HERE WE TELL HOW OUR LADY DOTH CHERISH HER DAUGHTERS IN RELIGION, THAT ARE BETROTHED TO BE THE BRIDES OF HER DEAR SON
SAINT MARY, Queen of Virgins, hath a very special love for those children of hers that serve her in the cloistered life, having given their troth to Jesu Christ her Son; and she watches over them right tenderly and shields them from danger if she can, that they may every one come safely to their heavenly nuptials, as did the blessed Saint Catherine. Yea! she rebukes them in their wrongdoing and strengthens them in their prayers, nor will she let any that have given themselves into her keeping escape out of her hand.
Many are the snares that Sathan sets to tempt Our Lady's daughters from their home. For those that live in convents are, as it were, a company kept safe in a strong castle that is defended by the chivalry of God, where none may reach them from without to wound or slay; therefore will he use much guile to bring them from it, and set them again in the battlefield of the world. And he tempts them thereto
page 196
with earthly thoughts and vain desire ; yet Saint Mary is ever at their side to keep them from his hand, if they do but remember to call upon her name.
There was a certain young sister that dwelt in an abbey of nuns in England ; and she was exceeding fair of face, a most sweet and comely maid. Now because of her great beauty, a knight of the neighbourhood had long and ardently tempted his little sister with his love, that he might bring her from her cloister and lead her in the evil paths of sin; and being very young and ignorant, knowing little of the bliss of Heaven but greatly desiring the joys of our poor earth, she listened to his words. Then, because he was a courteous knight and debonair, she became inflamed with love for him, and forgat her profession and that Bridegroom she had wed, longing only that she might escape out of the convent and have joy of her lover in the world.
Therefore one night when all her sisters slept, this nun entered very discreetly into the cell of the sister sacristan, and took from off the hook that was above her head the key of the convent door that hung thereon; for she would fly to her lover that awaited her without the gate with promise of much happiness. Then, having taken the key, full swiftly she descended into the cloister, and would go to the door that was therein. And the night was exceeding dark, for the which cause this young religious was full of dread, being in the cloister alone; for she knew that God was not with her.
page 197
Now there stood in the said cloister an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that was there set up to watch over the comings and goings of her daughters therein; and when she passed this image, that nun, because she was accustomed so to do, tarried and saluted it very devoutly, saying, "Ave Maria! gratia plena, Dominus tecum!" for she loved that Lady well. And also she said, "Saint Mary, keep me!" being greatly afraid because of the darkness and the solitary place.
Then, when she had done her prayer, she kissed the earth and hastened very quickly to the door; for she was much impatient to be gone to the knight her lover, before her sisters should discover her flight. But when she was come to the door, and had taken the key that she had hid in the fold of her sleeve that she might unlock it, behold, she could in no wise make the said key to enter into the lock. And she tried this way and that, but still it refused her, as if some barrier stood between. All night she laboured to open the door, but nought could accomplish; for so soon as the key was come near to its keyhole, there it stayed and would not go in. And she was much perplexed, for she could not understand the matter. And so long she travailed, that at last dawn came, and fearing lest she be discovered, she went back full softly into the convent, and laid the key in its place whilst yet the sacristan slept; and she entered into her cell that she had thought not to see again, and laid her down upon her bed and
page 198
wept bitterly, for she was greatly amazed and much sorrowful because she could not open the door.
And the second night, so soon as it was dark, that sister rose up again and took the key from its place, and went down into the cloister; and passing by the image of Saint Mary, she saluted it right courteously as she had done afore. And all night she strove to unlock the door, but naught could accomplish, for still the key refused her; and she was wrathful, for she feared lest her lover grow weary, waiting so long. But when it was dawn still she stood within the cloister; and she went back to her cell full heavily and laid her down.
And the third night, as she went through the cloister, being full of melancholy because her travail seemed in vain, and now but little hope did she have that the lock would yield, she cried to the Blessed Virgin, and said:
"Alas! dear Lady, what must I do ? And what is the magic that constrains me thus? Verily, small skill should it need for them that have the key to open the door that leads unto the world; yet for all my toil I may not accomplish it."
Then went she to the door, and because she was now greatly impatient and lifted up with a passion of love for that knight her betrayer that had waited two nights in vain, with all her strength she strove to force her key into the lock. Nevertheless, she could not do it, for when it approached the keyhole there it stayed,
page 199
and press how she might it would not go in. And as she so laboured in vain, behold, of a sudden, she saw a hand, exceeding white fair and gracious, that was spread over the keyhole to cover it ; so that with all her travail she might in no wise force the key into the lock till she had pierced and wounded the fair hand that was between. And light came from this hand, that shone in the darkness; and she saw how that it was right cruelly torn and bruised by the great key that she did press into its tender palm.
When this she saw, much fear and dread fell upon that nun, and she raised her eyes, that had afore been upon her toil so that she saw naught else ; and there she beheld the glorious form of an heavenly Lady, that stood very meekly at her side.
Then this holy one spake, and saith to her: "What would you do, my daughter? Would you force your key through my hand? Verily, these three nights past you have done me great grief and anguish; yet have I not forsaken you, for that a little while since you did implore me to keep you safe and sound."
Saith the sister: "Let be, let be, gracious Lady, your poor child and servant, that I may unlock the door; for my lover awaits me beyond it, and I am greatly impatient to be gone."
The Mother of Mercy replied to her: "And is your lover to whom you would hasten more wise, more sweet, and more fair than my Son your Bridegroom? Think, my daughter, on
page 200
your vow of virginity, for this is a flower that, if any pluck it, you shall never have again. And because I would keep this flower to bloom in the garden of Paradise, therefore I have laid my hand, that you have wounded so cruelly for your desire, before the lock that should open to you the gate of Hell."
Then that poor sister fell down at the feet of the glorious Virgin, weeping right bitterly and bewailing her sin, and how that she had hurt God's Mother thereby. And that compassionate Lady raised her up with exceeding courtesy and loving kindness; and she carried her in her arms from the cloister and laid her in her bed in her cell. And the key she took in the hand that it had so grievously wounded, and hung by the head of the sacristan whence it had been withdrawn: that none might know how that one of her daughters had so nearly escaped out of her Mother's hands.
Now I would have you to know that for these benefits that the Lady Mary doth to us, she would have her daughters do her certain courtesies again; and especially does she love that we should keep her in mind of those joys and dolours of her earthly pilgrimage, the which mysteries her psalter, that is the holy Rosary, recites. Verily, they that so praise her, recollecting the gladness she had when Saint Gabriel did salute her, and when that our Saviour Jesu lay a Baby in her arms, shall have great gueridon ; for the joys and sorrows of Our Lady are every one jewels of great price.
page 201
There was a very pious lady that lived in religion, having taken on her the rule of an anchoress ; and she had a little servant that brought her meat and raiment to the anchorage in which she dwelt, that was set within the churchyard wall, for because of her profession she might not stir therefrom. And because she loved this little maid, yea, over and above that loving kindness that she had for all the children of God, this lady would teach her somewhat of religion, and of the holy courtesy that she should show our Blessed Lady, that thereby she might increase in godliness. But the child had no scholarship, to read or count withal; therefore her mistress taught her very sweetly how that she might worship God's Mother by the recital of her Fifteen Mysteries, telling them upon her fingers the better to remember how they came. Thus would she make her to say the prayers of the Five Joys, to wit, the Angelic Salutation, the Visitation of Our Lady, and the most blessed Birth of Jesu Christ her Son, and also His Presentation in the Temple of His Father, and the hour when His Mother did find Him disputing with the doctors therein; and whiles she said them she counted on her fingertips. In like manner, she would tell upon the middle joints Saint Mary's Dolours, that she had for the Passion of her Child; and her Triumphs she would count upon the knuckles of her hand. Thus those fingers wherewith this little servant did her devoirs in the world became also the instrument of her ghostly duties, and
page 202
she carried upon her body the chaplet of her faith
And it happened after a while that the child found the way of death and entered therein, and very sweetly fell asleep. Then was that lady anchoress her mistress full of grief, for she loved her well ; and she ceased not to weep and mourn her night and day, and pray that her soul might be at peace.
And when that she had so done a long while, and would not be comforted, behold the Blessed Virgin Mary, who appeared to her and said: "My sister, why do you weep?"
Answered the anchoress: "Lady, I weep for my little servant that is dead."
Saith the Mother of God: "Weep not, but rather rejoice; for here is my little daughter your servant, that has much gladness in the love divine. For because of that loving courtesy which you did teach her toward me, she has great reward, and being with me is blessed for ever more."
Then that holy woman looked, and beheld by the side of the Queen of Angels the little servant whom she loved; and the child held out toward her the hand wherewith she had made count of her orisons, and lo! on every joint thereof a fair ring there was, all set with precious gems. And they shone with a celestial radiance, making glad the heart, as do those Fifteen Mysteries that are set as an heavenly treasure in the Rosary that is Our Lady's Crown.
Now that we may know how great a matter
page 203
it is rightly to understand the recital of this devotion, I will tell here of a certain nun whose brother, that was a knight, was taken in battle and thrown into prison by the tyrant that was his foe. And when his sister heard of it, she was full of grief, for she loved him well. Then, because she had a great devotion for the glorious Virgin, and trusted altogether in her might, she threw herself down upon the ground before the Blessed Mother of God, and entreated her with tears and lamentations that she would come to her brother's relief. And her sadness was so great, that no other thing would come to her mind but the griefs that Lady had, to wit, the Passion of her Son Our Lord, and all His bitter pains; and therefore she implored her in this wise, saying:
"Oh, sweet Lady, Queen of Angels, whose only Son did die, as Scripture saith, 'ad praedicarem captivis indulgentiam, et clausis apertionem, ' being the Redeemer of our bondage ; remember now, I pray, how that you did stand weeping before His cross in misery, how that you heard the sighs of His anguish and could help Him not! Remember how His sacred flesh was torn with wounds, and how that your soul was torn thereby! Remember the hours wherein your Son hung upon the tree for the healing of human pain! Lo! even as you were intolerably grieved for His torments, so is my heart cruelly torn for my brother's captivity. By your sorrows, therefore, oh pitiful Lady, I confide my sorrows unto you ; and I offer to
page 204
you, oh Virgin of Virgins, my contrite soul to be a partaker in your griefs for evermore, if you will but bring my brother out of the prison wherein he lies."
Now as thus she spoke in her misery, there appeared before that nun the glorious Queen of Heaven, Mother of God ; the which saith to her:
" Daughter, why do you call on me in this manner? Why do you invoke my sorrows and tears, reminding me only of the death of my dear Son and all the anguish that I then endured? Why do you not rather entreat me in the name of that Ineffable Joy which was shed abroad through all the world for the redemption of man in the hour when I gave Him birth? For it is greatly pleasing to me that these glad mysteries be kept in remembrance, and I love very dearly all my children that bring them often to my mind, and will give them for my joy's sake all the happiness I can. But you, daughter, were so greatly taken up with your own grief that you thought not of my gladness; nevertheless, for the fervour of your prayer I will bring your brother out of the durance in which he is. But that he may have his freedom, you must give your soul in ransom into my hands, and I will bring it out of the prison of the world to that place where it shall be purged of the sin of melancholy and learn the gladness of the saints ; the which, heeding not their pains and travail, rejoice without ceasing in the joy divine. "
page 205
This said, that Blessed Lady vanished away; and the nun was alone, for the vision was at an end. And at the same time, the Queen of Heaven came to the prison where that knight was captive, and she opened the door of it, and took him by the hand, and led him forth very sweetly, saying:
" Come! for I have received the price of your ransom and you are free."
And he came forth full of joy, and went straightway to his sister in religion, the which received him very gladly, giving thanks to the glorious Virgin because she had heard her daughter's prayer. And at once she lay down upon her bed exceeding meekly, and desired that she might be shriven ; for she knew that she must die. Then came all the convent, making great moan, for they loved this sister well; and they let fetch a priest that she might be confessed, and partake of her Saviour to strengthen her upon the way. And so soon as she had that Blessed Food, she gave her soul very humbly into Our Lady's hands that required it ; and was departed out of this world to that place where her spirit should be cleansed.
Now by this ensample we may learn in what manner the Blessed Virgin Mother of God would have us call upon her; how that she would have us remember the Angelic Salutation, and put her in frequent mind of her Son's Ineffable Birth. For greatly does it pleasure her to recollect how in that hour she heard the choirs of angels that hymned her, and also the
page 206
rejoicings of the shepherds, and the kings that came from Chaldea led by a star. And we should also commemorate and applaud the triumphs of the glorious Resurrection, and the forty Sacred Days wherein her Son did walk on earth. For she loves to ponder the glory of that Redemption which she did bring from Heaven into the world; and they that are her friends will ever keep it in her mind ; for inasmuch as they do celebrate these joyous mysteries so, by their might, will she bring them to a perdurable joy.
