164 WITNESS TO THE MIRACULOUS V 



and with a vast crowd of people who gathered from all parts, 

 singing hymns, and amidst great and universal rejoicings, they 

 travelled quickly to the city of Argentoratum, which is now 

 called Strasburg. Thence embarking on the Rhine, they came 

 to the place called Portus, l and landing on the east bank of the 

 river, at the fifth station thence they arrived at Michilinstadt, 2 

 accompanied by an immense multitude, praising God. This 

 place is in that forest of Germany which in modern times is called 

 the Odenwald, and about six leagues from the Maine. And 

 here, having found a basilica recently built by me, but not yet 

 consecrated, they carried the sacred remains into it and deposited 

 them therein, as if it were to be their final resting-place. As 

 Boon as all this was reported to me I travelled thither as quickly 

 as I could. (Cap. ii. 14.) 



Three days after Eginhard's arrival began the 

 series of wonderful events which he narrates, and 

 for which we have his personal guarantee. The 

 first thing that he notices is the dream of a 

 servant of Ratleig, the notary, who, being set to 

 watch the holy relics in the church after vespers, 

 went to sleep and, during his slumbers, had a 

 vision of two pigeons, one white and one gray and 

 white, which came and sat upon the bier over the 

 relics ; while, at the same time, a voice ordered 

 the man to tell his master that the holy martyrs 

 had chosen another resting-place and desired to 

 be transported thither without delay. 



Unfortunately, the saints seem to have for- 

 gotten to mention where they wished to go ; and, 

 with the most anxious desire to gratify their 



1 Probably, according to Teulet, the present Sandhofer-fahrt, 

 a little below the embouchure of the Neckar. 

 a The present Michilstadt, thirty miles N.E. of Heidelberg. 



