The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.1 / Page 370 (Color Image)

0370	The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.1

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MARCO POLO Boox I.

CHAPTER X.

How THE PRAYER OF THE ONE-EYED COBLER CAUSED THE MOUNTAIN TO MOVE.

AND when the appointed day was come, all the Christians

got up early, men and women, small and great, more

than Ioo,000 persons, and went to church, and heard the

Holy Mass. And after Mass had been sung, they all

went forth together in a great procession to the plain in

front of the mountain, carrying the precious cross before

them, loudly singing and greatly weeping as they went.

And when they arrived at the spot, there they found the

Calif with all his Saracen host armed to slay them if

they would not change their faith ; for the Saracens be-

lieved not in the least that God would grant such favour

to the Christians. These latter stood indeed in great

fear and doubt, but nevertheless they rested their hope

on their God Jesus Christ.

So the Cobler received the Bishop's benison, and

then threw himself on his knees before the Holy Cross,

and stretched out his hands towards Heaven, and made

this prayer : `` Blessed LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, I pray

Thee by Thy goodness that Thou wilt grant this grace

unto Thy people, insomuch that they perish not, nor Thy

faith be cast down, nor abused nor flouted. Not that

I am in the least worthy to prefer such request unto

Thee ; but for Thy great power and mercy I beseech

Thee to hear this prayer from me Thy servant full of

sin.

And when he had ended this his prayer to God the

Sovereign Father and Giver of all grace, and whilst the

Calif and all the Saracens, and other people there, were

looking on, the mountain rose out of its place and moved

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