Romanus the Monk
Acta Sanctorum, May 22
Source text: Public Domain. English translation/apparatus/encoding: CC BY-NC 4.0, Wroot Press.
https://actasanctorum.org/may/day-22/romanus-the-monk.html
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ON ST. ROMANUS THE MONK

IN THE DIOCESE OF AUXERRE AND SENS.

SIXTH CENTURY.

HISTORICAL COMMENTARY.

On his Monastery, Relics, Cult: likewise on his Acts,
uncertain as to the life, more certain as to the translations and miracles.

Romanus the monk, in the diocese of Auxerre and Sens (S.)

G. H.

Saint Romanus's feast this XXII of May
is celebrated in the diocese of Auxerre and
Sens, and all things in the Ecclesiastical Office
are prescribed from the Common to be recited: [The sacred cult]
in the Breviaries of both Churches
he is surnamed S. Romanus the Monk
and Confessor. But he was a Monk in the monastery
of Fons-Rogus, commonly Font-rouge, which six leagues
from Auxerre toward the Southern part was distant, [his monastery where?] and as
hands down George Viollet, Monk of Auxerre at
S. Germanus, whose kindness in the year MDCLXII
we experienced, and well-versed in various monuments of antiquity)
the said monastery was situated in that place, where now
the town of Druy, commonly Dreuë or Druy, is seen,
with some traces of the monastery, which for several centuries
of name and revenue was spoiled. The sacred body from Fons-Rogus
brought into the city of Auxerre, thence to the diocese
of Sens it is, as below in the Acts is said: but now in the city
of Sens, in the Parochial church of S. Germanus called, [The Body and Head translated to Sens.] with due
veneration is kept. The right of presenting the Pastor in
the said church is with the Abbot of S. Remigius of Auxerre,
in whose church the said body once was kept:
the Head covered with gold in the church of S. Peter the Living is honored.

[2] At what time he flourished is not altogether certain. The first
mention of him, by the testimony of Mabillon in the preliminary Observation to his
Life, appears from the letters of Aldric and Wenilo Pontiffs of Sens
and Charles the Bald the King; namely that the monastery
of S. Remigius by the said Pontiffs had been built and then
Ansegisus their successor the body thither translated, about the year
DCCCC obtained from Hugo the Abbot of S. Germanus of Auxerre,
as writes the Auxerre [chronicler] in the chronicle. [his memory in the Martyrologies] But Ansegisus was
brother of Wala Bishop of Auxerre. The memory of S. Romanus in the Ms. Martyrology of the monastery of Luxeuil this
day is kept in these words: In the district of Sens of the Valliliacensian
monastery, the translation of the body of the most blessed Romanus
the Confessor. Whether therefore Romanus, S. Columbanus's junior, according to
his Rule lived? I would not assert it. In the Ms.
Martyrology of the Carmelite Order, in which the Saints of Sens
and Auxerre very many are contained, these things are read: In
the territory of Auxerre of Dom Romanus the Abbot.
In the Ms. codex primary of Usuard, which at Paris in the monastery
of S. Germanus is kept, toward the end, by another, but also ancient
hand, is ascribed: At Sens of S. Romanus the Confessor.
Which words in another codex of that monastery, but somewhat
more recent, in the very text are had. They thus are read
in the Ms. Florarium: At Auxerre of S. Romanus the Abbot.
The same with the title of Blessed are had in the Martyrology of Cologne
and Lübeck about the year MCCCCXC printed, likewise in Greven
in the Auctarium of Usuard in the years MDXV and MDXXI printed.
But Maurolycus the Abbot of Messina these things refers: At Auxerre
of S. Helena the Virgin, and of Romanus the Abbot in the district of that
city. The same things in Constantine Felicius are read.
In the Ms. Calendar of Auxerre at the day XXIII
of May is referred S. Romanus, Abbot Confessor.

[3] There are extant his Acts in the Library of Fleury, by John
Bosch first published, [The Life.] and then reprinted among the Acts of the Saints
of the Order of S. Benedict in the first century, but with very many miracles
omitted. In these Acts please those things which of the translations and
miracles are contained, because they have agreement with the ancient
Chronicles, and the author says the miracles were faithfully collected
by those who saw them, or from those whom to have been present
it happened they recognized. But of things in his life done nowhere
thus them written to have been able to find he asserts in the Prologue. And
soon those things which in the Life of S. Maurus the Abbot are had he alleges under
the name of Faustus. But errors so many and so grave are referred,
that Charles le Cointe in the Ecclesiastical Annals of the Franks
at the year 543 num. 2 asserts, those writings of Faustus, not
only by Odo, but also by another more recent, to have been
corrupted. We the errors below in the Notes more conveniently refer,
and a free judgment to the reader we leave of that whole
relation. We have the Martyrology of Bellinus of Padua, according to
the manner of the Roman curia at Venice in the year MCCCCXCVIII
printed, in which no mention of S. Romanus is made. But there is extant
the same with Additions augmented and at Paris in the year MDXXI
printed, in which toward the end these things are added: In Gaul
in the monastery, which is called Vallilias, of S. Romanus the Abbot,
foster-son of Father Benedict. Which quite the same described
Molanus, and published in his Auctarium of Usuard, as
following him Canisius in the German Martyrology, which Baronius
with another phrase inscribed in the Roman Martyrology; and admonishes
that he is to be distinguished from S. Romanus Abbot of the Jura, whose Acts
we gave on February XXVIII, to which day referred this
S. Romanus Claudius de Rota in his Legend toward the end
of the book, where from the aforesaid Acts, which to his things in his life
done pertain, he transcribed. There is mentioned also S. Romanus
in the monastic Martyrologies of Wion, [by what author written.] Dorganius, Menardus,
Bucelinus. Wion alleges the beginning of this Life, and ascribes
it to S. Bertharius Abbot of Monte Cassino. But John Bosch calls him Gislebertus, and Mabillon in two Mss. found the said Life
without the name of the author, whom he judges to have lived
about the year ML, in the time of Winemarus the Abbot, who was coeval
with Mainardus Archbishop of Sens about the year MLV. [and at what time.]
Of that Winemarus mention is had num. 26, and the author his times
calls his own.

THE LIFE

By the Author Gislebertus the monk.

Romanus the monk, in the diocese of Auxerre and Sens (S.)

BHL Number: 7305

BY GISLEBERTUS.

BOOK I

On the things of S. Romanus in his life done, and the various translations of the body.

PROLOGUE.

[1] There is present to us the day of the venerable commemoration
of the most blessed Romanus, the excellent Confessor
of Christ; [Because of this saint, most worthy of memory,] which although to all piously living it is venerable
and to be honored, to us however is with special devotion
to be undertaken, whom more inclined to his veneration
a most worthy affection renders. For he is our
special patron and a sure provision, whom his most sacred
presence adorns, protects by his merits, illustrates by his virtues.
Who once of the blessed Father Benedict the foster-son,
and in divine things was a cooperator and associate. Whom
to the recruit-training of the spiritual contest hastening, as
a veteran soldier, and by long now exercise
a most instructed fighter, with doctrine he instructed, with bread
he nourished, with exhortation he strengthened. Truly happy, truly glorious,
to whom it was granted, that he should be the educator of him,
who the citadel of Monastic religion, already upon
Christ founded, everywhere through the orb nobly
should cultivate, advance, exalt. By right those
equal in merits possesses heaven, whom on earth still
placed Christ's charity and germane love inseparably
held associated. But today for us of B. Romanus
always is the matter, whose whole conversation of good
works was made a mirror to the world, to whom, according to
the Apostle, to live was Christ, and to die gain:
and in flesh on earth placed, in mind always in the heavenly was engaged, to be dissolved desiring and to be with Christ:
and who according to what the divine Seer enjoins, a spiritual
canticle, on the ductile trumpet and the voice of the horn trumpet,
to God continually modulated. [Phil. 1, 21, Psal. 97, 6.] For the ductile trumpet,
which by frequent strokes from the mass of metal is produced,
the mortification of the flesh designates. And he on the trumpet
ductile to God sings, who his flesh with its vices and
concupiscences crucifies, who chastises his body and reduces it to servitude, that, drawn out and attenuated
by heavenly disciplines, the supernal melody he may
sing in concert. But the horn trumpet the heavenly conversation
figuratively expresses: for the horn from flesh
is born, but exceeding the flesh, the fleshly softness
deserts, and into bony firmness advances. On the trumpet
therefore of horn to God he plays, who the things which are above
seeks, not the things which are upon earth. Such of this holy
Father the conversation, such his whole life was, holy, [The Life is not found written,]
innocent, celibate, gracious, with the flowers of chastity adorned,
with faith entire, hope robust, charity diffused, with all
finally goodness conspicuous: of which there is nothing which
worthily enough can be said. Therefore these things briefly we touch upon,
and as it were certain lines of his conversation
we draw: because what not without great grief of heart
we say, nowhere it written could we find.

[2] And indeed of so great a man the acts and miracles we doubt not
to have been written; for it would be most inhuman,
nay impious, to be suppressed in silence, those things which through his servant
to the profit of many God deigned to work:
[perhaps it is lost.] but the most monstrous persecution against the Church growing hot,
so much that very many either fleeing,
or in death falling, the greatest rarity
remained of Christians; and as our Poet says,
there was leisure then to the powerful to oppress,
to the chiefs to plunder, to private men to destroy, to the wretched to weep; in this
manner as also of many other Saints, so
also the life of this Father of whom we speak, to be lost
it happened, while each one thought rather how
his Life to death now and now imminent he might rescue,
than that to keeping and bringing forth books he should give labor.
[the author collects it from everywhere.] And therefore what in his first age he did, what
temptations of the devil he endured, what miracles he showed,
or by what end the world he deserted, we are ignorant.
That indeed great to his sanctity gives testimony,
that the Blessed Pope Gregory in the books of the Dialogues
of him commemorates, which also we briefly above to have touched
we remember. But also in the Life of B. Maurus the Monk,
the most beloved disciple of Benedict, which by S. Faustus his
fellow-disciple most elegantly was digested, his memory
honorably, and as a Saint befits, made is found.
Some things also to us, through the relation of those succeeding,
by faithful narration it happened to have emanated: of all which
as it were a certain little brief body collecting,
those things which of the Saint to us are ascertained, by his
prayers aided we will endeavor to explain.

CHAPTER I.

The insipid relation of things in his life done.

[3] The man of the Lord Romanus, from boyhood a monk,
in monastic disciplines exceedingly was instructed.
He accustomed while still a little boy his limbs to subject to frequent fastings,
to the holy vigils assiduously to be present, and in his tender
little body the crosses and burnings of old men he strove
while yet weak to experience. But now the bounds of adolescence
having been passed, when into the strength of virile age he had come,
on every part in the study of virtues proved and conspicuous
he was held, so much that by his example many to the contempt
of the world and the desire of the holy purpose he kindled.
At a certain time therefore, when the holy and with sweet
memory ever to be recalled Benedict, the acts of the world being spurned
and the world's glory abjured, the desert was seeking;
this man of whom we speak, [a] he had met as a Saint,
whither he was tending he asked. [To S. Benedict in the cave he supplies necessities.] Whose desire when he had known,
both the secret he kept, and aid he bestowed,
and to him the habit of the holy conversation he delivered, and
as far as he was allowed he ministered. But the man of the Lord to
the destined place coming, in a most narrow cave himself
delivered, and for three years except Romanus the monk,
to men unknown remained. Which Romanus not
far in a monastery under the Rule of Father Adeodatus dwelt:
but piously from his Father's eyes he stole the hours,
and what for himself to eat he could snatch,
on certain days, to Benedict bread he carried. But to the same
cave from Romanus's cell there was no way, because
a lofty rock from above projected: but from the same rock by
a very long rope tied Romanus to let down the bread
was wont. On which rope also a little bell
he inserted, that at the sound of the bell the man of God might know,
when to him Romanus offered bread, which
going out he might receive. But the ancient enemy, the charity of one envying,
the refreshment of the other; when on a certain day to let down
the bread he saw, threw a stone and the bell
broke: Romanus however by fitting means
to minister ceased not. [b]

[4] [c] At that time of a most grievous persecution the storm
through all Italy, [but on account of the disasters of Italy,] and almost through all the Roman
Empire's land thundered, the Goths, Alans and Vandals
all things with flames and iron trampling. At which time
the churches destroyed, the monasteries overthrown, the cities taken,
the houses desolated, the camps demolished, slaughters of men innumerable
made, and much everywhere of the human race blood
shed. Which beholding the man of the Lord Romanus,
ceased not the Lord to beseech, that his Church he would regard,
which for himself by his blood he had acquired; nor
suffer it to insane nations subjected, but it in the faith
of his name preserve unharmed. While this unceasingly
he did, nights and days in prayer continuing; [he is said by heavenly admonitions to have sought Gaul,]
on a certain night by divine revelation he heard, by permission
of God these things to be done; and all the land, by his just but
hidden judgment, to the savage nations delivered; thence
to be changeable a heavenly-uttered (sentence; and
therefore that he ought not so into the immense to be saddened, but
to glorify rather the Lord, justly and salutarily all things
disposing; who strikes and heals, wounds and
cures; and who therefore on those temporally sinning
scourges inflicts, lest forever they perish: besides he was bidden
by God, that Italy left to Gaul he should tend, and
the seeds of the divine word far and wide spread, and of the holy
conversation examples to all give.

[5] This response of the Holy Spirit received, [d] the Brothers called together
thus them addressed: Brothers and Lords
mine, sweet light of my eyes, and greatest
pledge of my love and joy, hear me a servant of Christ,
of your holy fraternity the fellow-soldier and associate.
Ye see by what evils the world is pressed, by what
disasters it is hard urged. Everywhere mourning, everywhere fear,
and very much the image of death. Not these by chance, but by the most manifest
wrath of God they happen. [farewell having said to the Brothers,] For by the sins of men
God's patience exasperated, is turned into fury;
his gentleness changed into severity; so much that wonderful
it is, that still he tolerates, lighter things on sinners inflicting
than they merit; and not as once the Sodomites
and Gomorrhites, so now the crime-full earth
with cloudy thunderbolts he burns up. Since these things so are, Brothers,
we ought not at the world's strokes to grieve,
which we know by its very strokes to perish. A life
indeed to us other by Christ is promised, whose promise
unshaken and immovable remains, of an end ignorant,
of grief unknowing: in which is joy, feasting and
peace undismayed, where blessed immortality and immortal
beatitude, where eternal security and secure reigns
eternity. This awaiting the adversities of the world we ought not
to dread; but rather our approaching
redemption, with heads lifted up, that is with hearts made cheerful,
to await. Me if God to act according to my vow,
and according to my will to live should permit, I had wished,
most holy Brothers, with you all the world's perils
to bear: whatever prosperous, whatever
adverse should happen, with strength conferred with you to sustain,
and at the same time patiently to live, at the same time delightfully
to die. But because it is not in man's power his way,
but in his who with great tranquillity disposes
all things; I ask you not to wish to retain me. God commands that
we go to Gaul; we ought to obey, we must go:
I beg you that of me kindly mindful ye be; because also I,
while the spirit this clayey little vessel by inhabiting shall quicken,
you in my heart and in my bowels, as is right and
fitting, always shall have. But God almighty you
with holy custody surround; and from the present age
wicked snatched, may make you safe in his kingdom heavenly;
and grant to me, small and humble, in that life
to see you without confusion.

[6] These things saying and bidding farewell to them, with small provision he set forth;
unknown to the world, enrolled a citizen in heaven.
Italy passed, Gaul having entered, [He settles near Auxerre.] he came at length
into the district of Auxerre, into a place which Fons-Rogus
is called: where for some time having tarried, a monastery
he established: and there very many from the vanity of the world
converted, to a quiet and sober conversation,
by admonitions and at the same time examples provoked, he brought. In which
place is had a Basilica, of his name, and of the miracles
which through him God works by the privilege, nobly notable.
Not long after, B. [e] Bertingranus, of the city of Le Mans
the Bishop, legates to the God-bearing
Father Benedict directed, to whom also gifts he transmitted
most decent; demanding that to him the most perfect and
in monastic discipline most experienced of his disciples
he should direct men, who on the land of his Bishopric a monastery,
according to the institutes of the Rule of that most holy
Father, should build. Nothing therefore delaying the servant of God,
[by S. Maurus sent into Gaul,] alacritously to this work directed S. Maurus, to himself
familiarly by obedience and all probity of manners a beloved
disciple: to whom also four other he added
Brothers, with whom the labor of so great an expedition he should undergo
intrepid. Indeed of those four Brothers one
was this Faustus, who [f] the Life of the same B. Maurus with a quite elegant
style described: by whose words also,
that surer to the readers the faith may be, those things which follow
we have judged to be intimated. We therefore when, the solemnity of Easter approaching,
daily our departure
we accelerated, on that day on which the Lord's
Supper is celebrated, into the district came of Auxerre.

[7] But B. Maurus hearing the reputation of S. Romanus
the monk, who to our most blessed Father Benedict
in the beginning a helper and cooperator was,
as in the history of his Life most fully is found; and who through
revelation Gaul seeking, a little monastery in the same
district, in a place which Fons-Rogus is named, was building;
asked the leaders of our journey, that thither turning aside, there
the holy Easter we might celebrate. [he is visited:] But this B.
Maurus chiefly demanded, because both the next day the passing
of our most holy Master to be completed
he knew, and the colloquy of B. Romanus desirably to enjoy
he wished. But our leaders, to the petitions of the man of God
willingly assenting, with quickened step thither to tend hastened. On the day therefore of Parasceve, the sixth hour there arriving,
most devoutly by B. Romanus we were received.
And when we all, who with B. Maurus went,
to those things which were needed for the feast day to be prepared
or bought were occupied; the most holy
men themselves mutually sweet of perennial life were sowing colloquies.
And when now the evening hour after the solemn office,
which specially (as yearly) on that day is celebrated, [from him S. Benedict's imminent death he understands:]
drew near; the man of God S. Maurus to B. Romanus said:
On the morrow's day our most blessed Father Benedict,
the burden of his earthly body laid down, celibate rejoicing
and cheerful shall ascend to his fatherland. Which hearing S. Romanus, immediately into tears dissolved, to weep inconsolably
began. Whom B. Maurus desiring to console, said:
To rejoice rather than to weep therefore at his migration
we ought; because both a great Patron we send before,
and more present him now, than if in flesh he lived,
we shall have. These things however saying not even himself could
from weeping refrain.

[8] That night which [g] on the twelfth Kalends of April
was held, and on which the most sacred Sabbath of the Easter vigils
was dawning, as well the most blessed Maurus
and we who with him went, as S. Romanus with
some of his, fasting watchful we passed: each one
of us secretly with himself (as in those days in the Church
Roman was the custom) psalms and prayers
devoutly for the departure of the same our Father most beloved of God
Benedict consummating. But when, now passed
the hour about the third of that most sacred day, the most blessed
Maurus in the church standing, his passing
at whatever hour it might happen, by praying and psalming to forearm,
far though placed, was busy, and himself on the pavement
to prayer had given; rapt in spirit, suddenly
himself transposed into the place from which we had gone forth he saw,
and beheld a way with palls strewn and with innumerable shining
lamps, by a straight Eastern path from his
cell to heaven tending: in which vision also
two Brothers of our Congregation as associates he had,
with whom the same vision together he beheld. And so
when the way which they beheld they wondered at more attentively, with a venerable
habit a man from above bright standing by, whose was
the way which they beheld, asked: which they professed themselves to know not.
To whom he answered: This is the way,
by which beloved to the Lord Benedict ascends heaven.
This vision one of those two Brothers of ours;
who it together with B. Maurus saw and in
our monastery tarried, but the other, as the Blessed
Gregory wrote, more remotely placed saw. But soon
as the Blessed Maurus to himself returned, quickly S. Romanus
and us calling forth, all things which he had seen clearly to us
in order related; and that day and the following
Sunday, on which specially the day of the Lord's Resurrection
was honored, solemn and celebrated with all
joy and gladness we kept.

[9] But on the second feria of that festivity, before
we began to set out, [and Easter celebrated,] S. Romanus to B. Maurus
said: If without peril of my soul this place to desert
I could, better with thee, most loving Brother, would I desire
to dwell, than elsewhere to terminate the end of my life.
But because both these to desert is a peril, and the last
to me now and now is imminent the day; go happy whither
thou art sent, and prosperously a happy lot use. But God
almighty always be with thee, [he bids farewell to S. Maurus,] and with the Brothers who
with thee go; and by a straight journey lead you to the true
land of promise, which to all his elect
to promise he deigned, where he prepared for them, those things which
neither eye saw, nor ear heard, nor into the heart of man
ascended; except into that of those who all earthly things
for his love trampling, and with desire of the heavenly renouncing,
to say with the Apostle can, But to us
God revealed through his spirit. [2 Cor. 2, 10.] Romanus therefore
the servant of God, after a glorious and full of virtues
life, [he dies,] after an innumerable multitude of eternal life
acquired, his course of the monastic possession manfully consummated,
by a happy and now long desired passing
migrated to the Lord. And then, to confess truly,
he ceased to die and began to live; and stripped of the world's
darkness, with heavenly brightness was clothed. Now he stands
before the face of almighty God, receiving from his hand
a white robe, of the soul I mean incorruption and unfailing
beatitude. But he awaits a double robe,
when, the body at the end of the world resumed, of flesh
together and soul he shall rejoice in immortality. But buried
he was in his own Basilica by the Brothers, [he is buried.] whom
a twofold affection divided into the contrary; since indeed
they knew that there was to be rejoicing, for themselves grieving;
at his glorification to be congratulating, at their own desolation
to be groaning.

ANNOTATIONS.









CHAPTER II.

The various translations of the body of S. Romanus.

[10] In this therefore place for some years of the blessed man
the body with worthy veneration was kept. But
because it was a sacrilege with worldly darkness to becloud a starry
lamp, and Truth herself by herself a city upon
a mountain placed not able to be hidden has protested;
it was unfitting and harmful, [The Body is transferred to the church of S. Amator,] of the most sacred body
the treasure long in a place less celebrated and less
known to lie hidden; but to the common utility of all
and profit to all to become known and to be divulged. [Matt. 5.]
The devotion of the faithful therefore growing, the body of the blessed
man from the place of its first burial to the city of Auxerre
brought, and in the church of the Most Blessed [a] Amator
honorably laid was. Some years now had flowed,
and the Saint's name and veneration, into the breasts of all
insinuated, more and more grew widespread.
Whence the Brothers from the monastery of thrice Blessed [b] Germanus, Pontiff
and Confessor of Christ, with faith in God, hope in
the Saint fervent, [c] Heribald of the Church of Auxerre
presiding as Bishop, the venerable of the often said
man of God body earnestly that to them it be given demanded;
and although most laboriously and with great sweat of toil, at length
to obtain they merited. And so thence raised, and
with the cross-bearing [d] and candle-bearers, and with of divine things
the melody shining, [thence to the monastery of S. Germanus,] it was carried. There was there
then a certain Presbyter of the church of the district, whose name
is [e] Bonus-hortus, Aaron by name; who to the Brothers of the said
place very well known and familiar was held. He therefore,
when the holy Relics on the bier were being composed, [the bone of the head into the district of Bonnart,] approached;
and to those to whom that office was deputed, himself
importunate mingled; and no one looking round, the bone
of the head, with which from above the brain is covered, and which commonly
the skull is called, by stealth he stole away; and the best
spoil obtained, to his own trembling he returned, to his church: and there
for a very long time the sacred pledge remained, with frequent
about those ailing of health bestowed declaring
itself by indications. And now was at hand the time in which the Lord
his Saint should magnify, and whom with himself he had glorified
in heaven, among men he should magnify in the world.
This in such an order was done it is established.

[11] Ansegisus [f] was of the Holy Metropolis of Sens
the Church Archbishop, a man in all things most well doing,
and in ecclesiastical affairs most experienced.
He when anxiously in mind to think had begun, of this Saint
from everywhere to obtain the Relics; [thence to Sens,] it was announced
to him, that in a church of his diocese of the Saint were had Relics. And when he, what this might be
church, by curious investigation sought; it was said
to him of this Presbyter, that the chief part of this Saint's
crown he had. Which heard, the Prelate
rejoiced as greatly as possible, and to God giving thanks for the offered
to him of the desired thing opportunity, the Presbyter
to himself to be summoned ordered; from whom of every thing more certainly informed,
maturely he comes to the place, and orders the heavenly
to himself to be shown treasure: and receiving the Saint's Relics,
embraces them, applies them to his eyes, [and a legation sent to Auxerre,] with more avid soothes them
kisses; and so of his vow partaker, his happy he returns
to his city. Then with greater still desire he is kindled,
to seek [he began] where of the holy body were had the Relics;
and finding in the already said of the Most Blessed Germanus
monastery the Saint's body to be had, he besought
first Dom [g] Hugo of that very place the Abbot,
but in very truth of the whole kingdom the moderator and prince:
then directed thither [h] Abbo, of the Church of Nevers
the Bishop: for because a great thing was asked,
great indeed must be used intermediaries and ministers. Coming therefore the Bishop, [the body is obtained] the chief men of the place called together,
the cause, for which he had been sent, set forth.
To the Brothers this rather hard and difficult began to seem,
and they hesitated, and what they should answer were ignorant,
But because to the Abbot piously commanding's commands to go contrary
was nefarious, and to the Bishops' prayers not to assent
was impious; conquered at length they succumb, and that they would do
what the Archbishop had asked promise.

[12] These promises received, the Most Reverend
Prelate to his as quickly as possible returned city. [by the people of Sens he is received with solemn apparatus.]
And of all delay impatient, having taken with him the Clergy's
chief men, and a frequency of religious apparatus gathered,
and nonetheless a not small throng of the people,
to Auxerre he hastens. And now to it approaching
it cannot be said with how great zeal, and how most ardent
devotion the whole city came to meet; so much that of the greatest
of salvation and joy gift to have been deprived he reckoned, who
to this spectacle had been absent. There proceed in splendid habit,
on this side the holy columns of Monks, on that the venerable
white-vested throng of the Clergy. Thou wouldst discern on earth a heavenly
choir, and a most splendid of the Angelic society
assembly. All things with divine praises and supernal
melody's harmonies resounded. With such therefore
pomp they enter the church; and the prayer premised
and the benediction solemnly given, the Bishop comes
to the place, where of the most holy body the treasure
was laid, the Brothers with a litany the divine
suffrage invoking; and he takes the clod of the aforesaid
body, with the nectar of divine odor fragrant; placing
in the same place most precious of many Saints
and Martyrs Relics, which today there
with worthy honor are venerated. [it is translated to Vallilias.] The desired therefore
gift obtained, and of his vow partaker made the Bishop,
with joy returned to the monastery, which Vallilias
and most precious treasure, of the sacrosanct [k] body the pledge
he placed; and so great about that place benevolence
and largesse he poured forth, that it with the highest love
always he inhabited, and necessary revenues most abundantly
delegated, of various arts also masters
most studiously prepared.

[13] This man therefore to Christ migrating, and after
long labors to the rewards of labors passing, [which monastery by the Normans destroyed,] succeeded
in the Pontifical See Ebrardus, the venerable Archbishop,
no less in doctrine than in life with virtues
full and with miracles: in whose time the unbelieving nation
of the Normans through Gaul itself diffused, with slaughters,
burnings, and every kind of cruelty raging.
Since our sins exacting, and strength
to the adversaries supplying, were overthrown the camps, desolated
the cities, destroyed the churches, set on fire the monasteries,
so that to us most of all that may seem to pertain, which
Isaiah the Prophet, foreseeing of that holy city and
of the most august temple the ruin, with mournful voice to God
complained saying: Where our fathers praised thee,
there is made the burning of fire. [Isa. 64, 11.] Then also the aforesaid
S. Remigius monastery was burned and to the ground even
demolished, [it is brought back to the city:] Suavus the most strenuous Abbot of that place
with the Brothers to the city of Sens fleeing,
and that God the afflicted people appeased would regard
by day and by nights beseeching. Meanwhile the hostile
army of Sens assailed [l] the city, and it
with hostile forces, and every art-sought engines to take
strove; when suddenly the venerable Prelate, with the desired
(as he himself from God had asked) languor is seized.
He to Christ migrating, Gualterius, [m] both of generous
stock by nobility and of all science by erudition
most illustrious, [by which from the enemies preserved,] the Pontifical of the city of Sens obtains
dignity. At length by the Saints' prayers, the wrath of God,
justly upon sinners brought, into mercy turned
was. The strength of the enemies is broken, their impetus blunted,
their confidence weakened; and so understanding, in vain
themselves to strive against those whom divine piety protected, from
the siege of the city they withdraw.

[15] Peace meanwhile restored, and after the long calamity
the people somewhat respiring, Bovo [n]
to whom after the death of the aforesaid Suavus the Abbey's care was
committed, to think began, what of the place he should do, of which
only the ruins had survived: in fine if it
he wished into its former state to repair, a work certainly most difficult,
not to say impossible, it seemed. That
also most of all his mind even safe things fearing
agitated, lest if any work in the deserted place
and from the city most remote to do he should begin, returned again
the adversaries after their cruelty's manner should burn,
overthrow, dissipate: his mind indeed, by the memory of things
which it had seen trembling, and still graver things dreading,
through various counsels was hurried, and what it should choose
was ignorant. [it is brought to the suburban monastery,] At length it pleased the Abbot, the Brothers also
this very thing by common consent demanding,
that in his little estate, which is in the suburb of the city of Sens
under the very walls of the city situated, a monastery
should be founded, where in ancient time it had been founded: which
place both by the advantage of its site, and by the river flowing past's
amenity to that to be constructed most apt seemed.
Therefore a basilica built with a quite beautiful design,
and other habitations to the monastic religion suitable,
thither B. Romanus's body with gladness they translated: where flourish his merits' tokens, to
the praise and glory of almighty God, who is wonderful
in his Saints.

[16] Nor idly is to be passed over to answer
those, [The miracles done by him living are unknown.] to whom signs and miracles so much are pleasing, that
they think nothing to God to be pleasing, except what their exhibition
has commended; whereas he rather the merit of a good life,
than the effect of bodily signs requires;
for as says the Evangelical Poet,
--- The good merit ceasing, miracles are nothing,
      Which often the wicked do. ---
and the Lord himself the Apostles taught, that from him not signs
and miracles, but gentleness they should learn and humility,
saying, Learn of me, for I am meek and
humble of heart. [Matt. 11, 29.] Wherefore although the most blessed Romanus's
miracles, which in the body placed he did, we read not;
not therefore unequal to other Saints is he to be held, to whom
in faith equal and in sanctity him to have been we doubt not:
nor indeed the most holy Father Benedict to his foster-son
of his virtues equally envies the glory, with
whom in the heavenly of blessed immortality he merited the palm.
And indeed we doubt not him many while
he lived to have done virtues; but either by the sluggish negligence of writers
they were not to letters delivered, which thing not the least
to the Saints' praises very often has brought detriment;
or certainly if the signs of his works were written,
either by the rust of long antiquity they grew old, or in the time
of unhappiness, the monasteries and churches depopulated and things
all routed and lost, those nonetheless
to nothing came: since with men everywhere
fleeing, and only for themselves and their life
caring; and no of keeping the archives
care having. Let him say therefore who will, that no
in his life were miracles; provided he know him now dead
innumerable to have done and to do daily of miracles
signs. [from the many wrought after death] For God who from eternity by his wisdom
all things preordains, and them from the secret of divine counsel,
in places and times brought forth visibly manifests; his most acceptable
servant at that time chiefly
with miracles willed to illustrate, when, the wrestling of all
temptations overcome, it was right for the just to exult in
the Lord, and the upright a secure praise befitted, nor now
thereafter of praise the rival elation was feared.

[17] These things briefly we have said for the memory of the most holy
Confessor of the Lord Romanus, judging it unworthy,
so great and such a man with silence's bushel to be covered,
and not to the profit and utility of all
piously living to be published. But those things which after his most happy
departure, either in the first of his sacred body
translation, or thenceforth in the place, in which his most holy
body brought venerably was laid,
[The author publishes the following.] through him the Lord deigned to work;
from those who saw them, or from those whom to have been present
it happened they recognized, faithfully collected and most fully
described we have studied opportunely to subjoin, to
the praise and glory of the highest light and way, truth and
life, God and our Lord Jesus Christ, who with
God the Father and the Holy Spirit lives, reigns and is blessed
in every nation, place and time, now and through
infinite ages of ages. Amen.

ANNOTATIONS.














THE SECOND BOOK

On the Miracles of S. Romanus the Abbot.

CHAPTER I.

Miracles in the Translation of the body and after it wrought.

[1] When the clod of the glorious body of the Lord Romanus,
as above sufficiently lucidly inserted is, the venerable
Prelate Ansegisus with the highest prayers
and with venerable escort followed, [In the translation of the body to Sens,] and to his with mellifluous melody bore his glorious See;
it is very long of single greatly virtues
to discourse, how many blind enlightened, how many demoniacs
cured, how many deaf hearing receiving, and how great
by Christ virtues wrought, to glorify his Saint:
that namely whom now with glory and honor laurelled
he had in the heavens, with prodigies of miracles he might adorn
on earth. Yet of the many as we proposed
a few let us narrate.

[2] When the blessed man's body a villa passed, whose name
is Curtis-Abbonis, [a woman powerless, is rendered sound:] with the dignity of those psalming
to meet went forth a certain woman, Josia, by her parents
called, who from all action of her hands estranged
remained. For her hands were dissolved, the contracted
nerves of their salutary office deprived, an intolerable pain
in all her body remained, and almost nothing to move she could:
yet by the suffrages of other women supported,
she goes with devout heart, groans pours forth unspeakable
from the inmost cave of her breast, the hand of protection demanding
from S. Romanus, whom she knew to possess heaven
with joy, saying: O Elect of God Romanus, bring to the unhappy
woman aid demanding it, who with exultation
light-bearing rejoicest in the heavenly fatherland: despise not
the wicked woman, and the fragile sex to thee crying,
who well enough knowest fallen to be the human
mind. While these and like to these with tearful
speech she proclaimed, graciously made manifest the Omnipotent to the people, which
the holy members of the excellent Confessor followed,
how profitable remained in the heavens the supplication of S. Romanus.
Received forthwith the woman the loudly-called-for salvation,
exults the heart of the people for joy, the mind of many
becomes more cheerful, voices burst into the height, they praise together
the splendid Lord, who wonderfully his glorifies
recruit. Truly ineffable is the clemency of our Savior.
When we perpetrate unlawful things, vengeance we sustain
worthy; he chastises our bodies sicknesses
bestowing suitable, that he may purge from offenses the secrets
of our breast. This, Brothers, ought each of us
with the highest to receive joy, if to him the Omnipotent
a temporal confers passion, that through the present
endurance he may come to the seat without limit shining.
For it behoves us through various injuries hither
and thither to be distracted, that through various hardships of this
fallen age walking, with a happy passage to the starry
kingdom we may direct our mind: that through the present
tribulations bearing our sheaves, we may merit
to receive with the highest joy crowns without end shining.

[3] Besides, the pious zeal of religious intention moving,
the very of the most worthy man's blessed acts'
soliciting heap, it is not to be passed over to be narrated
and to your inquiry to be commended, [likewise another is cured.] how
a certain woman, Ragenis called from the sacred baptism's
wave, from that which is called Neronis-villa sprung,
for almost three years by the most long impulse of a laborious sickness
worn out, with the dissolution of all her nerves
stupefied, and of all her members so was held of office
destitute, that in no way to her by anyone of the living
a remedy could be brought, when very many to
her had come of curing endowed with grace, unless to her by
divine power were promised hope of recovering
soundness gratuitous. In fine while nothing with herself certain
other she had, except that, death intercluding,
the last of the present life she would fall on her day; propitiating
at length of divine visitation the regard, she began within
herself to think, if in some way the oracles of the Saints
going round, by their intervention of health she might merit the gift
to obtain. And so the journey to walk desiring, S. Hilary's
God beseeching, with slow though step first
she came to the shrine, of his pious intercession to ask
the support. Nor much after, she supplicating importunately,
and the holy of God succoring opportunely, then
indeed was restored to her former health, granting from heaven
of the Holy Spirit the gift: now and now convalescing
her members, almost long dead, of safety
with the joy was she encircled, so much that no of any
instigated her force of pain.

[4] These things thus passed, when after some of time elapsed
courses, from all most free she was found incommodity; [the same recovers her lost sight,]
again exacting her own crime's hurt,
nay for us of the Lord most high the praise and glory,
through S. Romanus not long afterward to be declared,
of her eyes the keenness wholly denied, of this light's
glittering she began of splendor to be deprived. And when so itself held
the case of misfortune, she poured out her soul in the sight
of the Lord; and in the secret of her heart with all her mind's
striving boiling she pondered; how if perchance
to be able it should supply, into of this Saint, of whom we speak,
she might come the presence. In fine vows on vows
heaping, and not so much of body as of mind by the steps
to go the way beginning, not after much, when she came
on the bridge of the people of Tilly before the most blessed Romanus,
with querulous him to cry prayers not ceasing,
the same also of the people who was present multitude
following, she besought, that the man of God, by his prayer's
aiding suffrage, to her again revived would restore
of her eyes the offices. Nor delay, God working
his power, and S. Romanus granting his clemency, who had come
with the devotion of faith, is made joyful at
the restored to her of this light most pleasing vision. She thenceforth
to her own with joy returning, those who there
then were present, thanks to God rendered rejoicing.
We also in his praises let us exult, him
the enlightener of all into this world coming
let us praise, let us love, and as much as by his gift
we shall be able let us extol; whose office it is the created
to save, the lost to reform, and greater things through his Saints
than he himself wrought, himself the witness, to the world to render.

[5] Let the worthy discourse proceed to the stupendous miracle
to be narrated. Another was a woman sprung from the Gâtinais
once womanly of childbirth to suffer pains. [Vexed by a demon,] In that very
of time juncture, in which the offspring to bring forth into the depths
she ought, her husband by a sudden seized languor his day
closed, the last. There remains to the unhappy woman a twofold punishment:
sadness for the loss of her husband, monstrous pain for the childbirth
imminent. Not after much time from childbirth released,
the exhilaration which of her begotten son to possess
she ought, took away the monstrous anxiety for her own
husband's loss. But the time of purification completed,
after the born one whom she had begotten to the church she carried,
and to the Omnipotent thanks gave, and after the mystic gifts
by the Priests wrought, and the oblation for her husband offered;
she goes forth herself with grim countenance from the doors of the church,
goes swift to the lamentable tomb of her husband
her, lies down upon it, rivulets of tears makes to flow
from her eyes, after the manner of women deep sighs sending forth.
With strong therefore sobbing and long maceration
consumed, the day now growing toward evening, the woman returned
to her own. Then she prepares a bath, washes the begotten one, and again
deplores her husband's supplement. Intent however
on that office while she persevered, she heard outside
a voice quite terrible, calling to her.
Who rising, and with tremulous step as a timid one going forth,
to discern eager who her so horribly
had called, came to the door; saw a foul image
leaning on a staff, and beside the threshold of her house
haughtily standing. At the sight moreover with fear terrified,
the holy God-bearer's aid with voice she cried out
sudden. Whose support with voice demanding
tearful, as womanly, her foot from the door she drew back with course
swift, and fortifying herself with the life-giving Cross's sign,
with grave trembling falls down on her bed. There is present again
the raving of the devil; she sees a shape of all
shapes most horrible, which beside her bed proudly
raising its neck, to derision rather than to
salvation, the son whom she had begotten, that to him for receiving
from the sacred font she should give, asked. To whom she with vast
answered constancy: I wonder how thou, since
thou art in all thy body most black and shaggy, and of all foulness
a friend, and the inventor of every wickedness, now
seekest the salvation of a soul; namely that my son from
the sacred thou shouldst receive baptism, who daily souls to
the depths eager art to drag. This however for certain know,
that never to thee from me of this thing the effect shall be granted.
These things heard, that terrible image, as diabolical,
with furious and sudden impetus, [it rushed upon her]
desiring the boy to take from the embrace of the arms of his mother.
She cries out again manfully, and from the holy of Christ
Mother demands the hand of aid. Then that ghostly
enemy, with an enormous blow and rabid impulsion tearing
her, bound her, prone to walk making
through the revolutions of four years, adding to her sadness
upon sadness, wishing utterly to absorb
her. Who her breast fortifying with the divine sign,
the inveterate enemy put to flight, a monstrous retaining in body
and soul languor, pain in her mind sustaining
of the recent funeral of her own husband, in her body a strong
sickness by diabolical force inflicted.

[6] At that time, as is aforesaid, this of whom
is the discourse most blessed his athlete Romanus
the Lord with prodigies magnified, [by S. Romanus's merits she is cured,] which everywhere
diffused to this unhappy woman's came notice.
Then she, with the ardor of faith desiring from her long
sickness now to be released, caused herself to be carried in a two-wheeled cart [d]
to the bright sepulcher of so great a Patron, from whom of so great
virtues emanated a nectarous odor. Whom her parents
carrying thither whither her mind desired, to
the tomb namely of the glorious Confessor, she prostrates herself in
the dust, demands protection from the highest and most pious
Judge, asks also the hand of suffrage from S. Romanus,
by whose intervention she esteemed herself to obtain of soundness
the gift. She begs with deep sighs, whose mind tarried
in dark shadows; she demands with devout heart,
that Romanus may knock the ears of divine clemency, who full
is present with piety, as one who the face contemplates of the most pious
Judge daily. The woman finds, what with the highest
devotion she sought. Thou wouldst discern the woman in all
her body trembling, the peoples wondering, wonders
expecting supernal. The nerves began to be vigorous, which
were consumed by long maceration: loosed her
the glorious Confessor of the Lord from the bonds of the tortuous serpent;
and was done then from the sacred sepulcher, that which
once did the son of God, when the daughter of Abraham,
whom the venomous serpent had bound, free to depart
he ordered; and loosed her from the dire knots, who wonderful
is in his majesty, praiseworthy in the Saints, whose praise
shall not fail, whose eternity always shines. [Luke 13, 10.]

[7] That also not out of place it seems in our work's
progress to be annexed, that in that time
in which the man of the Lord glorious Romanus, [To a blind man light is restored.] so innumerable
of miracles praises to the world imparting, by no means
under a bushel lurked; but like a lamp burning
and upon a candelabrum placed by the radiance of virtues shining,
no mean to very many of remedy emolument bore;
a certain woman, of the right of dominion
of the holy Proto-martyr Stephen, of the villa Rimuiacum
sprung, by name Segletrudis, when she drew with her ears that
the man of the Lord so great offered to the peoples benefits, with herself
pondered how to his memory she could go.
For there was to her an only son a little boy, Letherius [e] commonly
named, to whom by long now impelling habit
of his eyes was withdrawn of beholding the office;
and with continual anguish she was afflicted for him, for whom to the mentioned
of the blessed man protections in mind to go she disposed. And
although of her merits the justice for obtaining
her son's soundness less she knew sufficient, by faith yet nothing hesitating, with tearful she began to insist
prayers, that through him more quickly of God the help
to enjoy she might merit. To very many therefore for the sake of prayer
thither hastening, together going with them, that of the sought
salvation of her only offspring she might be made partaker, thus the man
of God she besought more attentively: Holy, she saying, and to God
beloved Romanus, who of all to thee fleeing
art of pious consolation the refuge, and who to the destitution of all
in thee hoping compassionate of divine the work of grace
impartest; of thy compassion now the hand to me
extend, who among the other oracles of the Saints thee unhesitatingly
I approach. For although from those nothing
of sought medicine to my obstinate son of restoration
his cure has been deferred, yet not to him I judge
utterly denied: for thee of that vow not I doubt
to be about to be partaker. Nor delay, immediately as such things
she had pursued, the divine was at hand power, to demonstrate
the sanctity of the man of God's power, which after
blind darkness, to the woman's son a happy from entire it made
to shine the day: and soon driven away of all agitation
the molestation, and to himself restored the office of light, driven away
the obstacles of darkness, of light also daily the abundance
suffused, so to most entire restored health, together with
his mother unharmed he returned to his own, as if not at all
he had been hitherto by blindness's load depressed. Who by no means
thenceforth by that bitterness's plague struck, for
his curing's gift, both he and all who were present,
with consonant voice praises to the Lord sang.

[8] Worthy also it seems by no means with silence
to be suppressed, that a certain woman by name Helena, [A sick woman, a candle offered, recovers.] of illustrious
birth sprung, hearing how great and what to
the languishing benefits, divine piety, for the honor and
praise of his Saint, with the dew of his compassion infused, to bestow
deigned; while through continuous six years' courses
with most grievous she was shaken pain of the kidneys, with a foot's
step indeed in some way she walked with a staff to her side
leaning, but with every incommodity burdened of all now lacked
of medicine the help. And when of the aforesaid passion
day by day the augments catching so the torment increased,
that of herself of health any longer the remedies to obtain to be able
she wavered (as one who now into whatever part herself
to turn not without difficulty could, unless by another's supported protection
she were) by hearing she learned, that the venerable body
of B. Romanus, with a plebeian of mixed sex multitude,
was to be translated into the monastery Valliliacense.
Which when on the same day even so she followed
honorably, going before and following a most great
of the Clergy and of the popular crowd and the Lord praising
company; when brought was the holy man's clod to the aforesaid
monastery, immediately although with step not
quickened thither coming, by the aiding people's relief
sustained, by supernal visitation's regard she began in mind
to think, that she should kindle for a vow before the tomb
of him a candle of her stature's equal length.
And there for herself praying on the Basilica's floor lying down,
and the whole day in prayers spending and the following
night sleepless leading, suddenly amid praying,
God propitiating and his Saint interceding,
of her vow partaker made, she began from the aforesaid above
of the kidneys sickness to convalesce. In fine indeed,
gradually succeeding a most full of strength robustness, who
had come with faith, returned to her own, congratulating at
the restored to her of long denied soundness's gift.

ANNOTATIONS.





e. Otherwise Legerius.

CHAPTER II.

Other miracles in various diseases to be cured.

[9] But also that worthy to be narrated I will not pass over,
that a certain man, whose in the parts of Aquitaine
was his origin, by the flower of birth so much
abounding in nobility, [A noble man blind and dying is healed.] Gundoinus by name called, by chance came into
the territory of Sens, in strength of body powerful, in health
more alacritous: where for a little while in so great alacrity's
health living, by an unhappy (so to speak) omen seized,
suddenly while not hoped, of very much infirmity
he is urged by the impulse. And when day and night with irremediable
he was most badly afflicted pains, to his infirmity's
heap was added also another plague, which to him blindness
inculcating, grievously to labor compelled of the lost
of his eyes light. These thus to himself brought, when now on his little bed
lying so he was burdened, that by the physicians he was despaired of;
to those who stood around present he asks
what he should do. But they him of his curing the grace to obtain
to be able hesitating; If I were, he says, in the Basilica
of B. Romanus by the help of others carried, immediately I should be endowed
with soundness's joy. I trust, I say, that he
can to my eyes the sight restore, and render me to health
former; and his to me not he will disdain
to bestow, as I believe, of intercession the solace, who with worthy
compassion the prayers consoles of all to him fleeing.
Among these moreover of his torture's various crosses, that
of him he would have pity continually the Saint he implores the emolument;
lest him namely into death he should suffer to depart captive,
whose devout he desired to seek the temple.
Thus therefore of the often said invoked the name of his Patron, to
the glorious of him temple by the servants' bearing
carried, with what he could from his soul prayers he insisted.
Nor much after, among other there to very many conferred
of salvation benefits, this man what he had lost now long
of living recovers the office: and although present to him almost
had been a little before of pale death the encounter, of all
his members restored the robustness, immediately of no one's
solace needy, he returned to his own rejoicing.

[10] That is to the memory of the faithful to be inserted, in
which the divine power of his servant Romanus approved his merit. [Teduinus the monk from fevers is freed.]
A certain Teduinus, from the chief men of Sens sprung,
of S. Remigius a monastic foster-son, of the sacred instruction
the recruit-training of a veteran even led to its reward.
For with the monastic religion's design marked,
when he was of the liberal arts endowed with the eloquence, with the gracefulness
of his manners he ceased not his life's course to cultivate.
But since those who as sons are recognized by paternal stripes
are coerced, are pressed by scourges, lest they grow insolent
in vices in hope of obtaining the inheritance; that his mind
accustomed to virtue, according to Paul's example, might be quickened
by infirmity, and lest of the quantity of his merits should creep upon
him the disease of self-exaltation, permitted him the supernal
compassion with a sharp of fevers to be tortured incommodity: in which
of contest affliction, wholly himself both in giving of thanks
he spent, and in nothing of continence scarcely in our
ages imitable purpose he relaxed. With eyes of poured-out clemency regarding the supernal compassion in each
so unconquered his conflict, mentally him admonished
by inspiration, of our Father Romanus to seek the protection.
Therefore the most holy of the Brothers convoked the assembly,
with prayers as he was able he begged himself to be carried to
the memory of the Saint. By whose solace supported (for from
strong languor of journeying to him was denied the power) with devotion
suppliant he came to the place of the sepulcher: and with the whole
extent of his body falling down before the clod
of the most holy Confessor, from the inmost seat of his heart these began
of groans the voices to send forth. Alas, he says, Confessor
glorious, look on with what I am afflicted punishments, exacting
of my crimes the wickedness. If to thee so it seems, now
enough be it with these pains so great to have striven a contest;
and from the supernal Judge, together with pardon of sins, of health
to me obtain the desired. Render him to me
propitious, whom hitherto by my faults experienced
I have offended. Open now to my tears the ears
of pious hearing, who thy intercession to those needing, for
the faith of those asking, thee present to render not refusest.
Turn not away thyself from one in straits supplicating, if while I shall live
not thou disdain me to have as servant. With these and of this kind
complaints while the whole space of three days he had occupied,
on the fourth at last day the effect of his obtained
prayers; and of our highest Protector by the intercession,
in the eyes of those standing by, with the vigor of health, from the place where
he had lain he rose; and giving thanks to God, of his soundness
the author, to the choir of those psalming mingled, for
the recovered health he began the divine benefits not to be silent of.

[11] Besides because of so great notable miracles
it will not profit to have seized the beginnings, if these also
similarly not with suitable he shall have commended diligence; one
of the memorable things, of pious rather the ardor of desire than
the charm of cultivated speech inquiring, with unskilled though
I may digest style; through which human will be able to experience
diligence, with how great of works and of sweat the habit the man
of the Lord most venerable Romanus of heavenly merited
the perfection of gifts. Nor even of his signs
the enormity to weave I will contend, but those
only which from our predecessors we received, and which
by the same are too plainly executed, with very few
to open I will endeavor. And so a certain there was with adolescence's
flowers blooming, by name Joseph, who in the territory
of Sens by his parents begotten, by them also
was there with boyhood's advancements educated. [A son dissolute and to his mother injurious,] Who when
now with flowering youth's grace he grew fair, and to
virile strength tended; to him as much from free will as
from the depraved suasion of demons, so superfluous and pestilent
befell incontinence, that not only of long voracity
by the allurements, but with assiduous himself he urged of falernian
draughts: whence of unintermitted potation the deadly
poison so his mind infected, that moreover from the way of rectitude
his now violated deviated memory. And so
by no means from the same which he had begun use himself retaining,
from those things which good are declining, to unlawful things
also indiscreetly indulging, manifold to his mother
injuries by demonic instinct he brought.

[12] Wherefore by chance it happened, that him his mother
considering the rule irrevocably to forestall of living,
on a certain occasion with too much embittered grief by cursing
inculcated: [and by her to a demon delivered,] The evils which to me, son, by inconsiderate
impiety thou bringest, upon thy head be returned.
Such things she brought, and immediately the son of a greater
crime and of greater insolence the tinder incurring,
of demonic possession was in this manner delivered
to ruin. Indeed after some things, when his father and mother
(as the custom is) to the Troyes parts for the sake of trading
hastened, he himself at home remaining, to his brother with him
dwelling saying, I will make, he says, my Brother, a candle
of my length's equal, and I will carry it tomorrow
to the basilica of S. Romanus, after the Masses' run solemnities
about to return to my own.

[13] These as he had said executing, on the next day his brother
accompanying him, of the same Patron he proceeded
to the walls of the temple. [and slipping from the hands of those leading him to S. Romanus] In which beside the gate's entrance,
when now near it was that the sun the rays of his light beneath
the waves should hide, to nocturnal repose his soul's vow
accommodating; when it was come to the matutinal vigils,
by those psalming's voices roused, with himself too
solicitously to act he began. The completed moreover according to custom
of twelve lessons function, as for himself the regular
demands institution; after on the lectern to be recited
begun was the Gospel's lesson, the same with a graver was seen
to be agitated of a demon's impulse, and more than enough unhappily
to be torn, vociferating among other things, that he wished to the known to return
dwellings. And when hence himself from the hands of those holding
him in every way than all more robust he extricated, he began alone-wandering to walk through the wood, planted in
the prospect of the church there constructed.

[14] Thus therefore with errant gait hither and thither
running, and whither he tended not knowing, at length by most long
fatigue's molestation pressed, [and home returned,] with sleep he is constrained
sudden, and there lay, until grew light
of the succeeding day the third hour. In fine the long
of sleeping interval ended, awaking from sleep, he undertook
at last the begun before journey to complete erring;
until at length he was brought to the estate, which
commonly is named Malliacus. And there meeting him
a certain woman, began with him a conversation to weave,
inquiring from him whence he came, or whither he tended.
And when he answered that he from the basilica of S. Romanus
came; she added to ask, whether on that day
he had heard there the celebrated together chants? But as she
said, so to have been done he craftily signifying, by her
was retained for the cause of a meal: afterward dismissed by her,
at length scarcely he reached his own.

[15] Meanwhile now him home returned, suddenly while
not hoped, his father with his mother from the market returns:
and so great in them is the kindled fervor of grief,
and so inflicted the solicitude groaning for the inflicted
on the offspring most dear miserable omen, that it seems to be said
to recoil. The ended moreover of that day's juncture,
and the following night's spent course, while of the succeeding
day's light into morning broke forth, with too great
of anxiety's voices, which not even to be commemorated worthy
it is, by deliberation they decreed mutual, that the son
of damnation's accomplice to the Saint to lead Romanus
they ought, if perchance he would deign him from so great
of anxiety's detriment to render an exile. [but brought back he is freed,] Forthwith
therefore the said with deeds executing, they began him
in the going to compel. But he on the ground leaning, and in manifold ways
himself tearing, in many ways himself strove from
that journey to extricate. Besides him [on a horse] placing
(as those who now near to his strength
to go contrary could not; since many had come from elsewhere
to bring help) and with the greatest him holding,
strength, they led to the aforenamed of S. Romanus
basilica. But when they approached the doors of the church,
began the steed (which is wonderful to be said) to neigh
and itself to resisting to raise, as not daring
with such a rider the Saint of God to approach. Then setting down
the energumen, to the ground they compelled him to lie
before the holy man's body venerable; and into
these voices he burst, saying: Because for thy,
S. Romanus, candle this I suffer. More moreover and
more him tearing, when now half-dead he was esteemed,
at length on that day, the nod assenting divine, of the beloved
Lord that obtaining by the suffrage, began from his mouth
and nostrils gore to flow forth fetid, with frothy spittles
intermixed, he himself also of pitchy horror's deformity
disfigured: at last from the demoniac dominion's
pernicious wrestling wonderfully was rescued.
From that therefore day, through the whole space of his life,
he resolved himself with the chief continence to restrain, in food
namely the diminution and of drink the partaking; nor
afterward so unhappily as before of depraved the poison of detraction
his crept upon mind. The begetter indeed and begetress,
of so great medicine made partakers, with their offspring to themselves
most freely restored, to their own with joy returned.

[16] We will not be silent of that also, that a certain woman
Arvis by name, with a singular only offspring was endowed dowry:
to whom about him there was the fullest of intemperate love
affection, [A boy deaf and lame is healed.] because besides him no other she had,
in whom the hope of posterity seemed to consist.
Although moreover nature what was its own imparted,
in the inmost however of her heart's chambers in this love
wasted maternal, since by divine permission,
nay rather for proving not long after the holy
man's praises, with a twin contrition's anxiety it was shaken.
For from the first beginnings of his birth,
temporal of this always he lacked of hearing the office:
but also of one thigh withering the nerves'
joining, of one was foot destitute of walking.
When therefore of this thing his begetress with no mean
was carried about distress, with every instance of curings
the kinds in mind seeking solicitous, on a certain occasion
while night her course's journey performed, and she to nocturnal
repose indulged; by spiritual the regard of contemplation
to her it was seen, that with the aforesaid son uterine
of the Saints everywhere she surveyed the oracles, demanding
to health to him to be restored the aids. These thus seen, supervening
the day's splendor, she heard to be related by those dwelling with her,
that to S. Romanus to go, and a peculiar they ought
of prayers to celebrate together a sacrifice. Which labor
all with them undertaking with industry, to their joined column,
the only she carried pledge to the threshold of the oratory of the aforesaid
our Protector. Whom when there she had exposed,
herself into prayer she poured, and a worthy of God satisfaction,
as much for her negligences, as also for her son's
incommodities at hand exhibiting, of her confession
the pardon she implored; this more fervently of prayers
by the purity demanding, that S. Romanus her only-begotten,
with a twin wound dishonored, under that momentary
of an hour's space to vigor would give temporal:
and whom long hitherto had dulled the ailment, restoration
might restore from heaven salutarily bestowed.
By this therefore of deprecations continuity spent, of hearing
divinely she obtained the effect; and forthwith S.
Romanus assenting by his merits, of hearing recovered
were to him the offices; and of his steps the weakness far removed,
perpetual progression she acquired before denied.
So each of his humility's the requital merited,
to his own they returned from all hurt most free.

CHAPTER III.

Miracles, by Mabillon omitted, from Bosch related.

[17] Besides a woman also another, of noble stock
by generosity sprung there was, [A woman after the death of her infant without baptism,] of a villa which by popular
appellation Scabia is named. To her moreover
was an only little boy so tender, that not more from
the first of his nativity into this world's tearful
valley in his cradle, except of three only weeks'
space, she herself who him brought forth being witness,
was believed to have spent of time. By the progress therefore
of so very small an age spent, suddenly while not hoped,
of pale death the breaking-in juncture, the last
of the present life he closed his day. But what indeed of the greatest
was the cause of grief, the mother that prolonging by her negligence,
as one who by abundant had been of the begotten elegance retained,
through which falsely was believed of life the longevity quickly not
to be about to be lacking: since with sacred not yet was he reborn of baptism's
wave, in that very birth, ah grief! he lost the lights
by no means any further revived; and so with a twin
death's horror seized, to fires is delivered eternal;
since without doubt, of life eternal he will be deprived
of joy, who with the vital not was dipped in the laver. In fine
indeed his begetress, for whose crime's hurt
these to have happened not doubtful was; to her husband the true fact
afraid to confess, in that in which death he had undergone
place, the childish she deferred to bury little body: but
forthwith into her arms him taking, her husband Praetextatus
with those dwelling around being unaware, to another with course quickened
she carried villa, and there determined him to be buried.
Such things moreover with profane unhappiness passed, that through
this if I mistake not might be proved of just vengeance the recompense
to be suffered; on the same day on which these perpetrated
were, withered her hand right, the nerves also
contracted with loosened skin, [the lost use of her right hand] with numb fingers in all the preceding
elbow, nothing long of obtained soundness's use [deprived]
to remain was declared: and what the mother's unhappiness
to deny seemed for a little, the supernal Arbiter
than the sun more manifestly made known for much. For indeed
through thirty about years' courses, when
all her household goods on physicians she had spent, with no
medicine of her curing she obtained. At length therefore
when now utterly she was despaired of, after so many of times intervals
elapsed, [she recovers:] finding that through S. Romanus the Lord granting
very many of health are given benefits, with devout
steps Vallilias to go she disposed; and the way
undertaking, with whatever she could gait of it she reached the threshold
of the basilica: and there with various prayer her voices doubling,
the blessed man interceding by his merits' suffrage,
of the sought health the joy she obtained: and to her was restored
her hand right, nor any she suffered any further from
this infirmity's load heaviness. [a]

[18] When your mind is astonished, Brothers, at the salutary
odor of so great virtues, and in the faith of Christ
with firm strength is corroborated; burns still desire
ours, that it may set forth Christ's prodigies, for glorifying
the Confessor excellent once wrought. [a mute and deaf man from his nativity] Hear therefore
now in one and the same man two clear wrought
miracles. A certain boy, of old by his parents Arnoinus
called, from that day on which into this wretched life
he fell, two lost offices of his body, hearing namely
and speech. Whose mind continual sustaining
lamentation, with long daily was afflicted
sobs; because neither by voice alms could he demand,
nor by hearing of his ears any could he take consolation.
What think ye, Brothers most beloved? how
bitterly was tortured in mind, who so was wholly dissolved
in body, in whatever part himself he should turn, he knew not. His parents
indeed, when a grave of him in heart they held
sadness, revolved in their breast what to them it behoved
to do, because they discerned him in the world without any
office of body. A clear rumor when they drew
of the virtues of the most holy and of all veneration
most worthy Romanus, they carry him thither, and make in
the ground to fall down, that he might demand with his heart what he could not
with voice. Long he lies, long he breathes again; groans he sends forth, who
could not speak: at length is loosed his tongue from the dire
bonds, by glorious Romanus's merits: [he is healed.] the dulled position
of his ears is repelled, the heavenly breezes his ears strike,
he receives the office of his ears: there is made grateful exultation among
the people, grows the faith of those believing in the Lord, groans
the truculent serpent, is tortured with envy who is deputed
to eternal punishment. Let us take care therefore his to avoid
snares, who at daily moments is ready continually
to drag us to the depths of Cocytus. Let us beware also lest
he infuse the deadly poison in our breasts, and
take away from our mouth or from our heart the sweet of Christ pastures,
which afford us the sweetness of speaking, and our hearing
with heavenly refresh suffrage: that when
the day shall come unspeakable, to rejoice we may merit with
our highest judge: and also with high-sounding jubilations
to praise together him, whose empire always shines, by
whose dominion heaven and earth resplends.

[19] That also of yours we resolved to be inculcated
to the memory, that a certain woman, of Antricum a dweller as
was reported native, [A woman from fevers is freed:] while by the force of a fever most bad by long
of time's increment wonderfully was beaten, and with hasty
encounter the beloved Lord's clod followed, in of bettered
health's recreation herself to be refreshed she besought
more attentively. For now of all her members dried
the joining, as one with irremediable hitherto ardor glowing,
so she had grown rigid, that nothing at all of strength herself ever
to recover she trusted. And thus with injuries afflicted
manifold, with all her bowels' inmost parts, the holy
of the Lord, who to none rightly asking denies the result,
she begs, that of her he would have pity. In fine arriving
the hour of the day, in which the middle of heaven the Sun had transcended
its axis, suddenly by sleep depressed, sleep she took; and saw
in mind's excess a certain of a man the likeness
having, and in this manner to her speaking:
Go, and by no means delays weaving, take the linen cloth
of S. Romanus, and him with water bathe: which when thou shalt have drawn, believe that it will be to thee a cause of salvation. Nor delay,
after she had received these words; immediately roused, such things as
she had been admonished she fulfilled hastened. And immediately by the supernal
condescension's consolations supported, and by the holy man's
merits' suffrages relieved, from the aforesaid pestiferous
sickness's contagion she began to be relaxed: and so of health
entire made partaker, the name of the bestower Christ, the praise
also and glory of the most blessed man, with a vast
she glorified of exultation's jubilation. [b]

[20] A woman also a certain at that time, Leodegardis
as was reported by name called, of the right of
dominion of S. Remigius the Confessor excellent, [likewise also another woman,] of all
her members was shaken with pains, a fever
growing strong most great, passed now from the beginning of her
sickness twice four months. And when nothing
of medicine anywhere now nearly about to die she find
could; it was done in one of the days, that by a most monstrous
of pain anxiety pressed, amid being sick she caught
sleep. It happened moreover to her, to see a man in sleep
to her such things relating: Set out with what thou canst
of paces' walkings to the Saint of God Romanus, and know
confidently, that through him of health thou shalt be endowed
with joy. These things therefore seen, awaked from sleep, faith
she gave to the saying; and soon fulfilled such things by deed. Forthwith
also to that to which she had been admonished proceeding, on the ground
soon she lay down; and into tears bursting, God's man
with the inmost she implores of mind affection. In fine of her efficacy
prayer, gradually catching the increments of strength,
she began to be strengthened by the robustness of desired health:
and so by faith corroborated firmness, and of her whole body
integrity, and thus the fever extinguished and all driven away
pain, her members solidified, to her own with joy she returned
unharmed. [c]

[21] Let us pass to another not unlike, and let us look
in the exhibition of miracles, with how great this Saint of
whom is the matter is endowed gift. A certain Maienarius
ours, [another from a grave sickness is freed:] of parents not mean a boy,
with a quartan most strongly was vexed fever: who twice four
months by this sickness's load weighed down,
when from many he hoped a remedy of health, in nothing to him
lay open the hope of desired health. Whatever he could have
in resources, to medicine he disbursed to its authors; and
in desiring a cure, of his whole sustenance he consumed
the means: since indeed in sense dulled by the weight of infirmity,
he knew not to recall, in the neighborhood to be present, who by prayers
the plagues from bodies could put to flight. And when day by day
more and more he grew sick, by his life's distrust of death
he awaited the extremes. Now the wearied of the physicians
hands from his curing had fallen; now of words
the charms, to this as is reported disease medicinal, in the mouth of all
had grown silent. Therefore all hope of health laid aside,
when now on the very of life he hung threshold, a little his mind
recovered, he perceived with his ears, by others' relation, B. Romanus
with clear the world to irradiate virtues. Which perceived,
because nearly to him of voice was intercluded the office; in whatever way
by indications of words those standing by he began to address:
Of ancient affection friends most dear, carry
me as quickly as possible to the tomb of the Lord Romanus. I seem
to myself to see now the long peril to have escaped; from
the neighbor to be recalling, from whose intercession all proceeds
medicine: worthily in fine yield all of the physicians
experiments, since this alone is, to whom by
Christ are given of my weakness the salutary things. Hastened
to him they obey his admonitions, and him taking up
with his bed, to the Saint's they carry tomb.
And when for his recovering health, together with the sick man,
those who had carried him kept watch in the office of praying, the sick man
the same is loosed in slumber: and a small spent space
awaked, with sleep's torpor, of infirmity
he lacked the languor. And for this very thing all who stood by
with immoderate dancing for joy, who hitherto
sick had come, with thanksgiving and health's gift returned
to his own.

[22] In no way I judge also this with silence to be obliterated,
in which, good Jesus, thy praise is preached through thy servant.
A certain woman by her parents, I know not by chance or
by industry, Aigleranna called, with bright adorned birth,
of her stock the origin at Fontanae received the village.
Who while adolescence's years exceeding seeds she made;
it seemed to her her natural to leave estate, and of another's
villa to seek the dwelling. Of this deliberation
succeeding the effect, [a lame woman is healed,] in the villa which Visis from its inhabitants
obtained as name, with all her household goods she removed.
In which of many years passing the courses,
when her age more prolonged was verging into old age, and decayed
longevity with loosened skin her face into wrinkles' contracted
furrowing; it hangs doubtful whether exacting
the mass of her crimes, or for demonstrating of the man
of God the merit, the greatest of her members she paid detriment.
For the flexuous of her knees nerves complicated in a knot
insoluble, and with a tenacious rigor into solidity hardened, as
with the bases weakened, did not suffer from the ground upward
to come forth the fabric of her whole body. By this long
wasting incommodity, various of the Saints surveying oracles,
of none to aid her she experienced merits. But
after she perceived by the skillful procurement [in the church]
of the often said Pontiff, the body of the Lord Romanus with chief
honor deposited, in the place where it shines with miracles;
greatly she began in mind to dispose and in act to be busy,
that to its presence in whatever way she might be able
to attain. And when somewhat the faculty supplying,
to the conveyance to be prepared in undertaking the work
she gave; wonderful to be said! as if of a strong fever from the assault,
began her members to grow cold and with a horrible shudder
on every side to be shaken. By the servants' office she is placed
on a litter, and with faith credulous of the Confessor
highest she proceeds to the hall: into which by the benches of those obeying
brought in, when to his she came tomb, God
now through his merit approved his virtue. For the perplexed,
as we premised, of her hams the nerves, as
to her it seemed, by a certain force from their knottiness loosened and
into natural obedience reformed, although with
pain not small, she obtained the office of walking: and because
contracted in her members, of the help she had needed of the bearer; returned
she home on her own soles, of the rest not requiring
the ministry of a bearer.

[23] Another also something to be unfolded grateful we had.
Since at the same time, a certain woman
of the city of Sens a native, who to one of the citizens by name
Gundacius by the right of serving served as a handmaid, by the ardor
of fevers was occupied irremediable. For
so great she was pressed by pain's anxiety, that not only
to be vigorous, but not even what food we use, [and another perilously sick] in any way could she
swallow. And when so from all she was held devoid
of soundness's office, the matter is turned into peril, whether
namely she would convalesce, or also death would meet.
Therefore while in all of one year's space so most badly was wearied
with incommodity, that to her of food the access was denied;
it was done in one of the nights, while in the night's dark silence
all things rested, and she in her sleeping's
dream newly had rested; and saw in a vision (as
afterward she related) as it were an innumerable of peoples crowd,
to the aforesaid God's Patron proceeding;
and herself among them interposed, the same way with steps
walking, and with common prayer the Saint of God
in her suffrage interpellating. These things therefore seen, she is roused
from sleep, of the past vision not unmindful.
Forthwith indeed to her Lord such things suggesting, with let-down
humbly she beseeches looks, that to her of the vision
to be fulfilled the facility he would confer. But he not only
to her mind's vow consent imparted, but to the journey's
difficulty to be lightened, admonishes that of his she enjoy
the riding of a steed. But she endowed with the gift of faith most devout,
such things to be done to her in every way denies it ought:
but rather she held it fixed, that with a foot's haste herself
thither she ought to set out. Which in fine by work fulfilling,
when to the Saint's basilica hastened she came, that of her compassion's
relief she might be recreated, with most instant voice she prays.
To whose complaint forthwith what she asked the divinity's
power granted, to the holy man's merits' tokens
to be proclaimed: and who hitherto of all-manner
soundness had been needy, gradually vigor obtained,
to long desired health was restored. Then to her own returning
dwellings, long from her deep heart drawing
sighs, both to her Lord and also round about
dwelling she indicates to her kinsmen and friends, with how great profits
S. Romanus the faith of those asking him would consult.
And so these things thus to be done by divine providence heard, of graces
the distributor the Lord with no mean
they extol praises, who his Saints powerfully magnifying,
with various ceases not to adorn of miracles the vibration.
[d]

[24] About the same time, came another woman,
by name Linatia, of the district of Tonnerre, who lately
of a conceived boy's offspring quite and abundantly
laboring, [likewise lame] in the very of childbirth's outpouring the greatest she incurred
of infirmation's injury. And when for seven years of this
she suffered torment's difficulty, of both her thighs
with numb nerves, so at length limping
she was made, that even the calves of her legs to her buttocks adhered.
Thus indeed by a more prolonged burdened incommodity, of walking
the path utterly she lost; and all her substance
under the pretext of medicine, for the rigor of a most grievous sickness,
into medicine's work she disbursed, which by no
uses, and by no advantages to herself she learned to be about to profit.
Of so great therefore unrest to the load succumbing
by days equally and nights, when now with destruction wonted
it had begun to be lessened; finally her parents her
long compassionating heaviness, began to think,
how with her various everywhere they should go round of the Saints'
shrines. In fine an ass's coverings placing,
her thereon they imposed; and in turn supporting,
very many of the district of Sens they surveyed monasteries:
but by no means did they obtain of health the rewards, when
many of the Saints they had begged suffrages. And when
no now of convalescing of her hope was had, but also
with the inflicted infirmity's contagion, to her own home
she returned; from those going with her at last a good
of B. Romanus's virtues she drew opinion, that namely
to some, whose faith demanded, innumerable
he conferred of health's compendia. Thereupon to her husband
with her kinsmen she supplicates, that her by quick deliberation into
his they should hasten to set presence. To whose petition
straightway assenting, of this to be fulfilled the work they applied.
But when they approached to the villa which is called, Verillae,
began her members in turn by breaking apart
to be contorted. And gradually vigor resumed, now long
weary of body the members, as she rolled herself before the altar, seen
were more perfectly in full to be vigorous robustness. And so of her raising
the joy obtained, the most venerable of God
man with praises she extolled, untiring, by whose aid
so most desirable she had been recreated gift.

[25] But also a certain boy Magenerius called, with a laborious
of fevers boiling fever, of twice four months
now spent the course, [and to others three sick.] when he came into the presence
of him, without delay obtained he merited of emolument and of health
the desired: he was restored to joy, who hitherto with a quartan
had labored incommodity. A woman also a certain
of S. Remigius, with one was utterly dissolved arm,
with an irremediable so much wound bloodied. More
and more therefore growing strong the disease, when now to her it had seemed,
that of working perpetually she would be deprived of the office;
on a certain day to plebeian joined throngs, which of the man most holy
Romanus the temple after the manner went wonted,
various to obtain of health benefits; soon as she was prostrated
on the floor of the oratory, who had come thither with faith's devotion,
she is restored congratulating of her restoration. Another also
most long wearied of the kidneys with manifold dissolution,
after the aforesaid she had approached Patron; who
through many herself had been unable to raise of times' intervals,
of health suddenly granted obtained the remedies. [e]

[26] In our times done
It is established the glory of a miracle,
Which Romanus merited
From Christ by his merits.

There was the necessity of the matter [A lame man is healed:]
For the injury of plunderers,
Who take away monastic goods
On account of their own pride,
That the Saint's splendid body
Should be carried in a vehicle
Into a villa Pontus by name,
Above the river Yonne,
Which gives abundance of pasture
To those who feed savory.
Abbot was Winemarus
Of that same monastery
The Father, a venerable man,
Who very many workshops
Built quite excellent,
For the dwelling of the monks
Who serve Remigius,
The chief Prelate.
He in the Saint's presence
Kept watch, the vigils
Discharging solicitous,
With the other Brothers then,
Who watched nearer,
Romanus the glory of the fatherland,
Asking with pious breast.
There lay in that very house
A certain poor little man,
Crippled himself, on his knees
Crawling on the ground and on his hands,
Alboinus by name,
A citizen of that very little villa:
Whose was the lodging,
Which held the most holy
Bier of father Romanus.
When the sun's star its rays,
The space of heaven traversed,
Beneath the lands its flames set,
That it might bring back night to the lands,
Which morning made it scatters;
That poor man hastens
The Saint's casket to touch,
Which while with his hand faithfully,
With faith full he touched,
Gradually he began to rise,
Of his nerves himself to raise
Began the cords and his knees,
The bases of his soles tremulous
Began to stand solid:
Blood through his ankles flows down,
While vigor returns to his body
Voices he sends forth stupefied,
A horrible thing aloud resounds.
By these voices roused
Those who slept more heavily,
Their faces watered with tears,
Beating their breast with their fingers,
Made glad by the miracle,
Dancing for joy.
Commands the Abbot Winemarus
With the hand that they should restrain their mouths,
But rather in silence
Thanks they should render to the Most High,
Who the weak makes whole
In Romanus's presence.
The light had been extinguished,
Which in a lantern placed
Burned before the bier.
All with a clamor stupefied,
The light they seek fearful,
That it might grow clear to their eyes,
What had happened to the host.
One minister was present
The extinguished light he bears,
That before the Saint he might bring
A spark of clear light,
Which by chance happened to be lacking.
But while he goes more swiftly,
A certain part which he had left
Of the candle the light occupies;
And kindled divinely
Light it affords to the faithful.
On his soles they see to stand
Who lay in the straw,
And with upright step to go
Who himself through the ground utterly,
Was wont to drag.
A man of noble stock,
Rainardus indeed by name.
Count of the city of Sens,
At this wondrous miracle
Was present in every way.
This city anciently
Was the head of the cities,
Which the Gallic citizens inhabit,
Who once with Brennus as prince,
The seat of the Romulean city
Took with brave breast.
Girt with Gallic arms
About three hundred thousand,
The noble city they took;
Carrying off the gold they return,
They had almost wholly destroyed,
The Mistress of the orb of lands,
Had not a goose from its throat,
Cried out most loudly.
The guardians of the Capitol,
Awaked by the goose's
Clamor, rise stirred up;
With gold they repel the Senones, [a light is divinely kindled.]
Whom by iron the leaders cannot,
Orosius the Historian
And Jordanes the Bishop,
And others very many
This in their histories;
Have narrated truthful:
Which I admonish thee to read,
If thou wilt these things fully learn.
Then thou wilt see this Rhythmist
Of the true to have said a little,
Of the great city of Sens.
Under whose high walls
Lies the most holy body,
Of father Romanus laid,
Of whom shall be said more:
What the pen has dictated,
The finger of the heart shall depict.

[27] In a Gâtinais little town,
A certain woman with a most bad
Demon was perverted;
Who with savage gnashing teeth,
And with mouth raging more sharply
By alternate goes leaps,
That thou mightest discern a diabolical
Monster of a most bad demon. [a demoniac woman,]
A thousand voices from its throat
Sends forth the most bad demon:
As a bull bellows horribly,
As a lion cries strongly,
As a pig grunts stridently,
As an ass horribly.
With iron bound the woman
By fetters and hard manacles,
And with straps tight of leather,
With scattered womanly hair
By the force of her parents is drawn;
Resisting with grim countenances,
Lest she be led to the tomb
Of holy Romanus shining,
For miracles excellent;
Where the hope of health is restored,
And health returns,
Where demons flee,
Holy Romanus they fear,
Christ commanding they tremble
Lest they be thrust into Tartarus;
Worthy of perpetual death.
There was then an Abbot wise
An orator and rhetorician,
Learned also in the liberal
Disciplines in all,
Rainulfus, an excellent man:
Who of holy Remigius then
Ruled the monastery.

The savage demon indeed, when it entered the oratory,
to rage began. [wine being poured into her throat, by the touch of the arm consecrated,] But with Romanus's wine the arm is washed
most blessed. The wine indeed into the mouth of the woman is poured
by the hands of Dom Abbot; and scarcely through the passages had it entered,
and into the veins had diffused itself the force of the wine, when it began
to fight with the demon, as consecrated by the holy
contact of the body. So in one little body contrary
fight two: the wine which the heart gladdens, the demon who
the body of the possessed agitates. But conquered the drunk wine, the demon's
monster most bad. And by S. Romanus's prayers,
with a stream of foul blood the devil is excluded and goes out.
The woman afterward on the ground lies as if she be dead, before the altar
of the Pontiff and of the Franks' Prelate Remigius, [she is freed.] so much
that thou wouldst say she with her blood had poured out her life miserably.
They cry out therefore who were present all, among whom her husband
weeping and wailing said: What will be, Dom Abbot?
my wife living in body came, but to deadly now
she lies subject slaughter: her life she has lost, has destroyed. We brought her
incited by the fame of Romanus your Father chief, confiding
that she to health was to be restored. Alas! indeed
now our hope empty we have lost, and our labor
all has perished. Better for us it had been that living with us
she should live, and food with her mouth take, than her life so
with a horrible lose death. But the Abbot with pious tears
and of Romanus the blessed confiding in the merits, confidence
having of God, these things salutarily answered: Let cease the weepings
and tears, not the woman with the sleep of death is covered, but
weary in her members lies, of death's slumber ignorant. The enemy
of the world the inheritance lost being proud, which the sons
of men now possess: and on this account from envy while
this shall remain the age, there will be between him and the human race
a continual discord. Nothing new with you present
does the ancient enemy. These things spoken, poured over
his face tears, Rainulfus the Abbot humble, again
the wine, to the arm of S. Romanus consecrated, pours on the lips
of the woman; which when she had swallowed, she rises with slow effort the woman
from the pavement, and grace to God and to Saint
Romanus rendering, said: Welcome, Father the Italian, our Gallic
province most worthily to visit. And so
loosed from the chains of the devil, glad she returned to her own, with full
steps walking.

[28] A certain young lad, with both knees
bent, and after the manner of a quadruped through the ground on his elbows crawling,
so much that heaven to look at he could not. For of an animal
every kind the ground regards utterly, is always
serving its belly, the grass by chewing ruminating; whence
it took its origin, [a man bent toward the ground is raised up.] there it directs its gluttony; whereas God
of man whom like to himself he made, had ordered with his eyes the stars
him to discern, to admire heaven's summits, and which
the sun assiduously traverses circles to understand. That therefore young lad,
Teudo by name, sad in mind, asked
God assiduously, that by S. Romanus's merit, of his steps he might recover
the use, and upright suffer the Omnipotent to walk, whom
he had formed from the dust. On a certain therefore of the days thus asking
as he could, by crawling he walked toward the glass-window
of the basilica of S. Romanus, by which light within radiated; and while
himself a servant of S. Romanus to be he professed, if of walking
the benefit, him granting, he should obtain; he began soon
outside the basilica as he was placed, by B. Romanus who
was within to be heard. For immediately his there poured forth
nerves, and his knees he extended, with poured blood liquid to his ankles
even, and his nerves with a given sound (as when bones strong
by the hand of some strong man are broken) cracked,
and upright the boy stood. There is made a concourse and din at the sound,
a clamor to heaven is raised, and is praised the most high
Christ thundering in the clouds; and Romanus for miracles
illustrious is held, by public and true open tokens.
So in the service of holy Romanus Teudo remained,
and while he lived in body, he served always most well,
of his promise not unmindful, which he had made in the court
of the Church.

Such things for Romanus's merits
Christ grants to the people of Sens,
That they may recall assiduously
With how great a gift they enjoy.
For they possess the Gem of heaven
While near themselves they retain him,
Whom Italy brought forth.
And Gaul now preserves.

ANNOTATIONS.
