Page:Aelfric's Lives of Saints Vol 1.djvu/455

 neither have  we  found  in  books  how  the  bishop  lived

in this  world,  before  he  departed  to  Christ.

Such was  their  carelessness  who  knew  him  in  life

that they  would  not  write  down  his  works  and  conversation

for future  generations  who  knew  not  his  power;

but God  hath  nevertheless  brought  his  life  to  light

by manifest  miracles  and  wondrous  signs.

This Swithhun  was  bishop  of  Winchester,

as it  were  over  Hampshire,  a  blessed  servant  of  God;

(there were  eight  bishops  between  him  and  St.  AEthelwold.)

Now as  we  before  said,  his  life  is  not  known  to  us,

save that  he  was  buried  at  his  episcopal  see

to the  west  of  the  church,  and  afterwards  covered  up,

until his  miracles  manifested  his  blessedness  with  God.

Three years  before  the  Saint  was  brought  into  the  church

out of  the  stone  coffin  that  standeth  now  within

the new  building,  came  the  venerable  Swithhun

to a  certain  faithful  smith,  appearing  in  a  vision

worshlpfully apparelled,  and  said  to  him  these  words ;

'Knowest thou  the  priest  who  is  hight  Eadsige,

who, with  the  other  priests,  was  driven  out

of the  old  monastery  by  bishop  AEthelwold,  for  their  misconduct?'

The smith  then  answered  the  venerable  Swithhun  thus,

'Long ago  I  knew  him,  sir,  but  he  departed  hence,

and I  know  not  for  certain  where  he  dwelleth  now.'

Then again  said  the  holy  man  to  the  old  smith ;

'Verily he  dwelleth  now  settled  at  Winchelcombe,

and I  now  adjure  thee  in  the  name  of  Christ

that thou  speedily  announce  to  him  my  errand,

and tell  him  truly  that  Swithhun  the  bishop

has commanded  him  to  go  to  bishop  AEthelwold,

and say,  that  he  must  himself  open  my  grave