The Heptameron (Machen)/Day 6: Prologue

On the morrow earlier than she was wont, Oisille went into the hall to make ready her lesson; and the company being advertised of this, for the desire they had to hear her wholesome exhortations, made such speed to dress themselves that she had no long time to wait. And perceiving their spirits to be stirred up, and having before expounded to them the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans, she on this day read to them the Epistle of St. John the Divine, the which is full of all love. So pleasant was this refection to them that were present that, although they had been there a full half-hour over and above the accustomed time, yet the whole seemed not more than a quarter of an hour. From thence" they passed to the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, commending themselves to the Holy Ghost that what they had heard on that day might be profitable unto them. And after they had broken their fast and rested for a while, they went to the meadow for their wonted pastime. And Oisille asked who should make a beginning to the day. Longarine answered and said: "I give my vote to Mistress Oisille: for so good a lesson hath she given us this morning, that she will doubtless tell us some story worthy of the same." "I am sorry," said Oisille, "that I cannot speak to you this afternoon as profitably as in the morning; natheless, the intent of my history shall not be at variance with that place of Holy Scripture where it is written: 'O, put not your trust in princes, nor in any child of man; for there is no help in them.' And to the end that this Scripture may not fall into forgetfulness for want of an example, I will give you a true one, and so fresh is it in men's memory that the tears are scarce wiped away from the eyes of them that saw this pitiful sight."