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AND HEREIN OF A YOUNG RELIGIOUS THAT BY HIS DEVOTION DID CROWN THE VIRGIN MARY EVERY DAY.
HERE tell we the history of a young monk, the which lived under the rule of our father Saint Benedict and had a very great devotion for the glorious Virgin Mary: and because of this love of his, he kept in his cell a fair image of that Lady, carved and painted to the semblance of a living woman, that thereto he might pay his courteous reverence. And even as lovers of an earthly mistress do search out and contrive what curious and delightful service they may offer her, deeming themselves happy in that they may spend themselves for her honour, and looking for no better reward, so also did this young religious for his heavenly Friend.
Thus it came about that in the summer, which is the time of roses, he would salute the Flower of the World under that name of Rosa Mystica which her litany hath given: and he would also make for her a chaplet of red roses, and would offer it upon his knees to the image that was in his cell, making a very humble salutation to the Lady of his desire. And so great was his ardour
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of giving that it wrought upon itself a miracle, as love indeed hath power to do: for though it was but to the image that he brought his gift and did his homage, yet an Heavenly Presence deigned to receive it. For lo! in that place where the statue was accustomed to stand, the glorious Virgin herself came at the prayer of her lover that yearned toward her with so ardent and so pure desire, and she bent her head very graciously towards him that he might the better place the chaplet
of roses on her brow. And for this cause his heart was filled with a deep and grateful joy; and every day he wove anew from fresh and perfect flowers his Lady's chaplet, and every day the Queen of Angels stooped towards him that she might receive her servant's crown. And because Saint Mary's love ever inciteth the soul to humility and good works, this brother was most meetly subject to his Abbot and to all his superiors, and to the Rule so that they loved him.
But a time came when the summer was ended and there were no more roses: then this young monk became exceeding sad and pensive, and fell at last into a most grievous melancholy, for that now the season of flowers was done he could no longer make a chaplet for the crowning of his Mistress, that is the Virgin Queen. And he stayed many hours in sadness, gazing upon her image that stood uncrowned in his cell and thinking within himself that all the joy he had in loving her was dead, because he could do nothing for her praise. Sad indeed was the
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image without its living garland, and no longer did the Mystic Rose bow toward him when he of Roses knelt at her feet.
Now the Abbot, that loved this brother well for his simplicity and devoutness, was greatly troubled at the sight of the melancholy into which he had come; and knowing naught of the
secret favours which Our Lady had once shown to this servant of
hers, he could not guess the cause of his sadness. Therefore
calling the young man to him, he asked him privily what ailed
him, conjuring him by holy obedience to tell the source of his
grief. And being so commanded, the brother, as is the duty of
every religious toward his Father in God, did tell all the truth,
every word of it ; how that he greatly loved that image of Saint
Mary that he had in his cell, and how he was sad because he could find no more roses to make a chaplet for her head, for he knew not how else he might please her.
Then said the Abbot to him for his comfort, "My son, because
now the winter comes in due season, and you cannot any longer
make chaplets of roses for Our Lady's honour, therefore must you find some other way of service: for summer and winter alike have their duties, and come alike by the will of God. And in the place of that gift of roses that has been the emblem of your love, I charge you that you salute each morning the image of God's Mother, saying twenty-five times the Ave Maria. For the prayers of her faithful servants are as flowers in that Lady's
crown."
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The brother went away greatly consoled, and did in all things as his Abbot had ordained to him, saluting Saint Mary each morning with twenty-five Aves well and devoutly said. And therefrom he had exceeding comfort, for now it was permitted to him to look again upon the Lady whom he loved. And he saw that each time he repeated that Angelic Salutation, a fresh and perfect rose came into her hands where he gazed on her
in his cell, and from these she wove for herself a right fair chaplet, even such an one as he had been accustomed to make: so that when his devotion was ended, the crown of his Mistress was complete. Which thing was so great a consolation and delight to him, that he left his melancholy and entered into a very holy joy; growing day by day in his devotion toward that glorious Virgin, who of her tenderness and mercy doth thus help her lovers in their devoirs.
Now this monk of whom we speak had yet a father and a mother in the world, whom he loved with a proper and a filial love; and desiring greatly to see them how they did, he sought and obtained the permission of his Abbot so to do. Now when he was given leave that he might go on this journey, he was so filled with joy at the thought of these parents, the which he had not seen for many years, that he forgat all else; even his devotion to that Lady whose love is above that of any earthly friend. And when the day of his departure was come, he set out right early in the morning, his thoughts
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all earthwards, without having first saluted her image that stood in his cell. And it was a very cold day, white with rime, for they were near to the season of Christ's birth. Another monk of that abbey went with him, the which was a discreet and pious brother ; and they went quickly, heeding but little the hardships of the way.
But at the hour of Prime, when they were already far upon the road, this servant of Our Lady remembered how that he had that morning left his Mistress without the crown of worship she was accustomed to receive; and when it came into his mind, he was full of grief for it. “For,” said he, "I am but recreant knight and false servant of that Queen of Ladies; and this day in Heaven her chaplet will be lacking by my fault”
So, being in great contrition and minded to make such amend as he might, he said to his brother that was with him that he should go in front a short way, for he would be solitary awhile. And when this one had done so, and the young monk found himself alone, he went from the road into the field that was beside it, and threw himself upon his knees exceeding humbly and cried mercy and forgiveness of the Holy Virgin because he had been tempted of earthly affection, and had forgotten to salute her as he ought. And he bewailed his fault with tears, crying, "Alas ! most sweet Lady, thy servant whom thou didst love so well has most foully betrayed thee!" And when he
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had so done, he recited with exceeding great devotion the twenty-five Aves with which he was used to greet her in his cell.
Now his companion, that had gone forward on the way, hastening somewhat because it was a keen and bitter wind, wondered that his brother did not rejoin him. And presently, because still he did not come, this one turned back along the road to find the reason of his delay. But when that he had gone a little while he ceased his steps, being in great astonishment; for he saw that to the place where he had left his comrade, that was a country-side and desolate, a great and splendid meinie had now come, to wit, a very beautiful Lady that was robed right loyally, and about her a company of angels and virgins crowned with jewels. But the Lady's head was bare.
And though it was the season of winter and hard weather, though snow lay in the field wherein she stood, and no flowers there were in the thicket nor leaves upon the trees, this Lady was weaving a chaplet of most fair and perfect roses, one by one as they came into her hands: and when she had done it, she placed it on her head as a crown. Then all the meinie of the angels and the virgins bowed before her, for she was seen to be crowned with the sovereignty of love: and they cried together, Ave Maria!
And seeing this marvel, that monk went hastily to the place where he had left his companion; and there he found him where he knelt
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in the field, rapt in holy contemplation, but the Lady he could not see any more. So he roused him from his ecstasy, for now he was full of dread, knowing that he had gazed on holy things: and he told him all that which he had beheld, namely that gracious miracle which is done in Heaven when we poor children pray.
Then did this one confess to his friend the whole of the matter; and of his fault and penitence, and the great mercy he had had, for that Our Lady had deigned to help him. And they went their way full of rejoicing, their hearts being uplifted by thanksgiving and celestial love, and singing sweet praises of that Virgin Mother,
Virgo clemens!
Mater Amabilis!
Regina sacratissimi Rosarii !
