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HOW A CHRISTIAN OF BYZANCE DID BORROW FROM A JEW AND GAVE OUR LORD TO BE HIS PLEDGE
SO many things there are that must be told concerning the sweet miracles that Our Lady hath done, that I know not which to choose first. Therefore must I do as those that search for wild flowers in the fields; the which, seeing so many and diverse blossoms on every side, of red, white, golden and all fair colours, are fain for lack of time to pluck those that come first, waiting not to order them according to their several kinds. And thus will I do with those flowers of courtesy, the miracles that God's Mother hath wrought for our relief.
Therefore I will now tell of a merchant that dwelt in the great city of Byzance, of whom it is written that he greatly loved Our Blessed Lady. His name was Theodore. He had great wealth and honourable estate, living in splendour in a right fair mansion of that town. Every day his house was open to all that came; and he would have his friends ever about him, feasting and making merry, and gave great largess to them that asked it. Nor did he
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forget the poor, but made himself their friend, and was ever ready to relieve all that were distressed.
But so quick was this merchant at spending, and of so liberal a mind, that at last all his wealth was done; for that he made so many gifts to his friends and kindred and never would send empty away them that were in need. And at last he was brought to such straits that he must sell his lands; and when the gold he had of them was gone also, he set himself to borrow of his friends. But whatever they lent him he straitway spent again, nor could he refuse any that asked him an alms; so that he repaid his debt never. Therefore it came that after a while his friends would not lend to him any more, for though he had bestowed great benefit on them when that he was wealthy, little were they minded to bring themselves to poverty for his sake. Verily, he who borrows and pays not again hath soon lost his credit; yea, even though he be King of France.
Now was Theodore greatly troubled, for he was in much poverty and knew not what to do. He could not have his friends about him, for he might not feast them; nor could he give to the poor as he had been accustomed to do. And he was exceeding sorrowful that he might no longer give to any man, for he delighted in liberality. His friends turned from him and left him solitary, because he had so melancholy a mien, and that having fallen into poverty he no
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could no longer make them good cheer; and for this he was in great misery. And because it seemed that all had forsaken him, even God, and he knew not what to do, he went at last to a Jew that was an usurer, named Abraham, the richest in Byzance. And he demanded of the Jew that he should lend him money, that therewith he might go trading.
"For," said he, "all have forsaken me; friends, kindred and all those for whom I have given my riches, and something I must do, for that I am left in great poverty. But it is known that I am a merchant of skill and knowledge; therefore, if you will lend me the gold that I need, so well shall I cause it to increase by my trading that you will get great gain of it."
Abraham said to him, "This may well be; and most willingly shall I lend you all that you need if you will give me a surety for your debt."
"Fair and sweet friend," replied Theodore, "if, as I tell you, all have gone from me, friends, servants, kindred, and all those to whom I made gifts, how then can I give you a surety? For nought remains to me in all the world save my faith and my truth, the which I most willingly give you in pledge."
Said the Jew, “If this be all, I can lend you nothing; for little will faith and truth avail in the place of my gold, should you lose it."
"Fair brother," said Theodore, “if indeed a pledge you must have, then take in surety, I
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pray you, my God in whom I trust, even Jesu Christ my Redeemer, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Whom our most Blessed Lady, ever Virgin, did bear to heal our sin. For I will swear to you, oh Abraham my friend, by God and by His dear and sweet Mother Saint Mary, that if I repay not my debt on the day that you shall name in the bond, then will I give myself wholly into your hands, that you may sell my body into slavery or do with me what you will."
Abraham replied to him, "I believe not that Jesu the Son of Mary was ever God: but because He was a good prophet and just, and because you seem to me a man of honour and good heart, I will lend to you on His image and on that of His Mother whatsoever you desire. And if you make default, then shall you be my chattel, and I shall sell you into bondage for the repayment of your debt."
On these words, the merchant and the usurer went together to the church of the Virgin Mary that was in that city, and there in the presence of many witnesses, both Jew and Christian, clerk and lay, Theodore fell on his face before the image of Our Dolorous Lady that was therein, that holds her crucified Son upon her knees and shows His wounds to all the world ; and he cried to her with tears, saying:
"Most merciful Lady, because my poverty is great, I have now no other helper left but you: but I know that you are the friend of the poor, and therefore in you and in your Son I
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do put all my trust. And I make my prayer to you, that you will help me, and will intercede with Him that He may be surety for this my debt."
Then when he had made this orison, he stood up, and took the hand of the Crucified Whom Our Lady held in her arms, and said :
"Friend Abraham, here is my pledge: for by the help of our glorious Lady, I give you as gage her Son Jesu Christ, Who did make and create me, and by His Death did deliver me from Hell. Better pledge you could not have; for thus hath God Himself become my surety. "Thereon he did place the wounded hand of Our Lord within that of the Jew, that the pledge might be duly sworn; and when he had so done he kneeled down anew, and again made his prayer to Our Lady, saying:
"Most dear and holy Virgin, Queen of Heaven, in the name of your Son my Lord and God, Who lies here wounded for my sake, I do most heartily entreat your aid. Behold, I have given your Son's image in pledge for the moneys that this usurer hath lent me, for indeed He died to be surety for us all. Therefore I do beseech you, that if by any impediment I cannot return to this city and render to this Jew his gold on the day that shall be appointed in the bond, and I do render the said moneys back to you at the place where then I am, you will acquit me before my creditor and give to him his gold again."
Then when he had so said, he saluted Our
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Lady's image with exceeding great reverence; and he went from the church, and the Jew with him that he might have his loan. And when all was done, and Abraham had paid to him the gold that he needed, Theodore let buy a ship, and much merchandise wherewith he laded it. Then did he adventure forth with God to strange countries, where he traded the goods that he had with much profit, and without delay bought others to sell again, by the which he had great gain. Thus he prospered and grew rich; nor did he forget to render to the poor usury on that wealth which God had restored to him, but remembering the days of his poverty he was compassionate of their distress.
And trading in this manner, he travelled into distant countries that were far from the city of Byzance; and the years passed, till at last that time was come which Abraham the Jew had appointed for the repayment of his debt. And when that this term was but one day off, of a sudden Theodore remembered it; for indeed the matter had passed altogether from his mind. And he thought on his bond, and how that he had sworn to be sold into slavery if that he failed of his obligation. And greatly was he grieved because the time was so short and he could in no wise return to Byzance by the appointed day; for he lay with his ship in the haven of Alexandria.
So, being in great despair, he went into a church of that city, and there he did throw himself upon the ground before the image of
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Saint Mary, beating his breast and making his bitter complaint.
"Alas!" he cried, "Sweet Queen of Angels, most compassionate Lady, I am undone! for surely the Devil has deceived me, thus to make me forget the day of payment. Now must I go into bondage, as I did swear by your Son's image that I would do; for though I had the wings of a dove, yet could I not come to Byzance from the place where I am till that the appointed time has long been past."
Then did Our Blessed Lady come to the aid of Theodore her servant, and she put into his heart a remembrance of the prayer that he had made to her, what time he had borrowed the money on the surety of her Son. Then he cried out, and said:
"How greatly foolish am I thus to trouble myself concerning the matter of this debt! Our Lord Jesu Christ, did He not die for me upon the Rood ? Hath not His glorious Mother an infinite pity for all that believe on His Name? Whilst this surety I have, who can destroy me? Truly, I have but to render to her here the money I have borrowed; and if it please her she will give it back to the Jew, even according to my desire."
Then without delay Theodore got him a little casket, wherein he enclosed the whole of his debt, and locked it securely. And he went to the sea shore and there did commit the casket to the waters, recommending it to the care of Him by Whom both land and sea were
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made, and to His dear Mother Saint Mary, Stella Maris, Auxilium Christianorum. And of this he had great consolation, for now he knew that his fortunes lay altogether in the hands of Our Lord and Our Lady, than whom no man has better help.
Oh marvellous goodness of God! In that same night the casket did safely pass the waves of the great ocean, and came before the house of Abraham the Jew, where he dwelt by the sea shore in the city of Byzance, that was many leagues away. And it happened, that the servant of this Abraham issued forth from his house in early morning, and he saw the little casket floating near shore. Therefore did he advance to take it, for it was fairly wrought and he coveted it greatly; and he wondered to see it floating thus upon the sea. But behold ! as he approached, the casket did draw back; and whichever way he went to take it, still it retreated before him. And the servant, marvelling greatly that it beguiled him thus, called his master that he might see the miracle.
Then did Abraham come without delay, and saw the casket that floated near the shore beyond his reach. But when he came near it, greatly was he astonished, for forthwith the waves brought it to his feet: so that he stretched forth his hand and took it without difficulty, and he carried it into his house. Then, when he was alone, he opened it discreetly, and there did he find the gold that Theodore had placed therein, even the amount he had lent him: but he knew
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not that this was the quittance of that debt. Therefore he was exceeding joyous, accounting it treasure trove; and he took the money, and the empty casket he put at the foot of his bed. But he told the matter to none.
And after many weeks, Theodore the merchant came back to Byzance with all the riches that he had gathered in foreign lands: and because he had been fortunate, his friends made him welcome, and feasted him and had great joy of his return. When Abraham the Jew heard of this he was exceeding wrath, and he went, and sought out Theodore without delay: and when he saw him, how prosperous he was, he looked on him very severely, saying:
"Alas! Theodore, meseemeth you are a true Christian: for you come to us in your need, but when that you are prosperous you repay us not again."
Then did the merchant begin to smile, for he knew himself to be secure; and he said, "What mean you?"
Abraham replied, “I lent you of my goods all that you desired, that you might trade with them and restore your fortunes for that you had come to poverty. And you gave me your troth that if by one day you exceeded the time of repayment then should you be my man, that I should sell you into bondage. And behold the term that was appointed is already long past; nor have you done aught to repay me.”
Then said Theodore, "I owe you nought;
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for on the day that was appointed I did repay the whole of my debt."
Abraham answered, "Christian, these words avail you nought; for I have many witnesses that will testify of the money that I lent you, but you can have no evidence of this repayment of which you boast. Therefore you may not deny your obligation."
"I have," said Theodore, "that Lady for witness, whose Son I did make surety of my debt. And by her I will testify to you, if it be necessary, that I have sent you safely all moneys that you did lend."
Now at this, because the merchant was obdurate, Abraham was greatly wrath; and he replied to him that this thing he could neither prove nor do. And so high the words mounted between them, that at last they must go to the church where the pledge was given, there to settle their dispute: and great company of people went with them, for the matter had been noised abroad in their neighbourhood. Then, having come to the church, Theodore, for that he did put all his trust in God and Our Lady, went, and kneeled down right humbly before the image of the Crucified in His Mother's arms, Whom before he had given as his pledge. And he prayed with all his heart to Our Dolorous Lady that she would have compassion on him, and incline her Son to his relief. And he cried saying:
"Sweet Lady, Saint Mary, who didst bear in maidenhood my Lord and God, I humbly be-
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seech you to hear me to-day, that am your very faithful child and poor servant. And I entreat, most glorious Lady, sith that your Son whom you hold is most truly God my Redeemer, my surety and my pledge, that you will bear witness of the truth before this Jew that would destroy me: to wit, that I did render back again the moneys that he lent."
Then, to the great amazement of all that were in the church, the image of the Blessed Virgin replied to the prayer of Theodore the merchant: and it said, so loud and clear that all who were present might hear it:
"I am witness indeed that you have sent to this Jew the gold that he did lend, even on the day he ordained. And good proof hath he got, for the casket wherein you did place his gold lies even now at the foot of his bed. "
When Abraham the Jew heard Our Lady thus speak, he was greatly afraid; for now it came into his mind that this casket indeed had come to him on the waters on the day he had ordained to the merchant for repayment of his debt; and none save himself knew that gold had been therein, nor yet where he had bestowed it. Therefore, being brought to an exceeding fear of God's judgments, he did let know publicly that he had indeed found his moneys in that casket, the which by a miracle had been brought to his door: and because of this marvel he was converted to our holy Faith, and was baptized, he and all his family. And in remembrance of this favour that the Queen
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of Angels did for Theodore her servant, each year upon the day wherein she did witness for him, they do sing carols and hold solemn vigil in the Church of Our Lady that is in the city of Byzance. The which city the mighty Emperor Constantine, of great and noble memory, did afterwards cause to be called in his name, Constantinople
