Page:Aelfric's Lives of Saints Vol 1.djvu/467

 and they  all  were  healed  in  one  day

through the  saint's  intercession,  and  went  their  way  home.

There was  a  certain  thane  in  England,  very  rich  in  possessions,

who became  suddenly  blind;    then  journeyed  he  to  Rome,

desiring to  pray  for  his  cure  from  the  holy  Apostles,

he dwelt  at  Rome,  but  was  not  cured,

for four  full  years;    then  he  heard  of  Saint  Swithhun,

what miracles  he  had  wrought  since  he  [the  thane]  had  journeyed thence;

then made  he  much  haste,  and  returned  to  his  own  country,

and came  to  the  holy  man,  and  was  there  healed,

and returned  home  with  perfect  sight.

Another man  was  also  blind  for  seven  full  years;

he had  a  guide  who  led  him  everywhere.

One day  he  went  out  as  he  often  did,

and the  guide  became  angry,  and  left  the  blind  man,

and ran  away,  and  the  other  knew  not

how he  should  come  home,  but  cried   to  God

from his  inmost  heart,   and  with  anguish  said,

' Oh  Thou  mighty  Lord  of  men  and  angels,

look upon  my  misery;    I  cannot  see;

and my  wicked  guide  hath  left  me  thus  alone.

Have  pity    on   me. Lord,   through    the    [intercession  of]    great Swithhun,

and give  me  sight  for  the  saint's  merits.'

Again he  cried  thus,  and  said  to  the  saint,

'Oh thou  mild  bishop,  from  whom  come  often  many  miracles

through the  living  God ;    I  pray  thee,  master,

to intercede  for  me  with  the  mighty  Saviour,

I believe  that  He  will  certainly  grant  thee'  [thy  petition].

Whereupon he  was  made  whole,  and  had  his  sight,

and without  a  guide  he  blithely  went  home  alone,

who a  little  time  before  was  led  by  another ;

and his  kinsmen  greatly  thanked  God  for  this.

Then AEthelwold,  the  venerable  and  blessed  bishop,

who in  those  days  was  bishop  of  Winchester,