Page:Readings in European History Vol 1.djvu/372

 336 Readings in European History 130. The pilgrimage of Udal- richto Jerusalem. pilgrimages as that described below had begun long before the crusades 1 and continued long after the mili- tary expeditions ceased. The holy Udalrich, having spent some time at home, began to be oppressed in soul lest the duties imposed upon him by his uncle 2 were not sufficiently pleasing to God. Wishing, therefore, to be free and entirely unhampered in order to make a pilgrimage for Christ's sake, he gave up his benefices and started for Jerusalem. He took with him his servant, who was at the same time his almoner, and a single horse. From the day he left Freising until he entered Jerusalem he never mounted his horse until he had repeated the Psalter from beginning to end, in the meanwhile ordering Martin, his servant, to ride, and meditating long, perchance, by the way. When at last this saintly man reached the holy places, it is not possible to relate with what emotion he greeted the memorials of the birth, passion, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord, with what genuflections he adored them, and with what floods of tears he watered them. The simple strength of his prayer and supplication exceeds the power of words. He literally fulfilled the utterances of the Psalm- ist : " I am weary with my groaning ; all the night make I my bed to swim ; I water my couch with my tears." His com- panions were filled with astonishment, and as for himself, he lost his eyesight before his time, as will appear later. God had given him outpourings from above and from below, that is, compunction due not only to his love of the celestial kingdom, but springing also from his apprehension of the torments of hell-; but perfect love casteth out fear. At last, asked by one of his associates why he bemoaned him- self so long every night and permitted no one about him to sleep, and why he did not spare his failing eyes, he replied that he was tired of the long pilgrimage in this world, that he longed to die and be with Christ, nor was he troubled over the failing light. 1 See, for example, that spoken of above, p. 267. 2 The bishop of Freising, who had given him certain benefices.