A.D. 940. ACCOUNT 07 THE BLESSED DOTSTAN. 471 And some of his soldiers and dependents, beholding the constancy of his virtuous manner of life, said that he was a good man, others said, nay, hut he seduces the people. On which account, some people envied his goodness and prudence, and endeavoured to disparage him in the king's eyes; and he giving a favourable ear to them without well examining the matter, at once ordered him to be deprived of all honour, and of his rank as chancellor, and commanded him to find service elsewhere wherever he pleased. But on the morrow, the king went forth with his train to relieve his melancholy by hunting. And immediately, as soon as the noise of the hunters blowing their horns, and the barking of the hounds resounded in the woods, many stags began their nimble flight. And the king, with his pack of hounds that followed him, selected from among them one hart of wonderful size, which he began to pursue ; and at last, after it had been wearied by the activity f of the dogs which chased it over many difficult places, he and the hounds drove it to a precipitous side of an abrupt mountain, and compelled it to throw itself down; and all the hounds springing down with it from the height, were dashed to pieces, and so came to a sudden death. But the king, who was following the stag and hounds at the full speed of his swift horse, when he saw the precipice, strove to check his horse ; * but as he was impetuous, and had a hard mouth, and as, in consequence of this hard mouth, the king was altogether unable to restrain him, he gave up all hope of safety, and commended his soul to the goodwill of Almighty God: "I 've thanks to Thee,'- said he, " 0 Lord Jesus Christ, because do not recollect that I, of late, have injured any one except Dunstan only ; and this fault I will amend with ready devotion by reconciling myself to him, if time is allowed me." At these words, in consequence of the merits of the blessed man, the horse stopped on the extreme edge of the precipice, and the king recovering himself, gave thanks to God for the restoration of his life. And returning home, he ordered the blessed Dunstan to be brought before him ; and when he had been brought into the king's presence, they both immediately mounted their horses, and proceeded straight along the road which leads to Glastonbury. And when they had arrived there, and had entered the monastery, the king took the right hand of Dunstan and kissed it, and leading him to the cathedral throne, placed him in it, with the consent of all the monks,