upon her palfrey. Supposing that they were but going out into the neighbouring meadows to take the clean air, they followed behind, one and all, singing merry carols in their honour.
For so long as they were in the streets of the town the palfreys moved slowly, but once out in the open country they began galloping.
The lovers tried still to follow them, but at last were forced to drop off, and fell one by one along the wayside.
When they had covered some miles the palfreys stood still; and the three ladies, seeing that they had come free of their pursuers, resolved to give honour to God for his aid, and to this end to build him a fair church.
Where? They did not know. But the thing was already decided in Paradise, as you shall see.
For as soon as they were once again on their horses, the animals, guided by God’s holy spirit, set off at a high trot.
And leapt rivers, threaded forests, passed through towns, whereof the gates opened of themselves to let them by, and closed again after, bounded over walls and like obstacles.
And startled every one they met, all amazed to see go by, quick as the wind, these three white horses and these three fair ladies.
And travelled in this way for a thousand leagues, or rather more.
VI. Of the diamond hammers, and foundations torn up from the ground
At Haeckendover, in the duchy of Brabant, the palfreys stood still once again, and neighed.
And would not go one step forward, nor back.
For this was where God had chosen to have his church.
But the ladies, supposing that they had stopped there because they were tired, went on as far as Hoy-Bout on foot, and there determined to start building.
Therefore they sent for the most skilful workers in stone, and master-builders also, in so great number that at the end of one day the foundations were two hands’ breadth high in the lowest part.
And seeing this good beginning the ladies rejoiced greatly, and supposed their work agreeable to God.
But on the morrow, alas, found all the stones torn up out of the ground.
Thinking that by chance some traitor heretic had been buried in that place, who at night shook down the stones of their church with the trembling of his accursed bones, they removed to Steenen-Berg with their workmen, and there started afresh in the same manner as at Hoy-Bout.
But on the morrow morning found the walls once again out of the ground.
For the Lord Jesus was minded to be worshipped more particularly at Haeckendover.
And sent, therefore, his angels by night, with hammers of diamond from the workshops of Paradise.
And bade them tear down the work of the three ladies.
Therefore the sisters, greatly perplexed and wondering, went down on their knees, praying God that he would tell them where he wished to have his church.
VII. Of the youngest sister and the beautiful angel
And suddenly they saw a young man, of a beauty more than earthly, clad in a robe of the colour of the setting sun.
Kindly he looked at them.
Knowing him for God’s angel, the three ladies fell on their faces before him.
But the youngest, bolder than the others, as is the way with children, dared to steal a look at the fair ambassador, and, seeing him so comely, took heart and smiled.
The angel took her by the hand, saying to her and to her sisters: “Come and follow me.”
This they did.
And thence they came to the spot where the church now stands, and the angel said to them: “This is the place.”
“Thank you, My Lord,” said the youngest joyously.
VIII. How the three ladies saw a green island, with sweet flowers and birds thereon
At that time it was thirteen days past the feast of the Kings; snow had fallen heavily and set hard in frost after, by reason of a north wind which was blowing.
And the three ladies saw before them, among the snow, as it were a green island.
And this island was girt about with a cord of purple silk.
And upon the island the air was fresh as in spring, and roses were blowing, with violets and jessamine, whose smell is like balm.
But outside was naught but storm, north wind, and terrible cold.
Towards the middle, where now stands the grand altar, was a holm-oak, covered with blossom as if it had been a Persian jessamine.
In the branches, warblers, finches and nightingales sang to their hearts’ content the sweetest songs of Paradise.
For these were angels, who had put on feathered guise, carolling in this fashion in God’s honour.
One fair nightingale, the sweetest singer of them all, held in his right claw a roll of parchment, whereon was written in letters of gold:
“This is the place chosen by God and shown by him to the three maidens for the building of a church to the glory of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
Great was the joy of the ladies at that sight, and the youngest said to the angel:
“We see certainly that God loves us somewhat; what must we do now, My Lord Angel?”
“Thou must build the church here, little one,” answered the messenger, “and choose for this work twelve of the most skilled workmen, neither more nor less; God himself will be the thirteenth.”
And having said so much he returned to high heaven.
IX. Of the church of Our Lord at Haeckendover, and of the strange mason who worked there
Then all three went off in haste to choose from among the others the twelve good workmen who should set up the foundations of the church where they had seen the cord of purple silk.
The work went on so well that it was a pleasure to see the stones mounting up, straight and quickly.
But the miracle was this, that during the hours of labour the masons were always thirteen in number, but at dinner and at paytime twelve only.
For the Lord Jesus was pleased to work with the others, but neither ate nor drank with them; he who in Paradise had such fine broth and such sweet fruits, and wine from the fountain of Saphir, which is a fountain giving forth without intermission wine of a richer yellow than liquid gold itself.
Nor did he suffer for want of money; for that is an evil reserved to us needy, piteous, and ill-faring mortals.
The building advanced so well that soon the bell was hung in the tower as a sign that the church was finished.
Then the three maids entered
