Chapter 17

Of the seamen in peril.

CERTAIN men departing from the king's city of London had come to the remote ends of the world, and after some time were preparing to return to London with all their goods. And when they had entrusted themselves to the waves of the sea and with the blowing of the south-west wind were making, tended with a swift course, for the desired haven, lo, they beheld from afar, as it were two furlongs away, the high peaks of projecting rocks through which they must pass if they determined to proceed farther. Therefore the shipmaster, looking forward, declared that a great peril threatened them in that the ship, if dashed upon the rocks, would be broken in pieces, the merchandise would perish, and for the crew there would be no hope of escape. Nevertheless, he exhorted them to trust in the divine mercy, to offer their humble prayers to Him to whom nothing is impossible, nothing is difficult. At which the men of London said "What do we with little faith fear who have the good Bartholomew, the accomplisher of so great marvels, set nigh to us in London? To him, then, let us prostrate ourselves in prayer, to him let us offer our vows with all confidence who shows to foreigners so great and so famous benefits; he will not hide the bowels of his mercy from his fellow citizens." To him then with one mind, prostrating themselves, they prayed; rising up after their prayer, and looking forth this way and that they perceive that after their supplication they have been carried past the danger by as great a space as that by which before their prayer they seemed to have approached it. Joyful, therefore, straightway as they landed they betook themselves to the church of the glorious apostle, and offered two wax tapers of immense size for their vow.

 

The Book of the Foundation of St. Bartholomew's, Smithfield Rendered into Modern English from the original Latin version preserved in the British Museum, numbered Vespasian B. IX, by Mr. Humphrey H. King and Mr. William Barnard for use in the Records of St. Bartholomew's Priory by E.A. Webb.

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