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The Life of Malchus, the Captive Monk

5.

At length, after crossing a great river we came to the interior of the desert, where, being commanded after the custom of the people to pay reverence to the mistress and her children, we bowed our heads. Here, as if I were a prisoner, I changed my dress, that is, learnt to go naked, the heat being so excessive as to allow of no clothing beyond a covering for the loins. Some sheep were given to me to tend, and, comparatively speaking, I found this occupation a comfort, for I seldom saw my masters or fellow slaves. My fate seemed to be like that of Jacob in sacred history, and reminded me also of Moses; both of whom were once shepherds in the desert. I fed on fresh cheese and milk, prayed continually, and sang psalms which I had learnt in the monastery. I was delighted with my captivity, and thanked God because I had found in the desert the monk’s estate which I was on the point of losing in my country.

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Vita Malchi monachi captivi

V

[Pascere oves iubetur.]

Tandem grandi amne transmisso pervenimus ad interiorem solitudinem, ubi dominam liberosque ex more gentis adorare iussi cervices flectimus. Hic quasi clausus carcere mutato habitu, id est nudus ambulare disco; nam aeris intemperies praeter pudenda nihil aliud velari patiebatur. Traduntur mihi pascendae oves, et in malorum comparatione hoc fruor solacio, quod dominos meos et conservos rarius video. Videbar mihi aliquid habere sancti Iacob, recordabar Moysi, qui et ipsi in eremo pecorum quondam fuere pastores. Vescebar recenti caseo et lacte. Orabam iugiter canebamque psalmos, quos in monasterio didiceram. Delectabat me captivitas mea agebamque dei iudicio grates, quod monachum, quem in patria fueram perditurus, in eremo inveneram.