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OF A GREAT LORD THAT MIGHT NOT ACCOMPLISH THE PENANCE HE HAD; AND HOW SAINT MARY HELPED HIM
IN Egypt there was a rich and powerful knight, the which lived in great luxury, lavishly expending his wealth and keeping high estate; and he had many friends and retainers, for he generously entreated them that served him. But because of the ease and splendour that he lived in, this seigneur forgat God and his duty, and went never to Mass, nor yet to confession; for he was proud of heart, and held them to be but fools that told their evil actions to their curate or any other priest. Long did he live in this foolish error, and because he had a dread of the penance that should now be put on him should he turn from it, and of the mocking of his friends, that were of a worldly conversation, he neither made confession nor left his fault.
But one friend he had that was of a right disposition and grieved greatly for the hatred that this knight his comrade had of the sacrament of penance; and he was exceeding desirous to turn him from these courses if he could.
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Therefore on a certain Good Friday, this of the gentleman, meeting him in the way, said to the Costrel knight, for that he knew him doer of many evil deeds and unconfessed:
"Messire, I marvel much that you can bear to look upon your ill doing, which is greatly displeasing to God and Our Lady, and to the world. For in that you confess yourself never, your sins go alway with you, the which are a heavy burden for any man to bear alone. And behold! Easter Day comes, when every Catholic man should put himself in a state of grace that he may have God's mercy. For on this Friday, God did suffer shame and pain upon the Tree of the Cross, to save His people and rebuke the Enemy in Hell; in that before His Crucifixion all went to damnation. And He won for us so great freedom that none can now be damned that makes confession and repents. Therefore we should every one seek our soul's health in this sacrament, both for sign of our thankfulness that this day He did the penance of the world, and for that our reason bids us so to do. Verily, he is but foolish that neglects it. And I entreat you, brother, that you also will be shriven; for you stand in exceeding need of it. Let us go talk with that hermit who lives in the mountain; he is a good and discreet man of right holy life. Of a surety he will give you no ill counsel, but will tell you all that is meet and right to do."
Now the knight, that had so stubborn a mind, was moved by these words to some
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apprehension of the error he was in; and he bethought himself that if the thing indeed were thus, then was he in evil case. Therefore he made soft answer, saying:
" I will go right quickly, for indeed I see that I have held myself toward my Redeemer but unknightly, and have repaid His bounty by discourtesy. And now I feel the load of my sins heavy upon me, the which I will confess full speedily, for I know that I shall have great ease of it."
Then without delay he set forth to the mountain, and with pains he mounted to the harsh rocks whereon the hermit dwelt, who there implored God night and day for all sinners. And that hermit was exceeding glad of his coming, and made good cheer for him. "For," said he, "Gaudium erit in caelo super uno peccatore poenitentiam agente, quam super nonaginta novem justis, qui non indigent poenitentia." That is to say, Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance.
Then did the knight speak to him a long while of his sins, for indeed there was much to be told; and the hermit, who was expert in the cleansing of souls, knew well how to search and question him, so that presently he was acquainted with the whole of the matter.
And when all was told and confessed, he said to the knight very gladly, " Fair brother, rejoice, for that you shall be cleansed of your
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sin; and know that soon the love of God and of well doing shall be engrafted in you, by the grace of the holy penance you will have to bear."
Now these words troubled the knight greatly, for he was of those that would have God's mercies living softly the while, and giving nought for that which he had got. Therefore did he say to the hermit:
“Alas my father, in the matter of this penance, I know not how it may be. I can in no wise bear a great one nor set myself to fasting; for I am none of those lusty fellows that may with ease of body mortify the flesh, since I was bred softly, and love only to eat delicates. All know it is my custom so to do. Therefore, because I live in the world, where all observe me, I must have a penance I can do at my ease; for great austerities will but cast me down quickly and throw me back into sin."
" Messire," answered the hermit, " Do not fear. You shall have so light an one, that none could refuse it, were he never so im- potent or so old."
Said the knight, "Pardieu! I ask no better!"
Then that hermit admonished him and said, “Mark well that which I shall ordain to you, for herein shall be proof of your contrition.You shall take this costrel which here you see and shall go down to the stream that is below and there you must fill it with water to the brim; and when that you have so done and brought it me again you shall be quit of all
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your sins. But take heed that you sin not again.”
"So will I do, " said the knight, exceeding joyous for the indulgence he had had, for indeed this penance was a little matter. And he took the costrel, that was a vessel made in the fashion of a little flask, and ran quickly to the stream, and seated himself upon the bank. Then dipped he the said flask into the stream to fill it; but the water, that was flowing swiftly, turned aside when it came near and went on either hand, and it stayed empty. And he did all that he could for the filling of his costrel, dipping it more deeply in the pools under the banks, but at the end of his travail it was empty still, at the which he marvelled greatly.
And so striving and accomplishing nothing, he began to wonder what it might be that letted him; for neither in the flowing of the water nor in the fashion of the flask could he see any hindrance, and yet something that was past his wit fought against him. And first he was exceeding wrathful, conceiving that there was witchcraft therein, but presently it came to his mind that it was but the vileness of his own soul that tormented him thus, whereby the water, that was pure, fled from before him, making it to be impossible that his penance should be done. Then was he greatly alarmed, having knowledge of his evil state, and he swore and promised that he would not return to that hermit till his flask was filled and his penance accomplished: for he
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knew that absolution he must have, though he went oversea to gain it.
But when he had made this vow, seeing his costrel yet empty, he repented incontinent of that which he had said, for it seemed to him that perhaps for this promise he must indeed set himself to long pilgrimage, the which was little to his mind. And he thought
"Shall I do so great a folly as to leave my wife and honour and the great station in which I am, because this mad hermit hath set me a penance that I may not do? Verily I was but a fool to come to this confession, for only this morning I lived in ease, doubting nothing. It is meet that ill should come of such traffic. But now I will give back this costrel, and will go home; nor will I seek to get me shriven by this madman that hath vexed me thus."
Then he thought again, for indeed he was in great trouble and perplexity, "Yet, if I do this, what shall I say to him? Return? Folly! I cannot thus forsake that which I undertook, for he is no true knight that denies his promise, whatsoever it may be. I have sworn to do this thing, and I will hold to it: therefore I go my way and return not until this flask be filled with water to the brim."
Then did he depart from that place, but he went heavily, doubting whether he might accomplish this quest; for now he knew that God loved him not, because there was no good thing in him. And leaving his wife and his estate, this seigneur went a solitary penitent through the
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world, and whenever he came to a spring, or to any running water, there did he stay his steps and dipped his costrel therein. But in no wise could he fill it; and his heart was often wrathful because of this burden that had been set on him, for no peace could he get, neither of body nor soul. Thus did he go many months, by dust and heat, by rain and wind, by snow and frost, ever on foot and companionless. And it came that he wandered for two years and more, searching for the means by which his penance might be done; and now he was become poor, thin, and ragged, suffering cold and weariness, but still his vow was unfulfilled. And a great desire drove him, namely, that he might have peace with God; but no help would he ask, for by his own strength he was resolved to get it.
But it happened one winter's day that he wandered in a great and thick forest, and he was very weary and full melancholy, for he went ill-shod, and had but rags to keep his body from the cold. Therefore he began to bewail himself because of the exceeding great misery that he endured, and,
"Alas!" he said, "how foolishly have I lived, that have brought myself to this wretchedness, wherein I am robbed of all ease, and am like to die without honour upon the road! Was ever such unhappy knight? And yet, if at last I can accomplish this quest, I shall have no ill, but rather great blessedness, for then I shall be acceptable to God. Let me wander therefore in patience, for by my own ill-doing am I thus
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exiled from all joy, and verily he turns from good to evil that turns from the fulfilment of a vow he has made for this were a disloyal act."
And his heart being softened, he cried also to Our Lady, saying, "Alas! dear Lady, sweet Saint Mary, how greatly discourteous have I been to your Son, that He turns from me thus! Yet I know that I lead not this wretched life for nought, for some day my penance shall be done, and then by your grace I shall have great geurdon from God, Who lifts up sinners and comforts them when it pleases Him. Most glorious Virgin, will you not pray for me? for indeed I stand in great need of your compassion, and I know that you do most powerfully plead for sinners before God. And by my own grace I may never come from my sufferings, for well have I deserved them: and this no man knoweth better than I."
When Madame Saint Mary, that is full pitiful and kindly, heard this poor knight thus entreat her, and saw that he wandered solitary through the world because he had not the companionship of God, her heart was grieved for him: for she knew him to be a right loyal gentleman, that would never forsake the accomplishment of his quest. Therefore she came to him, where he walked in that dark forest: and she gave him counsel that he should return to the holy hermit with the costrel he might not fill and confess his failure with humility, asking his help for that he grew old and weary in this pilgrimage.
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When that knight heard the words that the glorious Virgin put into his heart, he was exceeding glad; and he turned back upon the road and went into his own country as quickly as he could, and to the cell of the hermit that lived yet amongst the rocks. And the hermit made for him right joyous welcome, as he did for all travellers that had need of it, though he knew him not for whom he was, because of his thinness and his sorry clothes. Verily, all the signs of his estate had long gone from him, and he seemed as some poor pilgrim that is glad to ask an alms.
But when that he made himself known, showing to the hermit his costrel into which no drop of water had yet come, then that good and holy man did recognise him indeed, and he gave thanks to Jesu Christ and to His glorious Mother with tears and clasped hands, because this penitent had returned in safety. Then made he the knight to sit down near him, and heard most gladly the life he had lived and how that he had been brought to discipline his flesh on this quest. And that knight told him all he had suffered, confessing very meekly that his penance was yet undone, for that no water would come into the costrel.
Then said the hermit to him, "Messire, know that by these griefs you have had you have gained great merit and great price. For you are quit for all your sins, in that you have borne this heavy penance of weariness and poverty, leaving your estate and honours for the getting
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of your salvation, the which God shall give you by His grace. And know that if hereafter you keep yourself at this point of virtue, you shall receive the crown of Paradise. Therefore may you now leave this costrel that you have carried with you, for I will give you another penance, the which shall be the ending of your grief."
But the knight, that had now a most ardent and an humble heart, and was altogether dedicate to God and to Our Lady, said to him:
"Nay, good father, this cannot be; for I will have no other penance while I live till this that was put on me for my sinfulness be done. Of a surety I may not leave a quest that is not ended; and I know that God will by His grace enable me to do it when my penitence is pleasing in His sight. Therefore when I have rested me and heard that which you would say for my admonishment, I will commend me to Saint Mary's guidance and go again into the world."
Then the hermit, exceeding joyful, praised God most heartily; and he spoke many comfortable words to the knight for his encouragement. And so did he do till at last the hour came when the penitent must depart from that cell and set himself upon the road again. So they made their farewells; and now the hermit wept greatly, being full of pity, and the knight wept also, for his heart was moved by Our Lady's grace so that he knew his evil state and had great grief of it. And he had still slung about him that costrel which he carried for his penance through the world.
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And it happened, by the sovereign mercy of Madame Saint Mary, and of her Son Jesu Christ, that one of his tears which he shed fell by chance within that costrel. Then God, Who hated him not—no, nor hateth any contrite sinner—did do for him great marvel: for that tear of penitence which he had shed so great did grow that it filled all the said costrel to the brim, and so his penance was accomplished before ever he set foot upon the road. When that knight saw this fair miracle greatly was he amazed, and he fell down upon the ground rendering thanks and praise to God and His Mother; and so also did that holy hermit, as indeed religion did enjoin. And the hermit took from him his costrel that now was full, and absolved him, saying: "Go you back now to the world, and to your estate and to your wife; for by Our Lady's intercession you are made clean and shriven. And set you ever to well-doing in remembrance of the grace that Our Lord her Son hath here shown to you: for unto the tear of your penitence He hath added the ocean of His Love. "
