Domum quoque Abbatialem fere totam restauravit:
puteo in atrio ipsius effosso et lapidibus marmoreis pulchre caelatis
exornato. Decessit autem, morte aliquantulum subitanea perculsus,
aetatis suae anno lxxii(do), incarnationis vero Dominicae mdxxix(o)._
'I suppose I shall have to translate this,' said the antiquary to
himself, as he finished copying the above lines from that rather rare and
exceedingly diffuse book, the _Sertum Steinfeldense Norbertinum.[5]_
'Well, it may as well be done first as last,' and accordingly the
following rendering was very quickly produced:
Up to the present day there is much gossip among the Canons about a
certain hidden treasure of this Abbot Thomas, for which those of
Steinfeld have often made search, though hitherto in vain. The story
is that Thomas, while yet in the vigour of life, concealed a very
large quantity of gold somewhere in the monastery. He was often asked
where it was, and always answered, with a laugh: 'Job, John, and
Zechariah will tell either you or your successors.' He sometimes
added that he should feel no grudge against those who might find it.
Among other works carried out by this Abbot I may specially mention
his filling the great window at the east end of the south aisle of
the church with figures admirably painted on glass, as his effigy and
arms in the window attest.
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