THE watching priest-monk kept trying to stand up, but some irresistible weight pressed him down. He was resolved, though, that if he ever moved again from his seat he would follow the Bishop’s every step.* Meanwhile every rite which the mass-book appoints was performed. At the time of the consecration, the saint even bestowed his episcopal benediction on people and clergy alike. When everything was done, he left as he had come, with fitting dignity. All this the priest-monk was able to see and hear, but thanks to the dazzling light he could discern only the outline of their faces. Even so, the Bishop’s likeness to icons of St Cuthbert was unmistakable. When it was all over, he felt light of body, and exhilarated in soul.
At this point the lay brother woke up, eager to resume his duties. But the priest dared not celebrate twice on the same altar,* and explained what he had seen. Both wept tears of joy, the one glad his brother had seen such a thing, and the other consoling him for missing out. Of all this Reginald was thoroughly informed by that brother, and his testimony is sure.*
* That of course explains why the irresistible weight was placed on him; he would only have been in the way. “For in the midst of such sacred mysteries” commented Reginald “he was hardly to be permitted to rise by himself.” Moreover, when it all ended he could not follow the Bishop where he was going, not yet at any rate. See John 13:36.
* It is not usual to celebrate the communion liturgy more than once in the same day on the same altar.
* Reginald is picking up on what John the Evangelist wrote at the end of his Gospel, regarding ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’: “This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.” In other words, this is an eye-witness account. See John 21:24. Reginald told a similar tale about an appearance of St Nicholas to Godric of Finchale one Easter. On that occasion it was Reginald who missed out. See When Godric Sang with Angels.
Précis
The astonished monk, unable to move, watched the bishop perform the entire service and then depart; though the bishop’s face shone too brightly to be seen, he knew him for St Cuthbert. When the other monk came back his brother told him what he had seen, and back in Durham he also told Reginald, who wrote it down for posterity. (60 / 60 words)
The astonished monk, unable to move, watched the bishop perform the entire service and then depart; though the bishop’s face shone too brightly to be seen, he knew him for St Cuthbert. When the other monk came back his brother told him what he had seen, and back in Durham he also told Reginald, who wrote it down for posterity.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, although, because, just, must, ought, since, whereas.
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Word Games
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Down. Face. Leave.
2 Glory. Inform. Not.
3 Above. Shave. Thank.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
Adjectives Find in Think and Speak
For each word below, compose sentences to show that it may be used as an adjective. Adjectives provide extra information about a noun, e.g. a black cat, a round table, the early bird etc..
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Brotherly. 2 Dutiful. 3 Even. 4 Daring. 5 Fitting. 6 Dazzling. 7 Highest. 8 Childless. 9 Thorough.
Variations: 1.show whether your adjective can also be used as e.g. a noun, verb or adverb. 2.show whether your adjective can be used in comparisons (e.g. good/better/best). 3.show whether your adjective can be used in attributive position (e.g. a dangerous corner) and also in predicate position (this corner is dangerous).
High Tiles Find in Think and Speak
Make words (three letters or more) from the seven letters showing below, using any letter once only. Each letter carries a score. What is the highest-scoring word you can make?
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