The Purgatory of St. PatrickCalderón de la Barca, Pedro
Religion
The Purgatory of St. Patrick
Calderón de la Barca, Pedro
Patrick, Saint, 373?-463? -- Drama
[footnote] *It should be mentioned that this unfavourable opinion of
the Irish people is quoted by Messingham from the MS. of Henry of
Saltrey, an English monk, who appears never to have been in Ireland.
"The Soldier, who fear'd no Colours, was no way frighten'd at what
happen'd to others, having often before, Arm'd with Steel, fought
against Men, now arm'd with Faith, Hope and Charity, and confiding in
God's Mercy, went on boldly to fight against Devils; so recommending
himself to all their Prayers, and making the Sign of the Cross on his
Forehead, courageously enter'd the Door, which the Prior Locked on
the outside and Return'd in Procession with his Clergy to the Church.
"The Soldier, being desirous to War a new and an unusual Warfare,
marched on boldly through the Cave, tho' alone, where the Darkness
thickening upon him, he lost all manner of Light. Soon after a
little glimmering light appear'd thro' the Cave, which led him to the
Field and Hall aforesaid. Now there was no more light in this Hall
than we usually have in winter after Sun-set. The hall had no Walls,
but was supported by Pillars and Arches on every Side, after the
Manner of the Cloyster of a Monastry. Walking awhile in this Hall,
and admiring the Beauty of its Structure, he saw the Inclosure, whose
Structure he also admired as being more Beautiful. Wherefore having
gone into it he sat down, and Casting his Eyes about him to take a
full View, he observed fifteen Men clad in white Garments, shorn and
dress'd like Monks, coming in, who saluted him in the name of the
Lord, and sat down. Then after a short pause, he that seem'd to be
their Prior and Chief, spoke to him after this Manner: 'Blessed be
the Omnipotent God, who put the good purpose into thy Heart of coming
into this Purgatory for the cleansing of thy sins: But if thou doest
not behave thyself Manly, thou shalt perish both Body and Soul. For
immediately after we leave this House there will come a multitude of
unclean Spirits, who shall inflict great Torments upon thee, and
threaten thee with greater: They will promise to lead thee to the
Door, by which thou hast enter'd in here, to see if by this means
they might deceive thee, and get thee to go out. And if thou be
overcome by the violence of their Torments, or frightened by their
Threats, or deceiv'd by their Promise, and consent to their Demands,
thou shalt be destroy'd both Body and Soul. But if thou be strong in
Faith, and trust in the Lord, so as not to yield to their Torments,
or Threats, or Promise; but despise them with a generous Heart, thou
shalt not only be purged of all thy Sins, but shall also see the
Torments which Sinners endure, and the Place of Rest and Bliss which
the Just enjoy. Have God then always before thine Eyes, and as often
as they Torment thee, call upon our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the
Invocation of His Name, thou shalt be deliver'd from whatever Torment
thou art in. Lay all these Things up in thy Mind quickly; for we can
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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