so that his dearest men lay there fallen clown,
and they prayed the saints then that they would go thence.
And they then with hymns journied again to the wilderness.
God's servants ought to preserve (their) harmlessness,
even as Christ set the example through Himself,
when he commanded Peter to hide his sword,
and healed by bis might the man's ear
that Peter cut off, and manifested his goodness.
Now the monk that submits to Benedict's rule,
and leaves all worldly things, why will he again return
to worldly weapons, and cast aside his straggle
against the invisible enemies, to vex his Creator
The servant of God may not fight along with worldly men
if he is to have success in the spiritual combat.
There was no holy servant of God after the Saviour's passion,
that would ever defile his hands with fighting,
but they bore the persecution of impious tormentors,
and gave up their lives with harmlessness
for God's belief, and they now live with God,
because they would not even put to death a bird.
XXVI.
AUGUST 5. ST. OSWALD, KING AND MARTYR.
[See Beda, Hist. Eccl. iii. 1-13.]
After Augustine came to England
there was a noble king called Oswald
in the land of the Northumbrians, who believed greatly in God.
