Well may we think how well it fared with us
when this island was dwelling in peace,
and the monastic orders were held in honour,
and the laity were ready against their foes,
so that our report spread widely throughout the earth.
How was it then afterward when men rejected monastic life
and held God's services in contempt,
but that pestilence and hunger came to us,
and afterward the heathen army had us in reproach?
Concerning this spake the Almighty God to Moses in the wilderness,
'If ye walk in my statutes and keep my commandments,
then will I alway send you rain-showers in due time,
and the earth shall yield you her fruits,
and I will give you peace and reconciliation,
that ye may enjoy your land without fear,
and I will also put the evil beasts far from you.
If ye then despise me, and cast away my laws,
I will also very speedily wreak it upon you j
I will cause that the heaven shall be to you as hard as iron,
and the earth underneath it as if it were brass.
Then shall ye labour in vain, if ye sow your land,
then the earth shall yield you no fruits;
and if ye even then will not turn to Me,
I will send the sword to you, and your enemies shall slay you,
and then they shall cruelly lay waste your land,
and your cities shall be broken down and wasted.
I will also send cowardice into your hearts,
so that none of you dare withstand your enemies."
