Page:Aelfric's Lives of Saints Vol 2.djvu/315

 LIV. On the  very  same  day  Ambrose  the  bishop,

in the  city  of  Milan,  when  he  was  standing  at  mass,

fell asleep,  even  as  God  willed,

and no  man  durst  readily  awake  him;

nevertheless after  two  hours  they  awaked  him,

and said  that  the  time  was  passing  away,

and that  the  folk  were  wearied  exceedingly.

Then said  the  holy  bishop;  '  Be  ye  not  vexed,

it greatly  profiteth  me  that  I  should  thus  sleep,

for that  my  Lord  hath  revealed  to  me  a  great  wonder.

Know ye  that  my  brother,  the  holy  Martin,

is departed  from  the  body,  and  I  wrapped  up  his  body

with the  wonted  offices;  and  when  ye  awaked  me,

his headcloth  was  not  entirely  arranged.'

They were  astonished  at  his  words  and  deeds,

and learned  after  a  while  that  the  venerable  Martin

had departed  on  that  day  on  which  Ambrose  said

that he  had  been  at  the  holy  man's  laying  out.

Behold! blessed is  the  man  for  whom  at  his  departing

the company  of  the  saints  sang  on  high,

and the  host  of  angels  rejoiced,  and  all  the  heavenly  citizens

came to  meet  him,  and  the  foul  devil

in his  presumption  was  by  the  Lord  confounded.

The holy  church  is  strengthened  in  might,

and the  priests  of  God  are  glorified

by the  revelation  of  Martin's  departure,

whom the  holy  Michael  with  his  angels

and blessed  Mary  with  companies  of  virgins  received;

whom paradise  holdeth,  happy  among  saints.