Page:Aelfric's Lives of Saints Vol 2.djvu/147

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He met with some merry guests at the house;

he hung the dust on a high post,

and sat with the revellers rejoicing together.

There was a great fire made in the midst of the guests,

and the sparks wound towards the roof quickly,

until the house suddenly became all on fire,

and the revellers fled frightened away.

The house was entirely consumed except the one post

whereon the holy dust was hung.

The post alone remained whole, together with the dust,

and they greatly wondered at the holy man's merits,

that the fire could not consume the mould.

And many men afterward sought the place,

fetching thence their cure, and (some) for each of their friends.

His fame spread widely throughout those lands

and also to Ireland, and also southward to Frankland [Germany],

even as a certain mass-priest told concerning one man.

The priest related that there was in Ireland a learned man

who took no heed of his doctrine, and he cared little

about his soul's needs, or his Creator's commands,

but passed his life in foolish works

until he became sick, and was brought [near] to his end.

Then he called the priest who afterwards thus made it known,

and said to him forthwith with sorrowful voice,

' Now I must die a wretched death,

and go to hell for wicked deeds;

now would I make amends, if I might remain

and turn to God and to good ways,

and change all my life to God's will;

and I know that I am not worthy of the respite,

except some Saint intercede for me to the Saviour Christ.

Now it is told us that a certain holy king