Ludwig answered “Yes”; but Jerome only repeated:—
“Chaplains and palfreys, acolytes and squires,—mine?”
Whereat—most marvellous of all the marvels written in this book—the Saint of the Dragon’s Dale laughed as brightly as might Maid Agnes herself; and she was very happy. After a while he kissed Agnes again, and grew pensive; yet, as all others listened, Jerome spoke:—
“I am weary, weary. I have waited long. But God is very good, and of the things to come I can fear nothing. I have wrought and fought in North Land and South Land, with paynim, with Christian. Byzantium and Paris, Jerusalem and Bergen, Palermo and Cairo,—I know them all. I have suffered and sorrowed, in pain and in darkness, but at the end, at the end,—” and his face glowed with it sinborn brightness,—“it shall come to pass, that at evening time there shall be light!”
They found him in the morning sleeping. Maid Agnes wept for long. Graf Ludwig was shut within his tent an hour, and went for a month with a face which men had fear to look upon. There was wisdom in plenty, for some said that Jerome had long been suffering of a mortal complaint which only his iron will had battled back, and now that will was relaxed; others, that in excess of joy the mortal cords were loosed; but most, that angels had visited him by night to set him in the burning chariot and bear him up to heaven. Yet all were agreed in saying, “It is well; to-day the bells on high must ring, and all the golden streets be garland-lined, for Christ’s strong warrior enters for his crown.”
The Prior of Halberstadt who rode with the army fain would have had the holy clay transported to his abbey, there to be cased in gold, and adored by many a pilgrim; but Graf Ludwig answered sternly, “Nay,” for he knew his father’s heart. Therefore they wound down the Dragon’s Dale,—priests, and lords, and men-at-arms, approaching the hut in the clearing. No sombre procession this; but for the lack of heralds and of minne-singers one might have deemed it a triumph. “Alleluia!” sang many, as they started the red deer in the coppice; and soon all broke forth into praise of Our Blessed Lady, who welcomed her servant home.
“Ave maris stella
Dei Mater alma,
Atque semper virgo