Classic Poem

(Narrative poem from Robert of Brunne's " Handlyng Synne " .)

There was a man beyond the sea
A miner in a great Citee.
Miners, they make in hillis holes
As men do now that seeketh coals.
A great parti of this man's mine
Fell down one day and closed him in.
His wife bemoaned her husband sore;
(God grant that many such women were!)
She helped his soul in everything
In almsdeeds and in offering,
She offered for him at the alter
Full of wine a great pitcher
And a fair fresh loaf withal,
Every day as a principle.
It fell out at the twelve months' end
His fellows towards that hill gan wend
And working came to that place eft
Where they their mate that day had left.
Right there as they to work began
They pierced through e'en to the man.
The man in good estate they found
Living and well without a wound.
They gret their mate and fain would lere
How he had lived all that year.
And then he told them every one
How he had lived there alone;
" I have had a gracious life
Through courtesy of mine own wife;
Every day she has me sent
Bread and wine as a present " .

*****

They led the man into the town
And told the miracle up and down.
That so might all men understand
That God is paid of good offrande,
For all this tale, men, for your lives
Trust not only in your wives,
Nor in your children nothing;
Make yourself your offering.
Over all things it hath power,
The Sacrament of the Alter! Amen.