La vida de Gildas

1. Nau, el rey de Escocia, era la nobleza de los reyes del norte. Tuvo veinticuatro hijos, guerreros victoriosos. Uno de ellos se llamaba Gildas, cuyos padres se dedicaban al estudio de la literatura. Era un muchacho de buena disposición natural, dedicado al estudio y distinguido por sus talentos. Todo lo que oía de su maestro lo repetía con la mayor diligencia, y el olvido no le hacía daño. Estudió con entusiasmo y diligencia entre su propio pueblo las siete artes hasta llegar a la edad de la juventud; cuando siendo joven abandonó rápidamente el país.
2. He crossed the Gallic Sea and remained studying well in the cities of Gaul for seven years; and at the end of the seventh year he returned, with a huge mass of volumes, to greater Britain. Having heard of the renown of the illustrious stranger, great numbers of scholars from all parts flocked to him. They heard him explaining with the greatest acuteness the science of the seven rules of discipline, according to which men, from being disciples, became masters, under the master’s office.
3. The religion of the very wise teacher was magnified and extolled to such a degree by the inhabitants of Britain, in that his equal was neither found, nor could be found, owing to superior merits. He used to fast like the hermit Antony: most thoroughly devoted to religion, he used to pray clad in goat’s skin. If anything was given to him, he would forthwith expend it upon the poor. He abstained from milk-foods and honey: flesh was hateful to him: fresh-water herbs were rather a favourite dish with him: he ate barley-bread mixed with ashes, and drank spring water daily. He used not to take a bath, a habit very much in favour by this nation. Thinness appeared in his face, and he seemed like a man suffering under a very serious fever. It was his habit to go into the river at midnight, where he would remain unmoved until he had said the Lord’s Prayer three times. Having done this, he would repair his oratory and pray there on his knees unto the divine majesty until broad daylight. He used to sleep moderately, and to lie upon a stone, clothed with only a single garment. He used to eat without satisfying his wants, contented with his share of the heavenly reward; the longing of his heart was after heavenly rewards.
4. He warned men to contemn, he advised them to scorn mere transitory things. He was the most renowned preacher throughout the three kingdoms of Britain. Kings feared him as a man to be feared, and obeyed him after hearing his acceptable preaching. In the time of king Trifinus, he preached every Lord’s day in his church by the sea-shore, in the district of Pepidiauc, with a countless number of people listening to him. And when he was once just beginning to preach, the words of the preaching were checked in the preacher himself; and the people were struck with amazement at the wonderful retention. On finding this, St. Gildas bade all who were present to go out, that he might be able to know whether it was owning to one of them that this impediment to the divine preaching was caused; and yet, even after their withdrawal, he could not preach. He then asked whether there was any man or women hiding in the church. Nonnita, who was with child, and was destined to become the mother of the most holy boy, Dewi, answered him: Yo, Nonnita, me quedo aquí entre las paredes y la puerta, sin querer mezclarme con la multitud.Al oír esto, le ordenó que saliera; y cuando ella salió, llamó a la gente. Fueron llamados y vinieron a escuchar la predicación del evangelio. Al final del sermón, preguntó al ángel de Dios el significado del asunto antes mencionado, a saber, por qué cuando había comenzado a predicar no había llegado al final. Y le reveló el asunto con palabras como éstas: En la iglesia permanece Nonnitta, una mujer santa, que ahora está embarazada y está destinada, con gran gracia, a dar a luz a un niño a quien no pudiste predicar, ya que el poder divino retiene tu palabra. El niño que ha de venir será de mayor gracia: nadie en vuestras partes lo igualará.

“A él le dejaré esta parte del país: rápidamente crecerá y florecerá de una etapa de su vida a otra. Por un ángel, el mensajero de Dios me declaró este como mi verdadero destino. » De donde sucedió que el santísimo predicador Gildas pasó a Irlanda, donde convirtió a la fe católica a un gran número de personas.

5. St. Gildas was the contemporary of Arthur, the king of the whole of Britain, whom he loved exceedingly, and whom he always desired to obey. Nevertheless his twenty-three brothers constantly rose up against the afore-mentioned rebellious king, refusing to own him as their lord; but they often routed and drove him out from forest and battle-field. Hueil, the elder brother, an active warrior and most distinguished soldier, submitted to no king, not even to Arthur. He used to harass the latter, and to provoke the greatest anger between them both. He would often swoop down from Scotland, set up conflagrations, and carry off spoils with victory and renown. In consequence, the king of all Britain, on hearing that the high-spirited youth had done such things and was doing similar things, pursued the victorious and excellent youth, who, as the inhabitants used to assert and hope, was destined to be king. In the hostile pursuit and council of war held on the island of Minau, he killed the young plunderer. After the murder the victorious Arthur returned, rejoicing greatly that he had overcome his bravest enemy. Gildas, historian of the Britons, who was staying in Ireland directing studies and preaching in the city of Armagh, heard that his brother had been slain by King Arthur. He was grieved at hearing the news, wept with lamentation, as a dear brother for a dear brother. He prayed daily for his brother’s spirit; and, moreover, he used to pray for Arthur, his brother’s persecutor and murderer, fulfilling the apostolic commandment, which says: Amad a los que os persiguen y haced bien a los que os odian. [Lucas vi, 27]
6. Meanwhile, the most holy Gildas, the venerable historian, came to Britain, bringing with him a very beautiful and sweet-sounding bell, which he vowed to offer as a gift to the Bishop of the Roman Church. He spent the night as a guest honourably entertained by the venerable abbot Cadocus, in Nant Carban. The latter pointed out the bell to him, and after pointing to it, handled it; and after handling it wished to buy it at a great price; but its possessor would not sell it. When king Arthur and the chief bishops and abbots of all Britain heard of the arrival of Gildas the Wise, large numbers from among the clergy and people gathered together to reconcile Arthur for the above-mentioned murder. But Gildas, as he had done when he first heard the news of his brother’s death, was courteous to his enemy, kissed him as he prayed for forgiveness, and with a most tender heart blessed him as the other kissed in return. When this was done, king Arthur, in grief and tears, accepted penance imposed by the bishops who were present, and led an amended course, as far as he could, until the close of his life.
7. Entonces el ilustre Gildas, hombre pacificador y católico, visitó Roma y presentó la campana antes mencionada al obispo de la Iglesia Romana; pero cuando la campana fue sacudida por las manos del obispo, no emitió ningún sonido. Por eso, al ver esto, dijo así: Oh tú, hombre amado de Dios y de los hombres, revélame lo que te sucedió en tu viaje para hacer esta presentación. Y reveló que el santísimo Cadoc, abad de la iglesia de Nancarvan, había querido comprar la campana, pero se había negado a vender lo que había prometido ofrecer al apóstol San Pedro. Cuando el obispo apostólico escuchó esto, dijo: Conozco al venerable abad Cadoc, que visitó siete veces esta ciudad y tres veces Jerusalén, después de innumerables peligros y trabajos incesantes. Consiento que, si vuelve y desea poseerlo, se lo puedas dar. Porque, como consecuencia de este presente milagro, se ha decretado que lo tenga. Gildas, por tanto, recuperó la campana después de que fue bendecida y regresó; lo trajo de vuelta y se lo otorgó gratuitamente a San Cadoc. Cuando lo recibió el abad y lo golpearon, sonó inmediatamente, para sorpresa de todos. Luego permaneció como asilo para todos los que lo llevaban por todo Gwalia (Gualiuam), y cualquiera que jurara ilegalmente en aquella tierra, era privado de su lengua, o si un malhechor confesaba inmediatamente el crimen.
8. Cadoc, abad de la iglesia de Nancarban, pidió al maestro Gildas que supervisara los estudios de sus escuelas durante un año; y cuando se le solicitó uno, los supervisó de la manera más ventajosa, sin recibir honorarios de los eruditos excepto las oraciones del clero y los eruditos. Y allí él mismo escribió la obra de los cuatro evangelistas, obra que aún permanece en la iglesia de San Cadoc, cubierta toda de oro y plata en honor de Dios, del santo escritor y de los Evangelios. Los habitantes de GalesWalenses) consideran este volumen como la posesión más valiosa en sus juramentos, no se atreven a abrirlo para examinarlo, ni a confirmar la paz y la amistad entre partes hostiles, a menos que esté presente, específicamente colocado allí para ese propósito.
9. At the close of the year, and when the scholars were retiring from study, the saintly abbot Cadoc and the excellent master Gildas, mutually agreed to repair to two islands, viz., Ronech and Echin. Cadoc landed on the one nearer to Wales, and Gildas in the one that lies over against England. They were unwilling to be hindered in the church offices by the conflux of men; and on this account, they could think of no better plan that to leave the valley of Carvan and resort to the secrecy of an island. Gildas founded there an oratory in honour of the holy and indivisible Trinity, and close by it was his bed-chamber. It was not in it, however, that he had his bed, but placed on a steep cliff, where, upon a stone he lay until midnight, watching and praying to Almighty God. Then he would enter the church quite faint with cold; but, for God’s sake, the cold was sweet and endurable to him. He used to take some small fish in a net, and eggs from bird’s nests; and it was on this, which sufficed him for nourishment, that he lived. The one used to visit the other. This mode of living lasted for the space of seven years.
10. The supreme Creator, seeing that his chosen servant, Gildas had no constant supply of water beyond the drops of rain which fell upon stones and were caught as they trickled down, caused a stream to flow out from a steep cliff — and out it flowed, and still flows out, and will remain constant without exhaustion. While St. Gildas was thus persevering, devoting himself to fasting and prayers, pirates came from the islands of Orcades, who harassed him snatching off his servants from him when at their duties, and carrying them off to exile, along with spoils and all the furniture of their dwelling. Being thereby exceedingly distressed, he could not remain there any longer: he left the island, embarked on board a small ship, and, in great grief, put in at Glastonia, at the time when king Melvas was reigning in the summer country. He was received with much welcome by the abbot of Glastonia, and taught the brethren and the scattered people, sowing the precious seed of heavenly doctrine. It was there that he wrote the history of the kings of Britain. Glastonia, that is, the glassy city, which took its name from vaso, es una ciudad que tuvo su nombre originalmente en idioma británico. Fue asediada por el tirano Arturo con una multitud innumerable a causa de su esposa Gwenhwyfar, a quien el malvado rey antes mencionado había violado y secuestrado, y llevado allí para su protección, debido al asilo que brindaba la posición invulnerable debido a las fortificaciones de los matorrales. de caña, río y pantano. El rey rebelde había buscado a la reina durante el transcurso de un año y finalmente supo que ella permanecía allí. Acto seguido despertó a los ejércitos de toda Cornubia y Dibneria; Se preparó la guerra entre los enemigos.
11. When he saw this, the abbot of Glastonia, attended by the clergy and Gildas the Wise, stepped in between the contending armies, and in a peaceable manner advised his king, Melvas, to restore the ravished lady. Accordingly, she who was to be restored, was restored in peace and good will. When these things were done, the two kings gave the abbot a gift of many domains; and they came to visit the temple of St. Mary and to pray, while the abbot confirmed the beloved brotherhood in return for peace they enjoyed and the benefits which they conferred, and were more abundantly about to confer. Then the kings reconciled, promising reverently to obey the most venerable abbot of Glastonia, and never violate the most sacred place nor even the districts adjoining the chief’s seat.
12. When he had obtained permission from the abbot of Glastonia and his clergy and people, the most devout Gildas desired to live a hermit’s life upon the bank of a river close to Glastonia, and he actually accomplished his object. He built a church there in the name of the holy and indivisible Trinity, in which he fasted and prayed assiduously, clad in goat’s hair, giving to all an irreproachable example of a good religious life. Holy men used to visit him from distant parts of Britain, and when advised, returned and cherished with delight the encouragements and counsels they had heard from him.
13. He fell sick at last, and was weighed down with illness. He summoned the abbot of Glastonia to him, and asked him, with great piety, when the end of his life had come, to cause his body to be borne to the abbey of Glastonia, which he loved exceedingly. When the abbot promised to observe his requests, and was grieved at the requests he had heard, and shed copious tears, St. Gildas, being now very ill, expired, while many were looking at the angelic brightness around his fragrant body, and angels were attending upon his soul. After the mournful words of commemoration were over, the very light body was removed by the brethren into the abbey; and amid very loud wailing and with the most befitting funeral rites, he was buried in the middle of the pavement of St. Mary’s church; and his soul rested, rests, and will rest, in heavenly repose. Amen.
14. Glastonia se llamaba antiguamente Ynisgutrin, y todavía la llaman así los habitantes británicos. Ynis en el idioma británico es ínsula en latín y gutrina (hecho de vidrio). Pero después de la llegada de los ingleses y la expulsión de los británicos, es decir, los galeses, recibió un nuevo nombre, Glastigberi, según la formación del primer nombre, es decir inglés. vaso, latín vitral, y beria una ciudad; luego Glastinberia, es decir, la Ciudad de Cristal.