THE G

THE GOLDEN LEGEND.

Legenda Aurea.

"WHEREIN been contained all the high and great feasts of our Lord; the feasts of our blessed Lady; the lives, passions, and miracles of many other saints; and other histories and acts. Finished at Westminster, by William Caxton, 1483."-This is the first edition of the Golden Legend, in English. It was taken (as Caxton himself informs us) from three several books-one in French, called La Legend d'oree; another in Latin; and a third in English. Hence it appears, that his was not the first English version. These different copies varied in divers places. In particular, the Latin and French copies, contained many histories not to be found in the English one. On this account Caxton says, "I have written one out of the said three books, which I have

ordered otherwise than the said English Legend, which was so tofore made." In the following editions several of the lives and histories are differently disposed. The edition of which we are speaking, begins with the advent, nativity, &c. of our Lord; and has at the end, "The noble History of the Exposition of the Mass, and the Twelve Articles of our Faith," which are wanting in the following editions; but, like the rest, it concludes with "The Life of the holy Bishop Erasmus."

Another edition of this work was printed by Caxton the same year; another by Julian Notary, in 1503; and a fourth, by Wynkin de Worde. In this last edition we are told, that it was stiled, "The Golden Legend," because, "That as gold passeth all other metals in value, so this Legend excelled › all other books." We are informed also, that "it hath been diligently amended in divers places, whereas great need was. Finished 27th day of August, the year of our Lord, 1527."

The word Legend was employed originally to signify a book, formerly used in the Romish churches, containing the lessons to be read in

divine service. Hence, it was transferred to the lives of saints and martyrs; because from these Legends, the chapters were read at matins, and in the refectories of the religious houses.

The first known Legend was in Greek, and written by Simon Metaphrastus, in the tenth century. It contained the lives of saints, adapted to every day in the year. The next was the Golden Legend, written in Latin, and containing a collection of the lives of Saints. It was compiled by James de Varase, better known by his Latin name of J. de Voragine, vicar-general of the Dominicans, and afterwards archbishop of Genoa, who died in 1298. It was eagerly received into the church, where it maintained its reputation for a period of two hundred years.

The Golden Legend was translated into French by Jehan de Vignay, a monk hospitaller, about the year 1332. It was humourously stiled, by the learned Claude Espence Legenda Ferrea, as Thuanus reports; but his temerity subjected him to a public recantation in the year 1555,

Legend of St. Dominic.

Dominic, was duke of the order of the Friars preachers, and a noble father of the parts of Spain, of a town named Callorega, of the diocese of Oxonyense; and his father was named Felix, and his mother Johane, of whom he came as of the flesh. And his mother tofore that he was born, saw in her sleep that she bare a little whelp in her belly, which bare a brenning brond in his mouth; ard when he was issued out of her womb, he brent all the world.

And also it seemed to a woman, that was godmother to him at the font, and held him, that the child Dominic had a star right clear in his forehead, which enlumined all the world.

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And then began he to think of the establishment of his order, and of what office it might be, for to go and preach thro' the world, and for to enhance the Christian faith against the heretics. And when he had dwelled ten year in the parts of Thoulouse, after the death of the bishop of Oxonyense, unto the time that the council should be solemnized at Latranense; then he went to Rome, with Faucon, bishop of Thoulouse, to the council general, for to get of Innocent, the pope, that the order, which is said the order of the preachers, might be confirmed to him and to his successors. And the pope would not lightly accord to this thing. And

then it happened on a night, that the pope saw in a vision, that the church of Latranense was suddenly menaced for to fall and overthrow. And as he beheld it all aferde, he saw on that other side, St. Dominic renning against it, and sustained and bare it up, and kept it fro falling. And then awoke the pope, and understood the vision, and received joyously the petition of the man of God, and bad that he and his brethren should seek some rule approved, and he would confirm it as his will.

And then St. Dominic came to his brethren, and shewed to them what the pope had said; and they were of number about sixteen or seventeen friars, which anon called council of the Holy Ghost, and chose the rule of St. Austin, preacher and holy doctor, and would, of one will, be in deed and name preachers; and established therewith some customs more straiter in their living, which they took above, and promised to keep them truly.

In this time, Innocent, the pope, died; and Honorius was made pope, and sovereign bishop of the church; and he gat of the same Honorius, the confirmation of his order, in the year of our Lord, 1216.

There was a scholar in the house of the friars at Boloyne, for to hear mass. And it happened that St. Dominic sang the mass.

And when it came to

the offering, the scholar went and kissed the hand of