ÆLFRIC'S HOMILIES
HERE BEGINNETH THE PREFACE TO THIS BOOK.
This book also have I translated from the Latin into the usual English speech, desiring to profit others by edifying them in the faith whenever they read this relation, as many, namely, as are pleased to study this work, either by reading or hearing it read; for I think it is not displeasing to the faithful. For I call to mind that, in two former books, I have set forth the Passions or Lives of those saints whom that illustrious nation celebrates by honouring their festival, and it has [now] pleased me to set forth, in this book, the Passions as well as the Lives of those saints whom not the vulgar, but the monks, honour by special services. I do not promise, however, to write very many in this tongue, because it is not fitting that many should be translated into our language, lest peradventure the pearls of Christ be had in disrespect. And therefore I hold my peace as to the book called Vitoe Patrum, wherein are contained many subtle points which ought not to be laid open to the laity, nor indeed are we ourselves quite able to fathom them. But I think that those things which I am now going to write will not at all offend the hearers, but will rather refresh by their exhortations such as are slothful in the faith, since the Passions of the Martyrs greatly revive a failing faith. I desire that one point should be especially noted by them that read this book, viz. that I do not like in any passage to speak of two emperors or Cæsars in the story at the same time, as we read of in the Latin; but I everywhere speak of one emperor as being concerned in the persecution of the martyrs; just as our own nation is subject to one king, and is accustomed to speak of one king, and not of two. Nor am I able, in this translation, to render everything word for word, but I have at any rate carefully endeavoured to give exact sense for sense, just as I find it in the holy writing, by means of such simple and obvious language as may profit them that hear it. It is to be further noted that I abridge the longer narratives of the Passions, not as regards the sense but in the language, in order that no tediousness may be inflicted on the fastidious, as might be the case if as much prolixity were used in our own language as occurs in the Latin; and we know that brevity does not always deprave speech but oftentimes makes it more charming. Let it not be considered as a fault in me that I turn sacred narrative into our own tongue, since the request of many of the faithful shall clear me in this matter, particularly that of the governor Æthelwerd, and of my friend Æthelmer, who most highly honour my translations by their perusal of them; nevertheless I have resolved at last to desist from such labour after completing the fourth book, that I may not be regarded as too tedious.
Ælfric humbly greeteth alderman Æthelwerd, and I tell thee, beloved, that I have now collected in this book such Passions of the Saints as I have had leisure to translate into English, because that thou, beloved, and Æthelmær earnestly prayed me for such writings, and received them at my hands for the confirmation of your faith by means of this history, which ye never had in your language before. Thou knowest, beloved, that we translated in the two former books the Passions and Lives of the saints which the English nation honoureth with festivals ; now it has seemed good to us that we should write this book concerning the sufferings and lives of the Saints whom monks in their offices honour amongst themselves.
We say nothing new in this book,
because it has stood written down long since
in Latin books, though lay-men knew it not.
Neither will we feign such things by means of falsehoods,
because devout fathers and holy doctors
wrote it in the Latin tongue, for a lasting memorial,
and to confirm the faith of future generations.
A certain prophet cried by the Holy Ghost, and said 'Mirabilis Deus in Sanctis suis,' et cetera : wonderful is God in His Saints; He shall give power and strength unto His people; blessed is God.' We shall describe many wonders in this book, because God is wonderful in His Saints, as we said before, and the miracles of His Saints glorify Him, because He wrought them by their means. An earthly king hath many servants and divers stewards ; he cannot be an honoured king unless he have the state which befitteth him, and as it were serving-men, to offer him their obedience. So likewise is it with Almighty God who created all things; it befitteth Him that He should have holy servants who may fulfil His will, and of these there are many even amongst mankind whom He chose out of the world, so that no scribe, though he know much, may write their names, because no man knoweth them. They are innumerable, as befitteth God; but we desire to write this book concerning some of them, for the encouragement of other men and for our own security, that they may intercede for us with Almighty God, even as we on earth make known their miracles.
I pray now in God's name, if any man desire to transcribe this book, that he correct it well according to the copy; and set down therein no more than we have translated.
Farewell in the Lord.