Ælfric

“ For I call to mind that, in two former books, I have set forth the Passions or Lives of those saints whom that illustrious nation celebrates by honouring their festival, and it has [now] pleased me to set forth, in this book, the Passions as well as the Lives of those saints whom not the vulgar, but the monks, honour by special services. I do not promise, however, to write very many in this tongue, because it is not fitting that many should be translated into our language, lest peradventure the pearls of Christ be had in disrespect. ”

“ It is to be further noted that I abridge the longer narratives of the Passions, not as regards the sense but in the language, in order that no tediousness may be inflicted on the fastidious, as might be the case if as much prolixity were used in our own language as occurs in the Latin; and we know that brevity does not always deprave speech but oftentimes makes it more charming. ”

“ He shall give power and strength unto His people; blessed is God.' We shall describe many wonders in this book, because God is wonderful in His Saints, as we said before, and the miracles of His Saints glorify Him, because He wrought them by their means. An earthly king hath many servants and divers stewards ; he cannot be an honoured king unless he have the state which befitteth him, and as it were serving-men, to offer him their obedience. ”