THE MARRIAGE OF ST. CUTHBURGA. 173 



it is written that ' voluntary action incurs punishment and external 

 constraint produces a crown.' For I have faith in God that he will 

 regard the lowliness of His handmaiden, and will not suffer the guards 

 of my virginity to be violated, nor will ever remove me from the chaste 

 embraces of his love. For nothing is impossible with God. There- 

 fore, my Lord and spouse is strong to preserve me uncorrupted for 

 Himself even in matrimony ; and although I wed anyone after the 

 law of men, yet nevertheless he is able to keep me inviolate for 

 Himself." 



The third Chapter. 



Having therefore heard the reply of the virgin, the most serene king 

 Ina announces to the king of the Northumbrians that at length the 

 virgin's mind is bent to agreement, and bids him wed her on a stated 

 day as befits his royal nobility and the custom of his people. On 

 hearing this, the king of the Northumbrians rejoiced with a great joy 

 beyond what words can exjjress, for he burned with exceeding desire 

 for the maiden. And so after the lapse of no great length of time the 

 day fixed for the nuptials is at hand ; and the blessed maiden Cuthburga 

 is betrothed to the king of the Northumbrians. And when the 

 nuptials are being celebrated with royal state and all the nobles of 

 that province were present at the great ceremony and were offering 

 their congratulations, the blessed virgin Cuthburga went apart alone 

 to her chamber and is said to have prayed to the Lord in words such 

 as these : " Lord Jesus, ruler of all creation, incline favourable ears 

 to the prayers of thine handmaiden. O good Jesu, giver of chastitj' 

 and sanctifier of virginity, hear, I pray, the supplication of my sinful 

 nature and let my prayer ascend before Thy majesty. Thee alone, O 

 Lord, have I chosen for my spouse ; to Thee have I given myself 

 entirely from my youth up ; Thou hast been my delight above all things. 

 Preserve, O Lord, that which is Thine ; keep for Thyself what is part 

 of Thee ; deign to call me Thy spouse. Suffer not my body which is 

 Thy temple to be stained with any carnal corruption, nor any loss of 

 my spotless virginity to be inflicted upon me. But bid me to be 

 numbered amongst the virgins which follow the Lamb whithersoever 

 He goeth. Have also this mercy ujDon Thine handmaid, if I have 

 found any favour in Thy sight, and pour into the heart of my spouse 

 this king a spirit of saving grace, so that putting away the vanities of 

 this world and the snares of the flesh, he may consent to my purpose 

 of chastity, and come to Thee, who art the giver of all good, by a straight 

 road." So prayed that blissful and truly blessed maiden, and rivers 

 of tears ran plenteously down her cheeks, and from her cheek the 

 tears of her weeping ascended to the presence of divine majesty. For 

 her prayer was heard as the future events showed. 



