Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/104

78 ventual church of St. John. They have ever since been an especial object of devotion to the faithful, certain indulgences having been, at Verdala’s request, granted by the Pope to all worshippers at her shrine. Here her bones still remain, and here it is to be hoped they will be permitted to rest in peace until the last trump shall once more summon her from her narrow bed.

About the same time another sister of the Order, named Veronese, started into celebrity from her extraordinary devotion to the services of the Hospital. This lady’s beauty was only to be equalled by her piety and modesty. Her virtues were indeed so pre-eminent that the legend which records her life asserts that three young men, dazzled by her charms, had on one occasion forgotten the respect due to her sex and profession, and were instantly struck dead at her feet. The tale concludes by stating that they were restored to life by her earnest prayers, and were themselves in consequence led to adopt a life of piety.

And lest it should be supposed that it was only amongst the ladies of the Order that this sanctity and devotion were to be found, history has also embalmed the memory of many members of the ruder sex, who, in addition to the chivalric exercise of their profession, rivalled in their religious zeal the piety of their fair sisters. Conspicuous on the roll were Hugh, head of the commandery of Genoa; Gerard Mecati, whose virtues are recorded by Paul Mimi in his treatise on the nobility of Florence; and Gerland of Poland, who was attached to the court of the emperor Frederic to represent the interests of his Or4er. Here he set such an edifying example to the dissolute courtiers of that prince that he established a very high reputation for sanctity. It is, however, much to be feared that he failed to work any striking reformation amongst the gay libertines by whom he was surrounded, and who were content to hold him in the highest veneration without being induced to follow his example.

It is difficult to conceive that whilst such shining lights as these were constantly emerging from the bosom of the fraternity, and who considered themselves privileged in dwelling within the circle of its influence, there could be much radically