y into the choir, to be alert in watching,
enduring in fasting, careful in celebrating the Mass, and devout in
prayer. Once he was asked by a Religious what he had eaten during
Advent, and whether he had had eggs from time to time; and he made
answer: "Blessed be God, throughout Advent I have seldom taken eggs or
fish, but I have eaten pulse only and have kept the fast in great
contentment."
So when by the ordinance of God the end of his life was at hand, and the
time when his good deeds should receive a better crown, he made a most
edifying end after the manner and order following:
At that time and in this year there was a notable pestilence in our House
of the Blessed Virgin in the Wood, whereof the Prior and many Brothers
died, and the one priest who survived, Brother John of Groninghen, a
weakly and feeble man, was left desolate save for the presence of one
novice, Brother Honestus. But our Brother Wolfard, hearing of the death
of these Brothers, and of the grief of them that were left desolate, was
greatly moved with compassion for this House. One day, therefore, when
girt for labour, he said in a tone of pity to me, as I stood by him, "Who
could deserve to have his portion with these good Brothers of Northorn,
and to earn an end like theirs?" For he had known divers of these
Brothers, and the place where they dwelt, and he loved their holy
company. And as he was telling me many good things concerning them,
Brother Arnold, a Convert from Northorn, entered in at the gate of our
monastery to ask for one of our priests and when Brother Wolfard saw him
coming he ran joyfully towards him and embraced him. But hearing the
cause of his coming, he said that he himself was ready to go with him if
it were pleasing to the Prior, and his obedience should permit. And
Arnold, seeing his readiness to come, rejoiced thereat, and said: "Most
beloved Brother, how good would it be that thou shouldest do so." Then
the Brothers were called together and considered who should be sent to
succour those Brothers in their strait, and they determined upon Brother
Wolfard, who was of fitting character and age, and he, being moved by
charity, assented to their resolution. On the next day at sunrise, he
set forth to Northorn with Brother Arnold, being ready to lay down his
life for the Brothers after the example of Christ, that he might save it
everlastingly. So he said farewell to the Brothers of Mount St. Agnes,
who wept at his de
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