those also who touched any part of the shroud
in which she had been wound, were instantly cured; ii
and likewise the coffin wherein she had first lain
greatly benefited many persons, as the teacher Beda
said in the book which he wrote concerning this holy woman.
In like manner have laymen also, as books tell us,
preserved often their chastity in the marriage-state, for the love of Christ,
as we might relate if ye cared to hear it.
However, we will tell you of a certain thane,
who lived thirty years with his wife in continence;
he begat three sons, and thenceforward they both lived
for thirty years without cohabitation,
giving much alms, until the husband
entered the monastic life, and God's angels
came just at his death, and carried his soul
with song to heaven, as the books tell us.
Many examples of such are there in books,
how oftentimes men and their wives have lived wondrously,
and dwelt in chastity, to the glory of Jesus,
who consecrated virginity, even Christ our Saviour;
to whom be honour and glory for ever. Amen.
XXI.
JULY 2. ST. SWITHHUN, BISHOP.
[See MSS. Royal 15 C. vii, Nero E. i, &c.]
In the days of the noble King Eadgar
when, by God's grace, Christianity was thriving well
in the English nation under that same king,
God, by many miracles revealed
Saint Swithhun, [showing] that he is illustrious.
His deeds were not known before God Himself manifested them,
