AND HEREIN OF A MONK THAT WAS A PAINTER, THE WHICH PAINTED THE DEVIL AS FOULLY AS HE KNEW HOW
SAINT MARY, that is our dear Lady, had in the city of Auxerre a great and splendid abbey. Therein were many monks, good and devout men, that most heartily served God and His glorious Mother; for they kept their cloister and their rule, and were of an honest and an holy life. And the church of this abbey was made rich with paintings and images exceeding fair, for many skilled craftsmen were of that brotherhood; and these gladly gave the cunning of their hands no less than the inclinations of their hearts, for the greater honouring of God.
And this abbey-church had in the west of it a great portal that opened upon the city street, whereby the townsfolk might enter into the nave for the hearing of the Mass. And this door, that was for them an ensign of the heavenly treasure which their souls should find within, was richly arched and canopied right nobly with mason's work of fretted stone ; but its niches were empty and the histories that
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should complete it were not made, because none there were in the brotherhood that were fit to undertake it, for this was a great work. And whilst it stood thus, it chanced that there came into the Order a certain man that had been a painter in the world and very excellent in his craft; and now he wished, for a vow he had made, to take on the habit of religion. Therefore it seemed most right to the con- vent that this new brother of theirs, that had such skill in the painting of things, should be given in charge the beautifying and completing of that door which bade all them that were of the city to the mysteries of Holy Church.
"For," said they, "this art of his, that is so far beyond the common, shall there cause all men as they pass to think on God and Our Lady; and thereby religion shall be honoured, and our house also."
So was it done, and ladders were made, and beams laid on them that he might work without hindrance on every part of the door ; and loving both God and his craft very greatly, he entered upon the work with joy.
Now this was a man most expert in his art, that could handle both chisel and brush; having also that eye of faith which sees as in a mirror the very lineaments of things divine. And so great pains did he bestow upon this porch, that was the first fruits of his religious life, and with such gracious sights were his prayers rewarded, that presently it was all filled with fair figures,
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to wit the Blessed Saints that stand to guide us to the gate of Heaven. But without, above the lintel was a great space wherein no figures were nor tracery work. Here then were his ladders now set up, that he might make there a Majesty, that is to say an image of Our Lady Queen of Heaven reigning gloriously, and holding her Child Jesu in her arms: and this he did to show that she is truly Porta Coeli, that is, the Door by which our salvation doth come. And the said monk took great pleasure in making the image of the Most Blest, for he had her always in his heart. He made her as fair as he could, and her shoulders he clothed with the Mantle of Mercy, and on her head he laid the angels' crown. And he enthroned her in the centre of the portal, where all must see her as they passed; for was not the church dedicate in her name? Never had more lovely Lady held her court in that town.
Then, when this he had done, that painter mounted higher, even to the gable of the roof. There above all did he portray Our Saviour Jesu Christ, as He sits in judgment for the judging of all manner of men; stern of aspect he made Him, as in the Dies Irae He shall be, and a rainbow was under His feet. And he made at the right hand of this High Judge a Paradise exceeding fair, wherein one might see God encompassed by the angels, of whom this part was full. And after this, as tradition enjoins, the said brother made a Hell upon the other side; and he began to paint therein an
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image of the Devil with his horns and cloven feet, so hideous and so terrible to see that I think fiend was never fashioned of so great an hideousness before, no, neither in painting nor in stone; for none could look on it without fear. And so ugly was this history of his, that Sathan himself, who is in Hell, was angry thereat; for he is proud of heart and loves not to be brought into derision. Therefore he hid himself in the likeness of a man, and came from Hell, and appeared before this monk, that worked yet upon his likeness, making with great skill the red eyes of it, and the tusks that came out from the lips.
Then said the Devil to him, as a gossip might do that loved to watch others at their work, "Hahay! brother, what do you here, that you so horribly disfigure this wall? I know not of what you can be thinking, to paint upon a church so foul a form, nor what your Abbot shall say when he sees this handiwork of yours. Naught have I seen so hideous as this history that you have drawn, nor can I think that any man will endure to look upon it twice."
Then the monk laughed right joyfully, for he knew that his work was well done; and he answered: ''Fair and sweet brother, if God will aid me there shall be in all the world no better nor more hideous history of Hell than that which here I paint. It is plain that you are not accustomed to look upon the Devil; but, had you ever seen him, so ugly is he that you would take
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little account of this picture. And know well that if I can make it yet more vile than now it seemeth, that will I surely do; for he is indeed more monstrous than aught we can fashion of our utmost wit."
When Sathan heard these things he could no longer contain himself, for he was exceeding wrath; and, "Have a care," saith he, "for I am he whom you defame, and I will in no wise suffer your villainy. What boots it to you thus to malign the Devil? A pretty trade indeed, to bring scorn upon the Prince of Hell! If thus you do, you will make me to lose all the servants I have in this city, the which have served me truly all their lives; for when they see so hideous an image of their sovereign, they will cease to love me, and instead they will love that woman whom I see that you have made below, for that she hath great beauty. A sorry matter, that a wench should take from Lucifer his due! Amend, therefore, this work of yours, for it is but foolishly done. I did you never an ill, yet have you done me all the most grievous hurt you could. Is this the precept of religion? Efface this history whilst you may, lest I do you some evil, and make me in the likeness of a young knight that is valiant and fair. And I warn you straitly that if you do not, you will repent it. I go my ways; forget me not, for he that so doeth, doeth but foolishly."
Then Sathan vanished and went back into Hell; and the monk, that was the painter
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found himself alone. And he was much afraid, for he knew that he had spoken with the Prince of Darkness that was strong to hurt him: yet it seemed to him that some help he might have, if he but asked Our Lady for it. Therefore on the next day, when that the Mass of the Blessed Virgin had been sung, he kneeled down before her altar that was in the church right humbly, and cried to her with clasped hands, saying:
"Alas! dear Lady, what shall I do? The Devil has threatened me, and therefore do I stand in great danger; for I know that he is the master of all cunning and deceit, and can compass my undoing if he will. Certainly should I be his very good friend if I changed to fairness his likeness that is foul, and gilded it all about as he ordains. Then he might find many lovers in this city that now desire him not, and for this he would cherish me and hurt me not at all. Alas! poor wretch that I am! What have I said? Shall I serve the Devil? Shall I not serve God and His Mother? Verily, we are told that they are secure that love God and serve Him with good will; and I know that none can serve two masters, for if he please one he displeases the other. And I am assured that they do but foolishly that leave God to do the bidding of the Enemy in Hell. Rather is it my devoir to make hideous the image of that Enemy, that the more I may put him to shame and despite, for he tramples on God's service wherever and whenever he can. For this I hate him, as every religious should ; therefore I will
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take heart, and do him all the shame and grief I may, if God and Our Lady give me strength."
So it was that on the next morning this brother mounted again upon the ladders; and being full of good courage he set himself to his labours, to wit, that he might paint the most ugly and terrible Devil that ever limner devised. Monstrous and crooked he made him, with horns that grew from his forehead and hairy limbs like unto the beasts. And when Sathan, that was once a fair angel, saw himself thus made more hideous than tofore, and matter of mockery to all that passed, he was filled with rage, and he came and appeared to that painter in his proper shape, more vile and monstrous than our wit can fashion it, for it is the very shape of sin. And the said monk, seeing him thus, was so greatly affrighted that more he could not have borne, for indeed he was near to swooning with the terror of it.
"Monk," saith the Enemy, "I see that you keep not the rule of obedience as a religious should. Did I not charge you yesterday that you should cease this dishonouring of my person, and make me beautiful and gracious even as I am in the eyes of my servants, and as that woman whom you have painted here below?"
Now when Saint Mary heard the Fiend, that used her image with discourtesy, it vexed her much; and she put courage into the heart of this craftsman of hers that he might stand firm in her defence. And being renewed with great
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love of that Lady, he replied to the Devil right boldly, saying:
"How shall I do this? You speak but ignorantly, for it is the property of art to show all things according to their kind. Know that she whom you see there is the Queen of Heaven, you are but the Devil: therefore it is not meet that any offer you the worship that is her due. Had I fine gold here upon my palette, with that I would surround her as with an aureole, for she is holy; but your image I would encompass with foulness all I might."
Then said the Devil, exceeding wrathful: "I see well that you think yourself no man, but rather some angel, that you wage war upon me thus. Know then that you stand within my power and kingdom, for I am the Prince of the Air, and here have dominion to raise up and cast down as I will. Let us try together what helper you have to hold you secure in my realms withal, for you shall stay here no longer to defame me."
Then did Sathan hurl himself against those high ladders and the beams that were upon them, whereon that painter stood, that were so far above the earth and close beneath the gable of the church ; and he broke the ladders into many pieces, so that they fell down, and he with them, like a thunderbolt might do, even as once he fell from before the Throne of God. And the citizens that stood below to watch the painting were in great fear, looking for the death of that brother, for that all he stood on was destroyed.
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And indeed he fell also ; and he was in great anguish and torment, for now he thought that he was lost, and that the Devil would bear his soul to Hell.
But as he fell, he cried with a loud voice, saying: " Help me Saint Mary! Help me, or I die! "And after this he could speak no more, because of the quickness of his flight.
Nevertheless, Our Lady helped him; for as that he fell past that place where he had made her image, that was above the lintel of the door, she stretched out her right arm and took him, and drew him to herself and held him fast. And so well and safely did she hold him, that he received no hurt thereby, but rather a very great beatitude; and her Child, that is Our Lord Jesu Christ, held him upon the other side. So lay he secure between God's Mother and her Son, as those that call on them in peril yet may do.
Now when this miracle was seen of those that stood beneath, they cried out in their amazement ; and all the people ran to look at the marvel of the image that held the painter in safety, so that he was neither afraid nor suffered any hurt. For indeed he was far above the ground where none might reach him, neither had he any rest for his feet; yet he feared not. And all the religious of the abbey came, and the Lord Abbot with them, singing devout antiphons and psalms of victory: and when they had so done, and saluted full courteously that Queen of Mercy who had helped her
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craftsman in his distress, they raised a ladder of the Lintel that they might bring down that monk from where he lay. But little haste had he to descend, because of the great ease he was in. "For never," he said, "have I known so great comfort as this, that I was held closely in Our Lady's arms; nor would I leave it, but that I may serve her the better thereby."
So, coming to the earth, he entered into the abbey, and went straitway to kneel before the altar of the Blessed Virgin, that had saved her servant's soul alive when Sathan would have destroyed it. And he gave thanks to that Lady weeping; and he served her with his art all the days of his life, making many histories in her honour, the which were richly coloured with crimson and azure and set about with much fine gold. And in all things he worked right diligently for the glory of God and His Mother, and the putting of their enemies to despite. Thus will all prudent painters ever do; for good is it to serve such a Lord and such a Lady, that keep the body from pain and torment and bring the soul to a perdurable joy.
