ing to the prophecy of the
saint.

CHAPTER XCVII.

_The Temptation of the Nun is Subdued._

The venerable Benignus, among the other endowments wherewith the divine
grace had endowed him, excelled in the song of a sweet voice, so that
he penetrated the hearts and the ears of all who heard him. But as a
virtue or gift which is given from on high becometh unto many the odor
of life unto life, yet unto others the odor of death unto death, so out
of the melody of his voice did the tempter minister the occasion of
sin. For a certain nun, while she was delighted with the sweet singing
of Benignus, entertained at length a more earnest desire toward the man
of God, who nothing knew of this unhallowed flame, which hardly could
she control in her bosom. And the more vehemently did it burn for that
the strict discipline which was instituted by Saint Patrick, and the
difficulty of the very attempt, prevented the damsel from any secret
conversation with Benignus. Therefore, taught by woman's cunning,
feigned she extreme illness, and withdrew as unto her sick-bed, and
besought that from Benignus she might receive spiritual counsel and the
holy communion. For he had then attained the priesthood, and was held
in great veneration as one who adorned with his holy life the priestly
office. But Saint Patrick, at the revelation of the Spirit, was not
ignorant of what distemper did the nun labor. Whereupon he called unto
him Benignus, and bade him that he should visit the sick damsel and
minister unto her soul's health. And he, obedient unto his spiritual
father, having besought and obtained his blessing, entered the house of
the complaining damsel, and made the sign of the cross, as was Saint
Patrick's custom at entering any house, that so he might overcome the
snares of the enemy of man's salvation. Wonderful was the event, and
marvellous; unwonted, indeed, yet exceedingly profitable. The damsel,
raising her eyes at his entrance, beheld Benignus, very terrible in his
stature, and his face as breathing forth flames; and she beheld herself
bright with fire both within and without, and Saint Patrick standing
nigh, and covering his head with his hands. And from that hour, even
unto the end of her life, was the fire of human love extinguished in
her bosom, as if her body were of stone or wood, and not of flesh. And
afterward she loved Saint Benignus with a pure and a saintly love, and
she confessed that through his merits Sa