Concerning Arnold of “Schoonhoven” (that is, “Bellae Curiae”), a devout Clerk
(1)
IN the days when the Church at Deventer flourished through the presence there of that Reverend Father Florentius, and many scholars came to that city from divers regions desiring to be taught, there came also from the country of Holland a youth whose natural disposition was good, and in whom was no worldly malice. His name was Arnold, and he was the son of one Wyrone, a faithful man and an honourable citizen of Schoonhoven. While Arnold was still in his parent’s house, and attended the School with the boys that were his comrades, he followed not the ways of those that sported in the streets, but it was his custom to enter the Church in the morning and there to offer his prayers and vows to God before the several Altars, giving up his heart betimes in the day to the Lord Who made him. The first beginnings of a boyhood so devout contained the promise of that fuller grace which he should earn when he came to man’s estate; for God shielded him that he continued untouched by the contagion of the flesh. As I have said, he came to Deventer, where at that time Master John Boheme was in authority, and he presented himself before the face of Florentius, hoping to obtain a lodging in one of the Houses of the Devout Clerks. At that time there was no small number of these Clerks living in the several Houses under the rule and discipline of that most devout Father, and following the holy commandments of their Lord, His counsels and precepts, and also at set times toiling at the work of copying books for the Schools.
(2) So Florentius, perceiving that Arnold was earnestly disposed to the service of God and wholly turned away from the world, gave him leave to abide in his own ancient House wherein dwelt divers Clerks, about twenty in all, living at the common charge, having a common table and expenditure, and serving God with great devotion. Amongst their number were three lay Brothers, of whom one was the Procurator, who bought all things necessary for the Community, the second was over the kitchen, and the third mended the clothes. In after days some of the Brethren from this House passed into the order of Canons Regular; others attained the Priestly rank, and by reason of the good examples which they had seen and learned at Deventer, bore fruit in other places.
(3) At this same time, by the aid and counsel of Florentius, I also took up my abode in this house, and continued in the Community for about a year, having Arnold as my companion, for we were content to share one little cell and bed. Here indeed I learned to write, to read the Holy Scripture and books on moral subjects, and to hear devout discourses; but it was chiefly through the sweet conversation of the Brethren that I was inspired yet more strongly to despise the world; and by the pious admonitions of Arnold I was holpen and instructed every day. All that I was then able to earn by writing I gave for the expenses of the Community, and what I lacked, the generous piety of my beloved Father Florentius defrayed for me, for he succoured me in every way like a father.
(4) Thus I noted in Arnold many signs of devotion, for he was altogether exemplary and devout both in the House and the School, not hurtful or harsh to any, but acceptable and kindly unto all. Every morning at the fourth hour when the Bell gave warning, he awoke instantly and arose with alacrity, and then, before the bed on bended knees, he said a short prayer, fervently pouring forth the first fruits of his mouth to the Lord. After dressing himself quickly, he went in due time to the Oratory to recite the morning Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of the Holy Cross, and he did not keep the others waiting but was instant to arrive before them all.
When it was time to go to Mass he hastened to be amongst the first in Church and humbly bowed the knee before the Altars, hearing the Office of the Mass with the reverence of a suppliant, and ceasing not from prayer and holy meditation until the solemn rites were finished in due order. He loved to choose a private place far from the crowd so that he might not be hindered in his prayers, and the more private his place the more fervent were his supplications. He avoided to be seen of men lest in any way he might become conspicuous by his devotion, and likewise he took care that his voice might not be heard abroad, for his desire was to open his heart in private prayer to God only; but yet his burning light could not always be thus hidden nor hindered from shining abroad though he were fain to hide it.
(5) Thus it sometimes happened that though he wist not of it, I stood by and noted secretly what he did, and was set on fire by his fervour in prayer, for I desired that I too might sometimes feel a devotion like to that which he seemed to feel every day. Nor was it wonderful that one who kept careful ward over his heart and lips wherever he went, should be devout in prayer, for the sound of joy was heard from his mouth by reason of the most sweet savour of his devotion, as if he were partaking of delectable food, according to that saying of the Psalmist: “The high praises of God shall be in their lips.” As he sat with the boys in School he noted not their childish clamour, but as the Master delivered his lecture he wrote the same on paper and afterward read it over to himself or with a comrade, thereby avoiding vain talk; for he did not betake himself to worldly employments, but when the lectures were done he read awhile in the Holy Page, and often prayed silently or sighed inwardly; for in his studies he sought God above all else. When he found aught that was especially noteworthy, he of his charity showed it to the comrade who was with him or gave him the passage to read, and thus by the Sacred word and by his holy discourse he turned many away from scurrilous talk and laughter. On Feast Days when many persons came to the town, he brought not a few to the House of Florentius to hear his discourse, not regarding their age or condition, but rejoicing over them and hoping for the conversion of some; and through the inspiration of God he was not disappointed of his desire, for he saw the fruit of his labours in the amending of the lives of these worldlings, both young and old. His discourse and exhortation dealt not with lofty matters nor with things foreign to the purpose in hand, but with true conversion to God and the amendment of life in the world; and the holy simplicity of his devout words was more profitable than the subtility of a Latin discourse.