Bibliotheca Arnamagnæana - 01.06.1975, Page 320
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Since only about a third of this exemplum has ever been edited
and since parallels in other languages have yet to be found, a full
summary of the tale is given here: Bishop Johannes of Skålholt
of blessed memory told the following story: In a certain city there
lives a wealthy, influential man who is more engaged in worldly
matters than in saving his own soul. While on his way to church
one day, he finds a very handsome new-born boy whom he brings
to the church. The bishop decides to baptize the child since there
is no evidence that this has already been done, and he is given the
name Johannes (238 XXVII, 2r26 has the Icelandic form, Jon.)
The boy is raised by the rich man as his own son and sent to school
where he quickly acquires all the learning which is available there.
Then the wealthy man sends him, amply supported by his means,
to the best school in the country where he completes his education
within a few years. Afterward he retums to his foster-father and
studies the Scriptures night and day. There ensues a dialogue in
which the rich man argues that since his protégé’s family is com-
pletely unknown it may be dangerous for him to lead a secular life
(it is hinted that he might happen to marry his own mother or
sister). Johannes agrees and af ter having praised the benefits of
his foster-father he enters a nearby monastery where he is ordained
and shortly thereafter becomes appointed abbot. The friendship
between him and his benefactor continues with frequent mutual
visits, until the latter falis sick and expects his death. He then
calls the abbot and, confessing that he has no hope of salvation,
appeals to his foster-son for help in reward for all he has done for
him. The abbot answers with a speech about how a sinner should
prepare for death with repentance, confessions, and gifts to chur-
ches and hospitals. [It is here that the lacuna falls—section 6 above.
When the text begins again the abbot is still speaking.] He begs
Christ to forgive him that he has gotten an idea which is most
audacious: he is willing to transfer his own soul to his foster-father
to die with, and take his foster-father’s soul in return in order to
expiate its sins. The rich man accepts this gratefully, then goes to
his death with confidence and joy, and is buried in the abbot’s
church. Af ter fourteen years of hard penance and prayer, as the
abbot one morning is alone in the church, he is startled by the sound
of something crawling in the darkness on the floor. A clear voice