Una Sunamitis nupsit tribus maritis;
Rex Henrice, Omnipotentis vice,
Solve connubium, triforme, dubium.
(Annalista Saxo, ann. 1046.)
The invitation to interfere, however, was not needed. Henry’s prerogative as the representative of Charlemagne and Otho the Great was sufficient warrant, and his religious ardor an ample motive, without any special reference to his tribunal.
[453] Anon. de Episcop. Eichstett. c. 34 (Patrolog. T. 146, pp. 1021-2).
[454] It would be a work of supererogation to quote the innumerable evidences of this which crowd the pages of contemporary writers. The generalizing remark of Glaber will suffice—“Omnes quippe gradus ecclesiastici a maximo pontifice usque ad hostianum opprimuntur per suæ damnationis precium, ac juxta vocem Dominicam in cunctis grassatur spiritale latrocinium.”—Glab. Rodolph. Hist. Lib. V. c. 5.
[455] Damiani Lib. VIII. Epist. 3.
[456] Johannis Vit. B. P. Damiani c. 1.
[457] Alex. II. Epist. 15.