ing revelation and not a false dreaming
delusion.

VINCENT: Then shall he peradventure answer me that whether I
believe him or not maketh to him no matter; the thing toucheth
himself and not me, and he himself is in himself as sure that it
is a true revelation as that he can tell that he dreameth not but
talketh with me awake.

ANTHONY: Without doubt, cousin, if he abide at that point and can
by no reason be brought to do so much as doubt, nor can by no
means be shogged out of his dead sleep, but will needs take his
dream for a very truth, and--as some men rise by night and walk
about their chamber in their sleep--will so rise and hang himself;
I can then see no other way but either bind him fast in his bed,
or else essay whether that might hap to help him with which, the
common tale goeth, a carver's wife helped her husband in such a
frantic fancy. When, upon a Good Friday, he would needs have
killed himself for Christ as Christ did for him, she said to him
that it would then be fitting for him to die even after the same
fashion. And that might not be by his own hands, but by the hand
of another; for Christ, perdy, killed not himself. And because her
husband would take no counsel (for that would he not, in no wise),
she offered him that for God's sake she would secretly crucify him
herself upon a great cross that he had made to nail a new-carved
crucifix upon. And he was very glad thereof. Yet then she
bethought her that Christ was bound to a pillar and beaten first,
and afterward crowned with thorns. Thereupon, when she had by his
own assent bound him fast to a post, she left not off beating,
with holy exhortation to suffer, so much and so long that ere ever
she left work and unbound him (praying nevertheless, that she
might put on his head, and drive well down, a crown of thorns that
she had wrought for him and brought him), he said he thought this
was enough for that year. He would pray God to forbear him of the
rest till Good Friday came again! But when it came again the next
years, then was his desire past; he longed to follow Christ no
further.

VINCENT: Indeed, uncle, if this help him not, then will nothing
help him, I suppose.

ANTHONY: And yet, cousin, the devil may peradventure make him,
toward such a purpose, first gladly suffer other pain; yea, and
diminish his feeling in it, too, that he may thereby the less fear
his death. And yet are peradventure sometimes such things and many
more to be essa