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94 HISTORY OF THE FRANKS vainglory from forming an obstacle before him. At the present time, as we learn from men of the faith, the same monk is so ab- stemious that he eats no bread in the forty days of Lent and drinks only a cup of barley-water every third day. And may the Lord with your prayers deign to keep him as is pleasing to himself until his life is ended. [35. The priest Eufrasius and the archdeacon Avitus are candidates for the bishopric of Auvergne. The former Gregory describes in these words : "He was indeed a man of refined man- ners, but his acts were not virtuous and he often made the bar- barians drunk and rarely helped the needy." 36. Nicetius suc- ceeds Sacerdos as bishop of Lyons. He is succeeded in turn by the wicked Priscus. 37. Death of the holy Friard. 38. Leuva and Leuvield, kings of Spain. The latter slew all who had been accustomed to kill the kings." 39. Palladius and Parthenius, respectively count and bishop of Gevaudan, quarrel. Palladius accuses the bishop of unnatural crime ; he is removed and Ro- manus becomes count.] 39. . . . It happened that one day Palladius and Romanus met in Clermont, and in their dispute about the office of count Palladius was told that he was going to be put to death by king Sigibert. However the story was false, and was ascertained to have btfen put in circulation principally by Romanus. Then Palladius was terrified and reduced to such despair that he threatened to kill himself with his own hand. And although he was carefully watched by his mother and his kinsman Firmin, to prevent the deed which he had conceived in the bitterness of his heart, he escaped from his mother's sight for a short time and went into his chamber where he could be alone, unsheathed his sword, and putting his feet on the crosshilt of the sword he put its point at his breast and pushed on the sword from above, and it entered at one of his breasts and came out at the shoulder-blade, and raising himself up a second time he thrust himself in like manner in the other breast and fell dead. I regard this deed with astonishment since it could not have been done without the help of the devil. For the first wound would have killed him if the devil had not supported him so that he could accompHsh his wicked purpose. His mother rushed in half dead with alarm, and fell in a faint on the body of the son she