No More Learning

3^ Their cell was afterwards to be seen in the village, Latinized, Zamiualia, now Zam-
taxat sedibus rusticanis et quidem ob silva- rum densitates ad sex millia passuum dissi- tis et circumseptis villse autem (verba sunt historise) antiquum nomen Gelx erat imposi- tum, a Flavo colore ut apparet, cujus re- gionesundecim ut nunc res sunt, ordine per- curram et quod in singulis rarum aut memo- rabile aimotabo. "—" Antverpiae Antiquita- tes," lib. ii. , cap. x. , p. 141.
3^ Genesis, xv. , xxiv.
33 Henschenius thinks this veneration might have been promoted by the bishops
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
Here the all-seeing eye was benignantly directed to the pious exercises and
3^
merits of our holy exiles.
Thus circumstanced, the holy Gerebern and St. Dympna spent many
happy hours, in considering the empty pomp of worldlings, and the wisdom of aspiring to Heavenly rewards. They often reflected, on the pains of Hell, and on the importance of securing their souls' salvation. So far as the con- veniences of their humble dwelling admitted, they fasted, prayed, and passed a great portion of their time, both during the day and night, in devout con- templation. To prepare their souls for these pious practices was a constant object of their solicitude. Strength of human affection was restrained by that chastened spirit, which arises from a true love of God, and from the eliciting of internal penitential desires. Pious exercises engaged their inmost thoughts, and regulated those ordinary relations of life, between the aged priest and his angelic ward. She listened to the words of instruction, that fell from Gere- bern's lips, as if they had been spoken, by the Holy Spirit of light and of truth. Filled with a love of holy chastity, her outward senses never embraced objects dangerously affecting the state of perfection to which she aspired. She felt most anxious, to fulfil all her duties, under the experienced counsel of her saintly director, and her more than father, in paternal interest and tenderness. Like Mary, who had chosen the better part, and who loved to place herself at the feet of Jesus,39 the docile virgin looked up to the venerable priest, for
support and comfort, in the laborious but consoling effort, to attain Heaven's choicest gifts. And when Jesus Himself commended his Virginal Mother to the chaste and beloved disciple St. John before expiring on the cross, this charge, so admirably fulfilled by His faithful and favoured evangelist,'^" was emulated by the holy Gerebern, who found in the forlorn and helpless Dympna all those motives for generous sympathy and warm admiration, which should engage the best efforts of humanity and of charity, in administering to her various necessities.
While the wicked king allowed all the worst forms of detestable passion to take possession of his heart, with the full resolution of proceeding to still greater lengths in the pursuits of his unhallowed desires, word was brought him, that his child had escaped from her father's house, and that she was alreadybeyondthereachofhispower. Thenewsofherflightsoonspread through the court. Grief oppressed the spirit of the king, when he learned how little prospect was held out, that presented a chance of recovering his lost treasure. Being ignorant regarding the course taken by the holy virgin of Christ, her father burst into tears and lamentations, like to those of David,
who wept for the loss of his son Absalom. 4' All the military retainers, ma- trons, and female servants of the castle, who had charge of Dympna from her very infancy, and who loved the noble child, on account of her good and ad- mirable dispositions, were overwhelmed with grief. Throughout the house- hold, lamentations for her loss were heard; it seemed, as if the sudden announcement of her escape added a greater poignancy to their bereave- ment and affliction. For, in her demeanour towards these domestics, an innate grace and benignity, partly the result of her accomplished training and exalted rank, but arising more from the good natural dispositions of her soul, drew all hearts to entertain most affectionate regards for the noble girl, and to cause that vehement grief now manifested. The chiefs and magistrates of
the king endeavoured to offer consolation, but he would not attend to their
male, which derived its signification from the sandy nature of the soil, " quasi Zant-mail," says the foregoing writer.
^9 John, xi. , 32.
*" John, xix. , 26, 27. ' II. Kings, xviii. , 33.
303
304
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
words. All the demonstrations of his grief became more violent, and like Jacob mourning for his son Joseph,*^ this king bewailed the absence of Dympna,asifshehadbeendevouredbyawildbeast. Inaheart,notchas- tened by the stroke of adversity, and wholly a prey to unnatural passion, the fire of concupiscence smoulders with the strength and permanence of that fur- nace, which heaves the volcanic mountain, and bursts forth in a torrent of destructive velocity. And greater the force becomes, when deprived of that object, which might soon serve to satiate, but not control it. While weep- ing for his absent daughter, the king frequently recalled to his recollection the winning grace and elegance of her features and figure, the native simpli- city and modesty of her carriage, with that ease and dignity of manner, which so greatly distinguished Dympna, amongst other children of her age, sex, and position. But, alas ! parental affection was debased in the soul of this pagan king, and few right-judging persons could feel a sympathy for his loss of a child, who had already chosen the better and nobler part.
We may well imagine, however, that the dynast did not long indulge his grief, in this passive state of useless lamentation ; for, with his usual energy of action, orders were at once issued to his messengers, that they must repair through distant nations in quest of the princess, and return with an account, astowhethershemightbefoundlivingordead. Themessengerslostlittle time, in complying with their instructions, and no expense was spared for their outfit. They cheerfully undertook labours and hardships, necessary for this investigation, and manifested the greatest zeal in their master's service. But, the king himself felt a desire, to participate personally in that search ; and, he travelled to all the neighbouring towns and cities, even through de- serted and wild forests and mountains, in quest of the necessary information. At length—having probably obtained some accurate account—he resolved to tempt the dangers of ocean ; and, accordingly, he gave orders, to have some vessels loaded with men and provisions, to undertake his meditated voyage.
Having embarked, his mariners loosed their sails, bent on their oars, and soon cleared the port. After getting out into the sea, a swift passage brought them overthedepthsandshallows,whichledtothepresentcityofAntwerp. It Avasthenthesiteforafortoranencampment. Whenthevesselsweresafely moored, the king ai)d his retinue landed, and proceeded through the midst of a curious crowd, to seek a lodging on shore. The image of his self-exiled daufThter, during this adventure, seems to have been vividly present to his mind, and this stimulus tended to expedite all his movements. So much more actively do men engage in human pursuits and pur])oses, than in quest of those lasting labours, that gain for them an imperishable crown.
Having so far succeeded, in moving with his retinue towards the very spot, where his daughter disembarked, we need hardly wonder, if information could much longer be withheld, as to the course taken by the fugitive virgin. While fluctuating between the fear and hope of accomplishing an object for which he had proceeded so far, the king sent other messengers to the adjoining dis- tricts, for the purpose of discovering his daughter's place of retreat. He desired them, to institute all necessary inquiries, and, if possible, to bring him some information, which might tend to solace and to appease the conflicting tumult within his mind. It is the property of love, to anticipate possession of the object, which is so earnestly coveted ; nor can men's thoughts be diverted, from what they hope to enjoy. However opposed to the dictates of sound reason, judgment, or moderation, still hope sustains the lover,
*^ Genesis, xxxvii. , 33, 34. Zammel. For many ages, it belongcvl to *' This is now an important town, near the noble family of Merode, "a qua Philip-
305
through adverse trials and disappointments. Happy, indeed, should it prove to him, if the object of his pursuit were found unalloyed, by a reference to corruptible things.
Obeying the command of their ruler, the messengers set out through deserted and inhospitable regions, until some of them came to a small rural village, anciently called Westerloo,43 and situated on the Great Nethes river, which flows into the Schelde. Here, the king's servants were lodged and en- tertained at an inn,'*'* for the night ; and, when they were preparing for depar- ture, on the day following, a bill of those expenses they had incurred was demanded from their hospitaller. The travellers had been liberally supplied with money, by the king, to defray all the charges of their journey. When the host received this money, he at once remar^ved, that he had in his posses- sion coins, exactly resembling those presented, although he was entirely igno- rant of their value, mintage, and inscription. 't5 This information greatly ex- cited the curiosity of our travellers, who began to inquire from whom the money had been received. The innkeeper told them, that a foreign lady, who came from Ireland, had frequently sent him similar coins, to purchase food. Not knowing how greatly interested the strangers felt, nor what hopes had been excited in their minds, to accomplish fully the purpose of their search the host gave them to understand, that the lady in question lived in a lonely situation, at no great distance from his house. Again, the king's mes- sengers asked a description of her features, stature, and age, as also, whether she had any companions with her, and who the latter persons were. The travellers were informed, that the young lady was remarkable for her beauty of features and figure, and that her only companions were an aged and vene- rable priest, together with a mimic and his wife. He also added, that if the messengers had any curiosity to visit the place of this retreat, they could have ocular demonstration of the facts related. Scarcely had the hospitaller spoken these words, when he was asked for a guide to conduct the strangers through those rugged and lonely paths, leading to the virgin's hermitage. Local tradition points to the present village of Zammal, as her residence, and that of her companions. Having travelled on horseback to the place, the king's messengers, acting the part of spies, lay in wait for some time, and at length perceived Dynipna with her companions. Finding their information and hopes thus veritied and rewarded, with ecstacies of joy, they hastened back towards Antwerp, where they expected to tell their master all those interesting particulars, which eventuated in the fortuitous discovery of his daughter.
During the temporary absence of his messengers, the king's mind was greally agitated ; while the disquiet experienced by him was manifested ex- teriorly, in his downcast looks, by his restlessness, and in his lean and melan- choly features. It seldom happens, that passion or anxiety of any description can fail to leave its traces on the human constitution, and waste that physical strength, necessary for the healthful development of a well-regulated life. But, while thus agitated, word was brought the king, that those messengers despatched in quest of his daughter had returned, and that they awaited per-
pus anno 1626, a Philippo IV. Rege Catho- lico primus Westerloas renunciatus est Mar- chio Consule qusediximus 3 Maji, ad Vitam S. Aufridi Episcopi Vltrajectini, qui Eccle- siis Vltrajectinis Westerloam et vicina aliqua loca tradiderat, quse ibidem sita dicuntur in- fra Comitatum Rien, tunc latius distentum, et olim Episcopo Camaracensi cum urbe Antverpiensi subjectum. "—"Acta Sancto-
rum,"tomus iii. , xv. Maii. Acta S. Dympns, cap. ii. , n. (a), p. 484.
'' At Oolen, near Herenthals, according to Rev. S. Baring-Gould's " Lives of the Saints," vol. v. , May 15, p. 208.
''s The period, to which this tradition re- fers, must be remote ; and, if we are to credit the account, contained in our saint's Acts, the use of a metallic currency must have pre-
U
;
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
3o6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
mission to enter and give him information, which must prove altogether satisfactory to him. Scarcely had the order to enter been given, when it was rumoured amongst his household attendants and retinue, that their young mistress had been discovered, and with the certainty that she must soon be restored to her father, friends and native country. Great joy pervaded the entire assemblage, when the messengers appeared before their ruler, making the usual obeisance. The king told them to speak, and he motioned for silence duringtheirnarrative. Themessengersenterminutelyintoalltheincidents of their journey, and especially dwell in detail on the adventure, which led them immediately to the haunts of Dympna. Most of the court attendants were present, but nothing could exceed the king's delight, when he was assured his daughter Avas yet living and in safety, for he had feared she was lost to him for ever, if not actually dead. His spirits began to revive, and all who surrounded him, as a matter of course, began to offer him their best con- gratulations.
Immediately on receiving this intelligence, the king gave orders to pre- pare what was necessary for his journey to the place, where the holy Dympna and her companions sought a fancied repose and solitude. Perseverance is usually crowned with success, in finding what has been long and earnestly sought ; nor is desire exhausted by continuance, says a holy writer. ''^ but it is rather increased, and if by delay it ceased to live, we can hardly conceive how it could deserve the name of desire. Little time elapsed until the wicked king reached the dwelling of his virtuous daughter. We can hardly conceive the astonishment and dread his sudden apparition excited in the mind of the pure Dympna. On seeing her, however, he joyously saluted the chaste spouse of Christ. But, her angelic look could not suppress the promptings of former passion within his breast. The demon of impurity raged furiously within his insensate soul, and inflamed his looks with indications of the fell resolve, it had shamefully instigated. How greatly contrasted with the modest and
noble expression of his daughter's countenance, whose trembling figure and shrinking glances were modestly averted from a gaze, that boded evil import and manifestations of perverse passion, which her very soul abhorred ! Meantime, the furious servant of Belial had resolved, that no opposition on the part of his daughter should change his purpose. If she refused his loathed proffers of marriage, he supposed that threats of punishment and death should overcome the firmest resolutions, one of her tender age and sex could form. And, it was ever thus, from the times of old, when ungovernable passion hur- ried men to deeds of injury and persecution, against the just and innocent. King David, on yielding to the concupiscence of his eyes, when conceiving a violent passion for Bethsabee, had doomed the innocent husband Urias to death, and had employed Joab, the captain of his army, to devise means for
its accomplishment. '*?
All the beauty and grace of her deceased mother seemed to reappear in
the child's face and figure, and to return with renewed force to the king's ima- gination, when he ventured to address his daugliter, in soothing and loving accents. Yet, virtue presents such an impregnable barrier to the assaults of evil desire, that even her father feared to look directly on his daughter's chaste countenance, whilst these words were uttered : " O my ilearly beloved daughter, Dympna, my delight, my passion, and my desire, what wish or ne- cessity forced you to despise the honours attending on your noble station, or to prefer, as a mendicant, unknown and foreign lands, to the country of your
vailed in Irelan<l, at a very early age. ^' II. Kings, xi.
<* St. Gregory. ^* III. Kings, xxi.
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
307
nativity ? What wise or foolish persuasion seduced you to forget filial duty and a royal parent, and to adopt as your flither this old and decrepid priest, whose behests you obey in all matters ? Had you remained with me, you should have dwelt in a royal court, and enjoyed a kingdom after my death, instead of a miserable hut, buried in the midst of a thicket and presenting every external appearance of neglect and poverty. Wherefore, prepare to obey my orders immediately, and wisely seek that country, which you so foolishly abandoned. Ifyouwillinglyassenttoyourfixther'swishes,youshallholda first rank in his estimation, above all the noble matrons and maidens of his kingdom. Crowned with a royal diadem, I shall direct a fine temple to be constructed of marble, wliere you shall be venerated as a goddess, and I shall order a superb statue representing you to be e'"ected therein, which will be ornamented with gold and precious stones. If i. free person or slave of any sex or condition neglect to worship you, or offer the homage of due venera- tion, as my decree shall prescribe and direct, just punishment shall inevitably await such a dereliction of duty. "
While the holy virgin was preparing to reply, the blessed servant of God, Gerebern, anticipated her wishes, with the spirit and virtue of another Elias, who reprehended the sinful intercourse existing between Achab and Jezabel. '*^ While his voice and manner manifested an abhorrence for the infamous pro- posals of this potentate, the venerable priest, like a true admirer of modesty, applied the following words : " O most wicked king, designer of the highest infamy, enemy of all virtue, and impersonation of the worst species of crime, why do you vainly labour to turn tlie pure mind of this holy virgin from the ways of purity ? Unhappy and shameless man, why are you hostile to that virginity, so dear to God and to the angels, and which confers honour and distinction on persons of all ages? When growing in the minds of infants and children, it nourishes holy innocence ; it restrains evil desires, and pre- vents the lapse of youth and adults ; in mature and aged persons, it preserves honour and increases sanctity. I pray you for these reasons, to exhort and admonish this maiden, that she should ever love, acquire, and preserve, such a virtue, and constantly maintain it, to the latest hour of her life. Chastity is a useful treasure for all virtuous persons, and when lost, it can scarcely be restoredtoitprimitivebloom. Donotdisgraceyourroyalrank,byacrime, whichoughtrenderyouanabominationandareproachamongkings; donot presume to repeat words, which are a scandal and detestation, not only to the pure and chaste, but even to luxurious livers and impure persons. I rest satis- fied and convinced, that your daughter Dympna's pure and faithful mind has already despised whatever evil pleasures or promises the world might offer, through her love for God ; nor will she be terrified by threats, nor allured by blandishmentsorseduction. And,probably,youwouldberestrainedfromthis base passion, had you dreaded the sword of Phinees, who, led by a zeal for justice, punished wicked sinners against the Divine law, who were both run through with the sword. "'t9 In the printed Legend of our saint's Life, we are told, in addition, that St. Gerebern admonished the holy maiden, never to yield her consent to the king, her father, lest she might incur the indignation of that Heavenly King, her Spouse, whose delights she had already tasted, and whose companionship she should constantly enjoy.
Those words of sage counsel had hardly been spoken, when the execrable tyrant kindled into a perfect frenzy, which appeared to be directed princi- pally against the anointed priest of the Lord. The king sought advice from
*9 Numbers, xxv. , 7, 8. Virginis subversorem, apud Regem pariter 5» " Tanquam reum et maleficum ac beatse accusabant," observes Canon Peter.
3o8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
his counsellors in this dilemma. He passionately reminded them, that the venerable priest had been able to prevail upon his daughter, to resist all those seductionsandthreats,whichafatherhadvainlyurged. Hiswickedadvisers, like those who sought the blood of our Divine Redeemer, were unanimously ofaccord, that Gerebern deserved death. 5° They resolved, not only to extin- guish die lamp of Dympna's chastity, which shone so brightly, whether in a
hiding place, or publicly exposed to view; and, they supposed by procuring the death of her director, the virgin of Christ might yet be induced to give her consent, with a renewal of her father's previous proposals. However cruel this advice seemed to be, the tyrant king gave orders to his willing ad- herents, that they should behead the venerable Gerebern, who had so effec- tively contributed to disarrange all plans for his proposed illicit nuptials.
The serfs attending on the king inflamed his anger and their own, by clamorous and senseless observations of the nature already recorded. Blinded with rage and passion, like the young of lions, they reproached God's servant in the following words, while the sword was already drawn for his execution : "Hoary monsler, why must daring be carried to such a degree of temerity, that one like you of humble rank and family should not feel ashamed to re- proach our sovereign master, the king, by the sound of such empty words? Is it not sufficient for you, O wretch, to divert the thoughts of his daughter Dympna, from giving her consent to this marriage, and to urge her by per- suasion in seeking this distant province, without also uttering reproaches, calculated to rouse the king's fury and indignation ? Unfortunate man, is it becoming your gray hairs, to reprehend the faults of another, without correct- ing your own ? Shall the king be obliged to pine away with grief, which you have been the means of prolonging? By your evil counsels, you have pre- vented fruition of that love, which oppresses his soul. With the sophistical words now breathed, you manifest a proud, an indiscreet, and a rebellious spirit so greatly out of chraracter with your advanced years, and when you should act obediently to the royal decrees. "5'
These were the words of base sycophants, who felt their temporal interests best promoted, by yielding a slavish submission to a tyrant's behests. But, the resolute servant of God, animated with the spirit of religious fortitude, and who was neither afraid nor desirous of dying, at once replied with a noble courage : " O people, without reflection or prudence, a false tongue cannot convict that man of guilt, whose conscience does not reproach himself with crime; why therefore do you load me with unjust charges of being a vile and guilty person, when I only seek to prevent an odious sin ? You, as the mem- bers of his body, well understand what evil power exists in your head, who is a despotic king. If any man happen to see another viciously inclined, is he not bound to correct those faults of his neighbour, to the fullest extent in his power ? And if, when often admonished, the culprit will not abandon those vices, ought he not be avoided as a Heathen and a Publican ? Those limbs, which cannot be healed by gentle medicinal applications, must be re- moved by a painful stroke of the surgeon's knife, before the whole body becomes infected ; and a crime must be reproved bitterly, when amendment does not follow the milder method of cure. "
The wicked advisers of tlie king were rendered more furious than ever, on hearing these words. Their reply was couched in the following terms : " How long must the delusion of evil be permitted to remain in you ? O in- sensate man, will your tongue still give vent to folly ? Miserable wretch, are
S' The Canon Peter, in the Acts of both tlie classic historical writers, by introducing our saints, appears to have imitated some of imaginative dialogues, which are considered
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 309
you not aware, that it behoves a king to curb the pride of his subjects, and especially to punish the audacity of man, with a just measure of severity, when he has so crully deceived his sovereign ? Now learn, soon as you pos- sibly can, to induce consent to a marriage, on the part of an ill-advised girl, whose mind you have alienated from her father's love. Otherwise, know this, that having been convicted in presence of the king, you shall suffer capital punishment, if you neglect to persuade her to obedience. The door for par- don is more easily opened, when atonement is made for a crime once com- mitted. " The most reverend priest, unarmed, except with the shield of faith, and in the midst of the king's guards, gloriously replied ; " O sons of dark- ness, far be it from my soul, to form the mind of my pupil to vice, when I ought to instruct her in every virtue ; and how could I place before her incen- tives to horrible passion and impurity, when by word and example, I should suggest the preservation of hallowed chastity ? As her noble purpose of religion and honour should receive a father's support, and never be under- mined, by deadly and unnatural influence ; so he, who trusts the faith of a faithlessperson,mayexpecttosufferinhisbestanddearestinterests. Like- wise, he, who knows what treasures of grace have been received from a reli- gious life, ought in proportion confidently sow a greater quantity of good seed. Although you may threaten me with death of the most refined cruelty'; yet, the fervent love of Christ, which is never separated from a filial fear, should teach His true lovers the just application of that principle, when in- jury is sought to be inflicted for sustaining the dictates of Divine law. He who permits Christianity to be oppressed by the impious dissolves or separates himself from the body of Christ, and does not contend with necessary valour against the adversaries of firm faith. "
When his executioners heard these words, resolving on his instant death, and conscious of the king's approval, they rushed upon the holy and innocent priest, and laying violent hands on him, the head fell from his shoulders with a stroke of the sword. Thus, our glorious martyr of Christ triumj^hed over theassaultsofhismercilessenemies,andheobtainedagloriouscrown. We are naturally led to compare his end with that of John the Baptist, whom Herod, when inflamed with wine and lust, doomed to destruction, at the suggestion of the wicked Herodias, who had been the spouse to his brother Philip. s^ Like John, the just man of God was now beheaded. The circum- stances attending their respective deaths were nearly alike ; although John, being the precursor of our Divine Saviour, on the score of sanctity, excelled Gerebern in perfection and merits, for the Baptist was more like an angel than a man.
The grace of the Lord had sanctified John \\\ his mother's womb, to fit him for preaching, for baptizing and preparing the way of the Lord in the wilderness ; while, the holy priest Gerebern was predestined to eternal life from before the world's creation, lie being intended to sow the seed of the Divine Word, and delegated to preach penance in the desert, where i)eople flocked to hear the words of wisdom from his lips. The true Nazarene of Christ, clad in camel-hair garments, neither drank wine or vinegar, nor par- took of any generous food, from the period of his infancy ; our venerable priest, who was also an example of sanctity, not only abstained from what was unlawful and unclean, but mortified himself in food, drink, and by penitential
exercises. The holy preacher John, who rose like the evening star, to bring in the fulness of grace, wished to correct and save Herod, inflamed with evil desires, and not amenable to advice or entreaty; while Gerebern, the wor-
appropriate to circumstances and characters, in his narrative, appertaining to the various persons figuring s* Mark, vi.
3IO LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
shipper of God, the impersonation of integrity, the example of chastity, and the hater of base debauchery, courageously reprehended the pagan king, whose desires were so unnatural and enormous. This correction, however, wastheresultofperfectcharity,withoutanytingeofenvyorbitterness. Both saints were continent and just, lovers of retirement and vindicators of chastity. Both incurred the displeasure of a king, and fell beneath the stroke of an executioner, in defence of purity, and at the instigation of wicked courtiers. Both were united in the mode of punishment, as in the measure of reward ; and these glorious victors present examples of courage and constancy, in life and death, to the end of time. Their holy lives deserved a heroic exit from this world. They triumphed over death, when yielding to the temporary pressure of man's tyranny, and found their reward in those realms, where sin and suffering obtain no place, and where just deeds receive their final recog- nition and vindication.
CHAPTER III.
THE KING ORDERS DYMPNA TO APPEAR BEFORE HIM—HIS THREATS AND PROMISES— THEY ARE INDIGNANTLY REJECTED BY THE HOLY VIRGIN—IN A FIT OF FRENZY, THE KING DRAWS HIS SWORD AND CUTS OFF THE HEAD OF HIS DAUGHTER—ST. DYMPNA AND ST. GEREBI. RN ARE DECENTLY INTERRED BY THE INHABITANTS OF THAT PLACE—DISENTOMBMENT OF THEIR VENERABLE RELICS—THE PEOPLE OF SANTEN STEAL THE RELICS OF ST. DYMPNA AND OF ST. GEREBERN—THE FORMER REMAINS RECOVERED BY THE PEOPLE OF GHEEL—MIRACLES WROUGHT WHILST REMOVING THEM TO THAT CITY—THE PEOPLE OF GHEEL BUILD A NEW CHURCH AND PREPARE A GOLDEN SHRINE TO HONOUR THEIR GLORIOUS PATRONESS- TRANSLATION OF HER RELICS—ST. DYMPNA's MIRACLES IN BEHALF OF THE AFFLICTED.
Notwithstanding that cruel death, inflicted on the good priest, Gerebern, such cruelty did not appease the passion of Dympna's father. He then ordered the holy virgin, to be brought into his presence. With an oppressed spirit, her tearful eyes lamenting the murder of her holy protector, and full of agitation, arising from the position in which she was now placed, the maiden's beautiful countenance became flushed with a tinge of carmine. This greatly enhancedtheagreeableex[)ressionofhermodestandsorrowinglooks. Such accidental circumstances added fuel to that unhappy flame, which burned within the king's breast. Wherefore, in most persuasive accents, he essayed the following words : " O my dearest daughter, Dympna, why do you permit yourfathertobesolongharassed,bysuchaloadofsorrow? Whydoyou reject his addresses, and abhor one who languishes with love, excited by your beautitul appearance? My dearest, only give me your consent, and I laith- fully promise, to procure you all the comfort and wealth my kingdom can afford. I will decree, moreover, that you shall be numbered among the most venerated goddesses ' of my realm, and that your name must be renowned, throughout its whole extent, while you reign over it in common with myself. " To these observations, the glorious saint, who rather desired to suffer for God's sake than to enjoy the delights of a temjioral kingdom, replied with becoming indignation : "O unhappy and cruel man, why do you seek by fal- laciousarguments,tosubvertmyvowsofvirginity? Doyouthink,Oaban-
ChapterIII. —' Thiscasual remark CanonPeterwasverylittleacquaintedwith sufficiently establishes the inference, that the nature of ancient Irish Mythology.
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
311
doned king, that a love of worldly delights could prevail on me to renounce my firm purpose, and to offend my spouse, Jesus Christ, by polluting my body? Do not for a moment believe, that any feminine weakness can take possession of my mind : I despise all the phantoms of human honour, and I desire with my whole heart those promises of Jesus Christ, which engaged all my affections. I little value the honour of being esteemed a goddess and of acquiring a statue. Do not urge me, by further persuasion, for it is much easier to retain a treasure one securely possesses, than to recover it when
lost. "
This wicked king, whose mind was debased by idolatry and by its cognate
handmaid of impurity, laboured like his instigator, the Devil, to sow tares within the mind of a daughter, whose affections were brightened by the steady effulgence of Christian virtues. Then, kindling into anger, he said : " Per- verse daughter, do not wrong my patience, I beseech you, with such cavilling
:
grant instantly what I demand, or you shall feel the weight of a father's indig- nation, like that detestable director, who, for his contumacious and rebellious opposition to my orders, has already ended his life miserably, having suffered the loss of his head. With such an example before you, and in the flower of youth, consult for your own safety, by sacrificing and offering incense on the altars of our gods, or rest assured, that your punishment will consign you to lasting infamy. Henceforth, no daughter of a king will refuse to obey the positive commands of a father, after the miserable warning you shall afford. " But, the holy virgin of venerable memory, so far from being affrighted with those menaces indicating her approaching doom, fearlessly replied : " O de- testable tyrant, why have you dared to butcher the ordained priest of God, in whom no fault could be found ? With all who were witnesses of your cruelty, can you hope to escape the Divine judgments ? I detest your gods and goddesses, as false, and commit myself wholly to the adoration of our Lord Jesus Christ, with the love of whom my soul is inflamed. He is my spouse, my glory, my salvation, my desire and delight, nor have I any other pleasure but in Him : He is altogether sufficient for me, as whole hosts oi angelic spirits delight to look upon and serve Him. As the decree of your sentence seems to demand, that a person must be condemned, not by just
laws, but by bad precedents, exercise whatever tyranny you design against me; for the Lord's sake, I am prepared to bear with a contented mind whatever punishment you wish to inflict. Neither can difference of death 01 distance of place separate those, who are united in the bonds of true faith, and among whom a Christian sympathy of disposition exists. "
This reply excited the utmost fury of the king, vvho conceived his autho rity set at defiance by his daughter, and who, as it is said, felt it necessary to have her beheaded, in order to ap])ease the requirements of his false gods. But, all his servants, through love and pity for their young princess, shrunk from executing the unnatural order for putting her to death. It was also thought, that a reaction in the feelings of their master, after his daughter's murder, should induce him to take vengeance on her executioners, when she could not be restored again to life. The tyrant, however, unmindful of the common instincts of humanity, and forgetting the maxim of those kings of old,
" To spare the humble, and the proud subdue,"
resolved to stain his own hands, in the blood of his youtliful and virtuous daughter. Could this pagan king only appreciate the sublime virtue of the
' Job, xxxi. , I. says, •' Quo accinctus fuerat pugione funesto, 3 The Life of our saint by Canon Peter sacrum 'caput virginis gloriosae, divini re-
312 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
Patriarch Job, who entered into a compact with his eyes, not even to look upon a virgin,^ with unholy desires, he ought have hesitated to plunge into those unnatural deeds of cruelty to which he was urged, by idols erected in his heart—base passion, unbridled lust, and soul-destroying pleasures. Draw- ing a skein'^ from his side, he furiously struck off the head of this noble daughter, while she continued imploring tlie divine mercy, on behalf of her immortal soul. '* It is generally supposed, that St. Dympna received the crown of martyrdom, in the fifteenth year of her age, and on the 30th of ISIay.
Canon Peter, the author of St. Dympna's acts, passes over in profound silence all reference to tlie year and century in which this holy martyr lived or suffered. 5 Saussay, in his Gallic Martyrology, thinks, tliat St. Dympna and St. Gerebern were crowned with martyrdom when Charles Martel ruled over France, which would place the date of their death some time after the year 700. In a rhythmical Life, printed in the vernacular language, the martyrdom of this holy virgin is set down at the year 600, and in the time of Duke Pippin, after this powerful man had been major-domo in the palaces of Clotaire II. , of Kings Dagobert and S. Sigebert, from about the year 620 to the year 640. Henschenius favours this latter supposition, that their martyrdom occurred in the seventh century; for, at that time, those places immediately adjoining Gheel and Antwerp had begun to receive the light of Christianity.
The Life of St. Dympna, by Canon Peter, tells us, that after this infamous transaction, the king and his attendants returned to their own country, leav- ing the dead bodies of Dympna and Gerebern over the ground, to become the prey of wild beasts and birds. We may wonder, indeed, at this final issue of an action, surpassing in atrocity almost every conceivable deed of in- humanity, when an infuriate parent could tints abandon every feeling of virtue and jiarental honour, by sinking into the lowest depths of cruelty and infamy. Ungovernable passion urged a father, however, to that series of wicked acts, in vindication of a supposed affront, and through a mistaken sense of his duty. Yet, most glorious and agreeable in the sight of God and of His Angels, was the death of those happy martyrs, who, as they loved and respected each other in life, were not separated in deatii. Having drank the bitter chalice of Christ's own passion in suffering, they now live united in
spectus implorantis misericoidiam, amputa- pagano," p. 83. And again, in the " Iiidi- vit," etc. The word " pugio" means a ciihis Sanctorum Belgii," |>. 25: " Sancta
dagger, a poinard ; and the peculiarly Irish form of this weapon was called in our native tongue, Daiger or Scian. Many different specimens of this weapon may be seen in the Museum of tlie Royal Irish Academy. Although most of the shorter varieties were specially formed lor sialjbing or thrusting yet, several have sharj) edges on both sides, and served for the purposes of cutting or hacking. There is an interesting antiqua- rian di-quisition, with beautiful woodcut illustrations, on this subject, in Sir William R. \Vilde's " Catalogue of the Antitiuities in the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy,"
Class V, pp. 439 to 488.
In Molanus' Usuardus, we find the fol-
lowing notices of St. Dympna : —"May 15. In Brabantia, villa qure Ghclc nuncupatur, sanctae Dympna; virginis ct martyris. ILec ' propter fidcm ct amorem castitatis, dccol- lata est a proprio genitoic, rege Ilyberniw
Dympna, virgo et martyr, filia fuit regis Hy- berniie gentillis, qui mortua uxore sua ipsam voluit habere uxorem. Sed ipsa propter fidem, et castitatis amorem, clam fugit per Antverpiam, in villam Ghele, ubi tandem invcnta, a proprio genitore decollata e. -t, cum Gereberno presliytero, circa annum scxcentesinium. Festum ejus celebrant Canonici Glielenses die decimo quinto Maii. Locus est disecesis Buscoducensis, in Kem- jiinia Brabantii^ : ubi obessi a dremonibus per ejus merita liberantur. Qua etiam de causa pingilur tenens demonem alligatum. Vulgo Digna dicitur, ut videtur durior pro-
nunciatio. "
s in an old printed legend of her Acts, it
is written, " decollati circa annum l>omini sexingcntcssinium. " But, we are obliged to conjecture, whether the writer must be understood as intending to use " scptingen- tcsimus " or " sexcentesimus annus. "
;
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
313
perpetual and heavenly felicity. The providence of God so decreed, that the bodies of these holy martyrs, although remaining unburied for some time, should be preserved, from the devouring beasts and birds. At length, some inhabitants, belonging to the adjoining country, knowing how gloriously the champions of Christ had contended in their last agony, and moved with pity for their unjust murder, had the bodies of St. Dympna and of St. Gerebern placed in a cave,^ with some degree of reverence and decency. Such was the custom of interment in that part of the country, at the time this martyrdom
took place.
But, after a lapse of many years, the clergy and people of the country
around Gheel assembled together, through a desire of honouring God, in ex- huming the bodies of those holy martyrs, who had so gloriously perished by the sword of an infidel. It was resolved, as tradition yet pointed out their place of sepulture, that the light should no longer rest within tliat hidden cave, where their remains had been first deposited. And, indeed, those pious persons of every rank and age were richly rewarded, by the wonderful miracles, which it pleased Christ to operate through His servants' intercession. The very first effort made to disemtomb their relics was attended by the exhibition of a wonderful sight, surpassing the comprehension, as it did the previous experi- ence, of those who were spectators. These were in utter astonishment, when the workmen removed an obstructing heap of earth with their implements. The labourers discovered two most hti:\v\i\W\\ sa7-cophagi^ whiter than the drift- ing snow, and carved from stone, as if by the hands of angel sculptors. colour itself was aptly considered to be typical of the virginal purity of our saints, and it was more remarkable, because in that part of the country the stone formation presented a colour black as the very soot of chimneys. With- out much difficulty, and in a manner to excite the admiration of all present, these monuments were drawn from their place of concealment, and carefully scrutinized by the attending crowd. No trace of a fracture or joint could be found in them ; so that it seemed, as if the bodies of our saints had been en- closed, within one great mass of concrete stone. The multitude felt joyful beyond measure, having had the happiness of witnessing such a wonderful sight, as had not before blessed the gaze of mortals ; but yet, they regretted this circumstance, which seemed to prevent them from feasting their eyes
with a view of the beatified remains enclosed. The people gave praise to God, in admiration of His almighty power, and shed tears of devout emotion, while conferring with each other, on the possibility of exposing the sainted relics, witliout breaking or damaging their beautiful stone encasements. '' An Omni- potent Ruler had designed, in His own good time, the train of events by which the faith and piety of His people might be rewarded; and, a balm of fragrant odour was afterwards diffused among the faithful, who flocked from distant parts to pray before the shrines of these holy martyrs, and who after- wards returned to their homes, in the increased enjoyment of corporal health and spiritual consolation.
Before proceeding to write the second part of his tract, givmg a history of the miracles of St. Dympna, Canon Peter offers an interesting prologue, explaining
* It was probably formed in the earth, and served as a grave, for the Martyrs.
tati divinse quas ubi vult iiideficiens opera-
tur, tarn evidens attribuere miraculum actiones gratiarum communiter cum gaudio referentes Domino nostro Jesu Christo, qui vivit et regnat per omnia SKCula sseculorum.
7 After giving the foregoing description,
Canon Peter abruptly ends the first part of St.
Dympna's and of St. Gereliern's Acts with
the following sentence: "Quod cernentes 'Amen. "—"Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , ad occulum, discutiendo diutius, rationishu- xv. Maii. Acta SS. Dymnnse et Gereberni, mans nuUatenus iiigenio factum esse, potes- cap. iii. , p. 486.
The
;
314
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
his motives for adding this narrative, as the complement of his assumed task. It would be much more desirable, he says, to finish a work, which, in the opinion of a person esteemed for wisdom, must conduce to a worthy issue, than to leave it imperfect, by negligently yielding to reprehensible idleness. Justly might envious and carping people point a finger of scorn to the inert workman, and cry out: "Behold one who laid the foundations of a building, and could not finish it. " As Bishop Guido urged the inception of his task, so Canon Peter felt bonnd to complete his account of the saint's miracles, through the same influence, lest in the ordinary course of passing events, theirrecollectionshouldaltogetherfadefrommemory. Byapreceptofthe Old Law, the priests were obliged to offer the tail of a victim in sacrifice,^ and the holy Josejjh wore a garment reaching to his heels,9 which, according to St. Gregory, must have the mystic signification of i)erfectinga good work, and of bringing it to a happy consummation. When resolving to put on record a few things, from the many which might be recorded, we should always recol- lect, that the evidences of a laudable life and of a just conversation must not besought from the glitter of appearance, but in good and holy works. Many votaries of this world do not practise the latter, but even speciously feigning to do so, they are adverse to the just and righteous. Whilst the apostle Peter walked with dry feet over the azure billows of a tempestuous sea,'° his co- labourer in doctrine and fellow-sufferer in death, St. Paul, was shipwrecked on the ocean. " Yet, as a wicked generation demanded signs, there was a just reason for relating some few of those miracles, which were so numerous. Coming to the knowledge of the writer, from a chain of ancient tradition, a volume of large size could scarcely contain a full and perfect account of them. It is a laudable and useful undertaking to commit the trials and triumphs of the saints to writing : for by this practice, the glory of God becomes more known and widely diffused, the majesty of Jesus Christ is glorified in these wonders, and the faithful are commonly induced to aspire after perfection. As the Sicilian tyrants experienced no greater torment, than the expressive looks of those, who felt disaffected to their rule ; so might the Canon Peter find him- self exposed to unbearable reproach and unjust comment, if, when informed by others, he did not relate even what escaped his own observation. St. Mark and St. Luke, who are deserving of honour for writing their Gospels, recorded much of what they had only heard and not seen. Canon Peter deprecates condemnation from his studious and cultivated readers, if he deliver in plain and prosaic language, the principal facts of this narrative, as he did not aim at surprising by eloquence ; and having neither mastered the rules of rhetoric, as laid down by Donatus and Priscian, nor imbibed the full spirit and elegant colouring of Ciceronian elociuence, he thought indulgence might well be claimed, if he failed not in his efforts to instruct, rather than to please. After these preliminary observations, he presents the reader with an account of what occurred, in reference to the relics and special intercession of our illustrious saint, at Gheel; and the following statements will include the sub- stance ofhis interesting narrative.
Having religiously deposed the recovered relics of our holy virgin, St. Dympna, and those of the blessed Gerebern, a knowledge of the miracles, which it pleased Almighty God to accomplish through their intercession, was widely diffused amongst distant nations and people. From that time forward, we are assured, whatever i)etitioncr approached their shrines, in single- ness of heart and purity of faith, was healed from any infirmity of mind or
' Leviticus, iii. , 9. '° MaUhew, xiv. , 29. 9 Genesis, xli. ,42. " Acts, xxvii.
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
315
body wliich afflicted him, and that a salutary effect always resulted from the prayer of his petition. The fame of these miracles reached the people of Santen,atownsituatedontheRiverRhine. Someinhabitantsofthisplace, through a blind impulse of zeal and piety, had resolved in conclave, that the relics of our saints should be obtained for their town, if possible. Nor were they overscrupulous, as to whether their object should be accomplished surreptitiously or by open force. They considered that a thousand blessings should enrich their town and neighbourhood, if they could only procure those relics, which people from different parts of the world venerated and held in such love and respect.
Wherefore, having assembled a large force of brave and strong men, the Santen people marched towards the site of Gheel, then a rural village or fort. Pretending they came for the sole purpose of offering devotions before the shrines of St. Dympna and of St. Gerebern, during their hours of prayer, these pilgrims carefully informed themselves about the position and opportunities presented,duringthefewdayskeptinvigilneartheshrines. Havingawaited a favourable opportunity, waggons were procured, and the precious bodies of the saints, in their stone coffins, were laid thereon, while the guardians of these holy relics had their attention directed towards other matters. To secure impunity, in consequence of their action, the overjoyed depredators began a hasty retreat, in the direction of their homes. But, an alarm was soon communicated to all the inhabitants of the surrounding country, who hastily assembled with arms in their hands. In a state of the greatest excitement, the plunderers were then pursued. The alarmed bearers of our saints' bodies, having heard the tumult surging from behind, felt that they must contend withaninfuriatedandalargebodyofmen. Thetwostonecoffins,borneby them,werespeedilyremovedfromtheirwaggons. Havingbeendeposited on the ground, that coffin which contained the remains of St. Gerebern was broken in pieces; while that one which contained the precious relics of St, Dympna remained entire. The plunderers continued their flight, having se-
cured the remains of St. Gerebern, and having left his broken coffin behind them. When approaching the town of Santen, a message was sent before them, to the inhabitants of that place. The townspeople came forth to con- gratulate the fortunate fugitives, on their safe arrival; although the latter felt much fatigued, after their long journey, and owing to the fear of failing in their hazardous adventure. Immediately all the people set out in a solemn procession, to meet the sacred relics, bearing with them waxen tapers, thuri- bles, and a processional cross. Chaunting hymns and canticles, the rejoicing multitude brought the-newly acquired treasure to their church, where the remains of St. Gerebern were deposited, with all due honour and respect.
Meantime, those pursuers, who followed the fugitives from Gheel, came to that spot, where the broken tomb of St. Gerebern was found, together with the unprofaned relics of St. Dympna, which yet remained within their stone coffin. Feeling some degree of consolation, in having recovered the body of this holy virgin, the Gheel people prepared to bring it back to their church. But, to their great surprise, it was f^ound to remain immovable, and fastened as it were to the ground, notwithstanding the great force employed, when en- deavouring to raise it. In this dilemma, the multitude was ignorant of what course should be adopted ; for, it was found, that even the strength of horses availed little, in their effort to procure a removal of St. Dympna's sarcopha-
gus. Soon afterwards, an aged woman living in that neighbourhood heard a voice, speaking to her in ravishing accents during the night, while she was asleep : " Arise early on to-morrow, yoke the young calf, which remains in your byre to the waggon, and desire your son to remove the coffin of St.
3i6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
Dympna. " When tliis woman awoke, she wondered much at the words thus heard. She arose, however, at an early liour on the following morning. Hav- ing called her son, this woman told him all the particulars of what had occur- red during her sleep. She urged the young man to fulfil, wliat appeared to be an accomplishment of lieavenly intimation, as to the issue of her vision.