Appendix ad translationem corporis S. Hunegundis
Appendix to the Translation of the Body of St. Hunegund
1.
71CSanctorum miracula describere, eorumque facta insignia ob posterorum notitiam chartulis imprimere, fidelibus non pigrum judicari ab omnibus apprime debet, honorificum simulque necessarium. Nam fabularum naeniae dum recitando fatuorum auribus in malum pronis ingeruntur, illectus animus torpet, mens hebet, et propria luce relicta deorsum fluit, corruptionis perniciosa lenocinia concupiscens, probitatis tramitem derelinquens; sicque fit ut cor insipientium auditis fatuitatibus per proclivia gradiens, nectat catenam, qua valeat trahi, tartarumque demum immergi. Verum sanctorum merita dum divulgata in auditum populi proferuntur, virtutesque eorum profectus gratia nuntiantur, fidelis mens de mortis somno exsurgens ad vitam, de tenebris infidelitatis exerit brachia ad studia sanctitatis: consurgensque ad prospera, inardescit ad fortia, malignitatis praecipitia praecavet piae intentionis iter arripiens. Taliterque perditionis nodis absoluta, libero pede festinat ad gaudia coelestis vitae, quatenus 71DDeum deorum valeat videre in Sion, id est in specula pacifice visionis. Quocirca vestrae, fratres, dilectionis charitatem quoddam non pigeat audire miraculum quod Dominus noster Jesus Christus in mutatione corporis suae sanctissimae virginis Hunegundis sua dignatione voluit demonstrare. De qua videlicet mutatione, quia occasionis articulus e vicino sese nobis obtulit, non fiat taediosum aliquantisper 72Cobtentu reverentiae immorari, ut qualiter facta, vel consummata sit ipsa mutatio, ad fidelium notitiam litteris licet imperitis queat pervenire. Habet enim mercedem suam piae devotionis affectuosa intentio.
1.
71CTo describe the miracles of the saints, and to set down their notable deeds in writing for the knowledge of those who come after, ought above all to be judged by everyone as no idle labor for the faithful, but honorable and at the same time necessary. For when the dirges of fables are thrust by recitation upon the ears of fools, ears already inclined toward evil, the enticed spirit grows numb, the mind grows dull, and, having abandoned its own light, it flows downward, coveting the ruinous allurements of corruption and forsaking the path of uprightness; and so it comes about that the heart of the senseless, walking down the slopes at the follies it has heard, weaves for itself the chain by which it may be dragged and at last plunged into hell. But when the merits of the saints are published and brought forth into the hearing of the people, and their powers are proclaimed for the sake of profit, the faithful mind, rising from the sleep of death to life, stretches out its arms from the darkness of unbelief toward the pursuits of holiness; and rising up to prosperous things, it burns for brave ones, and takes precaution against the precipices of wickedness by seizing the road of pious intention. And having in this way been loosed from the knots of perdition, it hastens with free foot to the joys of the heavenly life, so far that 71Dit may be able to see the God of gods in Zion, that is, in the watchtower of peaceful vision. Wherefore, brethren, let it not weary the charity of your love to hear a certain miracle which our Lord Jesus Christ willed to display, by his own condescension, in the moving of the body of his most holy virgin Hunegund. And concerning this moving — since the occasion of it has offered itself to us from close at hand — let it not be tedious to linger over it a little while 72Cout of reverence, so that how that moving was carried out, or brought to completion, may reach the knowledge of the faithful by letters, however unskilled. For the affectionate intention of pious devotion has its own reward.
2.
Anno igitur Dominicae incarnationis millesimo quinquagesimo primo, regni Francorum monarchiam gubernante optimo principe Henrico, Philippi regis genitore, abbate quoque Macario Humolariensis coenobii curam administrante, visum est fratribus beati Benedicti sub regula Domino militantibus, quatenus corpus dominae suae Hunegundis, si facultas suppeteret, mutari debuisset, ut cujus scilicet non ambigebant animam inter virginum choros honorari in coelesti thalamo, ejus gloriosum soma non negligerent in terris condere honorabili mausoleo. Erat enim id aetatis sacra margarita ligneo tantum involuta scriniolo, forinsecus aspicientibus vile praebente domicilium; sed intrinsecus servante admodum charissimum thesaurum. Ipsum vero aedificiolum 72Dlaminis ferreis adeo fuerat circumseptum atque praeclusum, cui introrsus inhaerebant ossa devotissima, ut vix aliquibus pateret apertionibus praeter admodum paucis artis mechanicae machinationibus. Eidem quoque aliud majusculum superpositum exstabat scrinium haudquaquam minori sollertia constructum, ligaminibus identidem ferreis et clavis quamplurimis munitum attentius, sagaci cura 73Aac industria altrinsecus vallatum, ne videlicet facile pateret captiosis, fraudulentisve ingeniolis. Praedari quippe minime cupit, qui sic thesaurum suum occultis atque firmissimis tectis recondit. Tali siquidem modo corpus Deo amabilis virginis Hunegundis fuisse conditum ab his qui viderunt nobisque retulerunt, accepimus a tempore scilicet inventionis atque translationis ejusdem virginis, quae celebrata est anno incarnationis Dominicae nongentesimo quadragesimo sexto, Ludovico regnante, Berta femina Deo sacrata tunc temporis Humolariensem regente abbatiam. Cujus inventionis necnon et translationis descriptionem simulque miraculorum insignia inibi divinitus declarata, volentibus agnoscere, claro stylo luculentoque sermone studuit elucubrare piae memoriae domnus abbas BERNERUS, qui Deo disponente primus huic successit locello, pulsis ob obscena carnalis voluptatis lenocinia, quae ibi erant, monialibus. At nos ista interim omittentes, coeptum opusculum prout valemus intendamus. 73B
2.
In the year, then, of the Lord's incarnation one thousand and fifty-one, when that best of princes Henry, the father of King Philip, was governing the monarchy of the kingdom of the Franks, and when the abbot Macarius likewise was administering the care of the monastery of Homblières, it seemed good to the brethren who serve the Lord as soldiers under the rule of blessed Benedict that the body of their lady Hunegund ought — if the means should be at hand — to be moved; so that of her whose soul they did not doubt was honored among the choirs of virgins in the heavenly bridal chamber, they might not neglect to lay away her glorious body on earth in an honorable tomb. For at that time the sacred pearl was wrapped only in a little wooden casket, which offered to those looking on from outside a cheap dwelling, but which within kept a treasure altogether most dear. And that little structure 72Dhad been so fenced about and closed up with iron plates — the most devoted bones clinging within it — that it scarcely lay open to any openings, save by a very few contrivances of the mechanical art. Over the same there stood as well another somewhat larger shrine, built with no less skill, likewise fortified with iron bindings and very carefully secured with a great many nails, walled about on both sides with shrewd care 73Aand industry, lest, that is, it should lie easily open to captious or fraudulent little wits. For he by no means desires to be plundered who thus lays up his treasure under hidden and most solid coverings. That the body of the virgin Hunegund, beloved of God, had been laid away in such a manner, we have received from those who saw it and reported it to us — from the time, that is, of the finding and the translation of the same virgin, which was celebrated in the year of the Lord's incarnation nine hundred and forty-six, in the reign of Louis, when Bertha, a woman consecrated to God, was at that time ruling the abbey of Homblières. The description of that finding, and of the translation as well, together with the notable miracles divinely made manifest there, the lord abbot BERNER of pious memory took pains to compose by lamplight, in clear style and lucid speech, for those willing to learn of them — he who, by God's disposing, first succeeded to this little place, the nuns who were there having been driven out on account of the obscene allurements of carnal pleasure. But let us for the present leave these things aside and attend, as far as we are able, to the little work we have begun. 73B
3.
Cum igitur coenobitae, ut praemisimus, simul cum patre spirituali ad invicem pertractarent, si quo modo ad effectum perducere possent, quod quidem summo affectabant desiderio, nec tamen inchoare praesumebant; fortuna loci summissius arridente, Dei providentia omnia praevidente, contigit quemdam virum de burgo sancti Quintini gloriosi martyris, mercimoniis atque mercationibus vitam suam deducentem, nomine Balduinum, causa devotionis animaeque profectu nostrum adiisse coenobium, quatenus mutuae dilectionis obtentu fratres dignarentur sibi suam largiri societatem. Quam petitionem fratres cum Patre libenti animo amplectentes propter illud Domini praeceptum quo dicitur: Date et dabitur vobis; et, eadem mensura qua mensi fueritis, remetietur vobis (Matth. VII, 2); et: Omne quod ad mevenit non ejiciam foras (Joan. VI, 37), societatem et beneficia loci, ut moris est monachis, ei gratanter impenderunt. Nam vir ille licet saecularis, religioni erat 73Cintentus, misericordiae operibus operam dans, fidei devotionem cordis intentione servabat, sicut rei postmodum patefecit exitus. Sumpto enim habitu eodem in loco, postea devotus exstitit monachus. Hac denique familiaritate illectus homo, monasterii frequentare curabat claustra, utpote quasi alter Adam factus ex fratribus. Unde accidit ut saepe veniens fratres susurrare super memorato negotio frequentius animadverteret. Sed quia incipere pavebant, ceu dictum est, ne videlicet juxta Evangelium illuderent eis dicentes: quia hi coeperunt aedificare et non potuerunt consummare; divino, ut est humana opinio, instinctu commotus praefatus homo (cupiebat enim et ipse honorare sanctae virginis artus) convocavit seniorum coetum, hujus allocutionis primordia libans: Quoniam, inquit, Patres venerandi, perpendo ex vobis quosdam vicissim serere colloquia, velle corpus sanctissimae virginis Hunegundis nostrae dominae, si facultas suppeteret, lautiori ponere loculo, corde 73Dexhilaresco, opemque meam pro posse promitto, opusculum duntaxat concupitum initiare ne moremini. Sin autem nequaquam tale inceptare audetis opificium, ipse ego super me totum negotium accipio, Deique omnipotentis auxilio fretus ad finem usque perducam, concessa mihi tantum populi oblatione. Quod cum audissent monachi ultra modum exhilarati, grates Creatori universorum reddiderunt, et in promissione sua virum benedixerunt, divinitatis praerogativam venerantes cum hoc tanto tam repentino tamque insperato gaudio. Quid opus est verbis? Sumpto siquidem vir ille negotio, componi fecit loculum opere anaglifario, in longum mensura duorum semicubitorum, altitudine continua ab utroque fronte cubitali, utrinque ab lateribus semicubitali, reliqua structura in altum decentessime 74Avergente, instar tabularum expressa, caelato atque sculpto elaborata opificio. In cujus superficie opusculi sanctorum apostolorum atque prophetarum imagines cernuntur expressae, perpulchris atque politis tabulatis fulgentis auri et splendentis argenti ter ternis utrobique in ordinem digestis iconibus. Sed et in una frontium imago sanctae Hunegundis sanctique Eligii Noviomensis antistitis, ejusdem virginis in baptismo patroni, conspicitur dignius elevata; in altera vero Christi Domini nostri majestas cernitur satis eleganter expressa, cujus regnum et imperium sine fine permanet in saecula. Quid plura? Accelerato denique simulque, ut dictum est, laute consummato opere, domnus abbas Macarius qui ea tempestate, veluti praelibatum est, loci Humolariensis res administrabat, domnum episcopum Noviomensem invitare curat, vicinosque asciscit abbates, domnum videlicet Girardum Insulanum, domnum Rainerum sancti Praejecti vicarium, 74Batque domnum Bonifacium Walerannum de Monte sancti Quintini, necnon et alios quamplures Viromandensis territorii satrapas et milites. Monachos quoque ac clericos huic actui interesse commonet, ne scilicet tam charum pignus absque notitia testimonioque honestarum religiosarumque personarum tanquam furtivum vel ignotum tractari mutarive clanculum videretur. Ut ventum est ergo ad constituti termini diem, in quo agi habebant haec, fama volante, quo alter non est velocior nuntius, fit conventus seniorum, occursus nobilium virorum rusticorum ac feminarum turba cum parvulis confluit gratulabunda. Nec immerito: existimabant etenim pro reverentia et honore debito tantae matri impendendo simulque intercessione se patrocinandos et pro forfactis suffragia postulantes, veniam se fore consecuturos. Interea loci reseratur gloriosi gazophylacii aditus, sublevantur adhibitis malleis cum cunctis ferreis ligamina sagaci cura innexa, evelluntur opercula, panduntur pretiosi somatis cunabula.
3.
When therefore the monks, as we have said before, were discussing back and forth together with their spiritual father whether they could in any way bring to effect what they indeed longed for with the highest desire, and yet did not presume to begin; then — the fortune of the place smiling upon them rather quietly, and God's providence foreseeing all things — it happened that a certain man from the town of the glorious martyr St. Quentin, who was leading his life by trade and merchandise, Baldwin by name, came to our monastery for the sake of devotion and the profit of his soul, that under the claim of mutual love the brethren might deign to grant him their fellowship. The brethren, together with the Father, embracing that petition with a willing mind on account of that precept of the Lord in which it is said: Give, and it shall be given unto you; and, with the same measure that ye have meted, it shall be measured to you again (Matth. VII, 2); and: All that cometh to me I will not cast out (Joan. VI, 37), gratefully bestowed on him the fellowship and the benefits of the place, as is the custom of monks. For that man, layman though he was, was 73Cintent upon religion, giving his effort to works of mercy, and kept the devotion of faith by the purpose of his heart, as the outcome of the matter afterward made plain. For having taken the habit in that same place, he afterward proved himself a devoted monk. Drawn on at length by this familiarity, the man made it his care to frequent the cloisters of the monastery, having become, as it were, another Adam made out of the brethren. Whence it came about that, coming often, he rather frequently noticed the brethren whispering about the business we have mentioned. But since they were afraid to begin — as has been said, lest, according to the Gospel, men should mock them, saying that these began to build and were not able to finish — the aforesaid man, stirred (as human judgment holds) by divine prompting, since he too desired to honor the limbs of the holy virgin, called together the assembly of the elders, pouring out the first words of this address: "Since, venerable Fathers," he said, "I gather that certain of you exchange conversations one with another, and wish to place the body of the most holy virgin Hunegund, our lady, in a more splendid coffer if the means should be at hand — my heart 73Dis made glad, and I promise my help so far as I can: only do not delay to begin the little work you have desired. But if you do not at all dare to undertake such a piece of workmanship, I myself take the whole business upon myself, and, relying on the help of almighty God, I will carry it through to the end, provided only that the people's offering be granted me." When the monks had heard this, being gladdened beyond measure, they rendered thanks to the Creator of all things and blessed the man in his promise, venerating the prerogative of the Godhead at so great, so sudden, so unhoped-for a joy. What need of words? Having undertaken the business, that man had a coffer put together in embossed work, in length the measure of two half-cubits, in unbroken height a cubit at either end, half a cubit at the sides on both sides, the rest of the structure sloping most becomingly 74Aupward, wrought in the fashion of panels, elaborated with chased and sculptured workmanship. On the surface of this little work are seen the images of the holy apostles and prophets set forth, with most beautiful and polished panels of gleaming gold and shining silver, the figures arranged in order three by three on either side. Moreover on one of the ends the image of St. Hunegund and of St. Eligius, bishop of Noyon, the same virgin's patron at baptism, is seen raised more worthily; while on the other the majesty of Christ our Lord is seen set forth with sufficient elegance — whose kingdom and rule abides without end forever. What more? At last, the work having been hastened and at the same time, as has been said, splendidly completed, the lord abbot Macarius, who at that season, as has been mentioned beforehand, was administering the affairs of the place of Homblières, takes care to invite the lord bishop of Noyon, and summons the neighboring abbots — namely the lord Gerard of Insula, the lord Rainer, vicar of St. Praejectus, 74Band the lord Boniface Waleran of Mont-Saint-Quentin, and besides these a great many other governors and knights of the territory of Vermandois. He also gives notice to monks and clerics to be present at this act, lest, that is, so dear a pledge should seem to be handled or moved in secret, as though it were something stolen or unknown, without the knowledge and testimony of honorable and religious persons. When therefore the day of the appointed term had come, on which these things were to be done, rumor flying abroad — than which there is no swifter messenger — there is an assembly of elders, a gathering of noble men; a crowd of country folk and of women with their little ones flows together rejoicing. And not without reason: for they reckoned that, by the reverence and due honor to be paid to so great a mother, and at the same time by her intercession, they would be taken under her patronage, and that, asking her suffrages for their misdeeds, they would obtain pardon. Meanwhile the approach to the glorious treasury is unbarred; the iron bindings, knit together with shrewd care, are lifted away, mallets being applied, along with all the rest; the lids are wrenched off; the cradle of the precious body is laid open.
4.
74CCaeterum omnipotens Dominus, volens suae sponsae honorare membra occulta dispositionis suae praerogativa, differri fecit mutationem ossium felicium diem usque in tertium, hujus apologiae, id est occasionis eventu. Episcopus quippe, in cujus dioeceseos procinctu situs est locus nomine Humolarias, regio impeditus obsequio atque negotio ad praefatum diem constitutum minime venit: quam ob rem compulsi sunt eum praestolari per triduum. Collocatur ergo venerandum scrinium, sicut erat reseratum, super geminas bases ligneas intra sancta sanctorum inter altare videlicet Dei genitricis semperque virginis Mariae, et altare sanctae Hunegundis in honore dedicatum. Inter tot denique devotae multitudinis millia ad tam claram celebritatem concurrentia, plurimi corporea mole debiles nituntur huic sanctae actioni interesse, utpote rogaturi Domini misericordiam suo quisque pro incommodo. Unde accidit divina, quemadmodum fati sumus, voluntate, quamdam 74Dpuellam nomine Emelinam epileptico morbo invasam, cum amicorum auxilio, spe recuperandae sanitatis ad monasterium deductam esse, in vico natam qui Herleius dicitur, super Somenae ripam situs, medius stans inter sancti Quintini castrum et Humolariense monasterium. (Epileptiam autem Graeci vocant appensionem mentis et corporis, quae passio, spasmos, id est contractiones membrorum generat, fit autem morbus iste ex melancholico humore, id est ex abundantia fellis fusi per membra, contingit autem per phantasiam.) Caeterum dum puellula pro sibi reddendo remedio templo fuisset injecta, sistitur coram altario sanctae Mariae virginis incomparabilis, quatenus ejus interventu sanctaeque Hunegundis intercessu pristinum consequi mereretur sospitatis gradum. Erat enim ipsa, de qua loquimur, 75Apuella adeo epilepsi oppressa, ut cujusvis quietis non admitteret moras, vim vexationis corpore monstrans gestu. Profitebatur enim se prae nimia gravedine morti appropinquare, spiritumque propemodum exhalare. Qua de re confluentia populi in admirationem conversa, pietate simulque compassione compuncta, lacrymarum imbres fundebat, pugnisque pectus tundens, Omnipotentem cum devota mente implorabat pro miserandae mulieris liberatione. At puellula inaestimabili poena multata nec ad momentum cessabat, diris vocibus oratorium spargens, seseque manibus feriens, capite vacillante mirandum cunctis per biduum nulla occurrente requie spectaculum praestans. Plebs ergo fidelium supero afflata spiritu, abbates cum fratribus exorat, quatenus charitatis obtentu miserandae mulierculae darent copiam visendi almae virginis Hunegundis ossa, si forte favente Christi clementia, aliquo modo mitigaretur incommoditas tanta. Concesserunt igitur 75Beadem et ipsi permoti humanitate. Quid ergo? dicam an sileam? quin imo pandam praedicandae virtutis evidentiam. Nam statim ut oculus ossa conspexit, intromisso vertice, totius corporis compago recepit optatam salutem, interiit dolor, sopitus est languor, avulsus est luctus, rediit pristinus corporis status. Quod cum vidissent qui astabant populi, benedicentes gratias persolverunt Domino Deo universorum, qui suos mirificat sanctos sicut vult et quando vult. Hujus autem divinae operationis, quam Jesus Christus Dominus et Deus noster dignatus est ostendere per merita gloriosae virginis Hunegundis ad laudem et gloriam suam, tot revera exstiterunt testes, quot contigit tunc adesse fideles.
4.
74CBut the almighty Lord, willing to honor the members of his bride by the hidden prerogative of his own disposing, caused the moving of the blessed bones to be deferred until the third day, by the occurrence of this excuse, that is, of this occasion. For the bishop, within whose diocese lies the place called Homblières, being hindered by royal service and business, did not come at all on the aforesaid appointed day; for which reason they were compelled to wait for him for three days. The venerable shrine, therefore, just as it had been unbarred, is placed upon twin wooden supports within the holy of holies, that is, between the altar of the Mother of God, Mary ever virgin, and the altar dedicated in honor of St. Hunegund. Among so many thousands, then, of the devoted multitude flocking together to so famous a solemnity, very many who were weak in bodily bulk strive to be present at this holy act, as being about to entreat the Lord's mercy, each one for his own affliction. Whence it came about, by the divine will as we have said, that a certain 74Dgirl named Emelina, seized with the falling sickness, was brought with the help of friends to the monastery in hope of recovering her health — born in a village called Herleius, situated upon the bank of the Somme, standing midway between the stronghold of Saint-Quentin and the monastery of Homblières. (Epilepsy the Greeks call a suspension of mind and body, an affliction which produces spasmos, that is, contractions of the limbs; and this disease arises from the melancholic humour, that is, from an abundance of bile poured through the limbs; and it comes on by way of the imagination.) Now when the little girl had been brought into the church for a remedy to be granted her, she is set before the altar of the incomparable holy virgin Mary, that by her intervention and by the intercession of St. Hunegund she might deserve to obtain her former degree of soundness. For the girl of whom we speak was 75Aso oppressed by epilepsy that she allowed no intervals of any rest, showing by the bearing of her body the violence of her torment. For she declared that from her exceeding heaviness she was drawing near to death and all but breathing out her spirit. At this the crowding people, turned to astonishment and pricked with pity and compassion together, poured out showers of tears, and beating their breasts with their fists, implored the Almighty with devoted mind for the deliverance of the pitiable woman. But the little girl, punished with unspeakable pain, did not cease even for a moment, filling the oratory with dreadful cries, striking herself with her hands, her head tottering, and for two days affording all a marvelous spectacle, with no respite coming upon her. The people of the faithful, therefore, breathed upon by the spirit from above, beg the abbots and the brethren that under the claim of charity they would grant the pitiable little woman the opportunity of seeing the bones of the kindly virgin Hunegund, in case perhaps, by the favor of Christ's clemency, so great an affliction might in some way be mitigated. They too, therefore, moved by the same kindness, granted it. 75BWhat then? Shall I speak or be silent? Nay rather, let me disclose the evidence of a power that must be proclaimed. For as soon as her eye beheld the bones, her head having been put within, the whole frame of her body received the health it had longed for; the pain perished, the sickness was lulled to sleep, the grief was torn away, the former state of her body returned. When the peoples who stood by had seen this, blessing him, they paid their thanks to the Lord God of all things, who glorifies his saints as he wills and when he wills. Now of this divine working, which Jesus Christ our Lord and God deigned to show forth through the merits of the glorious virgin Hunegund, to his own praise and glory, there were in truth as many witnesses as there were faithful who happened to be present then.
5.
Igitur super hoc facto abbates cum monachis congaudentes conferebant ad invicem, conveniens non esse mutationem ulterius differri, aut episcopalem praesentiam praestolari, viso praecipue hoc tanto dignoque relatu miraculo, ne scilicet populus longa jam mora protractus diutinaque exspectatione 75Cjam lassus pascere spes videretur inanes. Communi siquidem consilio atque decreto feruntur beata pignora in cryptam sanctae et individuae Trinitatis in honore dedicatam, retro ejusdem ipsius monasterii tribunal fabricatam atque contiguam. Hoc equidem gemina pro causa actitare studuerunt, scilicet ne vel in aliquo casu offenderent sanctitatis munera nimio tumultu sexus utriusque imminente ac premente, vel ne fragmina margaritarum coram idiotis atque imperitis hominibus pensare nescientibus homines propter homines contrectarent, eo quod dicitur: Nolite sanctum dare canibus, et ne spargatis margaritas vestras ante porcos (Matth. VII, 6). Unde ait Isaias: Secretum meum mihi, secretum meum mihi (Isa. XXIV, 16). Obseratis ergo firmiter ostiis quae a dextris et a sinistris cancelli eamdem cryptam petentibus aditum pandunt, circumdant beata munera pavitantibus animis ob exhibendam reverentiam. Haesitabant enim quisnam 75Deorum dignius contingere haberet a Christo concessa tam pretiosa donaria: sed demum consueti hanc tradere curam administrationem domno Gerardo abbati Insulano, quoniam erat natu major, aetate provectior, moribus gravior, religione devotior, piisque actibus proclivior. Ut quid moras innectimus? Suscipiens itaque abbas praedictus cum humilitatis subjectione confratrum imperia, exerit lacertos, seseque praeparat solemnius adversus votiva officia. Mutantur summa cum reverentia ossa felicia, locanturque decentiori in cuna. O felix virgo, quae quoniam in coelo fulgida degis in gloria, sic veneraris in terrena aula. O vere felix virguncula! cui sponsus ille coelestis arridens locutus est in Salomonis epithalamio: Veni, soror, mea in hortum 76Ameum, ut comedas fructum pomorum meorum, sponsa mea, columba mea, immaculata mea, veni de Libano, veni, coronaberis (Cant. IV, 16). O felix, inquam, virgo! quae sponso vocanti reciproca voce cum virginum choris applaudens, respondere meruisti: Curremus post te in odore unguentorum tuorum (Cant. I, 4), id est in fragantia tuarum virtutum.
5.
Therefore the abbots, rejoicing together with the monks over this deed, conferred with one another that it was not fitting for the moving to be deferred any longer, or for the bishop's presence to be waited for — especially now that so great and so worthy a miracle had been seen in the telling — lest, that is, the people, already drawn out by long delay and now weary with lengthy waiting, 75Cshould seem to be feeding empty hopes. And so by common counsel and decree the blessed pledges are carried into the crypt dedicated in honor of the holy and undivided Trinity, built behind the sanctuary of that same monastery and adjoining it. This indeed they took pains to do for a twofold reason: namely, lest in any chance they should give offense to the gifts of holiness, with the excessive tumult of both sexes pressing hard upon them; or lest men, for men's sake, should handle the fragments of the pearls in the presence of ignorant and unskilled men who did not know how to weigh them — according to that saying: Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine (Matth. VII, 6). Whence Isaiah says: My secret to myself, my secret to myself (Isa. XXIV, 16). Therefore, the doors having been firmly barred which on the right and on the left of the chancel open an approach to those seeking that same crypt, they surround the blessed gifts with trembling spirits, so as to render reverence. For they hesitated which of them 75Dshould more worthily touch such precious gifts granted by Christ; but at last they were accustomed to hand over this charge of administration to the lord Gerard, abbot of Insula, since he was the elder by birth, further advanced in age, weightier in character, more devoted in religion, and more inclined to pious acts. Why do we weave delays? And so the aforesaid abbot, receiving the commands of his fellow brethren with the submission of humility, bares his arms and prepares himself the more solemnly for the offices vowed. The blessed bones are moved with the utmost reverence, and are placed in a more becoming cradle. O happy virgin, who, since you dwell shining in glory in heaven, are thus venerated in an earthly hall! O truly happy maiden! to whom that heavenly bridegroom, smiling upon you, spoke in Solomon's marriage-song: Come, my sister, into my garden, 76Athat thou mayest eat the fruit of my apple trees; my spouse, my dove, my undefiled one, come from Lebanon, come, thou shalt be crowned (Cant. IV, 16). O happy virgin, I say! who, applauding with a voice answering the bridegroom who called you, together with the choirs of virgins, did deserve to reply: We will run after thee in the odor of thy ointments (Cant. I, 4), that is, in the fragrance of your virtues.
6.
Igitur duo militares viri qui aderant, solemnia peragunt munuscula. Nam hi summopere efflagitaverant, ut eis concederetur mutationi adesse, sanctaque ossa propriis conspicere oculis. Alter igitur eorum nomine Godefridus senior, pallium decentissimum sanctae virgini contulit in munus; alter vero nomine Rotbertus, cognomento Anguillula, seipsum ob devotionem per cervinam corrigiam servum obtulit, atque in exhibitione servitutis hortum jure praedii tradidit in villa quae Marceia fertur. Fratres autem non terrena, sed divina persolvunt officia, et venerationi, ut decebat, satis idonea. Clauso igitur 76Btandem cum diligentia solertiaque honorabili ergasterio, cum cereis et thuribulis et crucibus de crypta erumpunt, laetis apprime mentibus byssinis poderibus, id est albis, palliatis monachis; more patrum feretrum bajulantibus.
6.
Then two men of the knightly order who were present perform their solemn little gifts. For they had most earnestly begged that it be granted them to be present at the moving, and to look upon the holy bones with their own eyes. The one of them, therefore, Godfrey the elder by name, bestowed a most becoming pall upon the holy virgin as a gift; the other, Robert by name, surnamed Anguillula, offered himself out of devotion as a serf by the deer-hide thong, and in the showing forth of his servitude handed over a garden by right of estate in the village that is called Marceia. But the brethren pay not earthly but divine offices, and such as were, fittingly, quite suited to the veneration. So when at last the honorable workhouse 76Bhad been closed with diligence and skill, they burst out from the crypt with tapers and censers and crosses, with minds exceedingly glad, the monks robed in linen full-length garments, that is, in white, and bearing the bier after the manner of the fathers.
7.
Verum quia basilicae capacitas non ad hoc erat sufficiens, ut confluentis vulgi multitudinem recipere posset, in tantum quippe copiosa utriusque sexus exstabat ecclesia referta confluentia, utpote praestolante pro quo venerat sanctitatis dona, quod nec gestantes devotionis pignora valebant egredi per quae fuerant ingressi ostiola. Qua de re, consilio inter se habito, per ostium ejusdem cryptae in latere dispositum, quod est pervium euntibus ad capellam sancti Nicolai episcopi mirae sanctitatis confessoris, per claustrellum efferunt venerationis loculum; sicque per quamdam posterulam ejusdem claustrelli in maceria factam ejectum per pomerium atque cimiterium fratrum, ad alium identidem aditum, ignorante populo, perducunt. Sed rursus atrio, quod est pro 76Cforibus ecclesiae, gente rusticana redundante, vix cum ingenti luctamine per portam secus capellam sancti archangeli Michaelis sitam extrahunt. Tandemque impenso multo et grandi labore, jamque defessi in campum cultum prope xenodochium monachorum jacentem deferunt: quo in loco quadam providentia mensa lignea extensa, sanctum thesaurum in eum deponere atque locare festinant, cum reverentia tamen ut dignum erat, quatenus ab omni exspectantium, sed et desiderantium multitudine adiri et venerari absque gravedine potuisset. Siquidem tanta pullularat frequens populatio, quod nec totius villae capacitas ad capiendum sufficiens erat, sed circumquaque populi per agros vagabantur incerti, quo pacto vel ingenio quave ex parte templum adire quirent. Cum ergo dies jam inclinata esset ad vesperum, sole a meridiano fervore tepente, rursus Patres cum fratribus resumptis cero ferariis et crucibus, induti vestimentis albis sicut prius, gloriosum 76Drevisere satagunt loculum. Nam in principio reversi fuerant necessitate cogente, perpaucis inibi relictis, qui feretrum observarent, et eulogias atque oblationes susciperent, utpote populo plurimum gravedinis simulque molestiae inferente. Sumpto igitur cum diligentia pretioso gestatorio, etiam tum vulgo in vota grassante, cum honore digno et hymnidica pompa, non modica turba eos comitante, sanctas reliquias referentes in sanctam Dei Ecclesiam inthronizant, ac in sacro peribolo retro altare sanctae virginis Hunegundis intra pyramidem, quod nos oraculum dicimus, digno cum obsequio componunt, ad honorem Domini nostri Jesu Christi, qui cum coaeterno Patre et sancto Flamine vivit et regnat Deus per omnia saecula saeculorum.
7.
But since the capacity of the basilica was not sufficient for this, that it might receive the multitude of the crowd flowing together — for indeed the church stood so filled with an abundant confluence of both sexes, waiting as it were for that gift of holiness for which each had come, that not even those carrying the pledges of devotion were able to go out by the little doors through which they had entered. On this account, having taken counsel among themselves, they carry the coffer of veneration out through the little cloister by the door set in the side of that same crypt, which gives passage to those going to the chapel of St. Nicholas the bishop, confessor of wondrous holiness; and so, having brought it out by a certain postern of that same little cloister made in the wall, they lead it through the orchard and the cemetery of the brethren to another approach likewise, the people not knowing of it. But once again, since the forecourt which is before 76Cthe doors of the church was overflowing with country folk, they scarcely, with enormous struggle, draw it out through the gate situated beside the chapel of the holy archangel Michael. And at last, much great labor having been spent, and now worn out, they carry it into a cultivated field lying near the guesthouse of the monks: in which place, by a certain foresight, a wooden table having been spread out, they hasten to set down and place the holy treasure upon it — with reverence, however, as was fitting — so that it might be approached and venerated without oppression by the whole multitude of those waiting, and indeed of those desiring it. For so great a throng of people had sprung up that not even the capacity of the whole village was sufficient to hold them, but on every side the people wandered through the fields, uncertain by what arrangement or device or from what quarter they might be able to reach the church. When therefore the day had now declined toward evening, the sun growing mild after the midday heat, again the Fathers with the brethren, taking up once more the tapers and the crosses, clothed in white vestments as before, busy themselves with revisiting the glorious 76Dcoffer. For at the beginning they had gone back under the compulsion of necessity, very few being left there to watch the bier and to receive the blessed offerings and oblations, since the people were causing very much oppression and annoyance together. And so, the precious litter having been taken up with diligence — the common folk even then pressing on in their vows — with worthy honor and hymn-singing pomp, no small crowd accompanying them, carrying back the holy relics they enthrone them in the holy Church of God, and lay them with worthy service in the sacred enclosure behind the altar of the holy virgin Hunegund, within the pyramid which we call the oracle, to the honor of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the co-eternal Father and the Holy Breath lives and reigns, God, forever and ever.