Blanquerna

E MANNER WHEREIN BLANQUERNA W

For so long did Blanquerna continue to give inStruftion to his disciples that many grew they in number and marvel¬ lously did they learn of him, becoming noble preachers and mafters. Throughout all those parts there went out fame concerning the greatness of the doftrine which Blanquerna taught, and many other monasteries sent monks to him to learn that doftrine which he taught, and many disciples did the Abbot send to divers monasteries to become teachers therein, and many men from those parts endowed in that monastery chaplaincies in perpetuity for the repose of their souls. Great was the increase of well-being in the mon¬ astery by reason of the science that Blanquerna taught.

2. Now while Blanquerna was a teacher there it befel that the SacriStan passed from this world to the next. Blanquerna desired to be daily in contemplation, which thing he could not be by reason of the hindrance caused by his Studies, to the which he devoted himself very earnestly.

HOW B L AN Q VERNA WAS MADE SACRISTAN The Abbot and all the monks desired that Blanquerna should become Sacridlan, and that another monk, who had become a mailer in the science which Blanquerna had taught him, should teach the disciples in place of Blan¬ querna. But a short space before this time, Blanquerna had been ordained priedt ; with great fear did he receive that office, whereof he thought himself not worthy, and humbly and in secret did he sing his firdt Mass, without show of vanity soever. Blanquerna was eledted therefore to be Sacridlan. He kept the chapel in great cleanliness and did all that pertained to his office, and sang Mass daily, and the greater part of each day he spent in prayer. At vesper-tide he lay down to sleep before the altar of our Lady Saint Mary. The tears and the prayers of Blanquerna, who may recount them ? And the heights which he reached in his contemplation, who can tell them ? And the art which he had as touching the exaltation of his soul to God, who may know it ?

3. It came to pass one evening, after Compline, that Blanquerna was at prayer, and wept through the abundance of his devotion, and refledted that, even while the priedt sings Mass, there are angels who do reverence and honour to the Holy Sacrifice of Jesus Chridt their Lord. Very deeply did Blanquerna refledt after this manner. Now while Blanquerna refledted thus, he fell asleep, and in his dreams there came to him that which he had considered while he was yet awake. For by the influence of the ftrength of his imagination which he exercised while he was awake con¬ cerning the minidtry aforementioned, it seemed to him as he slept that he was singing Mass and that Saint Michael and Saint Gabriel served it. Two or three times did Blan¬ querna wake from his sleep that night, and each time did that same dream return to him. At midnight Blanquerna rose to ring the bell, and he said Matins with the monks. After this, he fell to prayer, remembering that which he had dreamed on that same night. While he yet thought 227

BLANQUERNA

thereon, he veiled once more to sing Mass. And when he was before the altar, it seemed to him that at either end thereof was an angel with wings, and that each angel held in the one hand a Cross and in the other a Book. Great wonder had Blanquerna at that vision, and he believed that it was with him even as it seemed ; but he desired not to proceed with the singing of the Mass until he had resolved his doubts. So Blanquerna fell once more to remembering the virtues whereby at every hour his needs were met: juftice brought to his mind his unworthincss to behold the angels; prudence gave him intelligence as to how, through the influence of his thoughts, and the weakness of his brain, which had been enfeebled by abstinence, vigil, fail and great watching, phantasy had represented to him certain vanities under the guise of truth. Fortitude Strengthened his mind againSt the imagination, which at times is of unruly imagining, whereby the bodily sight conceives certain vain similitudes which are contrary to truth. By all these virtues was Blanquerna aided, and he resolved the doubts which had come to him, and afterwards he sang Mass right devoutly as was his wont.

4. It came to pass one night that Blanquerna was in the chapel alone, and he thought upon the demons and upon the horrible shapes which they take when they desire to fill man with terror. While Blanquerna considered thus, he felt fear and terror enter his mind, and he had affright at being alone in the chapel, and had a mind to sleep that night in the dormitory; but he remembered that this was a temptation againft fortitude, and againft prudence, and that it was sent to him that fortitude and prudence might be exalted, the which exaltation they received when Blan¬ querna remembered the perfea power of God which could defend him as well in the chapel where he was alone, as in the dormitory among his companions. Wherefore Blan¬ querna was fortified againft the temptation and the fear which had come to him, and he fell to prayer, and remem-

HOW ULAN QUERN A WAS ELECTED ABBOT bered the great power of God, Who willed that he should be tempted after the manner aforesaid, that he might know that the power of God is as great in one place as in another.

5. In many a wise was Blanquerna tempted by day and by night, and as soon as he was tempted, he called to his remembrance the seven virtues, and according to that virtue which was the beft fitted to mortify the temptation, he adored God in those virtues uncreated which presented themselves to him through the remembrance which he had of the seven virtues created1 ; and the more Blanquerna was tempted, and did battle with the temptation, the greater exaltation had his merits, and he praised and blessed God Who gave him the occasion whereby his merits should be the greater, that the justice of God might grant to him great glory. Even so lived Blanquerna and served God, all the days of his life. Great was the virtue that God for His part showed to Blanquerna, and Blanquerna was as a shining light and a good example, whereby all the monks and all the people of that country were of holy life. And, through the holy conversation of Blanquerna, God granted His blessing to all the people and all the parts of that region, with wealth, peace and abundance of fruits both spiritual and temporal. So all blessed and praised God, Who had given to one man such great virtue, that through him many men had received many virtues by the grace of God.