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Article THE MONK OF ST. DUNSTAN". 4 ← Page 2 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Monk Of St. Dunstan". 4
place . The austerity of his life , his rigid observance of the rules of his order , and unwearied application to study , acquired for hini the highest reputation for sanctity and learning . ^ All the principal families in the surrounding country , attracted by his exalted character ,
resorted to him as their confessor and spiritual guide . In this capacity he became acquainted with the lady of a noble knight , whose beauty was the theme of universal admiration , and such was the power of her charms , that even the cold and stubborn heart of this holy father yielded insensibly to their resistless influence . So ignorant was he of the nature of love , that he knew not the motives by
which his conduct was actuated , and he gave himself up unconsciously to the absolute dominion of this insidious passion . The pleasure which he felt in her company allured him even from the deep seclusion of his chosen retreat ; and his frequent visits to her lord ' s castle he regarded as proceeding only from a lively interest in her eternal salvation , and an ardent desire that so fair a flower might be worthy of blooming in the gardens of paradise . But he was soon undeceived by a mournful event ; the lady died suddenly , and
was buried in the church of the monastery . The monk was inconsolable for her loss ; a large portion of every night he passed in the gloomy crypt , in which her unconscious remains were laid ; here he vented his sorrows in bitter tears , and wearied heaven with unceasing prayers to restore her to life . So sinful a request could not be heard in heaven ; but there was at hand a minister of evil , laying wait to catch unwary souls , but above all , desirous of ensnaring one who had long been the most zealous and formidable
antagonist of the powers of darkness . One night , his passion rose to such a height of wicked madness , that after exhausting himself with fruitless prayers to the heavenly saints , he upbraided them with ingratitude for not lending a more favourable ear to ^ the petitions of so faithful a servant , who had brought so many pious worshippers to their shrines , and to their altars so many costly gifts . "While he was in this frame of mind , he was startled by the sound of
approaching footsteps , and by the glimmering light of his lamp he perceived , hobbling towards him , an ugly , deformed old woman . Surprised at so strange an appearance , he hastily demanded , in an angry tone , who she was , and the cause of her intrusion . " Fair
words , good father , " muttered she in reply ; " you and I shall soon be better acquainted , or I am much mistaken . " He now recognised in her , a witch , who inhabited the neighbouring glen , arid was famed
through all the adjacent country as the " Crone of Dussindale . " The eye of the Clnirch had long been fixed upon her , but she had hitherto constantly eluded its utmost vigilance . Without giving her , therefore , an opportunity of explaining herself , he exclaimed abruptly ,
" Satan , avaunt ! Tempt me not—1 know thy cursed designs ; and by that dreaded name from which thou and thy legions shrink in terror , I defy thy power and charge thee to begone . ' " Nay , holy father , " she replied ; " ( ir . st hoar me ; hard words shall not shake my purpose . Satan , Beelzebub , or Baal ; call mo which you like—I
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Monk Of St. Dunstan". 4
place . The austerity of his life , his rigid observance of the rules of his order , and unwearied application to study , acquired for hini the highest reputation for sanctity and learning . ^ All the principal families in the surrounding country , attracted by his exalted character ,
resorted to him as their confessor and spiritual guide . In this capacity he became acquainted with the lady of a noble knight , whose beauty was the theme of universal admiration , and such was the power of her charms , that even the cold and stubborn heart of this holy father yielded insensibly to their resistless influence . So ignorant was he of the nature of love , that he knew not the motives by
which his conduct was actuated , and he gave himself up unconsciously to the absolute dominion of this insidious passion . The pleasure which he felt in her company allured him even from the deep seclusion of his chosen retreat ; and his frequent visits to her lord ' s castle he regarded as proceeding only from a lively interest in her eternal salvation , and an ardent desire that so fair a flower might be worthy of blooming in the gardens of paradise . But he was soon undeceived by a mournful event ; the lady died suddenly , and
was buried in the church of the monastery . The monk was inconsolable for her loss ; a large portion of every night he passed in the gloomy crypt , in which her unconscious remains were laid ; here he vented his sorrows in bitter tears , and wearied heaven with unceasing prayers to restore her to life . So sinful a request could not be heard in heaven ; but there was at hand a minister of evil , laying wait to catch unwary souls , but above all , desirous of ensnaring one who had long been the most zealous and formidable
antagonist of the powers of darkness . One night , his passion rose to such a height of wicked madness , that after exhausting himself with fruitless prayers to the heavenly saints , he upbraided them with ingratitude for not lending a more favourable ear to ^ the petitions of so faithful a servant , who had brought so many pious worshippers to their shrines , and to their altars so many costly gifts . "While he was in this frame of mind , he was startled by the sound of
approaching footsteps , and by the glimmering light of his lamp he perceived , hobbling towards him , an ugly , deformed old woman . Surprised at so strange an appearance , he hastily demanded , in an angry tone , who she was , and the cause of her intrusion . " Fair
words , good father , " muttered she in reply ; " you and I shall soon be better acquainted , or I am much mistaken . " He now recognised in her , a witch , who inhabited the neighbouring glen , arid was famed
through all the adjacent country as the " Crone of Dussindale . " The eye of the Clnirch had long been fixed upon her , but she had hitherto constantly eluded its utmost vigilance . Without giving her , therefore , an opportunity of explaining herself , he exclaimed abruptly ,
" Satan , avaunt ! Tempt me not—1 know thy cursed designs ; and by that dreaded name from which thou and thy legions shrink in terror , I defy thy power and charge thee to begone . ' " Nay , holy father , " she replied ; " ( ir . st hoar me ; hard words shall not shake my purpose . Satan , Beelzebub , or Baal ; call mo which you like—I