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MATTHEW OF WESTMINSTER The flowers of history, especially such as relate to the affairs of Britain. Vol. I. B.C. 4004 to A.D. 1066.

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MATTHEW OF WESTMINSTER
The flowers of history, especially such as relate to the affairs of Britain. Vol. I. B.C. 4004 to A.D. 1066.
page 555



garments. Then one will follow that multitude, of a more noble stature and more ample size, sitting in a chariot, and if you, without speaking, give him the epistle to read, what you wish will be done immediately, if you only persevere with constancy." Accordingly, the young man undertakes with great spirit all that was commanded him, and standing fearlessly at the place where four roads meet, he, by command of the priest, tests the fidelity of his statement. Among others who passed by, he saw a woman in a meretricious style of dress, riding on a mule, covering her shoulders with her dishevelled hair, holding a golden rod in her hands, with which she guided the animal on which she was riding ; she was as good as naked, by reason of the thinness of her garments, and practised immodest gestures. Not to dwell on the rest, at last came the one who seemed like the lord of the multitude, casting terrible looks on the young man from that splendid seat of his chariot, which was adorned with emeralds and pearls, and he asked him the cause of his being there. But the young man answered him not a word, but holding out his hand offered him the letter. And the devil, not daring to despise the well-known seal, read the writing : and presently, stretching forth his hands towards heaven, he said: " 0 Almighty God, how long will you endure the wickedness of the priest Palumbus ?" And immediately he sent servants from his side to take the ring away from the Venus. She resisted for a long time, but at last gave up the ring. And so the young man gained his wishes, and enjoyed the embraces of his wife, which he had so long sighed for, without any obstacle. But the priest Palumbus, when he heard the complaints which the devil addressed to the Lord respecting him, knew that the end of his days was at hand. On which account, he amputated all his limbs with a knife, and so died in wonderful penitence, having confessed unheard of crimes to the pope, in the presence of all the people. A.D. 1059. When duke Harold was staying at an estate that belonged to him, namely, at Boseham, he one day entered a fishing boat to amuse himself. And when, in the progress of his sport, he had advanced into the open sea, on a sudden, a violent storm arose, and he, with his companions, was driven to a village in the territory of Ponthieu, and was taken prisoner by the men of that country and bound with chains, and thrown into prison, as they charged him with having come thither as a spy. Harold being a crafty man, considering how he might


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