Chapter 1

Here begins the life of Malachy the Bishop

CHAPTER I

The early life of Malachy. Having been admitted to Holy Orders he associates with Malchus

1095.

1. Our Malachy, born in Ireland,¹ of a barbarous people, was brought up there, and there received his education. But from the barbarism of his birth he contracted no taint, any more than the fishes of the sea from their native salt. But how delightful to reflect, that uncultured barbarism should have produced for us so worthy² a fellow-citizen with the saints and member of the household of God.³ He who brings honey out of the rock and oil out of the flinty rock⁴ Himself did this. His parents,⁵ however, were great both by descent and in power, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.⁶ Moreover his mother,⁷ more noble in mind than in blood, took pains, in the very beginning of his ways,⁸ to show to her child the ways of life,⁹ esteeming this knowledge of more value to him than the empty knowledge of the learning of this world. For both, however, he had aptitude in proportion to his age. In the schools he was taught learning, at home the fear of the Lord,¹⁰ and by daily progress he duly responded to both teacher and mother.¹¹ For indeed he was endowed from the first with a good spirit,¹² in virtue of which he was a docile boy and very lovable, wonderfully gracious to all in all things. But he was [now] drinking, instead of milk from the breast of a mother, the waters of saving wisdom,¹³ and day by day he was increasing in discretion. In discretion, shall I say, or in holiness? If I say both, I shall not regret it, for I should say the truth.¹⁴ He behaved as an old man, a boy in years without a boy’s playfulness. And when because of this he was regarded with reverence and astonishment by all, he was not found on that account, as commonly happens, more arrogant, but rather quiet and subdued in all meekness.¹⁵ Not impatient of rule, not shunning discipline, not averse from reading, not, therefore, eager for games—so especially dear to the heart of boys of that age. And he advanced beyond all of his own age¹⁶ in that learning, at least, which suited his years. For in discipline of morals and advance in virtues in a short time he even outshone all his instructors.¹⁷ His unction,¹⁸ however, rather than his mother, was his teacher. Urged by it he exercised himself not slothfully also in divine things, to seek solitude, to anticipate vigils,¹⁹ to meditate in the law,²⁰ to eat sparingly, to pray frequently, and (because on account of his studies he had not leisure to frequent the church, and from modesty would not) to lift up holy hands everywhere²¹ to heaven; but only where it could be done secretly—for already he was careful to avoid vainglory, that poison of virtues.²²

2. There is a hamlet near the city in which the boy studied,²³ whither his teacher was wont to go often, accompanied by him alone. When they were going there both together, as he related afterwards, he would step back, stop a moment,²⁴ and standing behind his teacher, when he was not aware of it, spread forth his hands toward heaven,²⁵ and quickly send forth a prayer, as if it were a dart; and, thus dissembling, once more would follow the teacher. By such a pious trick the boy often deceived him who was his companion as well as teacher. It is not possible to mention all the qualities which adorned his earlier years with the hue of a good natural disposition; we must hasten to greater and more useful matters. One further incident, however, I relate because, in my judgement, it yielded a sign, not only of good, but also of great hope in the boy. Roused once on a time by the reputation of a certain teacher, famous in the studies which are called liberal, he went to him desiring to learn. For indeed he was now grasping after the last opportunities of boyhood, and was longing eagerly for such learning. But when he went into the house he saw the man playing with an awl, and with rapid strokes making furrows in the wall in some strange fashion. And shocked at the bare sight, because it smacked of levity, the serious boy dashed away from him, and did not care even to see him from that time forward. Thus, though an avid student of letters, as a lover of virtue he esteemed them lightly in comparison with that which was becoming. By such preliminary exercises the boy was being prepared for the conflict which awaited him in more advanced²⁶ age; and already in his own person he was challenging the adversary. Such, then, was the boyhood of Malachy. Moreover he passed through his adolescence with like simplicity and purity; except that as years increased, there increased also for him wisdom and favour with God and man.²⁷

3. From this time, that is, from his early adolescence, what was in the man²⁸ began to appear more plainly, and it came to be seen that the grace of God which was in him was not in vain.²⁹ For the industrious young man,³⁰ seeing how the world lieth in wickedness,³¹ and considering what sort of spirit he had received, said within himself, “It is not the spirit of this world.³² What have the two in common?³³ One has no communion with the other any more than light with darkness.³⁴ But my spirit is of God, and I know the things that are freely given me³⁵ in it. From it I have innocence of life till now, from it the ornament of continence, from it hunger for righteousness,³⁶ from it also that glory of mine, by so much more secure because it is more secret, the testimony of my conscience.³⁷ None of these is safe for me under the prince of this world.³⁸ Then, I have this treasure in an earthen vessel.³⁹ I must take heed lest it should strike against something and be broken, and the oil of gladness⁴⁰ which I carry be poured out. And in truth it is most difficult not to strike against something amid the stones and rocks of this crooked and winding way and life.⁴¹ Must I thus in a moment lose together all the blessings of goodness with which I have been prevented⁴² from the beginning? Rather do I resign them, and myself with them, to Him from whom they come. Yea, and I am His. I lose my very soul⁴³ for a time that I may not lose it for ever. And what I am and all that I have, where can they be as safe as in the hand of their Author? Who so concerned to preserve, so powerful to hold, so faithful to restore? He will preserve in safety. He will restore in good time. Without hesitation I give myself to serve Him by His gifts. I cannot lose aught of all that I spend on my labour of piety. Perchance I may even hope for some greater boon. He who gives freely is wont to repay with usury. So it is. He will even heap up and increase virtue in my soul.”⁴⁴

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