POSSESSED of enormous wealth, gathered by others, the Normans gave rein to their pride and fury, and put to death without compunction the native inhabitants. Young women of high rank mourned their dishonour by filthy ruffians. Matrons, bereaved of their husbands and deprived of the consolation of friends, preferred death to life. Ignorant upstarts, driven almost mad by their sudden elevation, wondered how they arrived at such a pitch of power, and thought that they might do whatever they liked.

Fools and perverse, not to reflect, with contrite hearts, that, not by their own strength, but by the providence of God they had conquered their enemies, and subjugated a nation greater, and richer, and more ancient than their own; illustrious for its saints, and wise men, and powerful kings, who had earned a noble reputation by their deeds, both in war and peace! They ought to have recollected with fear, and inscribed in their hearts, the word which says: “With deeply the same measure that ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”*