Page:Aelfric's Lives of Saints Vol 2.djvu/309

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all together, even as the venerable man commanded.

He put the diver-birds to flight by the same best

whereby he had expelled devils from men.

LII. After that, Martin came to the monastery,

and abode there some while, and reconciled the priests.

Afterward when he would have returned home he became ill,

and told his brethren that he should die;

then they were all very sorrowful,

and with great lamentation asked him;

' O thou our father! why forsakest thou us,

or to whom committest thou us, forsaken?

Verily ravening wolves will come

to thy flock, and who will defend it

Verily we know that thou longest for Christ,

and for thee thy rewards are laid up for a surety;

oh rather have pity on us whom thou forsakest.'

Then the holy man was moved with these words,

and cried with weeping and said to his Lord;

' Lord, my Saviour! if I am yet necessary

to Thy people, I refuse not

still to labour; Thy will be done;

I will not plead the excuse of my failing age.

I have fulfilled Thy service devoutly; under Thy sign

I will fight so long as Thou Thyself shalt command.'

Then he lay thus for a few days longer,

weakened with fever, continuing in prayers,

lying on stiff hair-cloth, bestrewed with ashes.

Then the brethren entreated that they might

at least underlay his bed with softer bedding.