The Gathering of Brother Hilarius [34]
child died, ay, and the other five followed with scant time between the buryings. Another had fathered them and filled the gaping mouths; but men shuddered at his care, for it was the Black Death that they had deemed far from them.
Pale and woebegone they clustered on the green. News had come of Robin - he was dead when they found him - but no man gave heed. Death was in the air, death held them safe in walls they might not scale. The heavens were brass, food failed for man and beast, God and man alike had forsaken them. The forest lay one side, the river, now but a shallow sluggish stream, lay the other; 'twas a cleft stick and the springe tightened.
No evil had as yet befallen Dickon. He stood with the rest and murmured, cursing. All at once he made for the ale-house.
"Fools that we are to stand like helpless brats when there is liquor enough and to spare in yon cellars. He who is minded to go dry throat to Heaven had best make haste; for me I will e'en swill a bucket to the devil's health, and so to hell."
Half-a-dozen men followed him, pushing aside mine host who strove to bar the door. Some of the women fell on their knees and clamoured in half delirious prayer; the rest slunk dismayed to their pestilent homes.
CHAPTER VII - THE VISION OF THE EVENING AND THE MORNING
MEANWHILE, news came to the Monastery of the ill case of the village, for it lay scarce a league away across the forest; but the pine-trees stood as guardian angels in between.
The Prior summoned the whole Convent, according to the ruling of Blessed Benedict when the matter is a grave one, and told the tidings.
Then he went on to give reason for their assembling.
"My Brethren, it is in my heart that we dare not leave these poor, stricken sheep to die alone without shepherding; moreover, in their fear and desolation, they may flee to other villages, and so the terror and pest spread ever further. And I deem that, inasmuch as Charity is greater than Faith or Hope, so it is greater than obedience also. Wherefore I purpose to set aside the Rule of our Order in the letter that I may hold to it in the spirit, and go forth to serve these perishing brethren; and I will take with me whosoever hears the call of God in this visitation."
When he had made an end, there was silence in the Chapter. Break cloister, the Prior himself urging them thereto? The Convent might scarce credit its ears.
Prior Hilarius watched his children with a tender smile on his white face, and a prayer on his lips that love might have its triumph.
Five monks stood up, among them the Sub-Prior, and seven novices sprang also to their feet.
"Nay, Brother Walter," said Hilarius, turning to the Sub-Prior, "this flock must have its shepherd also; thy place is here. But I will take with me Brother Simon and Brother Leo, who will doubtless suffice at first for the ministry, and - " smiling at the novices - "all these dear lads to tend the sick and bury the dead."
The Sub-Prior ventured on a remonstrance.
"Good Father, it is not fitting that thou should'st go on such an errand; send me in thy stead, for my life is a small thing as compared with thine. Moreover these novices, 'tis but the other day the Master gave them as lazy and ill-conditioned, and - "
The Prior held up his hand.
"Dear Brother, I thank thee for thy love and care for me; but my call has come. As for these - " he stretched out his hand towards the waiting novices - "maybe they are in the wrong school, and the Lord hath even opened the door that they may serve Him, perchance die for Him, elsewhere. And shall I count myself wiser than Prior Stephen, who set me without the gate to learn my lesson? Let us go in peace, my children, for we are about the Lord's business."
Very early next day, having eaten of Heavenly manna, the little band embraced their brethren and set out, laden with food and wine and herbs from the farmery; and the Prior appointed a place to which the Convent should send daily all things needed.
The shade of the forest was very welcome in
Pale and woebegone they clustered on the green. News had come of Robin - he was dead when they found him - but no man gave heed. Death was in the air, death held them safe in walls they might not scale. The heavens were brass, food failed for man and beast, God and man alike had forsaken them. The forest lay one side, the river, now but a shallow sluggish stream, lay the other; 'twas a cleft stick and the springe tightened.
No evil had as yet befallen Dickon. He stood with the rest and murmured, cursing. All at once he made for the ale-house.
"Fools that we are to stand like helpless brats when there is liquor enough and to spare in yon cellars. He who is minded to go dry throat to Heaven had best make haste; for me I will e'en swill a bucket to the devil's health, and so to hell."
Half-a-dozen men followed him, pushing aside mine host who strove to bar the door. Some of the women fell on their knees and clamoured in half delirious prayer; the rest slunk dismayed to their pestilent homes.
CHAPTER VII - THE VISION OF THE EVENING AND THE MORNING
MEANWHILE, news came to the Monastery of the ill case of the village, for it lay scarce a league away across the forest; but the pine-trees stood as guardian angels in between.
The Prior summoned the whole Convent, according to the ruling of Blessed Benedict when the matter is a grave one, and told the tidings.
Then he went on to give reason for their assembling.
"My Brethren, it is in my heart that we dare not leave these poor, stricken sheep to die alone without shepherding; moreover, in their fear and desolation, they may flee to other villages, and so the terror and pest spread ever further. And I deem that, inasmuch as Charity is greater than Faith or Hope, so it is greater than obedience also. Wherefore I purpose to set aside the Rule of our Order in the letter that I may hold to it in the spirit, and go forth to serve these perishing brethren; and I will take with me whosoever hears the call of God in this visitation."
When he had made an end, there was silence in the Chapter. Break cloister, the Prior himself urging them thereto? The Convent might scarce credit its ears.
Prior Hilarius watched his children with a tender smile on his white face, and a prayer on his lips that love might have its triumph.
Five monks stood up, among them the Sub-Prior, and seven novices sprang also to their feet.
"Nay, Brother Walter," said Hilarius, turning to the Sub-Prior, "this flock must have its shepherd also; thy place is here. But I will take with me Brother Simon and Brother Leo, who will doubtless suffice at first for the ministry, and - " smiling at the novices - "all these dear lads to tend the sick and bury the dead."
The Sub-Prior ventured on a remonstrance.
"Good Father, it is not fitting that thou should'st go on such an errand; send me in thy stead, for my life is a small thing as compared with thine. Moreover these novices, 'tis but the other day the Master gave them as lazy and ill-conditioned, and - "
The Prior held up his hand.
"Dear Brother, I thank thee for thy love and care for me; but my call has come. As for these - " he stretched out his hand towards the waiting novices - "maybe they are in the wrong school, and the Lord hath even opened the door that they may serve Him, perchance die for Him, elsewhere. And shall I count myself wiser than Prior Stephen, who set me without the gate to learn my lesson? Let us go in peace, my children, for we are about the Lord's business."
Very early next day, having eaten of Heavenly manna, the little band embraced their brethren and set out, laden with food and wine and herbs from the farmery; and the Prior appointed a place to which the Convent should send daily all things needed.
The shade of the forest was very welcome in