44 SAINT MODWEN. 
the monks what seemed a pious plan for supplying nourish- 
ment to the poor; but the Father above perceived what 
was concealed in the real intention of his heart as after- 
wards plainly appeared to all, and the example of his 
punishment affords a valuable lesson to posterity. 
This base fellow tried if he could only persuade the 
Abbot and the monks to allow him to rob the sacred shrine 
and use the gold for supplying the needs of the poor, but 
imbued with the poisonous love of riches, he was in his 
heart already a thief and counted upon the treasures which 
by this transaction should pass through his hands that he 
would be able to fill his own purse and keep back part of 
the proceeds and enrich himself with the wealth. Accordingly 
the most venerable shrine having been broken open by the 
advice and assistance of this man himself the Lord Abbot 
with part of the money had gone away to buy corn and 
having purchased the corn was returning from his journey 
in company with several of his brethren. This same gold- 
smith went down and when they had reached a spot he 
stuck his pike in the ground; and in another place apart 
' placed as he was accustomed all his other necessary tools. 
But immediately by the wonderful judgement of God, the 
pike by accident fell upon the man himself, and the brethren 
in fear with one accord crying out that each should guard 
himself from it, turning quickly he rushed upon the spear, 
and whilst all who were present .were dismayed he was 
pierced in the stomach by it, and fell slain by this unfore- 
seen death. But in the breast of the dead man a part of 
the money was discovered which he had stealthily appro- 
priated from the shrine, and from this can be easily 
understood for what a crime he had deserved to receive 
such a punishment who had presumed to contemplate such 
a wickedness against the Virgin. And may all robbers of 
churches abandoned to fury so perish here and hereafter. 
Leofric the aforesaid Abbot was still ruling over the 
