Page:Aelfric's Lives of Saints Vol 2.djvu/353

where he occupied himself in fastings and vigils day and night, serving God in purity of heart; so that his master greatly wondered thereat, and related to his brethren his way of life. But Paphnutius her father, when he came home, went very quickly into the bower wherein his daughter was wont to be; and when that he found her not there he became very uneasy, and began to question of all, both slaves and free-men, (what) had been done with his daughter Euphrosyne? Then said they: ' at night we saw her, but we knew not in the morning where she had gone to; but we supposed that her bridegroom who was betrothed to her had taken her there.' Then he sent to the bridegroom and enquired for her there, but she was not there. When her bridegroom heard that she was lost, he became greatly troubled and came to Paphnutius, and found him, on account of his sadness, lying on the earth. Then said some, ' Perchance some one hath deceived her and taken her away.' Then he sent riding men through all the land of Alexandria and Egypt, and they sought amongst travellers in ships, and in women's convents, and in deserts and in caves, and at the houses of all their intimate friends and neighbours; and when they nowhere found her, they bewept her as if she were dead. The father-in-law bemoaned his daughter-in-law, and the bridegroom his bride. The father bewept his daughter, and said: ' woe is me! my sweetest bairn, woe is me! the light of mine eyes and the comfort of my life! Who hath bereaved me of my treasures or scattered my goods 1 Who hath cut away my vineyard, or who hath quenched my lamp 1 Who hath deprived me of my hope, or who hath polluted the beauty of my daughter? What wolf hath seized my lamb, or what place on sea or on land hath hid so royal a countenance 1 She was the consoler of the mourning and the rest of the wearied. Oh thou earth! swallow thou never my blood ere I see what hath been done with Euphrosyne my daughter! ' Hearing these words, they all began to weep, and great lamenting was throughout all the city. When Paphnutius could have no patience, nor receive any comfort, then went he to the abbot and fell at his feet, and said, ' I pray thee that thou wilt not cease to entreat for me that I may find the toil of thy prayer; verily I know not whither my