Page:Aelfric's Lives of Saints Vol 1.djvu/235

 Then went  he  joyfully  into  the  temple,

with the  holy  apostles,  praising  the  Saviour.

Then all  who  knew  him  before  recognised  him,

and greatly  marvelled  at  the  poor  man's  healing.

Again, on  another  occasion,  as  Peter  journeyed

to visit  the  faithful,  he  came  to  Lydda,

desiring to  speak  with  the  brethren  who  dwelt  in  that  city.

There he  found  a  bedridden  man  within  the  walls,

called AEneas,  lame  for  eight  years.

Then said  the  blessed  Peter  to  the  poor  bedridden,

'The Lord  Christ  make  thee  whole,  arise  and  make  thyself ready.'

Then arose  the  bedridden,  loosed  by  Peter,

he who  hath  the  power  to  unloose

the fast  knots  of  olden  sins

in those  that  with  repentance  earnestly  beseech  him

to intercede  for  them  to  the  Saviour  Christ.

Then believed  the  men  of  the  city,  through  the  healing  of  the  bed-ridden,

in the  true  God,  and  submitted  to  baptism,

and those  of  Saron  did  likewise.

There was  a  city  hight  Joppa,  nigh  at  hand  to  Lydda,

wherein was  a  widow,  a  very  true  believer,

called Tabitha,  very  diligent  in  alms-deeds,

and adorned  exceedingly  with  good  works;

she became  sick  at  that  same  time,

departed from  life,  and  lay  in  an  upper  chamber.

When the  faithful  who  surrounded  the  body,

learnt that  Peter  was  at  Lydda,  so  nigh  to  that  place,

then sent  they  two  men  to  meet  him,

praying that  he  would  visit  them  without  delay.

Then arose  the  apostle,  and  quickly  came  thither.