epeters.amorbidtasteforbones-第3章

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Old　Brother　Rhys；　who　was　virtually　senile　but　doctrinally　safe；　and　had　the　capacious　if　capricious　memory　of　the　very　old。　〃Brother；　can　you　tell　us　the　history　of　this　saint；　and　where　her　well　is　to　be　found？〃
　The　old　man　was　slow　to　realise　that　he　had　bee　the　centre　of　attention。　He　was　shrunken　like　a　bird；　and　toothless；　and　used　to　a　tolerant　oblivion。　He　began　hesitantly；　but　warmed　to　the　work　as　he　found　all　eyes　upon　him。
　〃Saint　Winifred；　you　say；　Father？　Everybody　knows　of　Saint　Winifred。　You'll　find　her　spring　by　the　name　they　gave　the　place；　Holywell；　it's　no　great　way　in　from　Chester。　But　she's　not　there。　You　won't　find　her　grave　at　Holywell。〃
　〃Tell　us　about　her；〃　coaxed　Prior　Robert；　almost　fawning　in　his　eagerness。　〃Tell　us　all　her　story。〃
　〃Saint　Winifred；〃　declaimed　the　old　man；　beginning　to　enjoy　his　hour　of　glory；　〃was　the　only　child　of　a　knight　named　Tevyth；　who　lived　in　those　parts　when　the　princes　were　yet　heathens。　But　this　knight　and　all　his　household　were　converted　by　Saint　Beuno；　and　made　him　a　church　there；　and　gave　him　house…room。　The　girl　was　devoted　even　above　her　parents；　and　pledged　herself　to　a　virgin　life；　hearing　Mass　every　day。　But　one　Sunday　it　happened　that　she　was　sick；　and　stayed　at　home　when　all　the　rest　of　the　household　went　to　church。　And　there　came　to　the　door　the　prince　of　those　parts。　Cradoc；　son　of　the　king；　who　had　fallen　in　love　with　her　at　a　distance。　For　this　girl　was　very　beautiful。　Very　beautiful！〃　gloated　Brother　Rhys；　and　licked　his　lips　loudly。　Prior　Robert　visibly　recoiled；　but　refrained　from　stopping　the　flow　by　reproof。　〃He　pleaded　that　he　was　hot　and　parched　from　hunting；〃　said　Brother　Rhys　darkly；　〃and　asked　for　a　drink　of　water；　and　the　girl　let　him　in　and　gave　him　to　drink。　Then；〃　he　shrilled；　hunching　himself　in　his　voluminous　habit　and　springing　erect　with　a　vigour　nobody　present　would　have　credited；　〃he　pressed　his　suit　upon　her；　and　grappled　her　in　his　arms。　Thus！〃　The　effort　was　almost　too　much　for　him；　and　moreover；　the　prior　was　eyeing　him　in　alarm；　he　subsided　with　dignity。　〃The　faithful　virgin　put　him　off　with　soft　words；　and　escaping　into　another　room；　climbed　from　a　window　and　fled　towards　the　church。　But　finding　that　she　had　eluded　him；　Prince　Cradoc　took　horse　and　rode　after；　and　overtaking　her　just　within　sight　of　the　church；　and　dreading　that　she　would　reveal　his　infamy；　struck　off　her　head　with　his　sword。〃
　He　paused　for　the　murmur　of　horror；　pity　and　indignation；　and　got　it；　with　a　flurry　of　prayerfully…folded　hands；　and　a　tribute　of　round　eyes。
　〃Then　thus　piteously　she　came　by　her　death　and　beatitude？〃　intoned　Brother　Jerome　enthusiastically。
　〃Not　a　bit　of　it！〃　snapped　Brother　Rhys。　He　had　never　liked　Brother　Jerome。　〃Saint　Beuno　and　the　congregation　were　ing　out　of　the　church；　and　saw　what　had　passed。　The　saint　drew　a　terrible　curse　upon　the　murderer；　who　at　once　sank　to　the　ground；　and　began　to　melt　like　wax　in　a　fire；　until　all　his　body　had　sunk　away　into　the　grass。　Then　Saint　Beuno　fitted　the　head　of　the　virgin　onto　her　neck；　and　the　flesh　grew　together；　and　she　stood　up　alive；　and　the　holy　fountain　sprang　up　on　the　spot　where　she　arose。〃
　They　waited；　spellbound；　and　he　let　them　wait。　He　had　lost　interest　after　the　death。
　〃And　afterwards？〃　insinuated　Prior　Robert。　〃What　did　the　saint　do　with　her　restored　life？〃
　〃She　went　on　a　pilgrimage　to　Rome；〃　said　Brother　Rhys　indifferently；　〃and　she　attended　at　a　great　synod　of　saints；　and　was　appointed　to　be　prioress　over　a　munity　of　virgin　sisters　at　Gwytherin；　by　Llanrwst。　And　there　she　lived　many　years；　and　did　many　miracles　in　her　lifetime。　If　it　should　be　called　her　lifetime？　She　was　once　dead　already。　When　she　died　a　second　time；　that　was　where　it　befell。〃　He　felt　nothing　concerning　this　residue　of　life；　he　offered　it　with　a　shrug。　The　girl　had　had　her　chance　with　Prince　Cradoc；　and　let　is　slip；　obviously　her　natural　bent　was　to　be　prioress　of　a　nest　of　virgins；　and　there　was　nothing　more　to　be　told　about　her。
　〃And　she　is　buried　there　at　Gwytherin？〃　persisted　the　prior。　〃And　her　miracles　continued　after　death？〃
　〃So　I　have　heard。　But　it's　a　long　time；〃　said　the　old　man；　〃since　I've　heard　her　name　mentioned。　And　longer　since　I　was　in　those　parts。〃
　Prior　Robert　stood　in　the　circle　of　sunlight　that　filtered　between　the　pillars　of　the　chapter…house；　drawn　to　his　full　imposing　height；　and　turned　a　radiant　face　and　manding　eyes　upon　Abbot　Heribert。
　〃Father；　does　it　not　seem　to　you　that　our　reverent　search　for　a　patron　of　great　power　and　sanctity　is　being　divinely　guided？　This　gentle　saint　has　visited　us　in　person；　in　Brother　Jerome's　dream；　and　beckoned　us　to　bring　our　afflicted　brother　to　her　for　healing。　Shall　we　not　hope；　also；　that　she　will　again　show　us　the　next　step？　If　she　does　indeed　receive　our　prayers　and　restore　Brother　Columbanus　to　health　of　body　and　mind；　may　we　not　be　encouraged　to　hope　that　she　will　e　in　person　and　dwell　among　us？　That　we　may　humbly　beg　the　church's　sanction　to　take　up　her　blessed　relics　and　house　them　fittingly　here　in　Shrewsbury？　To　the　great　glory　and　lustre　of　our　house！〃
　〃And　of　Prior　Robert！〃　whispered　Brother　John　in　Cadfael's　ear。
　〃It　certainly　seems　that　she　has　shown　us　singular　favour；〃　admitted　Abbot　Heribert。
　〃Then；　Father；　have　I　your　leave　to　send　Brother　Columbanus　with　a　safe　escort　to　Holywell？　This　very　day？〃
　〃Do　so；〃　said　the　abbot；　〃with　the　prayers　of　us　all；　and　may　he　return　as　Saint　Winifred's　own　messenger；　hale　and　grateful。〃
　The　deranged　man；　still　wandering　in　mind　and　muning　with　himself　in　incoherent　ravings；　was　led　away　out　of　the　gatehouse　on　the　first　stage　of　his　journey　immediately　after　the　midday　meal；　mounted　on　a　mule；　with　a　high；　cradling　saddle　to　give　him　some　security　from　falling；　in　case　the　violent　fit　took　him　again；　and　with　Brother　Jerome　and　a　brawny　lay…brother　one　on　either　side；　to　support　him　at　need。　Columbanus　looked　about　him　with　wide；　pathetic；　childlike　eyes；　and　seemed　to　know　nobody；　though　he　went　submissively　and　trustfully　where　he　was　led。
　〃I　could　have　done　with　a　nice　little　trip　into　Wales；〃　said　Brother　John　wistfully；　looking　after　them　as　they　rounded　the　corner　and　vanished　towards　the　bridge　over　the　Severn。　〃But　I　probably　shouldn't　have　seen　the　right　visions。　Jerome　will　do　the　job　better。〃
　〃Boy；〃　said　Brother　Cadfael　tolerantly；　〃you　bee　more　of　an　unbeliever　every　day。〃
　〃Not　a　bit　of　it！　I'm　as　willing　to　believe　in　the　girl's　sanctity　and　miracles　as　any　man。　We　know　the　saints　have　power　to　help　and　bless；　and　I'll　believe　they　have　the　goodwill；　too。　But　when　it's　Prior　Robert's　faithful　hound　who　has　the　dream；　you're　asking　me　to　believe　in　his　sanctity；　not　hers！　And　in　any　case；　isn't　her　favour　glory　enough？　I　don't　see　why　they　should　want　to　dig　up　the　poor　lady's　dust。　It　seems　like　charnel…house　business　to　me；　not　church　business。　And　you　think　exactly　the　same；〃　he　said　firmly；　and　stared　out　his　elder；　eye　to　eye。
　〃When　I　want　to　hear　my　echo；〃　said　Brother　Cadfael；　〃I　will　speak　first。　e　on；　now；　and　get　the　bottom　strip　of　ground　dug；　there　are　kale　plants　waiting　to　go　in　。〃
　The　delegation　to　Holywell　was　gone　five　days；　and　came　home　towards　evening　in　a　fine　shower　of　rain　and　a　grand　glow　of　grace；　chanting　prayers　as　the　three　entered　the　courtyard。　In　the　midst　rode　Brother　Columbanus；　erect　and　graceful　and　jubilant；　if　that　word　could　be　used　for　one　so　humble　in　his　gladness。　His　face　was　bright　and　clear；　his　eyes　full　of　wonder　and　intelligence。　No　man　ever　looked　less　mad；　or　less　likely　to　be　subject　to　the　falling　sickness。　He　went　straight　to　the　church　and　gave　thanks　and　praise　to　God　and　Saint　Winifred　on　his　knees；　and　from　the　altar　all　three　went　dutifully　to　report　to　the　abbot；　prior　and　sub…prior；　in　the　abbot's　lodging。
　〃Father；〃　said　Brother　Columbanus；　eager　and　joyous；　〃I　have　no　skill　to　tell　what　has　befallen　me；　for　I　know　less　than　these　who　have　cared　for　me　in　my　delirium。　All　I　know　is　that　I　was　taken　on　this　journey　like　a　man　in　an　ill　dream；　and　went　where　I　was　taken；　not　knowing　how　to　fend　for　myself；　or　what　I　ought　to　do。　And　suddenly　I　was　like　a　man　awakened　out　of　that　nightmare　to　a　bright　morning　and　a　world　of　spring；　and　I　was　standing　naked　in　the　grass　beside　a　well；　and　these　good　brothers　were　pouring　water　over　me　that　healed　as　it　touched。　I　knew　myself　and　them；　and　only　marvelled　where　I　might　be；　and　how　I　came　there。　Which　they　willingly　told　me。　And　then　we　went；　all；　and　many　people　of　that　place　with　us；　to　sing　Mass　in　a　little　church　that　stands　close　by　the　well。　Now　I　know　that　I　owe　my　recovery　to　the　intervention　of　Saint　Winifred；　and　I　praise　and　worship　her　from　my　heart；　as　I　do　God　who　caused　her　to　take　pity　on　me。　The　rest　these　brothers　will　tell。〃
　The　lay…brother　was　large；　taciturn；　weary…having　done　all　the　work　throughout…and　by　this　time　somewhat　bored　with　the　whole　business。　He　made　the　appropriate　exclamations　where　needed；　but　left　the　narrative　in　the　able　hands　of　Brother　Jerome；　who　told　all　with　zest。　How　they　had　brought　their　patient　to　the　village　of　Holywell；　and　asked　the　inhabitants　for　directions　and　aid；　and　been　shown　where　the　saint　had　risen　living　after　her　martyrdom；　in　the　silver　fountain　that　still　sprang　in　the　same　spot；　furnished　now　with　a　stone　basin　to　hold　its　sacred　flow。　There　they　had　led　the　rambling　Columbanus；　stripped　him　of　habit；　shirt　and　drawers；　and　poured　the　sacred　water　over　him　and　instantly　he　had　stood　erect　and　lifted　his　hands　in　prayer；　and　given　thanks　for　a　mind　restored。　Afterwards　he　had　asked　them　in　wonder　how　he　came　there；　and　what　had　happened　to　him；　and　had　been　greatly　chastened　and　exalted　at　his　humbling　and　his　deliverance；　and　most　grateful　to　his　patroness；　by　whose　guidance　he　had　been　made　whole。
　〃And；　Father；　the　people　there　told　us　that　the　saint　is　indeed　buried　at　Gwytherin；　where　she　died　after　her　ministry；　and　that　the　place　where　her　body　is　laid　has　done　many　miracles。　But　they　say　that　her　tomb；　after　so　long；　is　neglected　and　little　thought　of；　and　it　may　well　be　that　she　longs　for　a　better　recognition；　and　to　be　installed　in　some　place　where　pilgrims　may　e；　where　she　may　be　revered　as　is　her　due；　and　have　room　to　enlarge　her　grace　and　blessing　to　reach　more　people　in　need。〃
　〃You　are　inspired；　having　been　present　at　this　miracle；〃　said　Prior　Robert；　tall　and　splendid　with　faith　rewarded；　〃and　you　speak　out　what　I　have　felt　in　listening　to　you。　Surely　Saint　Winifred　is　calling　us　to　rescue　as　she　came　to　the　rescue　of　Brother　Columbanus。　Many　have　need　of　her　goodness　as　he　had；　and　know　nothing　of　her。　In　our　hands　she　would　be　exalted　as　she　deserves；　and　those　who　need　her　grace　would　know　where　to　e　and　seek　it。　I　pray　that　we　may　mount　that　expedition　of　faith　to　which　she　summons　us。　Father　Abbot；　give　me　your　leave　to　petition　the　church；　and　bring　this　blessed　lady　home　to　rest　here　among　us；　and　be　our　proudest　boast。　For　I　believe　it　is　her　will　and　her　mand。〃
　〃In　the　name　of　God；〃　said　Abbot　Heribert　devoutly；　〃I　approve　that　project；　and　pray　the　blessing　of　heaven　upon　it！〃
　〃He　had　it　all　planned　beforehand；〃　said　Brother　John　over