How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Line). We used the line numbering found on Librarius's online edition.
Quote #10
Tho gan she hym ful bisily to preche
Of Cristes come, and of his peynes teche,
And many pointes of his passioun;
How Goddes Sone in this world was withholde
To doon mankynde pleyn remissioun,
That was ybounde in synne and cares colde.
(342 – 347)
To Christ's status as God's revelation to mankind, Cecilia now adds his role as redeemer from sin. The idea is that God died in place of sinful men so that God could give them eternal life but still maintain his justice, which demanded payment for sins.
Quote #11
Ther lakketh no thyng to thyne outter yen
That thou nart blynd, for thyng that we seen alle
That it is stoon – that men may wel espyen –
That ilke stoone a god thow wolt it calle.
I rede thee lat thyn hand upon it falle,
And taste it wel, and stoon thou shalt it fynde,
Syn that thou seest nat with thyne eyen blynde.
(498 – 504)
Again the tale implies that pagans are somehow lacking even in their physical senses. Almachius is apparently unable to tell – despite tons of visual evidence – that his idols are made of stone. So Cecilia advises him to touch and taste it.
Quote #12
It is a shame that the peple shal
So scorne thee, and laughe at thy folye;
For communly men woot it wel overal
That myghty God is in hise hevenes hye,
And this ymages, wel thou mayst espye,
To thee ne to heself mowen noght profite,
For in effect they been nat worth a myte.
(505 – 511)
A common trope of the virgin martyr's defense is to claim that the truth of Christianity is evident. If the pagan is not able to see this truth or the worthlessness of his idols, this is because something within him, and not the faith or the faithful, is lacking.