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THE MIRACLE OF A GENTLEWOMAN TO WHOM GOD'S MOTHER DID RESTORE THE SIGHT OF HER EYES
IN the city of Roc Amadour there was of old time established a right solemn pilgrimage of Our Lady unto the abbey-church of that place. There was her shrine set up, that was exceeding rich with gifts and treasure, and many fair miracles were done therein.
Now it happened on a time that a certain gentlewoman of the countryside, a very fair and gracious lady, did lose the sight of her eyes; for the which cause she was full of grief, as well might be. Alas! thus does it ofttimes befall them that abuse what they have; for this lady was a person of much beauty, comely and de- bonair, that greatly did misuse her gifts, in that being subject to vanity she governed herself so ill that her life was an evil ensample, a stumbling-block to many and displeasing to God. Therefore did He take her sight from her, because she had used it but foolishly, gazing upon worldly gauds and never looking on the light divine.
But when she found that she must live in darkness, this gentlewoman was greatly penitent
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for the many follies she had done: and being moved to put her trust in the infinite pity of the Virgin Mary, she vowed herself entirely to that Lady, and prayed to her most heartily, promising to amend her ways if that she might have her sight again. And being advised by a priest of her township, she undertook to make pilgrimage upon her feet to Roc Amadour, a long way and weary: and many of her neighbours went with her, for they were grieved for her misfortune, and hoped she might get great good of that pilgrimage. Thus they went altogether, a day's journey, and when they had come within sight of the abbey-church, that is, to the place that is called Mont Joye, because here the pilgrim's happiness begins, they stayed for to ask the blessing of God and Our Lady on the adventure; and all kneeling down right humbly on the earth, they made their devotions, saying the Salve Regina and Ave Maria, as their hearts did move them to do. And the neighbours called this lady that was blind by her name, and said to her that now she should have good cheer for her sorrow was nearly done, in that they were come within sight of Roc Amadour, and of Our Lady's shrine.
Then, when she heard this, that poor gentlewoman began to weep exceeding sore, and to call upon the Blessed Virgin Mary, saying, "Sweet and most piteous Lady! I entreat you by your holy name, and that of your dear Son that did have mercy on the blind to heal them, that you will look favourably on this poor
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sinner, the which is both sad and suffering.
Most glorious Lady, I know well that if you grant it me, I may regain my sight; for I am assured that in this your renown lies not. Ah, give me my sight again, dear Queen of Heaven, and I vow that from this day forth I will amend my life, and do all things that be pleasing unto you."
No sooner had she said those words of penitence, than great light came to that lady, the which had stood in darkness so long; for the glorious Virgin gave to her her sight again, and never in all her life had she seen more clearly. Then she began to cry with a loud voice, for she was exceeding glad and full of amazement, saying, "Dear Saint Mary! I see clear! Lady, Lady, I give you great thanks, for I know that I am altogether vile and have done nought that might deserve this sovereign grace." And gazing with much devotion on the shrine of Roc Amadour that was before them, she said also, "Levavi oculos meos in montes, unde veniet auxilium mihi," with many other devout psalms and lauds.
Then all the folk her neighbours that were with her cried out with joy, weeping because of the marvel they had seen; and they ran before, that they might tell the miracle to all the pilgrims that were on the road. And these came also, great company, hastening that they might see the lady for whom the Queen of Angels had done this kindliness: and all did gaze upon her, praising God and His Mother the while. So
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did they go, till that they were come to the precincts of the church; and they would enter by the great door into the nave, that they might go to the chapel of the Virgin and make their orisons without delay. But when that gentlewoman came to the church door, lo! she could in no wise enter it; at which she marvelled much, and so did her neighbours, and they let press and compel her to pass the threshold, but she could not do it for anything that might be. And at last, when many efforts they had made, she said to them that they must cease from it, for they did but hurt her body by their travail. "For well do I know,' said she, "that hands which we see not keep me from this door, and nought that you can do will make me to pass it."
And so it was, for though all the world had put its strength to the test, yet could they not have made this lady to enter God's House; for I would have you to know that she was unshriven, and till that she had made her confession her sins, that were many, held her back.
Therefore after a while, her friends went into the church and left her where she stood alone outside the door: and they took counsel one with another, and also with the priests of the place, what were best to do. Then said the priests that very surely the Devil had power over this lady's body, to keep it from the House of God. Therefore it were convenient that she be confessed there where she stood, for until she should repent her of her sins and be absolved, very certainly
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she might not come within the church to do her devoir, namely, to give thanks to Our Lady of Roc Amadour for the mercy she had had. And one of them, that was a discreet and zealous man, went out to the porch in his surplice to hear her confession; the which she did make full humbly, telling all her life that she had led and the many follies of it word by word, and how that by reason of her vanity she had led divers men to evil conversation and vile desires, grievously sinning against God.
And when this priest had looked upon her, that was indeed a very comely lady, having her head adorned exceeding sweetly with hair of golden colour, soft fine and plenteous beyond all measure:
"My dear sister," said he, "I am very sure that by these fair tresses of yours you have done great hurt to many souls, for all to whom you have shown them have desired you. And indeed such twisted locks and vain delights are but a snare of the Enemy, for though your head were apparelled with pure gold, yet had God preferred that you should wear the ornament of modesty. Therefore I charge you, if you would be shriven of your sins, that you let cut off these fair locks that have been so great an hindrance to your soul, and do make offering of them in honour of God and His Mother, giving thanks because your blindness has been healed. For when you are delivered from the bondage of vanity, very surely you shall see with a ghostly sight, that is with the eye of the soul, whereby we apprehend
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celestial things. Then may you enter the church to make your thanksgiving, and the fruit of your penitence shall be greatly acceptable to God."
The lady, being in great fear because of the miracle, and desiring also to be shriven lest her blindness come on her again, durst not withhold herself from this penance that was put on her; but she was exceeding displeased in her heart, for her hair was the greatest treasure that she had, and she was little minded to go all her days coiffed in the manner of a nun, the which became her not at all. But little time did she have to ponder the matter, for scissors being brought, straitway her confessor cut the hair from her head, so that nought remained of it to please the eye; and when it was done he caused it to be carried to that place within the church where are exposed the tresses of those women that desire salvation, as also the fetters of freed captives and other matters of like kind. And the gentle- woman having received absolution, behold! she entered most easily into the church where before she might not come, and led by her confessor did go to the shrine of the glorious Virgin, where, taught by him, she made her thank-offering, and also recited many prayers. But her heart was exceeding sore for the loss of her tresses, for she saw that her neighbours looked curiously upon her, the which she liked not.
Then when she had done, she went with the other pilgrims to an inn for to dine ; and all that were there gave her joy of the miracle, but little joy was in that lady's soul. And after dinner
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they set forth again by the road by which they had come, for they would reach home before night fell: and as they went upon the way, this gentlewoman, being no more in the church but having her face set toward the world, was full sorrowful thinking on her beautiful hair that she had left behind her, and how that when she came home they that had desired her would know her not because she was shorn. And she grieved much for that being full of fear and dread she had so easily been spoiled of this her treasure. Thus did she do and thus go, till they came again to the hill that is called Mont Joye, where first they had seen Roc Amadour and the comfortable vision of Our Lady's church.
There they stayed one for another, that those who lingered might not be left behind; and kneeling down upon the earth they made each their farewells to our sweet Lady, saying the Ave Maria.
But this gentlewoman, that had had so great a mercy, thanked her not at all, but cried with a loud voice and woeful, saying: "Alas, Saint Mary, what have you done to me? Behold, I came to you apparelled in much beauty, and you have robbed me of that which I loved: and now my heart has great dole because of the fair tresses I have left with you, and therefore I cannot be at peace." And lo! so soon as she had spoken, great marvel came on all that company; for in that instant, her hair that had been cut from off her came to her again, quicker than eye could close
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or open, and strait way her head was set about with golden tresses that fell in twisted locks to her waist, as fair as had ever been. But little joy did she have of it, for in that same moment the sight of her eyes that Our Lady had restored was taken from her; and she stood in great darkness, nor could ever see again the golden hair that she so greatly loved. For Saint Mary taketh not a grudging gift; nor doth she bestow her mercies on them that dispute with her the price of their relief, desiring the pleasures of the world along with the blessing of Heaven. And when the neighbours that were with this lady saw the miracle, they were full of amazement; but nought could they do for her, for well they knew that this was the judgment of God. And they led her to her home, and to her friends, and told them all the adventure, and the news of it ran through all the country, for indeed it was a very wondrous thing. And though much prayers were made to God and to His Mother, yet that gentlewoman got little good of it but stayed ever in the darkness to which she was returned; for little would it avail to restore the sight of the eyes to them that have the blindness of the soul.
Now this history should be a most precious ensample to all ladies, the which are greatly inclined to the sin of vanity, desiring in their folly to make show in the world and turn hearts from God by their fair appearance. These do search and find out how they may get false joys
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of their comely faces, taking pride in their curled tresses and fair skins, that are but a fleeting gaud agreeable to the eye of sense. But the eyes of the wise do rather seek to apprehend a spiritual beauty, that is a perdurable treasure most pleasing in the sight of God.
