = his=20 abstinence, whom before for that very cause they did mock and scorn: and = by this=20 means, the fish, brought miraculously from the well, discharged God's = servant=20 from that shame, which he had endured through their uncivil jesting. = Honoratus,=20 proceeding forward in virtue, at length was made free by the foresaid = Lord=20 Venantius: and afterward, in that place which is called Funda,2=20 he built an Abbey, wherein he was the father almost of two hundred = monks: and he=20 lived in so great holiness that he gave good example to all the country = round=20 about. Upon a certain day, it fell so out, that a stone of an huge = greatness,=20 which was digged out of the |8 = mountain=20 that hung over the top of his Abbey, tumbled down by the side of the = hill,=20 threatening both the ruin of the house and the death of all the monks = within:=20 which danger the holy man seeing ready to come upon them, called often = upon the=20 name of Christ, and, putting forth his right hand, made against it the = sign of=20 the cross, and by that means did he stay it, and pin it fast to the side = of that=20 steep hill: which thing Lawrence, a religious man, affirmed to be most = true. And=20 because it found not there any place upon which it might rest, it = hangeth at=20 this time in such sort, that all which now look upon it do verily think = that it=20 would continually fall.

PETER. I suppose so notable a man as he was, and who afterward became = master=20 to so many scholars, had himself some excellent teacher of whom he was=20 instructed. 

GREGORY. I never heard that he was scholar to any: but the grace of = the Holy=20 Ghost is not tied to any law. The usual custom of virtuous men is, that = none=20 should take upon him to rule, who first hath not learned to obey: nor to = command=20 that obedience to his subjects, which before he hath not given to his = own=20 superiors. Yet some there be which are so inwardly taught by the = doctrine of=20 God's holy spirit, that although they have no man to instruct them = outwardly,=20 yet do they not want the direction of an inward teacher: which liberty = of life=20 notwithstanding is not to be taken for an example by such as be weak and = infirm,=20 lest, whiles each one doth in like manner presume to be full of the Holy = Ghost,=20 and contemn to learn of any, they become themselves erroneous masters. = But that=20 soul which is full of God's holy spirit, hath for proof thereof most = evident=20 signs, to wit, the other virtues, and especially humility, both which if = they do=20 perfectly meet in one soul, apparent it is that they be testimonies of = the=20 presence of heavenly grace. And so we read not that John Baptist |9 had=20 any master, nor yet that Christ, who by his corporal presence taught his = Apostles, took him in amongst the number of his other disciples, but = vouchsafed=20 to instruct him inwardly, and left him, as it were, in the sight of the = world to=20 his own liberty. So Moses, likewise, was taught in the wilderness, and = learned=20 by the Angel what God gave him in charge, which by means of any mortal = man he=20 knew not: but these things, as before hath been said, are of weaklings = to be=20 reverenced, and not by any means to be followed.

PETER. I like very well of your opinion: yet I beseech you to tell = me,=20 whether so notable a father as he was, left not some scholar behind him, = that=20 did imitate his master's steps.

Chapter Two: = of=20 Libertinus, Prior of the same Abbey.

GREGORY. The reverent man, Libertinus, who, in the time of Totila,3=20 king of the Goths, was Prior of the same Abbey of Funda, was brought up = and=20 taught by him: of whom, albeit the certain report of passing many hath = made his=20 sundry virtues known to the world, yet the foresaid religious man, = Lawrence, who=20 still liveth and that time had very familiar acquaintance with him, hath = often=20 told me many things, whereof some few, which now come to my mind, I will = here=20 set down. In the same province of Samnium, as Libertinus was in his = journey=20 about business of the Abbey, it so fell out that Darida, captain of the = Goths,=20 with his army, met him, by whose soldiers the man of God was thrown from = his=20 horse; which injury he taking very patiently, offered them also his = whip,=20 saying: "Take this, that you may make him the better to go"; and having = said so,=20 he betook himself to his prayers. The army marched on very fast, and = quickly=20 came to the river called Vulturnus, where they began to beat their = horses both=20 with their lances and also to spur them, till the blood came, and all = this to |10 make them take the water; but yet no beating nor = spurring=20 could enforce them forward: for they were as much afraid to enter the = river as=20 though it had been some deep downfall. At length, when they were all = wearied=20 with beating, one amongst the rest said, that the reason why they were = thus=20 punished was for taking away the horse from God's servant: whereupon = returning=20 straightways back, they found Libertinus prostrate at his prayers; and = calling=20 upon him to rise and take his horse, he bade them go on a God's name, = saying=20 that he needed him not; but for all that they alighted and set him = perforce upon=20 his own beast, and so in all haste departed, and returning back to the = river=20 they passed over so quickly as though in the channel there had been no = water at=20 all; and so it fell out that God's servant having restitution made him = of his=20 one horse, that all the soldiers came likewise to enjoy the use of their = own.

At the same time one Buccellinus 4=20 entered Campania with an army of French men, and because it was commonly = said=20 that the Abbey in which the holy man lived had great store of money, the = French=20 men, very greedy of so good a booty, came thither, and with raging minds = went=20 into his oratory (where he lay prostrate at his prayers) seeking and = crying out=20 for Libertinus; and a strange thing it was, for though they came in, and = stumbled upon him, yet could they not see him, and so, deceived through = their=20 own blindness, away they departed as empty as they came.

At another time likewise upon business of the monastery, at the = commandment=20 of the Abbot who succeeded his master Honoratus, he took his journey to = Ravenna.=20 And for the great love which he bare to venerable Honoratus, always did = he bear=20 about him in his bosom one of his stockings. Being in his way it fell so = out=20 that a certain woman was carrying the corpse of her |11 dead = son; who no=20 sooner saw the servant of God, but, for the love of her child, she laid = hold=20 upon his bridle, protesting with a solemn oath that he should not = depart, before=20 he had raised up her dead son. The holy man, not acquainted with so = strange a=20 miracle, was much afraid, to hear her make such a request, and willing = to have=20 got away, yet seeing no means how to effect his desire, greatly did he = doubt=20 what was best to be done. Here it is worth the noting to consider what a = conflict he had in his soul: humility and the mother's piety striving = together:=20 fear to presume upon so unusual a miracle, and grief not to help the = desolate,=20 mother. At length, to the greater glory of God, piety and compassion = overcame=20 that virtuous soul, which therefore may truly be called invincible, = because it=20 did yield and was conquered; for a virtuous soul it had not been, if = piety and=20 compassion had not overcome it: wherefore, lighting from his horse, he = fell upon=20 his knees, lift up his hands to heaven, drew the stocking out of his = bosom, laid=20 it upon the breast of the dead corpse; and behold, whiles he was at his = prayers,=20 the soul of the child returned into the body, which he perceiving, took = it by=20 the hand and delivered it alive to his sorrowful mother, and so went on = the rest=20 of his journey.

PETER. What is to be said in this case? For was it the merit of = Honoratus, or=20 the prayers of Libertinus, that wrought this miracle?

GREGORY. In the working of so notable a miracle, together with the = faith of=20 the woman, the virtue of both did concur; and therefore, in mine = opinion,=20 Libertinus had power to raise up that dead child, because he had learned = to=20 trust more upon the virtue of his master than his own: for when he laid = his=20 stocking upon the child's breast, no doubt but he thought that his soul = did=20 obtain that for which he did then pray. For we read the like |12 of Heliseus, who = carrying his=20 master's cloak, and coming to the river of Jordan, stroke the waters = once, and=20 yet divided them not; but when straight after he said, Where is now = the God=20 of Helias? and then stroke the river with the same cloak, he made a = way open=20 for himself to pass through.5=20 Whereby you perceive, Peter, how much humility availeth for the working = of=20 miracles, for then the merit of the master had force to do that which he = desired, when he called upon his name; and when with humility he did = submit=20 himself to his master, he wrought the same miracle which his master had = done=20 before him.

PETER. I am well pleased with your answer: but is there, I pray you, = anything=20 else of him yet remaining, which may serve for our edification? GREGORY. = Surely=20 there is, if there be yet any that list to imitate so notable an = example: for I=20 make no doubt, but that the patience of so worthy a man did far excel = all his=20 signs and miracles, as you shall now hear. Upon a certain day, the = Abbot, who=20 succeeded Honoratus, fell so pitifully out with venerable Libertinus, = that he=20 stroke, him with his fists: and because he could find never a staff, up = he took=20 a footstool, and with that did so strike his head and his face, that = they both=20 swelled and became black and blue. Being thus unreasonably beaten, = without=20 giving any words, he went quietly to bed. The next day, he was to go = forth about=20 business of the Abbey, and therefore, when matins were ended, he came to = his=20 Abbot's bedside, and humbly demanded of him leave. The Abbot, knowing = how=20 greatly all did honour and love him, supposed that he would for the = former=20 injury have forsaken the Abbey: and therefore he asked him, whither he = meant to=20 go: to whom he answered: "Father," quoth he, "there is a certain matter=20 concerning the Abbey to be handled, where I must needs |13 be, for yesterday I promised to come, and = therefore I am=20 determined to travel thither." Then the Abbot, considering from the = bottom of=20 his heart his own austerity and hard dealing, and the humility and = meekness of=20 Libertinus, suddenly leapt out of his bed, gat hold of his feet, = confessed that=20 he had sinned and done wickedly, in presuming to offer unto so good and = worthy a=20 man so cruel and contumelious an injury. Libertinus, on the contrary, = prostrate=20 upon the earth, fell down at his feet, attributing all that he had = suffered, not=20 to any cruelty of his, but to his own sins and demerits. And by this = means, the=20 Abbot was brought to great meekness; and the humility of the scholar = became a=20 teacher to the master. Going afterward abroad about the foresaid = business of the=20 Abbey, many gentlemen of his acquaintance, that had him in great = reverence, much=20 marvelled, and diligently enquired by what means he came by such a = swollen and=20 black face: to whom he answered: "Yesterday," quoth he, "at evening, for = punishment of my sins, I met with a footstool, and gat this blow which = ye see."=20 And thus the holy man, preserving both truth in his soul and the honour = of his=20 master, did neither bewray the fault of his father, nor yet incurred the = sin of=20 lying. PETER. Had not so venerable a man as this Libertinus was, of whom = you=20 have told so many miracles and strange things, in so great a convent, = some that=20 did imitate his holy life and virtues?

Chapter = Three; of a=20 certain monk, that was gardener to the same = Abbey.

GREGORY. Felix, called also Corvus, one whom you know very = well, and=20 who not long since was Prior of the same Abbey, told me divers very = strange=20 things, some of which I will pass over with silence, because I hasten to = other,=20 but one there is which by no means I can omit. This it was. |14

In the same Abbey there lived a certain monk, very virtuous, who was = the=20 gardener. A thief likewise there was, that used to climb over the hedge, = and so=20 to steal away the worts. The holy man, seeing that he did set many which = afterward he could not find, and perceiving that some were trodden down, = and=20 other stolen away, walked round about the garden to find the place where = the=20 thief came in, which when he had found, by chance also as he was there, = he=20 lighted upon a snake, which he willed to follow him, and bringing him to = the=20 place where the thief entered, gave him this charge: "In the name of = Jesus,"=20 quoth he, "I command thee to keep this passage, and not to suffer any = thief to=20 come in." Whereupon the snake forthwith, obeying his commandment, laid = itself=20 across in the way, and the monk returned to his cell. Afterward in the = heat of=20 the day, when all the monks were at rest, the thief, according to his = custom,=20 came thither, and as he was climbing over the hedge and had put one leg = on the=20 other side, suddenly he saw the snake, which stopped the way, and for = fear=20 falling backward, he left his foot hanging there by the shoe upon a = stake, and=20 so he hung with his head downward, until the return of the gardener; = who, coming=20 at his usual hour, found the thief hanging there in the hedge, whom when = he saw,=20 he spake thus to the snake: "God be thanked, thou hast done what I bade = thee,=20 and therefore now go thy way": upon which licence, the snake by and by = departed.=20 Then, coming to the thief, he spake thus unto him: "What meaneth this, = good=20 brother? God hath delivered you, as you see, into mine hands: why have = you been=20 so bold as so often to rob away the labour of the monks?" and speaking = thus, he=20 loosed his foot, without doing him any harm, willing him also to follow = him; who=20 brought him to the garden gate, and gave him those worts which he = desired to=20 have stolen, speaking also to him in sweet |15 manner after this sort: "Go your way, and = steal no more;=20 but when you have need, come hither to me, and what sinfully you would = take,=20 that will I willingly bestow upon you for God's sake."

PETER. I have hitherto, as I now perceive, lived in an error: for = never did I=20 think that there had been any holy men in Italy, which had wrought = miracles.

Chapter Four: = of=20 Equitius, abbot in the Province of Valeria.6

GREGORY. By the relation of venerable Fortunatus, Abbot of the = Monastery=20 which is called Cicero's Bath, and also of other reverent men, I have = come to=20 the knowledge of that which now I mean to tell you. There was a passing = holy man=20 called 'Equitius, dwelling in the province of Valeria, who, for his = virtuous=20 life, was in great admiration with all men, with whom Fortunatus was = familiarly=20 acquainted. This Equitius, by reason of his great holiness of life, was = the=20 father and governor of many Abbeys in that province. In his younger = years, many=20 and sore carnal temptations he endured, which made him more fervent and = diligent=20 in prayers, and to persevere continually in that holy exercise, which he = did,=20 craving most instantly of God to afford him some remedy. Living in that = manner,=20 it fell so out, that in vision, upon a certain night, he saw an Angel = come unto=20 him, who made him an eunuch, and so delivered him from all those carnal = motions=20 in such sort that never after he felt any more, as though he had not = been any=20 man at all. Trusting now upon this great grace received by the special = goodness=20 of God, as before he was a governor of men, so afterward he took charge = likewise=20 of women, and yet, for all that, did he continually admonish his = scholars not=20 easily to credit themselves herein, nor to follow his example, nor yet = to trust=20 upon that gift, which they had not in themselves, lest it turned to = their own=20 ruin and destruction. |16 

At such time as divers witches were here in this city of Rome = apprehended,=20 one Basilius, that was a principal man in that wicked art, put upon him = the=20 habit of a monk, and so fled away to Valeria; and coming to the reverent = Bishop=20 of the city of Amirtin,7=20 he desired his help, that he would, for the good of his soul, commend = him to=20 Abbot Equitius. The Bishop went with him to the Abbey, where he made = suit to the=20 servant of God, that he would vouchsafe to receive into his convent that = monk=20 which he brought, whom so soon as the holy man beheld, he said to the = Bishop:=20 "This man, good brother," quoth he, "whom you commend unto me, seemeth = in mine=20 eyes to be a devil, and not any monk"; whereunto the Bishop replied and = said,=20 that he sought excuses not to grant his petition. "Not so," quoth the = servant of=20 God, "but I do denounce him to be such a one as I see him, and because = you shall=20 not think that I will be disobedient, what you command I will perform."=20 Whereupon he was received into the Abbey. Not many days after, God's = servant=20 travelled far off to preach unto the people in the country; after whose=20 departure it fell out that, in the monastery of virgins which was under = his=20 charge, one of them, which in respect of her corruptible carcase seemed=20 beautiful, fell into an ague, to be afflicted with sore fits, and not so = much to=20 speak as pitifully to cry out in this manner: "I shall die forthwith, = unless=20 Basilius come unto me, and by his skill in physic restore me to my = health." But,=20 in the absence of their father, none of the monks durst presume to enter = into=20 the monastery of virgins, much less was he permitted, that was yet but a = novice,=20 and whose life and conversation was not known to the rest of the = brethren. A=20 messenger, therefore, with all speed was dispatched to the servant of = God,=20 Equitius, to let him understand how such a Nun was fallen into a = terrible=20 burning ague, and how she did earnestly |17 desire to be visited of Basilius: which news = so soon as=20 the holy man did hear, in an anger he smiled, and said: "Did I not say=20 beforehand that this companion was a devil and not a monk? Go your ways, = and=20 turn him out of the Abbey; and as. for the virgin that is so sick of a = fever,=20 take no further care, for hereafter it shall not trouble her any more, = nor she=20 make any further inquisition after Basilius." The monk that was the = messenger=20 returning back, understood that the Nun was at that very hour restored = to her=20 health, in which the servant of God, Equitius, far distant, affirmed = that she=20 should: no question but by special miracle, like to the example of our = Saviour,=20 who, being desired to visit the son of a lord, did by his only word = restore him=20 to his health, so that the father at his return knew his son to be = restored to=20 life at that very hour in which he heard so much from the mouth of truth = itself.8=20 The monks, putting their father's commandment in execution, turned = Basilius out=20 of the Abbey, who being so expulsed did often say, that he had by his=20 incantations hanged Equitius his cell in the air, and yet that he could = not hurt=20 any of his monks. This wretch not long after, in this city of Rome, = through the=20 zeal of good people, for his wickedness was burnt, and so ended his = life.

Upon a certain day, one of the Nuns of the same monastery, going into = the=20 garden, saw a lettice that liked her, and forgetting to bless it before = with the=20 sign of the cross, greedily did she eat it: whereupon she was suddenly = possessed=20 with the devil, fell down to the ground, and was pitifully tormented. = Word in=20 all haste was carried to Equitius, desiring him quickly to visit the = afflicted=20 woman, and to help her with his prayers: who so soon as he came into the = garden,=20 the devil that was entered began by her tongue, as it were, to excuse = himself,=20 saying: "What have I done? What have I done? |18 I was sitting there = upon the=20 lettice, and she came and did eat me." But the man of God in great zeal=20 commanded him to depart, and not to tarry any longer in the servant of = almighty=20 God, who straightways went out, not presuming any more to touch her.

A certain noble man likewise called Felix, of the province of Nursia, = father=20 to Castorius,9=20 who now dwelleth here with us in Rome, understanding that Equitius had = not=20 received holy orders, and yet that he did visit many places and preach = unto=20 divers, upon a day very boldly went and asked him, how he durst presume = to=20 preach, not having received holy orders, nor yet licence of the Bishop = of Rome,=20 under whom he did live; upon which demand, the holy man, being thus = compelled,=20 gave him to understand by what means he had obtained licence to preach: = speaking=20 thus unto him: "What you say unto me, myself have seriously thought = upon; but,=20 on a certain night, a young man in vision stode by me, and touched my = tongue=20 with such an instrument as they use in letting of blood, saying: = 'Behold, I have=20 put my word into thy mouth, go thy way and preach.' And since that day, = though I=20 would, I can not but talk of God."

PETER. Desirous I am to know, what manner of life he led, who is said = to have=20 received such gifts at God's hand.

GREGORY. The work, Peter, proceedeth of the gift, and not the gift = from the=20 work, otherwise grace were not grace: for God's gifts do go before all = works of=20 ours, although the gifts by the works which follow do increase; but to = the end=20 that you may understand what life he led, which was known to the = reverent man=20 Albinus, Bishop of Reatino; and many there be yet alive, which might = very well=20 remember the same. But what do you seek for further works, when as his = purity of=20 life was answerable to his diligence in preaching? for |19 such a zeal to save souls had inflamed his = heart, that=20 albeit he had the charge of many monasteries, yet did he diligently = travel up=20 and down, and visit churches, towns, villages, and particular men's = houses, and=20 all this to stir up the hearts of his auditors to the love of heavenly = joys. The=20 apparel which he ware was so base and contemptible, that such as knew = him not=20 would have thought scorn so much as to have saluted him, though himself = had=20 first offered that courtesy. And whithersoever he went, his manner was = to ride,=20 but that upon the most forlorn beast which could be found; his bridle = was but an=20 halter, his saddle no better than plain sheep's skins. His books of = divinity=20 were put into leather bags, and those he did carry himself, some hanging = on the=20 right side of his horse, and some upon the left: and to what place = soever he=20 came, he did so open the fountains of sacred scripture, that he watered = their=20 souls with the heavenly dew of his sermons. Whose grace in preaching was = so=20 great, that the fame thereof came even to Rome itself: and as the = tongues of=20 flatterers do with their glorious words kill the souls of such as give = them the=20 hearing, at the same time some of the Roman clergy did in flattering = sort=20 complain unto the Bishop of this Apostolic see, saying: "What manner of = rustical=20 companion is this, that hath taken upon him authority to preach, and, = being=20 without learning, presumeth to usurp unto himself the office of our = Apostolical=20 Lord? wherefore, if it please you, let him be sent for before your = presence,=20 that he may taste of the severity of ecclesiastical discipline." And as = it=20 falleth out, that he which hath much business is overcome sometime by = flattery,=20 if that pleasing venom be not speedily dispatched from the soul, at the=20 persuasion of his clergy the Pope gave his consent that he should be = sent for to=20 Rome, to understand what talent and gift he had received from God. And = so one=20 Julianus,10=20 who afterward was made Bishop of Sabinum, was sent, |20 having yet commandment given him to bring him = up with=20 great honour, to the end that the servant of God might not thereby = sustain any=20 injury or detriment in his fame: who, to gratify the Pope's clergy, went = in post=20 to the Abbey, and finding there in his absence certain antiquaries = writing,=20 demanded of them for the Abbot; who told him that he was in the valley = at the=20 bottom of the Abbey, mowing of hay. Julianus had a man very proud and = stubborn,=20 and such a one that he could scarce rule him. This man he sent in all = haste for=20 the Abbot; who in an angry mood went his way, and coming quickly into = the meadow=20 where beholding all that were there cutting of grass, he demanded which = of them=20 was Equitius; and when they shewed him where he was, being yet far off, = he fell=20 into a great fear, and became therewith so faint, that he could scarce = go upon=20 his legs: trembling in that manner he came to the man of God, and humbly = bowing=20 down his head, he embraced his knees and kissed them, telling him that = his=20 master was desirous to speak with him. After God's servant had saluted = him=20 again, he willed him to take up some of the grass, and to carry it home = for=20 their horse, "and I will," quoth he, "straightways come, when I have = dispatched=20 this little work which remaineth."

In this meantime, Julianus much marvelled what the matter was, why = his man=20 tarried so long, and seeing him at length to come laden with grass upon = his=20 neck, in great rage he cried out to him, saying: "Sirrah, what meaneth = this? I=20 sent you to fetch me the Abbot, and not to bring meat for mine horse." = "Sir,"=20 quoth his man, "he will come to you by and by": and forthwith the man of = God=20 came in base apparel and a pair of shoes beaten full of nails, carrying = his=20 scythe upon his neck; and being yet far off, his man told him that he = was the=20 Abbot. So soon as Julianus beheld him attired in that base sort, he = contemned=20 him, and devised with himself how to |21=20 speak unto him in the most cross and crooked manner he could. But when = God's=20 servant drew nigh, such an intolerable fear came upon Julianus, that he = fell a=20 trembling, and his tongue so faltered, that he could scarce deliver the = message=20 for which he came: whereupon he fell down at his feet, and desired that = he would=20 vouchsafe to pray for him; and withal gave him to understand, that his=20 Apostolical father the Pope was desirous to see him. Upon the receipt of = which=20 news the venerable man, Equitius, gave almighty God most hearty thanks, = saying=20 that heavenly grace had visited him by means of the highest Bishop; and=20 straightways he called for some of his monks, commanding horse to be = made ready=20 in all haste: but Julianus, weary of his journey, told him that he could = not=20 travel so soon, but of necessity must rest himself that night. "I am = very sorry=20 for that," quoth the holy man, "for if we go not to-day, to-morrow we = shall=20 not": and thus, by reason of the other's weariness, he was enforced that = night=20 to remain in the Abbey. The next morning, about the dawning of the day, = came a=20 post with a tired horse, bringing letters to Julianus, commanding him = not to=20 presume to molest or to draw the servant of God out of his monastery. = And when=20 he required the reason of this counter-command, the messenger told him = that, the=20 next night after his departure, the Pope was terribly frighted in a = vision, for=20 presuming to send for the man of God: whereupon Julianus, rising = suddenly out of=20 his bed, and commending himself to the venerable man's prayers, spake = thus unto=20 him: "Our father desireth you not to trouble yourself any further, but = to stay=20 in your monastery": which when God's servant heard, very sorry he was, = and said:=20 "Did not I tell you, that if we did not set forward on our journey by = and by,=20 that afterward we should not?" Then upon charity he entertained his = messenger a=20 little while with him in his Cloister, and though by all means |22 he refused, yet he enforced upon him a reward = for the=20 pains he had taken. See therefore, Peter, how God doth preserve and keep = them,=20 who in this life do contemn themselves, and how they are secretly = honoured of=20 the citizens in heaven, who are not ashamed outwardly to be little = esteemed in=20 this world; and on the contrary, in the sight of God they be of no = account, who=20 in the eyes of their own friends and neighbours do swell through desire = of vain=20 glory. And therefore our Saviour Christ, who was truth itself, said to = certain:=20 You are they that justify yourselves before men, but God knoweth your = hearts,=20 for that which is high to men is abominable in the sight of = God.11 =20

PETER. I marvel very much how so great a Bishop could be deceived in = so=20 worthy a man.

GREGORY. Why do you marvel, Peter? for the reason why we are deceived = is,=20 because we be men. What? have you forgotten how David, who usually had = the=20 spirit of prophecy, pronounced sentence against innocent Mephibosheth, = the son=20 of Jonathan, when he gave credit to the lying words of his servant Siba? = 12=20 which thing notwithstanding because it was done by David, we both = believe to be=20 just in the secret judgment of God, and yet by human reason how it was = just we=20 cannot perceive. What marvel then is it, if we, that be not prophets, be = sometimes by lying tongues abused, and otherwise transported than = charity and=20 justice would: for it is much to be considered, that every Bishop hath = his mind=20 troubled with a world of business, and it cannot be, when the mind is = distracted=20 about many things, but that it is the less able sufficiently to examine = those=20 that be particular, and so much the sooner is he deceived in some = special case,=20 by how much he is busied with the multitude of many. 

PETER. It is most true that you say. 

GREGORY. But I must not pass over with silence that which the = reverent man=20 Valentinus,13=20 some time mine |23 Abbot, told = me=20 concerning Equitius. For he said, that his body being buried in the = oratory of=20 St. Lawrence the martyr, a certain country man set upon his grave a = chest full=20 of wheat, little considering or respecting how worthy and notable a man = lay=20 there buried. Whereupon suddenly a miraculous whirlwind came, and = overthrew that=20 chest and cast it far off, all other things remaining still in their = former=20 places; by which all did plainly perceive of what worth and merit that = man was,=20 whose body lay there buried.

To this must I also add another thing, which I heard of venerable = Fortunatus,=20 a man that doth much please me for his years, life, and simplicity. At = such time=20 as the Lombards came into the province of Valeria,14=20 the monks of the monastery of the reverent man Equitius fled from thence = into=20 the oratory, to the holy man's sepulchre, into which place the cruel men = entering, they began by violence to pull the monks forth, either to = torment=20 them, or else with their swords to kill them. Amongst whom one sighed, = and for=20 very bitter grief cried out: "Alas, alas, holy Equitius, is it thy = pleasure, and=20 art thou content, that we should be thus miserably haled and violently = drawn=20 forth, and dost not thou vouchsafe to defend us?" Which words were no = sooner=20 spoken, but a wicked spirit possessed those savage soldiers in such sort = that,=20 falling down upon the ground, they were there so long tormented, until = all the=20 rest of the Lombards which were without understood of the matter, to the = end=20 that none should be so hardy as to presume to violate that holy place. = And thus,=20 as the holy man at that time defended his own monks, so did he likewise=20 afterward succour and preserve many more that fled unto the same = place.

Chapter Five: = of=20 Constantius, Clerk of the Church of St. = Stephen.

That which I intend now to tell you, I learned by the relation of one = of my=20 |24 fellow Bishops, who lived = in a monk's=20 weed many years in the city of Ancona, and led there a good and = religious life.=20 Many also of mine own friends, who be now of good years and live in the = same=20 parts, affirm it to be most true. Near to the foresaid city of Ancona = there is a=20 church of the blessed martyr St. Stephen, in which one called = Constantius, a man=20 of venerable life, did serve there for clerk, who for his virtue and = holiness=20 was famous far and near, being one that utterly despised all worldly = things, and=20 with the whole power of his soul thirsted after the joys of heaven. Upon = a=20 certain day, it fell so out that there wanted oil in the church, by = reason=20 whereof the foresaid servant of God had not wherewith to light the = lamps:=20 whereupon he filled them all with water, and, as the manner is, put a = piece of=20 paper in the midst, and then set them on fire, and the water did so burn = in the=20 lamps as though it had been very oil; by which you may gather, Peter, of = what=20 merit this man was, who, enforced by necessity, did change the nature of = the=20 element.

PETER. Very strange it is that you say, but desirous I am to know = what=20 humility he had inwardly in his soul, who outwardly was so wonderful in = the eyes=20 of the world.

GREGORY. Among miracles very fitly do you enquire the inward state of = the=20 mind; for it is almost incredible how miracles, wrought in the sight of = men, do=20 with their temptation inwardly assault the soul. But after you have = heard only=20 one thing, which this venerable Constantius did, you will quickly = perceive what=20 an humble man he was.

PETER. Having now told me one of his miracles, it remaineth that you = do edify=20 me also with the humility of his soul.

GREGORY. Because the report of his holy life was very much spread = abroad,=20 many from divers countries travelled |25=20 to Ancona, being very desirous to see him; and amongst others a certain = country=20 fellow was come far off, for that very purpose: at which time it so = chanced that=20 the holy man was standing upon a pair of wooden stairs, busying himself = there=20 in mending of lamps. A very little person he was of stature, with = a thin=20 face, and to the outward view contemptible. This fellow that came to see = him=20 enquired earnestly which was the man for whose sake he had travelled so = long a=20 journey. Those that knew him forthwith told him, pointing to = Constantius. But as=20 foolish souls do measure the merits of men by the quality of their = bodies, so=20 he, beholding him so little and contemptible, by no means could be = persuaded=20 that they told him truth; for in the country fellow's mind there fell = out, as it=20 were, a great contention betwixt that which he had heard, and that which = he saw;=20 and he verily persuaded himself that he could not be so little in his = eyes, who=20 was so great in his former conceit; and therefore, when very many did = constantly=20 affirm that he was the man, the simple soul despised him, and in = scoffing manner=20 said: "I verily believed that he had been a goodly great man, but this = fellow=20 hath not any thing at all in him that is like a man." Which words of his = the=20 servant of God, Constantius, hearing, forthwith left his lamps which he = was in=20 hand with, and in great haste came merrily down the stairs, embraced the = country=20 clown, and of exceeding love held him fast in his arms, kissed him, gave = him=20 great thanks for having that opinion, and spake thus unto him: "Thou = only,"=20 quoth he, "hast thine eyes open, and dost truly behold what I am." By = which fact=20 we may easily gather what an humble man he was, that loved the country = fellow=20 the more for contemning him; for injurious words and contumelious usage = try what=20 a man is inwardly in his soul: for as proud men are glad of honour, so = those=20 that be humble for the most part rejoice in contempt and disgrace, and = when they=20 |26 behold themselves to be of = no account=20 in the opinion of others, glad they are, because they see that to be = confirmed=20 by the judgment of others which inwardly in their own souls they had of=20 themselves.

PETER. This man, as I perceive, was outwardly great in miracles, but = yet=20 greater by his inward humility of soul.

Chapter Six: = of=20 Marcellinus, Bishop of Ancona.

GREGORY. Marcellinus, also a man of holy life, was Bishop of the same = city of=20 Ancona; who was so sore troubled with the gout, that being not able to = go, his=20 servants were enforced to carry him in their hands. Upon a day, by = negligence,=20 the city was set on fire, and though many laboured by throwing on of = water to=20 quench it, yet did it so increase and go forward that the whole city was = in=20 great danger; for it had laid hold of all the houses that were next it, = and=20 consumed already a great part of the town, none being able to help or = withstand=20 it. In so pitiful a necessity and great danger, the Bishop, carried by = his=20 servants, came thither, and commanded himself to be set down right = against those=20 furious flames, and in that very place whither the force of the fire did = seem=20 most to bend: which being done, the fire marvellous strangely turned = back into=20 itself, and as it were cried out, that it could not pass the Bishop; and = by this=20 means was it stopped from going forward, [and] went out of itself, not = being=20 able to touch any other buildings. By which, Peter, you see what an = argument of=20 great holiness it was, for a sick man to sit still, and by his prayers = to quench=20 those raging flames. 

PETER. I do both see it and much wonder at so notable a miracle.

 Chapter = Seven: of=20 Nonnosus, Prior of the Abbey in Mount = Soracte.

GREGORY. Now I intend to let you understand somewhat of a place not = far=20 distant, which I heard of the reverent Bishop Maximianus,15=20 and |27 of the old monk = Laurio, one whom=20 you know: both which are yet living; and as for Laurio, he was brought = up under=20 that holy man Anastasius, in the Abbey which is hard by the city of = Nepi; and=20 Anastasius, both by reason of the nearness of the place, equal love of = virtue,=20 and like profession of life, was daily in the company of holy Nonnosus, = Prior of=20 the Abbey which is in mount Soracte. This Nonnosus had for his Abbot a = very=20 sharp man, whose rough conditions notwithstanding he did always bear = with=20 wonderful patience, and did in such sweet sort govern the monks, that = oftentimes=20 by his humility he appeased the Abbot's anger. The Abbey, standing in = the top of=20 an hill, had never an even and plain place fit for a garden; one only = little=20 plot of ground there was, in the side of the mountain, but that was = taken up of=20 a great stone which did naturally grow there, so that by no means it = could serve=20 for a garden. Yet venerable Nonnosus, upon a day, began to think with = himself=20 that at least that piece of ground would serve very well to set worts, = if by any=20 means that huge stone could be taken away; but then he likewise thought = that=20 five hundred yoke of oxen would not be able to stir it; whereupon, = despairing of=20 all human help, he betook himself to God's goodness, and in that very = place gave=20 himself to prayer in the quiet time of the night, and behold, on the = morning,=20 when the monks came thither, they found that huge stone removed far off, = and a=20 very fit plot of ground left to make them a garden.

At another time, the same holy man being washing of lamps made of = glass, one=20 of them by chance fell out of his hands, and brake into many pieces; = who,=20 fearing the great fury of the Abbot, did forthwith gather up all the = fragments,=20 laid them before the altar, and there with great sighing fell to his = prayers;=20 and afterward, lifting up his head, he found the lamp entire and whole. = And=20 thus, in these two miracles, did he imitate two notable |28 fathers, to wit, Gregory and Donatus; the = first of which=20 removed a mountain, and the other made a broken chalice safe and = sound.

PETER. We have, as I perceive now, miracles after the imitation of = old=20 saints.

GREGORY. How say you? are you content also in the conversation of = Nonnosus,=20 to hear how he did imitate the fact of the prophet Heliseus? 

PETER. Content I am, and most earnestly desire it. 

GREGORY. Upon a certain day, when the old oil was spent, and the time = to=20 gather olives was now at hand, the Abbot, because their own trees took = not,=20 thought it best to send the monks abroad to help strangers in the = gathering of=20 theirs, that for the recompense of their labour they might bring home = some oil=20 for the necessities of their own house. This determination the man of = God,=20 Nonnosus, in great humility did hinder, lest the monks, going abroad = from their=20 cloister to get oil, might lose somewhat in the devotion of their souls. = And=20 therefore, because he saw that their own trees had yet a few olives, he = willed=20 those to be gathered and put into the press, and that oil which came = forth to be=20 brought unto him, though it were never so little; which being done, he = set the=20 little vessel before the altar, and after their departure he offered his = prayers=20 to God, which being ended, he called for the monks, commanding them to = take away=20 the oil which they brought, and to pour a little thereof into all the = vessels=20 which they had, that each of them might have some of the benediction of = that=20 oil: which being done, he caused the vessels, empty as they were, to be = close=20 stopped, and the next day they found them all full.

PETER. We find daily the words of our Saviour to be verified, who = saith:=20 My Father even to this time doth work, and I do work.16 =20 |29

Chapter = Eight: of=20 Anastasius, Abbot of the Monastery called Suppentonia.17

GREGORY. At the same time the reverent man Anastasius, of whom I = spake=20 before, was notary to the church of Rome, whereof by God's providence I = have now=20 the charge; who desirous only to serve God, gave over his office, and = made=20 choice of a monastical life: and in that Abbey which is called = Suppentonia, he=20 lived many years virtuously, and governed that place with great care and = diligence. Over the Abbey there hangeth an huge rock, and beneath it = there is a=20 steep downfall. Upon a certain night, when God had determined to reward = the=20 labours of venerable Anastasius, a voice was heard from the top of that = rock,=20 which very leisurely did cry out: "Come away, Anastasius"; who being so = called,=20 straight after, seven other monks were severally called by their names. = And then=20 the voice stayed for a little time, and then called again the eighth = monk. Which=20 strange voice the Convent hearing very plainly, made no doubt but that = the death=20 of them that were so called was not far off; wherefore not many days = after,=20 before the rest, Anastasius himself, and then the others in order, = departed this=20 mortal life, as they were before called from the top of the rock. And = that monk=20 who was called after some pausing did a little while survive the rest, = and then=20 he also ended his life: whereby it was plain that the staying of the = voice did=20 signify that he should live a little longer than the other. But a = strange thing=20 happened, for when holy Anastasius lay upon his death-bed, a certain = monk there=20 was in the Abbey, that would needs die with him, and therefore fell down = at his=20 feet, and there began with tears to beg of him in this manner: "For his = love to=20 whom you are now going, I beseech and adjure you, that I may not remain = in this=20 world seven days after your departure"; and indeed it so fell out, that = before=20 the seventh day was come, that he left this mortal life, and yet was not = he |30 that = night named by=20 that voice amongst the rest, so that it appeareth plainly that it was = only the=20 intercession of Anastasius which obtained that his departure. 

PETER. Seeing that monk was not called amongst the other, and yet by = the=20 intercession of that holy man was taken out of this life: what other = thing can=20 we gather hereof, but that such as be of great merit, and in favour with = God,=20 can sometime obtain those things which be not predestinate?

GREGORY. Such things as be not predestinate by God, cannot by any = means be=20 obtained at his hands; but those things which holy men do by their = prayers=20 effect, were from all eternity predestinate to be obtained by prayers. = For very=20 predestination itself to life everlasting, is so by almighty God = disposed, that=20 God's elect servants do through their labour come unto it, in that by = their=20 prayers they do merit to receive that which almighty God determined = before all=20 worlds to bestow upon them. 

PETER. Desirous I am to have this point more plainly proved: to wit, = that=20 predestination may by prayers be holpen.

GREGORY. That which I inferred, Peter, may quickly be proved; for = ignorant=20 you are not that our Lord said to Abraham: In Isaac shall seed be = called to=20 thee;18=20 to whom also he said: I have appointed thee to be a father of many=20 nations;19=20 and again he promised him, saying: I will bless thee, and multiply = thy seed=20 as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand of the sea.20=20 Out of which place it is plain that almighty God had predestinate to = multiply the seed of Abraham by Isaac, and yet the scripture saith: = Isaac did=20 pray unto our Lord for his wife because she was barren, who did hear = him, and=20 Rebecca conceived.21=20 If, then, the increase of Abraham's posterity was predestinate by Isaac, = how=20 came it to pass that his wife was barren? by which most |31 certain it is, that = predestination=20 is fulfilled by prayers, when as we see that he by whom God had = predestinate to=20 increase Abraham's seed obtained by prayer to have children.

PETER. Seeing reason hath made that plain, which before I knew not, I = have=20 not herein any further doubt. 

GREGORY. Shall I now tell you somewhat of such holy men as have been = in=20 Tuscania;22=20 that you may be informed what notable persons have flourished in those = parts,=20 and how greatly they were in the favour of almighty God?

PETER. Willing I am to give you the hearing; and therefore beseech = you to=20 proceed forward.               =20  

Chapter Nine: = of=20 Bonifacius, Bishop of Ferenti.23

GREGORY. A man of holy life there was, called Bonifacius, Bishop of = the city=20 of Ferenti, one that with his virtuous conversation did well discharge = his duty.=20 Many miracles he did, which Gaudentius the Priest, who yet liveth, doth = still=20 report: and seeing he was brought up under him, no question but by = reason of=20 that his presence he is able to tell all things the more truly.

His Bishopric was passing poor (a thing which to good men is the = preserver of=20 humility), for he had nothing else for his revenues, but only one = vineyard,=20 which was also at one time so spoiled with a tempest of hail, that very = few=20 grapes did remain. Bonifacius coming in, and seeing what was happened, = gave God=20 great thanks, for that he had sent him further poverty to his former = necessity.=20 And when the time came that those few grapes which remained were ripe, = he=20 appointed one, according to the custom, to keep his vineyard, commanding = him=20 carefully to look well unto it. And upon a certain day, he willed = Constantius,=20 who both was a Priest and his nephew, to make ready, as before they were = wont to=20 do, all the barrels and wine-vessels they had: which thing when his = nephew the=20 Priest understood, he marvelled much |32=20 to hear him command so mad a thing, as to make ready the vessels for = wine,=20 himself having no wine at all to put in: yet durst he not enquire the = reason why=20 he gave that charge, but did as he commanded, and made all the vessels = and other=20 things ready, as before they had always used to do. Then the man of God = caused=20 the poor remnant of grapes to be gathered and carried to the wine-press, = and=20 dispatching all others away, himself tarried there still with a little = boy whom=20 he commanded to tread those grapes, and when he perceived that a little = wine=20 began to run forth, the man of God took it, and put it into a little = vessel, and=20 poured somewhat thereof into all the other barrels and vessels which = were made=20 ready, as it were to bless them with that little quantity: when he had = so done,=20 he called straightways for the Priest, commanding him to send for the = poor, upon=20 whose coming the wine in the press began to increase and run out so = plentifully,=20 that it did fill all the pots and other vessels which they brought. When = they=20 were all served, he bade the boy to leave treading, and come down; then, = locking=20 up the storehouse, into which he had put his own vessels, and setting = his own=20 seal upon the door, to the church he went, and three days after he = called for=20 Con-stantius, and having said a few prayers, he opened the door, where = he found=20 all the vessels into which he had before poured but a very little liquor = working=20 so plentifully, that, if he had not then come, they had all run over = into the=20 floor. Then he straightly commanded the Priest his kinsman, not to = reveal this=20 miracle to any, so long as he lived, fearing lest, by means thereof, the = outward=20 opinion of men might through vain glory inwardly have hurt his soul: = following=20 therein the example of our master Christ, who, to teach us to walk in = the path=20 of humility, commanded his disciples concerning himself, not to tell any = what=20 they had seen, until the Son of Man was risen again from death. |33 

PETER. Because fit occasion is now offered, desirous I am to = know what=20 the reason was, that when our Saviour restored sight unto two blind men, = and=20 commanded them to tell nobody; yet they, after their departure, made him = known=20 throughout all that country. For had the only-begotten Son of God, who = is=20 co-eternal to his Father and the Holy Ghost, a desire herein to do that = which he=20 could not perform: to wit, that the miracle which he would have kept = secret,=20 could not yet be concealed?

GREGORY. All that which our blessed Saviour wrought in his = mortal=20 body, he did it for our example and instruction, to the end that, = following his=20 steps, according to our poor ability, we might without offence pass over = this=20 present life: and therefore, when he did that miracle, he both commanded = them to=20 conceal it, and yet it could not be kept in, and all this to teach his = elect=20 servants to follow his doctrine; to wit, that when they do any notable = thing=20 whereof glory may arise to themselves, that they should have a desire = not to be=20 spoken of, and yet for the good of others, contrary to their own mind, = they=20 should be laid open and known: so that it proceed of their great = humility to=20 desire that their works may be buried with silence, and yet, for the = profit of=20 others, it should fall so out, that they can not be concealed. Wherefore = our=20 Lord would not have any thing done which he could not effect: but what = his=20 servants ought to desire, and what also, contrary to their minds, was = convenient=20 to be done, like a good master he taught us by his own = example. 

PETER. I am very well satisfied with this your answer. 

GREGORY. For as much as we have now made mention of Bonifacius, let = us=20 prosecute a few more of his acts, not yet spoken of. At another time, = upon the=20 feast-day of St. Proculus the martyr, one Fortunatus, a noble man that = dwelt in=20 that town, did heartily entreat the Bishop |34 that, after he had done the solemnity of mass, = he would=20 vouchsafe to come unto his house, to bless his meat and dine with him. = The man=20 of God was content to satisfy his request, so charitably was he invited: = and=20 therefore, when mass was done, he went thither: but before the table was = yet=20 blessed, suddenly (as some men by such means get their living) one came = to the=20 gate with an ape, who began to play upon an instrument, which the holy = man=20 hearing, was discontented, and said: "Alas, alas, this wretched man is = dead,=20 this wretched man is dead. Behold, I am come hither to dinner, and have = not yet=20 opened my lips to praise God, and he is here with his ape, playing upon = his=20 instrument." Then he desired them to give him some meat and drink: "Yet = I would=20 have you know," quoth he, "that he is a dead man." When the unhappy = wretch had=20 filled himself and was going out at the gate, a great stone fell from = the house,=20 and brake his head. Of which blow he fell down, and was taken up half = dead, and=20 being carried away the next day, as the man of God had before said, he = departed=20 this life; wherein, Peter, we have to consider how holy men are with = fear to be=20 reverenced: for they no question be the temples of God, and when an holy = man is=20 enforced to anger, who is then moved but he that dwelleth in that = temple?=20 wherefore we have so much the more cause to fear how we provoke such = kind of=20 persons to wrath, seeing we know that he is present in their souls, who = hath=20 power and might sufficient to inflict what punishment himself best = pleaseth.

At another time, the aforesaid Priest Constantius, his nephew, had = sold his=20 horse for twelve crowns, which money he laid up in his chest; and being = abroad=20 about other business, it so happened, that certain poor people pitifully = begged=20 of the holy Bishop, that he would vouchsafe to bestow something upon = them for=20 the relief of their necessity. The man of God, not having anything |35 to give them, was much, = grieved to send=20 them away empty: whiles he was thus troubled, suddenly it came to his = mind how=20 his nephew had sold his horse, and that the money was in his chest; = whereupon,=20 in his absence, by virtuous violence, he brake open the lock, took away = the=20 twelve crowns, and bestowed them as best pleased himself upon the poor = people.=20 Constantius, returning home and finding his chest open, locked for his = money,=20 and finding it not, he began to exclaim, and with great noise and fury = to cry=20 out against his uncle, saying: "All other can live here in quiet, only I = can=20 not." The Bishop, hearing him crying out in that manner, came unto him, = as also=20 the rest of his family; and when he began with sweet speech to mitigate = his=20 fury, in great anger he replied, saying: "All other can live with you, = only I=20 can not be suffered to be in quiet: give me my money, which you have = taken out=20 of my chest." The Bishop, moved at his words, departed away, and went = into the=20 church of the blessed virgin Mary, where, lifting up his hands with his = vestment=20 upon them, he began standing to pray, that she would help him to so much = money,=20 that he might quiet the fury of the mad Priest: and casting suddenly his = eyes=20 upon the garment that lay between his arms stretched out, he found = twelve crowns=20 lying there, so fair and bright, as though they had then newly come from = the=20 mint; who forthwith going out of the church, cast them to the raging = Priest with=20 these words: "Lo, there is your money which you have kept such a stir = for; but=20 know you that after my death you shall never be Bishop of this place, = and that=20 for your covetous mind." By which true censure of his we gather that the = Priest=20 provided that money for the getting of the Bishopric. But the words of = the man=20 of God did prevail: for the same Constantius ended his life without any = further=20 promotion than to the dignity of Priesthood. At another time, two Goths = came=20 unto him for |36 hospitality, = saying that=20 they were travelling to Ravenna; unto whom he gave with his own hands a = little=20 wooden bottle full of wine, enough, haply, for their dinner; of which,=20 notwithstanding, they drank until they came to Ravenna, and though they = stayed=20 some days in that city, yet they had no other wine than that which the = holy man=20 bestowed upon them: and so likewise they continued until they returned = back=20 again to the same venerable Bishop, drinking daily of the same, and yet = never=20 lacking wine to serve their necessity: as though, in that wooden bottle = which he=20 gave them, wine had grown, and not there increased.

Not long sithence, there came from the same country a certain old man = that is=20 a clerk, who reporteth divers notable things of him, which must not be = passed=20 over with silence. For he saith that going upon a day into his garden, = he found=20 it all full of caterpillars, and seeing all his worts spoiled, turning = himself=20 to them, he spake thus: "I adjure you, in the name of our Lord Jesus = Christ, to=20 depart from hence, and not to eat any more of these worts ": after which = words,=20 those worms did forthwith so vanish away, that there was not one to be = found in=20 all the whole garden. But what great marvel is it, to hear such things = reported=20 of him that was now a Bishop, being then, both by reason of his orders, = and also=20 holy conversation of life, grown into favour with almighty God, seeing = those are=20 more to be admired which this old clergyman said that he did, being yet = but a=20 little boy? For he affirmeth, that at such time as Bonifacius dwelt with = his=20 mother, and went abroad, that sometime he came home without his shirt, = and=20 oftentimes without his coat: for no sooner did he see a naked man, but = he gave=20 away his clothes, and put them upon him, to the end that himself might = be=20 clothed with a reward in the sight of God. His mother rebuked him often = for=20 doing so, and told him that it was no reason |37 that, being poor himself, he should give away = his=20 apparel to other. Upon another day, going into the barn, she found = almost all=20 her wheat, which she had provided for the whole year, given away by her = son to=20 the poor: and as she was, for very grief thereof, beating and tearing of = herself, the child of God, Bonifacius, came, and with the best words he = could=20 began to comfort his afflicted mother; but when by no means she would be = quieted, he entreated her to go out of the barn where the little wheat = that=20 remained was. When she was departed, the virtuous youth fell straightway = to his=20 prayers; and after a little while, going out, he brought his mother back = again,=20 where she found it as full of wheat as before it was: at the sight of = which=20 miracle, she, being touched in soul, exhorted him to give as he pleased, = seeing=20 he could so soon obtain at God's hands what he asked. His mother also = kept hens=20 before her door, which a fox, that had his berry not far off, used to = carry=20 away: and upon a certain day, as the youth Bonifacius was standing in = the entry,=20 the fox, after his old manner, came and took away one of the hens; = whereupon in=20 all haste he ran to the church, and prostrate there in prayer, with loud = voice=20 he spake thus: "Is it thy pleasure, O Lord, that I shall not eat of my = mother's=20 hens? for behold, the fox doth devour them up ": and rising from his = prayers, he=20 went out of the church, and straightways the fox came back again with = the hen in=20 his mouth, leaving it where he found it, and forthwith fell down dead in = the=20 presence of Bonifacius. 

PETER. It seemeth strange unto me, that God vouchsafeth in such small = things=20 to hear the prayers of them that put their trust in him.

GREGORY. This falleth out, Peter, by the great providence of our = Creator, to=20 the end that by little things which we receive at his hands, we should = hope for=20 greater: for the holy and simple lad was heard in |38 praying for small matters, that by them he = should learn=20 how much he ought to trust in God, when he prayed for things of greater=20 importance. PETER. What you say pleaseth me very well.

Chapter Ten: = of=20 Fortunatus, Bishop of the City of Tuderti.24

GREGORY. Another man also there was in the same parts, called = Fortunatus,=20 Bishop of Tuderti, who had a most singular grace in casting out of = devils, in so=20 much that sometime he did cast out of possessed bodies whole legions; = and by the=20 continual exercise of prayer, he overcame all their temptations. = Julianus, who=20 had an office here in our church, and not long since died in this city, = was=20 familiarly acquainted with him, by whose relation I learned that which I = will=20 now tell you: for by reason of his great and inward familiarity, often = was he=20 present at such miracles as he wrought, and did divers times talk of him = to our=20 instruction and his own comfort.

A certain noble matron there was, dwelling in the hither parts of = Tuscania,=20 that had a daughter-in-law, which, not long after the marriage of her = son, was,=20 together with her mother-in-law, invited to the dedication of the = oratory of the=20 blessed martyr, St. Sebastian: and the night before this solemnity, = overcome=20 with carnal pleasure, she could not abstain from her husband; and though = in the=20 morning her former delight troubled her conscience, yet shame drave her = forth to=20 the procession, being more ashamed of men than fearing the judgment of = God, and=20 therefore thither she went together with her mother-in-law. And behold, = straight=20 upon the bringing of the relics of St. Sebastian the martyr into the = oratory, a=20 wicked spirit possessed the foresaid matron's daughter-in-law, and = pitifully=20 tormented her before all the people. The Priest of the oratory, = beholding her so=20 terribly vexed and lifted up, took a white linen cloth and cast upon = her; and=20 forthwith the devil also entered |39 into=20 him, and because he presumed above his strength, enforced also he was by = his own=20 vexation, to know what himself was. Those that were present took up the = young=20 gentlewoman in their hands, and carried her home to her own house. And = for as=20 much as she was by the enemy continually and cruelly tormented, her = kinsfolk=20 that carnally loved her, and with their love did persecute her, cause = her to be=20 carried for help to certain witches; so utterly to cast away her soul, = whose=20 body they went about by sorcery for a time to relieve. Coming into their = hands,=20 she was by them brought to a river, and there washed in the water, the = sorcerers=20 labouring a long time by their enchantments to cast out the devil, that = had=20 possessed her body: but by the wonderful judgment of almighty God, it = fell out=20 that whiles one by unlawful art was expelled, suddenly a whole legion = did enter=20 in. And from that time forward, she began to be tossed with so many = varieties of=20 motions, to shriek out in so many sundry tunes, as there were devils in = her=20 body. Then her parents, consulting together, and confessing their own=20 wickedness, carried her to the venerable Bishop Fortunatus, and with him = they=20 left her: who, having taken her to his charge, fell to his prayers many = days and=20 nights, and he prayed so much the more earnestly, because he had against = him, in=20 one body, an whole army of devils: and many days passed not, before he = made her=20 so safe and sound, as though the devil had never had any power or = interest in=20 her body.

At another time, the same servant of almighty God cast forth a devil = out of=20 one that was possessed: which wicked spirit, when it was now night and = saw few=20 men stirring in the streets, taking upon him the shape of a stranger, = began to=20 go up and down the city, crying out: "O holy Bishop Fortunatus, behold = what he=20 hath done; he hath turned a stranger out of his lodging, and now |40 I seek for a place to rest = in, and in his=20 whole city can find none." A certain man, sitting in his house by the = fire, with=20 his wife and his little son, hearing one to cry out in that manner, went = forth,=20 and enquired what the Bishop had done, and withal invited him to his = house,=20 where he caused him to sit with them by the fire: and as they were among = themselves discoursing of divers matters, the same wicked spirit on a = sudden=20 entered into his little child, cast him into the fire, and forthwith = killed him:=20 then the wretched father, by the loss of his son in this manner, knew = full well=20 whom he had entertained, and the Bishop turned out of his = lodging. 

PETER. What was the cause, that the old enemy presumed to kill his = son in his=20 own house: who, thinking him to be a stranger, vouchsafed him of lodging = and=20 entertainment?

GREGORY. Many things, Peter, seem to be good and yet are not, because = they be=20 not done with a good mind and intention; and therefore our Saviour saith = in the=20 gospel: If thy eye be naughty all thy body shall be = dark.1=20 For when the intention is wicked, all the work that followeth is = naught,=20 although it seem to be never so good; and therefore this man who lost = his child,=20 though he seemed to give hospitality, yet I think that he took not any = pleasure=20 in that work of mercy, but rather in the detraction and infamy of the = Bishop:=20 for the punishment which followed did declare that his entertainment = going=20 before, was not void of sin. For some there be, which are careful to do = good=20 works, to the end they may obscure the virtue of another man's life; = neither=20 take they pleasure in the good thing which they do, but in the conceit = of that=20 hurt which thereby they imagine re-doundeth to others; and therefore I = verily=20 suppose that this man, which gave entertainment to the devil, was more = desirous=20 to seem to do a good work than to do 

1 Matt. 6, 23.

|41 = it indeed; to=20 the end that he might seem more charitable than the Bishop, in that he=20 entertained him whom the man of God, Fortunatus, had thrust out of his = house

PETER. It is verily so, as you say: for the end of the work declared = that the=20 intent of the doer was not good. 

GREGORY. At another time, likewise, one that had lost his eyesight = was=20 brought unto him, who craved his intercession and obtained it: for so = soon as=20 the man of God had prayed for him, and made the sign of the cross upon = his eyes,=20 straightways he received his sight. Beside this, a certain soldier's = horse=20 became so mad, that he could scant be holden by many, and so cruel he = was, that=20 he rent and tare the flesh of all such as he could reach with his teeth. = At=20 length, as well as they could, they tied him with ropes, and so brought = him to=20 the man of God; who putting forth his hand, made upon his head the sign = of the=20 cross, and forthwith all his madness departed, in such sort that he = became more=20 gentle than ever he was before. Then the soldier, seeing his horse so=20 miraculously cured, determined to bestow him upon the Bishop: which = because he=20 refused, and yet the other instantly entreated that he would not reject = his poor=20 gift, the holy man took the middle way, and yielded so to the soldier's = request,=20 that yet he would not take any reward for the doing of that miracle; for = he gave=20 him first so much money as the horse was worth, and then received him; = for=20 perceiving that the soldier would have been grieved, if he had refused = his=20 courteous offer, upon charity he bought that whereof he had then no = need.

Neither must I pass over with silence that which I heard almost = twelve days=20 since: for a certain poor old man was brought unto me (because I loved = always to=20 talk with such kind of men), of whom I enquired his country; and = understanding=20 that he was of the city of |42 = Tuderti, I=20 asked him whether he knew the good old father, Bishop Fortunatus; to = which he=20 answered that he knew him, and that very well. "Then I beseech you," = quoth I,=20 "tell me whether you know of any miracles which he did, and because I am = very=20 desirous, let me understand what manner of man he was." "This man," = quoth he,=20 "was far different from all those which live in our days; for he = obtained at=20 God's hands whatsoever he requested. One of his miracles which cometh to = my=20 mind, I will now tell you.

"Certain Goths, upon a day, travelling not far from the city of = Tuderti, as=20 they were in their journey to Ravenna, carried away with them two little = boys=20 from a place which belonged to the said city. News hereof being brought = to the=20 holy Bishop Fortunatus, he sent straightways, desiring those Goths to = come unto=20 him: to whom he spake very courteously, being willing by fair speech to = pacify=20 their fierce and cruel natures; and afterward told them that they should = have=20 what money they desired, so they would make restitution of the children: = 'and=20 therefore, I beseech you,' quoth he, 'gratify my request in this one = thing.'=20 Then he which seemed to be the chief of them two told him, that = whatsoever else=20 he commanded they were ready to perform, but as for the boys, by no = means they=20 would let them go. To whom the venerable man (threatening in sweet sort) = spake=20 unto him in this manner: 'You grieve me, good son, to see that you will = not be=20 ruled by your father; but give me not any such cause of grief, for it is = not=20 good that you do.' But for all this the Goth, continuing still = hard-hearted,=20 denied his request, and so went his way, yet coming again the next day, = the holy=20 man renewed his former suit concerning the children; but when he saw = that by no=20 means he could persuade him, in sorrowful manner he spake thus: 'Well I = know=20 that it is not good for you to depart in this |43 manner, and leave me thus afflicted.' But the = Goth, not=20 esteeming his words, returned to his inn, set those children on = horseback, and=20 sent them before with his servants, and straightways himself took horse = and=20 followed after; and as he was riding in the same city by the church of = St. Peter=20 the Apostle, his horse stumbling, fell down, and brake his thigh in such = sort=20 that the bone was quite asunder: up was he taken, and carried back again = to his=20 inn; who in all haste sent after his servants, and caused the boys to be = brought=20 back again. Then he sent one to venerable Fortunatus with this message: = 'I=20 beseech you, father, to send unto me your deacon'; who when he was come = unto him=20 lying in his bed, he made those boys, which before upon no entreaty he = would=20 restore, to be brought forth, and delivered them to him, saying: 'Go and = tell my=20 Lord the Bishop: Behold you have cursed me, and I am punished, but I = have now=20 sent you those children which before you required, take them, and I = beseech you=20 to pray for me.' The deacon received the children, and carried them to = the=20 Bishop; whereupon the holy man forthwith gave his deacon some holy = water,=20 saying: 'Go quickly and cast it upon him where he lieth '; who went his = way, and=20 coming to the Goth, he sprinkled all his body with holy water: and O = strange and=20 admirable thing! the holy water no sooner touched his thigh but all the = rupture=20 was so healed, and himself so perfectly restored to his former health, = that he=20 forsook his bed that very hour, took his horse, and went on his journey, = as=20 though he had never been hurt at all: and thus it fell out, that he = which=20 refused for money and upon obedience to restore the children, was by = punishment=20 enforced to do it for nothing." When the old man had told me this = strange story,=20 ready he was to proceed unto other; but because I was at that time to = make an=20 exhortation to some that expected me, and the day was well spent, I |44 could not at that time hear = any more of=20 the notable acts of venerable Fortunatus; and yet if I might, never = would I do=20 any thing else, than give ear to such excellent stories.

The next day, the same old man reported a thing far more wonderful: = for he=20 said that in the same city of Tuderti, there dwelt a good virtuous man = called=20 Marcellus, together with two of his sisters, who, falling sick, somewhat = late=20 upon Easter even departed this life: and because he was to be carried = far off,=20 he could not be buried that day. His sisters having now longer respite = for his=20 burial, with heavy hearts ran weeping unto the Bishop; where they began = to cry=20 out aloud in this manner: "We know that thou leadest an Apostolical = life, that=20 thou dost heal lepers, restore sight to the blind: come, therefore, we = beseech=20 you, and raise up our dead brother." The venerable man, hearing of their = brother's death, began himself likewise to weep, desired them to depart, = and not=20 to make any such petition unto him: "for it is our Lord's pleasure," = quoth he,=20 "which no man can resist." When they were gone, the Bishop continued = still sad=20 and sorrowful for the good man's death; and the next day being the = solemn feast=20 of Easter, very early in the morning he went with two of his deacons to=20 Marcellus' house, and coming to the place where his dead body lay, he = fell to=20 his prayers; and when he had made an end, he rose up and sat down by the = corpse,=20 and with a low voice called the dead man by his name, saying: "Brother = Marcellus=20 "; whereat, as though he had been lightly asleep, and awaked with that = voice, he=20 rose up, opened his eyes, and looking upon the Bishop, said: "O what = have you=20 done? O what have you done?" To whom the Bishop answered, saying: "What = have I=20 done?" "Marry," quoth he, "yesterday there came two unto me, and = discharged my=20 soul out of my body, and carried me away to a good place, and this day = one was=20 |45 sent, who bade them carry = me back=20 again, because Bishop Fortunatus was gone to mine house." And when he = had spoken=20 these words, straightways he recovered of his sickness, and lived long = after.=20 And yet for all this we must not think that he lost that place which he = had,=20 because there is no doubt, but that he might, by the prayers of his = intercessor,=20 live yet more virtuously after his death, who had a care before he died = to=20 please almighty God.

But why do I spend so many words in discoursing of his wonderful = life, when=20 as we have so many miracles, even at these days, wrought at his body? = for, as he=20 was wont to do when he lived upon earth, so doth he now continually at = his dead=20 bones dispossess devils, and heal such as be sick, so often as men pray = for such=20 graces with faith and devotion. But I mean now to return to the province = of=20 Valeria, of which I have heard most notable miracles from the mouth of = venerable=20 Fortunatus, of whom long before I have made mention, who, coming often = to visit=20 me, whiles he reporteth old stories, continually he bringeth me new = delight.

 Chapter Eleven: of=20 Martirius, a Monk in the Province of Valeria.

A certain man lived in that province, called Martirius, who was a = very devout=20 servant of almighty God, and gave this testimony of his virtuous life. = For, upon=20 a certain day, the other monks, his brethren, made a hearth-cake, = forgetting to=20 make upon it the sign of the cross: for in that country they use to make = a cross=20 upon their loaves, dividing them so into four parts: when the servant of = God=20 came, they told him that it was not marked: who, seeing it covered with = ashes=20 and coals, asked why they did not sign it, and speaking so, he made the = sign of=20 the cross with his hand against the coals: which thing whiles he was in = doing,=20 the cake gave a great crack, as though the pan had been broken with the = fire:=20 after it was baked and |46 = taken out, they=20 found it marked with the sign of the cross, which yet not any corporal = touching,=20 but the faith of Martirius had imprinted.

 Chapter Twelve: of=20 Severus, a Priest in the same Province.

In the same country there is a valley, which is called of the plain = people=20 Interocrina 25;=20 in which there lived a certain man of a rare life, called Severus, who = was a=20 parish priest of the church of our blessed Lady the mother of God and = perpetual=20 virgin. One that lay at the point of death sent for him in great haste, = desiring=20 him to come with all speed, and by his prayers to make intercession for = him,=20 that doing penance for his wickedness, and loosed from his sins, he = might depart=20 this life. So it chanced, that the Priest at that time was busy in = pruning of=20 his vines; and therefore he bade them that came for him to go on before: = "and I=20 will," quoth he, "come after by and by." For seeing he had but a little = to do,=20 he stayed a pretty while to make an end of that, and when it was = dispatched,=20 away he went to visit the sick man; but as he was going, the former = messengers=20 met with him, saying: "Father, why have you stayed so long? go not now = any=20 further, for the man is dead." At which news the good man fell a = trembling, and=20 cried out aloud that he had killed him; whereupon he fell a weeping, and = in that=20 manner came to the dead corpse, where before the bed he fell prostrate = upon the=20 earth, pouring out of tears. Lying there weeping very pitifully, beating = his=20 head against the ground, and crying out that he was guilty of his death, = suddenly the dead man returned to life: which many that were present = beholding=20 cried out, and began to weep more plentifully for joy, demanding of him = where he=20 had been, and by what means he came back again; to whom he said: = "Certain cruel=20 men," quoth he, "did carry me away; out of whose mouth and nostrils fire = came=20 forth, which I could not endure; and as they were leading me |47 through dark places, suddenly a beautiful = young man with=20 others met us, who said unto them that were drawing me forward: 'Carry = him back=20 again; for Severus the Priest lamenteth his death, and our Lord, for his = tears,=20 hath given him longer life.'" Then Severus rose up from the earth, and = by his=20 intercession did assist him in doing of penance. And when the sick man = that=20 revived had done penance for his sins by the space of seven days, upon = the=20 eighth with a cheerful countenance he departed this life. Consider, = Peter, I=20 pray you, how dearly our Lord loved this Severus, that would not suffer = him to=20 be grieved for a little time. 

PETER. They be marvellous strange things which you report, and which = before=20 this time I never heard of: but what is the reason that in these days = there be=20 not any such men now living?

GREGORY. I make no doubt, Peter, but that there be many such = holy men=20 now living; for though they work not the like miracles, yet for all = that, may=20 they be as virtuous and as holy. For true judgment of one's life is to = be taken=20 from his virtuous conversation, and not from the working of miracles, = for many=20 there be who, although they do not any such strange things, yet are they = not in=20 virtue inferior to them that do them. 

PETER. How, I beseech you, can it be maintained for true, that there = be some=20 that work not any miracles, and yet be as virtuous as they which work=20 them? 

GREGORY. Sure I am that you know very well that the Apostle St. Paul = is=20 brother to St. Peter, chief of the Apostles in Apostolical=20 principality. 

PETER. I know that indeed, for no doubt can be made thereof: for = though he=20 were the least of the Apostles, yet did he labour more than all = they. 

GREGORY. Peter, as you well remember, walked with his feet upon the = sea; Paul=20 in the sea suffered ship-wreck. And in one and the same element, where = Paul |48 could not pass with a ship, = Peter went=20 upon his feet; by which apparent it is, that though their virtue in = working of=20 miracles was not alike, yet their merit is alike in the kingdom of = heaven.

PETER. I confess that I am well pleased with that you say, for I know = most=20 assuredly that the life, and not the miracles, are to be considered; but = yet,=20 seeing such miracles as be wrought do give testimony of a good life, I = beseech=20 you, if any more be yet remaining, that you would, with the examples and = virtuous lives of holy men, feed mine hungry soul.

GREGORY. Desirous I am, to the honour of our blessed Saviour, to tell = you=20 some things now concerning the miracles of the man of God, venerable St. = Benedict: but to do it as it ought, this day is not sufficient; = wherefore we=20 will here make a pause, and to handle this matter more plentifully, take = another=20 beginning.

The End of the First Book

[Footnotes moved to the end and combined with = editorial=20 notes]

1. Introduction, p. 4. Similarly in the letter = addressed=20 to Leander of Seville, prefixed to the Moralia, or Exposition = of the=20 Book of Job (composed before his elevation to the papacy), St. = Gregory had=20 written : "Now that the times are disturbed through multiplied evils, = the end of=20 the world being at hand, we ourselves, who are believed to be devoted to = the=20 inner mysteries, are involved in external cares." Cf. below, Bk. = III.=20 chap. 38 ; Bk. IV. chap. 41.

2. Chapter I. p. 7. Funda, more correctly = Fundi=20 (the translator is somewhat casual in his rendering of the Latin = names of=20 places), is the modern Fondi, in the province of Caserta, between = Terracina and=20 Formia. Cf. Horace, Sat. I. 5, 34-36. Honoratus is = celebrated in=20 the Roman Martyrology on January 16.

3. Chapter II. p. 9. For Totila, see = below, Bk. II.=20 chap. 14. He was king of the Ostrogoths in Italy from 541 to 552.

4. Ibid, p. 10. In 553, after the death = of Totila's=20 successor, Teias, Leutharand Butilin (here called Buccellinus), chiefs = of the=20 Alamanni, who were subject to the king of the Franks, invaded Italy in = support=20 of the scattered remnants of the Goths. Butilin ravaged Campania in 554, = until=20 defeated and slain by Narses at the battle of Capua. See Hodgkin, = Italy and her Invaders, V. bk. vi. chap. I.

5. 1 4 Kings 2. 12

6. Chapter IV. p. 15. The province of Valeria = included the=20 cities of Reate (Rieti) and Tibur (Tivoli), and the modern province of = Aquila=20 (Abruzzi). St. Equitius is commemorated on March 7. It is uncertain = whether the=20 monastery quod appellatur Balneum Ciceronis was at Tusculum, or = (as seems=20 more probable from the context) on the site of the present abbey of San = Domenico=20 Abbate near Isola del Liri in the diocese of Sora.

7. Ibid. p. 16. Amiternum, an ancient = Sabine town,=20 the birthplace of Sallust, is some five miles from the modern city of = Aquila ;=20 its site is occupied by the village of San Vittorino. Two letters of=20 Cassiodorus, written in the name of King Theodoric, refer to this = Basilius, who,=20 together with another Roman noble named Praetextatus, was imprisoned for = practising magical arts, but made his escape. Theodoric ordered that he = should=20 be recaptured, and examined by a board of five persons, one of whom was = the=20 patrician Symmachus (Cf. Bk. IV. chaps. 13 and 30). See = Hodgkin,=20 The Letters of Cassiodorus, pp. 246, 247. Baronius places these = events in=20 the year 504 or thereabouts. Nothing is known of the subsequent fate of=20 Basilius, to which St. Gregory refers ; he is evidently not the same = person as=20 the Basilius mentioned by Boe'thius, in the De Consolatione = Philosophiae,=20 as one of his accusers.

8. 1 John 4, 53.

9. Ibid. p. 18. Castorius (or Castus) was = a=20 military officer (magister militum), who shared in the defence of = Rome=20 against the Lombards, and is mentioned with high praise by St. Gregory = himself=20 in a letter of 595 to the Emperor Mauritius (Registrum, Epist. v. = 36, ed.=20 Ewald and Hartmann, i. p. 317). For "Bishop of Reatino" (Reatinae = antistes=20 ecclesiae) read "Bishop of Reate" (Rieti). The Bishop of Rome = mentioned in=20 this chapter is probably Pope Symmachus I. (498-514), for whom see = below,=20 Bk. IV. chap. 40.

10. Ibid. p. 19. Julianus is described = in the=20 Latin text as being then defensor (of the Church of Rome). The = Defenders=20 of the various Churches were ecclesiastical lawyers, clerics appointed = to look=20 after the interests of the Church. See Moroni, Dizionario di=20 Erudiziotie storico-ecclesiastica, xx. pp. 38 et seq., and = St.=20 Gregory, Registrum, Epist. v. 26, ed. Ewald and Hartmann, i. p. = 307.

11. 1 Luke 16, 15.

12. 2 2 Kings, 16 and 19.

13. Ibid. p. 22. Valentinus was the = second Abbot=20 of Sant' Andrea, the monastery into which St. Gregory converted his = palace on=20 the Caelian Hill.

14. Ibid. p. 23. The Lombards came into = the=20 province of Valeria in 571, three years after their first appearance in=20 Italy.

15. Chapter VII. pp. 26, 27. For Maximianus, = Bishop of=20 Syracuse, see Bk. III. chap. 36. The "Abbey which is hard by the = city of=20 Nepi" is the monastery "called Suppentonia," mentioned in the next = chapter.=20 There were a number of early mediaeval monasteries on Mount Soracte ; = the one=20 presided over by Nonnosus was, perhaps, that traditionally associated = with St.=20 Sylvester, which was afterwards in the eighth century refounded by = Carloman the=20 Frank.

16. 1 John 5, 17. 28

17. Chapter VIII. p. 29. Suppentonia is the = modern Castel=20 Sant' Elia, between Nepi and Civita Castellana. Anastasius is = commemorated on=20 January n.

18. 1 Gen. 21, 12.  

19. 2 Gen. 27, 29.

20. 3 Gen. 22, 17.

21. 4 Gen. 25, 21.

22. Ibid. p. 31. Tuscania, more properly = Tuscia,=20 is, of course, the modern Tuscany.

23. Chapter IX. p. 31. The place meant is = apparently=20 Ferentinum (Ferentino), near Frosinone, which, however, is in Latium not = Tuscany. Bonifacius is commemorated on May 14.

24. Chapter X. p. 38. Tuder is now Todi in = Umbria.=20 Fortunatus died in 537, and is commemorated on October 14. The Julianus = here=20 mentioned, nostrae ecclesiae defensor, is not the same person as = the=20 Julianus connected with St. Equitius (Bk. I. chap. 4), who previously = held the=20 same office of "defender."

25. Chapter XII. p. 46. "In eo etiam loco = Interorina=20 vallis dicitur, quae a multis verbo rustico Interocrina = nominatur."=20 The place is apparently Interocrea, or Intocrium, the modern Antrodoco, = between=20 Rieti and Aquila.

3D"Table 

This text was =
transcribed by Roger Pearse, Ipswich, UK, 2004.  All material on this =
page is in the public domain - copy freely.
Greek text is rendered using the Scholars Press SPIonic =
font, free from here.
Early = Church=20 Fathers - Additional Texts
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