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HOW WICKED MEN TOOK A LITTLE BOY, BECAUSE HE SANG THE RESPOND OF OUR LADY VERY SWEETLY; AND HOW GOD'S MOTHER DID PRESERVE HIM
HOLY Scripture doth declare to us that it is our duty to
make known the benevolent works of Almighty God; for these are marvellous, and their telling maketh glad His children's hearts. As the Psalmist saith, "Cantate ei, et psallite ei; narrate omnia mirabilia ejus." Therefore I will tell here the history of a mercy that He granted at the hand of His Blessed Mother, Queen of Heaven, for the solace of a poor woman, a widow, the which greatly loved that sweet Lady.
This woman lived in a city of England, and so poor she was, that
she was forced to wander in the street and ask an alms. And she
had one son, a very fair child; he was loved of all for his
beauty, for though he lived but on charity he was exceeding
comely and of good stature. For the love of God and the Blessed Virgin, this poor woman taught her child what scholarship she
could; and Saint Mary of her kindliness helped her in this devoir, for she
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put into the child's heart so great a love of learning that in half a year he knew more than many children that have been four years to school. Nor had she ever occasion to chastise him, for he forgot nothing that he was told.
Soon the little boy could sing, and soon read; and so well did he sing, with so sweet and piteous a voice, that so soon as he did begin, all ran to hear him, both clerks and lay; for they said, "It is like a little angel's song." Never was heard such music from a child. And because of the delight that they had in his singing, all that heard him would make him gifts; meat, bread, and also money; the which he gladly took, and carried straitway to his mother, for he loved her exceeding well.
And he said, "Dear mother, while I was very little you did nourish and clothe me from the alms that you gained; but I cannot bear that you should any longer beg our bread, since I am of an age to earn it. Therefore if God and our sweet Lady preserve to me my voice and keep me safe and sound you shall no more wander in the streets; but every day I shall bring you enough of bread and meat and all those things whereof we stand in need."
Thus did that little boy cherish his mother, and would have her
rest by the fireside with her spinning, whilst he went to and fro
in the streets with his songs: and all heard him right willingly
and gave him what he asked, so that he and his mother were well provided. And amongst the many fair songs that he knew,
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that child greatly loved the respond that Robert King of
France did make for the feast of the Purification of Our Lady; to wit, that which begins, "Gaude, Maria Virgo, cunctas
hereses sola interemisti." For the words of this hymn are very fair and piteous, and the melody whereto they are sung exceeding sweet; and the little boy sang it so well to the glory of our gracious Lady, that many wept to hear it. And so gentle he was, so full of prudence and courtesy, that all loved him dearly and would have taken him to their houses, there to feast him; but when his song was done, he waited not for any pleasure, but went home to his mother with that which he had gained. And that poor woman daily entreated God's Mother Saint Mary, that she would have the child in her keeping, lest evil should befall him when he went alone through the town.
And one day, as this little boy went singing through the streets, he came to the Jewry; and great company of folk were assembled there, knights and burgesses, clerks and lay, for in this place many bought and sold. When these people saw the child, they cried to him that he should sing Our Lady's song; for these were Catholic men, that rightly loved the Blessed Virgin. Then, so soon as he began, many other ran to hear him from the streets that were near, being much moved by the sweetness of his singing, that was indeed a pleasant sound most agreeable to God; and with them came a certain Jew, that heard how the child did sing
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in the midst of the Jewry the praises of the Queen of Heaven whom they revile.
Now at the time of this man's coming, the little chorister began
the second part of his song, that, namely, which saith,
"Gabrielem archangelum scimus divinitus te esse affatum;
Uterum tuum de Spiritu Sancto credimus impraegnatum."
Then was the Jew much wrathful; and when that the last line was sung, that is,
"Erubescat Judaeus infelix, qui dicit Christum
Joseph semine esse natum!"
the which puts all Jews to derision, he could not contain his hatred; for greatly did he long to kill this child that thus poured contempt upon his race.
Nevertheless, he dissembled his anger; for he knew that the people loved the little boy, and greatly would they be enraged against any that did him hurt. Therefore must he bide his time that he might lay hands on him in secret, for this was his resolve. And he waited till all the folk were gone out of the street, for no witness must he have, lest any, suspecting that he would hurt their little singer, should afterward bring him to his death for it. Then, when the child was alone, this Jew went to him, and spoke him very fairly and invited him to enter his house there to sing.
"For I see well," he said, "that you have
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been rightly taught; never have I heard a child sing so
sweetly. You please all by your music, and indeed by this Respond that you did chant my heart is altogether filled with pity and compassion. Therefore, if you will come into my house and there sing it again, it shall be good for you and for your
mother also."
Then the child, simply and without fear, as a little angel might,
went with that Jew into his house. But, alas! how greatly cruel
are God's enemies, and them that know not His Mother's love! So soon as the door was shut the Jew let bring a hatchet, and he
dealt the little chorister, that was a child exceeding small,
so great a blow that a man would have died of it. The little boy
fell down upon the ground, and blood came forth from his fair and tender mouth that sang so sweetly. Then as quickly as he could the Jew made a grave close against the door, and there he buried the child and heaped earth upon him, for now he was afraid of that which he had done.
When the poor woman his mother saw that her little son did not
return at the accustomed hour, she was greatly troubled at it; and she prayed Our Lady to watch over the child, for night was near. But when many hours went by, and still he came not, she feared that he was wholly lost. Then so great was her dolour that her heart failed her, and she ran forth into the streets crying
aloud and seeking him. Here and there, up and down, she sought and demanded him of all that she met; but none could
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give her news of the child. And at last, for that darkness fell and she could no longer seek him, she was constrained to go back to her home much sorrowful, and there did make her complaint to the Blessed Virgin, begging only for death because she had lost her little boy.
And she said: "Sweet Lady, Saint Mary, for that the Scripture telleth us that you sought your own Child sorrowing when He tarried in Jerusalem alone, keep, I pray you, my little son, that is defenceless in the city this night, for I know not where to seek him. Alas, most piteous Mother! my heart is sore; for I feel and know that but dolorous news shall I get if He that can do all things cometh not to my relief. Therefore in Him and His sweet Mother I put all my trust, for very surely none other can
assist me.
So weeping and praying, that poor woman passed the whole of the night; and when day was come she went out into the streets again to seek her child, asking news of all the folk that she met.
But they answered: "We know not where he is, but this we know, that there is none in the city, neither clerk nor lay, who will not greatly grieve if he is come to any hurt, for we all love him."
And one there was that said: "Good woman, yester evening I saw your little son in the Jewry, and there he did sing the Respond of Our Lady in a voice most sweet and piteous, as he can; and so clear and loud he sang that the Jews came
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from all parts to hear him. It may well be that they have taken him to do him some hurt, for greatly does it displease them to hear the sweet and pleasant praises of God's Mother, whom they hate. Therefore, if they have killed the child, we will discover it, that they may die for their misdeeds."
Another cried: "Small doubt is there that the Jews misliked
this little boy, for he praised Our Lady so graciously that none
could resist it. If it be as you say, surely the glorious Virgin will reveal it by her might, that her chorister may be avenged."
Then was the poor mother beside herself with grief, for now she
was assured that the Jews had taken her little son to kill him.
And she cried to Our Lady in her despair, and told her openly
that if she restored not the child, no longer would she trust in
her pity and power. Yea, she was in such bitterness of spirit
that I could not tell you half her sorrow; for she wept so
exceeding sore that she could take neither meat nor drink. And
all were greatly moved by it, grieving most heartily because they
had lost their little chorister whom they loved.
But the great sin that had been done could not for ever be
hidden, for it was God's will that it should be revealed, to glorify His holy Name and that of His dear Mother, Lady Mary. Therefore it happened after many days that the sorrowing mother, that went day and night through the streets wringing her hands and calling on Our Lady for her child, came by
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God's grace to the Jewry. And many people ran together hearing her cries, the which had exceeding pity of her grief; for now all hope that she might find the child had left them, and they judged her to be mad with sorrow because she sought him still. But this poor woman stood and cried, " My son, my little son, my heart is breaking for you! My pretty child, if that you are alive stay not so long from me, for I need you sore. Sweet son, dear boy! where are you ? Can you not speak to your mother, who is like to die of grief? Alas! little one, you will come to me no more, for my heart tells me that in this street you were killed and buried by evil men."
Then went she to and fro, tearing her hair and crying, "Hard, hard is the heart that would not break for such a grief! Ah, Mother of the King of Heaven! how long with clasped hands have I begged of you my little boy? I gave him altogether to you, and taught him right learning that he might the better serve you and your sweet Son. But what have you done with him, Lady, and where is he ? Tell me, tell me, where he is bestowed! Ah, Mother of God, can it be that children which are given into your keeping
shall be lost? If that you cannot give him to me alive, then give me death, that I may see him!"
But Madame Saint Mary, that is the fountain of all mercy, had
compassion on this poor woman, and turned her sorrow into joy.
For while that she and the folk that were about her
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made this complaint, of a sudden they heard a voice that sang exceeding sweetly; and they knew that it was the voice of the little chorister, for none other sang so well. And the words of the song were that Respond of Our Lady, the which he had so greatly loved, namely:
"Gaude, Maria Virgo, cunctas hereses sola intere misti;
Quae Gabrielis archangeli dictis credidisti."
Verily, though he lay in his grave that was within the house of
the Jew, yet so high and clear was his voice that all might hear
it.
And when that poor mother heard her little son, that sang as if
he were yet alive, then was she straitway lifted up with a
fervour of great joy, so that she cried to the Blessed Virgin,
saying:
"Sweet Lady, sweet Saint Mary! I hear my child ! I hear my child!"
Then was great tumult; all the people crying,
"To the Jews! To the Jews that have taken our little chorister to hurt him! for well we know he lies within this house."
And all went to enter the said house, and did attack and beat the
Jews that would let them from it; and breaking down the door
went into every chamber, calling by name on the child that was lost; for they said: Then were those evil men that had killed and buried him greatly afraid, and would have held back the people, but they could not. Therefore they fled away
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whilst all were busied with their quest, lest they might be taken and burned for their sins.
But when they had searched chamber and cockloft, and still found not the child, them that sought were exceeding perplexed at it.
"By Holy Rood!" said they, "this is devilry indeed, that we find him not, for here we heard him sing, and of a surety here he
must be ! Yet there is no part of this house wherein we have not
sought him, therefore if we see him not it must be that they have buried him in the earth."
Then did they make search where there might be a pit dug ; and at last, when all were weary and they knew not where next to look, they found behind the door earth heaped, the which those Jews had done the better to conceal him. Then they cried: "Verily, here he must be ; for it was from this side that we heard his voice."
Then all together they fetched spades, and straitway removing the earth as quickly as they might, there they found the little boy lying in a trench all safe and sound; and he had no grief, but seemed rather as if God's Mother had cherished him at her breast. And all who saw it marvelled greatly, for the child's cheeks were as red, his face as fair, as a newly opened flower, though he had lain within this pit for many days. And they lifted him out and carried him to his mother.
When that poor woman had her little son again, how close and dear did she hold him,
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kissing a hundred times his forehead and his face! So great a joy filled her heart that no word could she speak, for it seemed to her that greater wealth she had than any lady in the land. But the townsfolk, that were exceeding glad for that their little chorister was come again, came about the child, and asked him that he should tell them by God's grace what had happened and where he had been. Also, they desired to know how his head had been so greatly hurt; for now they could see the wound that he had of the hatchet of the Jew, the which was like
to have cut his head in twain, though so well had the glorious
Virgin healed it that no herb nor unguent did it need.
Then said the child, that knew not how long he had been lost: "Yesternight, when all the company was gone from this street, a Jew that loved me not did beg me to go to his house, swearing that he would do great things for my mother if I would sing for him there; for he would hear Our Lady's Respond. But when I was come into the house, he did wound me with a hatchet he had, and I know not what he did with me then, for with that blow I fell fast asleep. And so soundly I slept that I think I should have been sleeping still, nor would have woke for anything that might be, but a little while since a very fair Lady came to me, and I know that she is the Mother of Jesu Christ. And this Lady did wake me, and said that I slept too long and was but slothful; for it was time that I should sing her Respond, as was
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my duty every day to do. Then she went away, and I began to sing as she bade me, as well as I could do it in the place that I was in."
Then cried all the clerks and priests, "Give thanks! Give thanks! for a great miracle has been done; for the Blessed Virgin hath come from Paradise to save her little chorister from the hands of the Jews."
And had I ten or twenty tongues, I could not tell half the joy
there was; how that many great bells were rung, and processions made, that the Mother of God might be glorified and extolled for this her most piteous grace. And the townsfolk did take many Jews because of it, and some were burned and some baptized.
Then, when all was done, that poor woman took her little child to
her home, and there she cherished him greatly and bred him in
Saint Mary's love. Little do I know of fate they had, or what did
do, for indeed there is no more in my book; but very surely he
grew in all virtue and worthiness, and stayed ever faithful
servant of that Lady, who had brought him out of the power of the wicked that he might come again to his mother's arms.
