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History of the Franks
St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927
Book 8, 4. The Praise of King Childebert
‘One thing only would I beg of you, bishops of the Lord, that ye pray for the Lord’s mercy on Childebert my son. He is a man so capable and of such good sense, that for many a long year past his like for energy and prudence should scarce be found. If God should deign to grant him rule over our Gaul, haply there shall be hope that through him our race, now sorely consumed away, may arise again. That this shall be brought to pass through His mercy, I am right sure; such was the presage at the child’s birth. For on the holy day of Easter, while my brother Sigibert stood in the church, and the deacon advanced with the holy book of the Gospels, a messenger came to the king, and he who read the lection from the Gospel and the messenger spoke as it were with a single voice the words: “Unto thee a son is born.” And so the whole people made response to a twofold message of glad tidings, saying: “Glory be to God Almighty.” The infant was baptized on the holy day of Pentecost, and also was raised to the throne on the holy day of our Lord’s Nativity.1 If therefore your prayers attend him, by God’s grace he shall rule the land.’ When the king spoke thus, all uttered their prayer to the Lord that of His mercy He would preserve both kings. And the king added: ‘It is true that Brunhild his mother threateneth to take my life;2 but this is no cause of fear to me. For the Lord, who hath snatched me from the hands of my enemies, shall also deliver me from her snares.’
Notes
- Cf. V. 1.
- Cf. VII. 34.