share; nor will I, nor I! The distant and absent who offended
him, Saint Edmund has been known to punish fearfully; much more
will he those close by, who lay violent hands on his coat, and
would strip it off!" These things being said, the Shrine was not
meddled with, nor any ransom levied for it.

For Lords of the Treasury have in all times their impassable
limits, be it by 'force of public opinion' or otherwise; and in
those days a Heavenly Awe overshadowed and encompassed, as it
still ought and must, all earthly Business whatsoever.




Chapter XIV

Henry of Essex


Of St. Edmund's fearful avengements have they not the
remarkablest instance still before their eyes? He that will go
to Reading Monastery may find there, now tonsured into a mournful
penitent Monk, the once proud Henry Earl of Essex; and discern
how St. Edmund punishes terribly, yet with mercy! This Narrative
is too significant to be omitted as a document of the Time. Our
Lord Abbot, once on a visit at Reading, heard the particulars
from Henry's own mouth; and thereupon charged one of his monks
to write it down;--as accordingly the Monk has done, in ambitious
rhetorical Latin; inserting the same, as episode, among
Jocelin's garrulous leaves. Read it here; with ancient yet with