OF SIX MEDIAEVAL WOMEN 



the which, flying with outspread wings, straightway went 

 before her, tempering its flight in unwonted way so that the 

 virgin, walking with her companions, might be able to follow 

 in a straight course its aerial track. And when the dove in 

 its flight had come to the place which we now know was not 

 wanting in great stones, it descended, and with its beak pierced 

 through the ground, 1 where, beneath the soil, many stones 

 were disclosed. And assured by this sight, the very worthy 

 virgin of Christ bade her companions clear away the heavy 

 mass of earth, and lay the spot bare. And this done, supernal 

 and devout piety presiding over the work, a great wealth of 

 mighty stones was brought to view, whence all the needful 

 material for the walls of the monastery already begun, and of 

 the church, could be obtained. Then, striving ever more and 

 more with all their heart, the builders of the temple destined 

 to be consecrated to the glory of God, laboured at the work 

 by night and by day. 



Thus does Roswitha tell how the work of 

 the new Foundation was begun, the Duke 

 Liudolf and his wife having already journeyed 

 to Rome to ask of the Pope his blessing, as well 

 as to beg of him, as a token of his favour, some 

 sacred relics to deposit there. The Pope, giving 

 them his blessing, thus makes answer to their 

 request : 



There were here, aforetime, two mighty rulers the most 

 holy Anastasius who presided over this See, and his co-apostle, 

 the holy Innocent. These, through their services to the 

 Church, were the most famous next after St. Peter and 



1 The intervention of a bird to aid in discovery was a favourite 

 tradition derived from antiquity. We may recall, amongst many 

 variants of the theme, the story of the celebrated expedition of the 

 Athenians to the Island of Scyros to find and recover the body of 

 Theseus. Theseus, being a hero, the agent employed in the quest 

 must likewise be distinguished, and so the eagle, Zeus's bird, is 

 alone thought worthy to peck the earth and indicate the resting- 

 place of the demi-god. 



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