Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Hooper.djvu/112

28 as much as she chose, the confessor said, "Madam, and dear daughter, people are very inquisitive to know for what strange reason you constantly wear that cover upon your left hand. Let me see it, I beseech you, that I may ascertain why it is concealed, and whether the concealment be pleasing to God." The queen answered, "Sir, my hand is diseased, and therefore I cannot show it." Hearing this, the confessor caught hold of her arm, and notwithstanding her resistance, drew off the cover. "Lady," said he, "fear not; the blessed Virgin Mary loves you; and it is she who hath commanded me to do this." When the hand was uncovered, there appeared four circles of blood. In the ﬁrst circle there were four letters in the form of a C; in the second, four D's; in the third, four M's; and in the fourth, four R's. Upon the outward edge of the circles, in the manner of a seal, a blood-coloured writing was distinguishable, containing the legend beneath. First, of the letter C,—which was interpreted, "Casu cecidisti came cœcata," [Blinded by the flesh thou hast fallen.] The letter D, "Dœmoni dedisti dona donata," [The gifts that were bestowed on thee thou hast given to the devil.] The letter M, "Monstrat manifestè manus maculata," [The stain upon thy hand discovers thee.] The letter R, "Recedet rubigo, regina rogata," [When the queen is interrogated the red marks will vanish.] The lady beholding this, fell at the confessor's feet, an with many tears meekly related her dreadful offences. Then being entirely and truly penitent, she was absolved; and a very few days afterwards, slept in the Lord. Her death was long lamented by the whole state.

My beloved, the emperor is Jesus Christ, who married a beautiful girl, that is, our human nature, when He became incarnate. But first He was betrothed to her, when the Father, speaking to the Son and Holy Ghost, said—"Let us make man in our own image, after our