Stelle Flante namque vento euroaustro dure...; (Vita Wilfridi (709 - 720), ch. 13 (p. 26-28)) [32]

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ID 32
Text Vita Wilfridi (709 - 720) Stephen of Ripon
Quotation Flante namque vento euroaustro dure, albescentia undarum culmina in regionem Australium Saxonum, quam non noverant, proiecerunt eos. (...) Gentiles autem cum ingenti exercitu venientes, navem arripere, praedam sibi pecuniae dividere, captivos subiugatos deducere resistentesque gladio occidere incunctanter proposuerunt. (...) Illi vero feroces et indurato corde cum Pharaone populum Dei dimittere nolentes et dicentes superbe, sua esse omnia quasi propria, quae mare ad terras proiecit stans quoque princeps sacerdotum idolatriae coram paganis in tumulo excelso, sicut Balaam, maledicere populum Dei et suis magicis artibus manus eorum alligare nitebatur. Tunc vero unus ex sodalibus pontificis nostri lapidem ab omni populo Dei benedictum more Davidico de funda emittens, fronte perforata usque ad cerebrum magi exprobrantis inlisit; (...) Ad bellum ergo se praeparantes pagani, aciem frustra in populum Dei direxerunt. (...) Sicut enim Moyses, Hur et Aaron sustentantibus manus eius, Iesu Nave cum populo Dei adversum Amalech pugnante, frequenter Domini protectionem implorans triumphavit, ita et hic isti pauci christiani feroces et indomatos paganos tribus vicibus in fugam versos strage non modica obruerunt, quinque tantum viris, quod mirum dictu est, ex sua parte occisis, orante sacerdote magno ad Dominum Deum suum, qui statim iussit ante horam plenam, priusquam consuerat, mare venire.
Translation The wind blew hard from the south-east and the foam-crested waves hurled them on to the land of the South Saxons which they did not know. (...) Forthwith a huge army of pagans arrived intending to seize the ship, to divide the money as booty for themselves, carry off the captives whom they vanquished and incontinently put to the sword all who resisted them. (...) The enemy however were fierce, and, hardening their hearts like Pharaoh, were unwilling to let the people of God depart, proudly declaring that they treated as their own possessions all that the sea cast upon the land. The chief priest of their idolatrous worship also took up his stand in front of the pagans, on a high mound, and like Balaam, attempted to curse the people of God, and to bind their hands by means of his magical arts. Thereupon one of the companions of our bishop took a stone which had been blessed by all the people of God and hurled it from his sling after the manner of David. It pierced the wizard's forehead and penetrated to his brain as he stood cursing (...) The pagans then got ready for battle, but in vain did they draw up their array against the people of God. (...) For as Moses continually called upon the Lord for help, Hur and Aaron raising his hands, while Joshua the son of Nun was fighting against Amalek with the people of God, so this little band of Christians overthrew the fierce and untamed heathen host, three times putting them to flight with no little slaughter, though, marvellous to relate, only five of the Christians were slain. Then the great bishop prayed to the Lord his God, who straightway bade the tide return before its usual hour. (Trans. Colgrave, 27-9)
Quotation source ch. 13 (p. 26-28)
Temporal Coverage 666 - 666
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Spatial Coverage Objects
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