ver the
Bohemians and Lombards. Maud, in the contest between her two elder sons
for the crown, which was elective, favored Henry, who was the younger, a
fault she expiated by severe afflictions and penance. These two sons
conspired to strip her of her dowry, on the unjust pretence that she had
squandered away the revenues of the state on the poor. This persecution
was long and cruel, coming from all that was most dear to her in this
world. The unnatural princes at length repented of their injustice, were
reconciled to her, and restored her all that had been taken from her.
She then became more liberal in her alms than ever, and founded many
churches, with five monasteries; of which the principal were that of
Polden in the duchy of Brunswick, in which she maintained three thousand
monks; and that of Quedlinbourg in the duchy of Saxony.[1] She buried
her husband in this place, and when she had finished the buildings, made
it her usual retreat. She applied herself totally to her devotions, and
to works of mercy. It was her greatest pleasure to teach the poor and
ignorant how to pray, as she had formerly taught her servants. In her
last sickness she made her confession to her grandson William, the
archbishop of Mentz, who yet died twelve days before her, on his road
home. She again made a public confession before the priests and monks of
the place, received a second time the last sacraments, and lying on a
sackcloth with ashes on her head, died on the 14th of March, in 968. Her
body remains at Quedlinbourg. Her name is recorded to the Roman
Martyrology on this day.

* * * * *

The beginning of true virtue is most ardently to desire it, and to ask
it of God with the utmost assiduity and earnestness,[2] preferring it
with all the saints to kingdoms and thrones, and considering riches as
nothing in comparison of this our only and inestimable treasure. Fervent
prayer, holy meditation, and reading pious books, are the principal
means by which it is to be constantly improved, and the interior life of
the soul to be strength ened. These are so much the more necessary in
the world than in a religious state, as its poison and distractions
threaten her continually with the greatest danger. Amidst the pomp,
hurry, and amusements of a court, St. Maud gave herself up to holy
contemplation with such earnestness, that though she was never wanting
to any exterior or social duties, her soul was raised above a