Page:Aelfric's Lives of Saints Vol 1.djvu/453

 those also who touched any part of the shroud

in which she had been wound, were instantly cured; ii

and likewise the coffin wherein she had first lain

greatly benefited many persons, as the teacher Beda

said in the book which he wrote concerning this holy woman.

In like manner have laymen also, as books tell us,

preserved often their chastity in the marriage-state, for the love of Christ,

as we might relate if ye cared to hear it.

However, we will tell you of a certain thane,

who lived thirty years with his wife in continence;

he begat three sons, and thenceforward they both lived

for thirty years without cohabitation,

giving much alms, until the husband

entered the monastic life, and God's angels

came just at his death, and carried his soul

with song to heaven, as the books tell us.

Many examples of such are there in books,

how oftentimes men and their wives have lived wondrously,

and dwelt in chastity, to the glory of Jesus,

who consecrated virginity, even Christ our Saviour;

to whom be honour and glory for ever. Amen.

In the days of the noble King Eadgar

when, by God's grace, Christianity was thriving well

in the English nation under that same king,

God, by many miracles revealed

Saint Swithhun, [showing] that he is illustrious.

His deeds were not known before God Himself manifested them,