OF SIX MEDIEVAL WOMEN 



simply, and thus, with humble heart, to set a 

 good example, and, with many other admoni- 

 tions, she also counsels him to have two rods 

 by his bedside, so that he may chastise himself 

 when he awakes. Mechthild adds that she 

 asked of God how such an one could keep 

 himself without sin in this earthly state, and 

 that God made answer : " He shall keep himself 

 always in fear, like a mouse that sits in a trap 

 and awaits its death. When he eats, he shall be 

 frugal and meek, and when he sleeps, he shall 

 be chaste, and alone with Me." 



Touching upon some of the duties of a prior 

 and here she shows herself eminently practical 

 she writes : " Thou shalt go every day to the 

 infirmary, and soothe the sick with the solace 

 of God's word, and comfort them bounteously 

 with earthly things, for God is rich beyond all 

 richness. Thou shalt keep the sick cleanly, and 

 be merry with them in a godly manner. Thou 

 shalt also go into the kitchen, and see that the 

 needs of the brethren are well cared for, and that 

 thy parsimony, and the cook's laziness, rob not our 

 Lord of the sweet song of the choir, for never 

 did starving priest sing well. Moreover, a hungry 

 man can do no deep study, and thus must God, 

 * through such default, lose the best prayers." 

 From advice to the priesthood, Mechthild turns 

 to warning, and pours forth her reproaches 

 and forebodings with poetic intensity. " Alas, 

 O thou Crown of Holy Christendom, how 

 greatly hast thou lost lustre ! Thy jewels are 



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