ith her boat into the open stream, leaving both
the good fathers to their deserts, and crying out to them as loudly as
she could--

"Wait now, sirs, till the angel of God comes to console you; for you
shall have nought that could please you from me to-day."

The two poor monks, perceiving that they had been deceived, knelt down
at the water's edge and besought her not to put them to such shame; and
they promised that they would ask nothing of her if she would of her
goodness take them to the haven. But, still rowing away, she said to
them--

"I should be doubly foolish if, after escaping out of your hands, I were
to put myself into them again."

When she had come to the village, she went to call her husband and the
ministers of justice that they might go and take these fierce wolves,
from whose fangs she had by the grace of God escaped. They set out
accompanied by many people, for there was no one, big or little, but
wished to share in the pleasure of this chase.

When the poor brethren saw such a large company approaching, they hid
themselves each in his island, even as Adam did when he perceived his
nakedness in the presence of God.(2) Shame set their sin clearly before
them, and the fear of punishment made them tremble so that they were
half dead. Nevertheless, they were taken prisoners amid the mockings and
hootings of men and women.

Some said, "These good fathers preach chastity to us and then rob our
wives of theirs." (3)

2 See _Genesis_ iii. 8-10.

3 The editions of 1558 and 1560 here contain this
additional phrase: "They do not dare to touch money with
bare hands, and yet they willingly finger the thighs of our
wives, which are more dangerous."--L.

Others said, "They are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed
appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones and
uncleanness." (4) Then another voice cried, "By their fruits shall ye
know what manner of trees they are." (5)

You may be sure that all the passages in the Gospel condemning
hypocrites were brought forward against the unhappy prisoners, who were,
however, rescued and delivered by their Warden,(6) who came in all haste
to claim them, assuring the ministers of justice that he would visit
them with a greater punishment than laymen would venture to inflict, and
that they should make reparation by saying as many masses and prayers as
might be required. The judge granted the Warden's request and ga