E03088: Gregory of Tours, in his Miracles of Martin (2.16), recounts how *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050) helped a boatman on the Loire at Baugy (central Gaul) to catch a fish, so that he could buy wine with which to celebrate the feast of Epiphany, AD 575. Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 575/581.
Creators: name: Kwojtalik
Publisher: name: University of Oxford
Year: 2017
Subjects: History

description: Gregory of Tours, Miracles of Martin (Libri de virtutibus sancti Martini episcopi) 2.16<br><br>Igitur dum quodam tempore iter agerem in pago Balbiacinsi, ad Ligerem fluvium usque perveni. Cumque a nauta, qui nos ripae alteri transponere debeat, sollicitae requireremus loca, in qua piscaturi procederimus, locum indicat, dicens: 'Sit vobis beatus Martinus in adiutorium'. At nostri ingratae haec susceperunt, dicentes, quod in eius nomine numquam captura visa est evenisse. Et ille: 'Haud dubium, quia praestat haec virtus eius. Nam referam vobis, quae mihi hoc anno contigerit, vel qualiter per invocationem nominis eius, opitulante Domino, quae obtavi promerui. Denique dies erat epiphaniorum, et ingressus in prumptuario, nihil potui quod haurirem inveni, egressusque oravi, dicens: Beatissime Martine, transmitte mihi in hac sancta solemnitate aliquid vini, ne, epulantibus aliis, ego ieiunus remaneam. Dum autem tacitus is orarem, vocem in ulteriore ripa audio me vocantem, ut navem homini, qui iter agebat, adducerem. Verum ubi, acceptis contis, tunsorum etiam inpetum fluctus secare coepi et in medio utpute amne perveni, subito excussus magnus ex gurgite piscis in navim cecidit; quem confestim obpressum, transpositis hominibus, domi regressus sum, vinditumque piscem uno vini modio, cum ceteris sum refectus. Ergo noveritis, quam velociter in id quod invocatus fuerit, si petatur fideliter, apparebit'.<br><br>'Once while I was traveling in the district of Baugy I came to the Loire River. When I carefully asked the boatman who was contracted to transport me to the opposite bank about places to which I might go to fish, he pointed out a spot and said: 'May the blessed Martin assist you.' But my companions were annoyed upon hearing these words and said that no [fish] was ever seen to have been caught in his name. The boatman [replied]: 'There is no doubt that his power is responsible. For let me tell you what happened to me this year, and how I deserved [to receive] what I wished for by invoking his name and with the assistance of the Lord. For it was the day of Epiphany, and I found nothing to drink when I entered my storeroom. I exited, prayed, and said: 'Most blessed Martin, on this holy festival day give me some wine, so that I might not remain hungry while others are feasting.’ While I was silently praying, I heard on the opposite bank a voice calling me to bring my boat for a man who was traveling. I took my oars and began to row over the pounding fury of the waves. When I reached the middle of the river, suddenly a huge fish was thrown from a whirlpool and fell into my boat. Immediately I seized it; and after transporting the men, I returned home, sold the fish for a container of wine, and dined with the others. Hence you will know how quickly [Martin] will appear on behalf of something for which he has been invoked, if the request is made piously.'<br><br>Text: Krusch 1969, 164. Translation: Van Dam 1993, 235-236, lightly modified (de Nie 2015, 563-565).