第 5 节
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were favourably received by the consuls; and swore submission to the
Roman yoke; with whatever severity it might be imposed。
The Romans; therefore; came with a powerful army to the assistance
of the Britons; and having appointed over them a ruler; and settled the
government; returned to Rome: and this took place alternately during the
space of three hundred and forty…eight years。 The Britons; however; from
the oppression of the empire; again massacred The Roman deputies; and
again petitioned for succour。 Once more the Romans undertook the
government of the Britons; and assisted them in repelling their neighbours;
and; after having exhausted the country of its gold; silver; brass; honey;
and costly vestments; and having besides received rich gifts; they returned
in great triumph to Rome。
31。 After the above…said war between the Britons and Romans; the
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assassination of their rulers; and the victory of Maximus; who slew
Gratian; and the termination of the Roman power in Britain; they were in
alarm forty years。
Vortigern then reigned in Britain。 In his time; the natives had cause of
dread; not only from the inroads of the Scots and Picts; but also from the
Romans; and their apprehensions of Ambrosius。* * These words relate
evidently to some cause of dispute between the Romans; Ambrosius; and
Vortigern。 Vortigern is said to have been sovereign of the Dimetae; and
Ambrosius son to the king of the Damnonii。 The latter was half a Roman
by descent; and naturally supported the Roman interest: the former was
entirely a Briton; and as naturally seconded by the original Britons。
In the meantime; three vessels; exiled from Germany; arrived in
Britain。 They were commanded by Horsa and Hengist; brothers; and sons
of Wihtgils。 Wihtgils was the son of Witta; Witta of Wecta; Wecta of
Woden; Woden of Frithowald; Frithowald of Frithuwulf; Frithuwulf of
Finn; Finn of Godwulf; Godwulf of Geat; who; as they say; was the son of
a god; not'1' of the omnipotent God and our Lord Jesus Christ (who
before the beginning of the world; was with the Father and the Holy Spirit;
co…eternal and of the same substance; and who; in compassion to human
nature; disdained not to assume the form of a servant); but the offspring of
one of their idols; and whom; blinded by some demon; they worshipped
according to the custom of the heathen。 Vortigern received them as friends;
and delivered up to them the island which is in their language called
Thanet; and; by the Britons; Ruym。'2' Gratianus Aequantius at that time
reigned in Rome。 The Saxons were received by Vortigern; four hundred
and forty…seven years after the passion of Christ; and;'3' according to the
tradition of our ancestors; from the period of their first arrival in Britain; to
the first year of the reign of king Edmund; five hundred and forty…two
years; and to that in which we now write; which is the fifth of his reign;
five hundred and forty…seven years。 '1' V。R。 not the God of gods; the
Amen; the Lord of Hosts; but one of their idols which they worshipped。 '2'
Sometimes called Ruoichin; Ruith…in; or 〃river island;〃 separated from the
rest of Kent and the mainland of Britain by the estuary of the Wantsum;
which; though now a small brook; was formerly navigable for large
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vessels; and in Bede's time was three stadia broad; and fordable only at
two places。 '3' The rest of this sentence is omitted in some of the MSS。
32。 At that time St。 Germanus; distinguished for his numerous virtues;
came to preach in Britain: by his ministry many were saved; but many
likewise died unconverted。 Of the various miracles which God enabled
him to perform; I shall here mention only a few: I shall first advert to that
concerning an iniquitous and tyrannical king; named Benlli。* The holy
man; informed of his wicked conduct; hastened to visit him; for the
purpose of remonstrating him。 When the man of God; with his attendants;
arrived at the gate of the city; they were respectfully received by the
keeper of it; who came out and saluted them。 Him they commissioned to
communicate their intention to the king; who returned a harsh answer;
declaring; with an oath; that although they remained there a year; they
should not enter the city。 While waiting for an answer; the evening came
on; and they knew not where to go。 At length; came one of the king's
servants; who bowing himself before the man of God; announced the
words of the tyrant; inviting them; at the same time; to his own house; to
which they went; and were kindly received。 It happened; however; that he
had no cattle; except one cow and a calf; the latter of which; urged by
generous hospitality to his guests; he killed; dressed and set before them。
But holy St。 Germanus ordered his companions not to break a bone of the
calf; and; the next morning; it was found alive uninjured; and standing by
its mother。 * King of Powys。 V。R。 Benli in the district of Ial (in
Derbyshire); in the district of Dalrieta; Belinus; Beluni; and Benty。
33。 Early the same day; they again went to the gate of the city; to
solicit audience of the wicked king; and; whilst engaged in fervent prayer
they were waiting for admission; a man; covered with sweat; came out;
and prostrated himself before them。 Then St。 Germanus; addressing him;
said 〃Dost thou believe in the Holy Trinity?〃 To which the man having
replied; 〃I do believe;〃 he baptized; and kissed him; saying; 〃Go in peace;
within this hour thou shalt die: the angels of God are waiting for thee in
the air; with them thou shalt ascent to that God in whom thou has
believed。: He; overjoyed; entered the city; and being met by the prefect;
was seized; bound; and conducted before the tyrant; who having passed
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sentence upon him; he was immediately put to death; for it was a law of
this wicked king; that whoever was not at his labour before sun…rising
should be beheaded in the citadel。 In the meantime; St。 Germanus; with his
attendants; waited the whole day before the gate; without obtaining
admission to the tyrant。
34。 The man above…mentioned; however; remained with them。 〃Take
care;〃 said St。 Germanus to him; 〃that none of your friends remain this
night within these walls。 Upon this he hastily entered the city; brought out
his nine sons; and with them retired to the house where he had exercised
such generous hospitality。 Here St。 Germanus ordered them to continue;
fasting; and when the gates were shut; 〃Watch;〃 said he; 〃and whatever
shall happen in the citadel; turn not thither your eyes; but pray without
ceasing; and invoke the protection of the true God。〃 And; behold; early in
the night; fire fell from heaven; and burned the city; together with all those
who were with the tyrant; so that not one escaped; and that citadel has
never been rebuilt even to this day。
35。 The following day; the hospitable man who had been converted by
the preaching of St。 Germanus; was baptized; with his sons; and all the
inhabitants of that part of the country; and St。 Germanus blessed him;
saying; 〃a king shall not be wanting of thy seed for ever。〃 The name of this
person is Catel Drunlue:* 〃from hence… forward thou shalt be a king all the
days of thy life。〃 Thus was fulfilled the prophecy of the Psalmist: 〃He
raiseth up the poor out of the dust; and lifteth up the needy out of the
dunghill。〃 And agreeably to the prediction of St。 Germanus; fr