Page:Aelfric's Lives of Saints Vol 2.djvu/345

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'Blessed are these men who in this world are like unto the angels, and by such means shall obtain everlasting life.' And she became observant of this. Then on the third day said Paphnutius to the abbot, 'Come, father, that thy handmaid may salute thee, and receive thy blessing; because we desire to go home.' When the abbot came, she fell at his feet, and said, ' father, pray for me, that God may beget my soul unto Himself.' Then the abbot extended his hand and blessed her, and said; 'Lord God, Thou who knewest Adam ere he was created, vouchsafe to have care of this Thine handmaid, and that she may be a partaker of the heavenly kingdom.' So after these words they returned home. It was Paphnutius' custom that, as often as any monk came to him, he brought him into his house, and prayed that he would bless his daughter. Then it befell, in about the course of a year, that it was the abbot's ordination-day. Then he sent a brother to Paphnutius, and invited him to the solemnity. When the monk came to his hall, he did not find him at home; but when Euphrosyne knew the monk was there, she called him to her and said; ' tell me, brother, for true charity, how many are there of you in the minster? ' Then said he; 'three hundred monks and two and fifty.' Then again she asked and said,' If any one desire to turn in thither, will your abbot receive him?' ' Yea,' quoth he, ' but with all (joy will he receive him), the rather for the Lord's voice who thus said; "him that cometh to Me, I will not drive him from Me." ' ' Sing ye all,' said she, 'in one church, and fast ye all alike?' The brother said, 'we all sing in common together but each of us fasteth according as he hath leisure, so that none of us be contrary to holy living, but do willingly that which he doeth.' When she had enquired about all their manner of living, then said she (to the brother), ' I would turn to such a life, but I fear to be disobedient to my father, who for his vain (and transitory) riches desireth to join me to a husband.' The brother said (to her), ' O sister!