Divine apparitions part 2.

I knew an honourable woman of singular piety and modesty, that some twenty years since, through an extraordinary and long suppression of her terms was a great while and at times very sorely troubled in mind so that she was often determined to have killed her husband sleeping, and herself after. One day her keeper being gone forth about some business, she rose out of her bed, and in her smock ran into a garden behind her house, where by a rope of the well, which was seven or eight fathom, she let herself down to the bottom, and then by the same rope got up again, and returned all wet to her chamber, having been up to the chin in water. Not long after, seeming to be somewhat better, she walked abroad, and carried along with her a son of hers, that is now of very great hope, but was then some 4. or 5. years old, with full intent to drown him and herself in a river that was thereby: unto the bridge where∣of she made many journeys, being still entertained with the child’s comfortable prattle. Returning home again, within a while after she was easily recovered, namely, by letting of blood in the Saphena [vein], and taking of a gentle purgation. After which she had 4. or 5. sweet children. She hath many times told me that in those accidents a man attired in white, and of a very pleasing countenance appeared unto her, who took her by the hand, and kindly exhorted her to trust in God. Being in the well (and somewhat that was very heavy lying on her head and laboring to make her let go the rope, for to plunge her over head and ears in the water and so drown her,) this same personage came unto her, took her by the arm, and helped her to get up again, which she could never have done of herself. He also comforted her in the garden, and led her very gently to her chamber, where he vanished away. In like manner he met her as she was going towards the bridge: and followed her aloof of until such time as she returned home. Being thorough well, she desired nothing so much as leave this world, and her prayers daily tended to that effect. At length God heard her, and about a month before her sickness whereof she died, going into the kitchen for to wash her hands and her face, one of her eye teeth on the right side fell out of her head, without any precedent or ensuing pains. Whereupon she went unto her husband being in bed, and showing him the tooth said unto him, husband the Lord calls me: and it is the accomplishment of my desires.
O what an happy creature am I!
Her husband somewhat moved there with, endeavored notwithstanding to com∣fort her, and falling of purpose into other talks, arose, and went and prayed. After that, this honorable dame showed herself always merrier to her husband and friends than before, being grave and severe to her children, and was fairer and lustier then ever she had been in seventeen years that she had lived a wife. Towards the end of the month, there being no appearance of any such matter, as she was going to rise betimes in the morning, according to her custom, for to look to a young child she had, and to tend the affaires of her house, she was constrained to keep her bed. Whereupon her husband coming in, she put him in mind of her tooth and the speeches she had used to him about it, and therefore exhorted him to submit himself unto the will of God. He being gone up for to commend his dear moitie [two halves?] unto him that never received the prayers of his servants, she took all her jewels and putting them up in her purse sent them by her eldest daughter to him, and desired him to keep them for her sake. He came down, and gently rebuked her for this apprehension.
Oh husband, said she, I have no need of any thing in this world, for I am going to my God. O how blessed am I! during her sickness, which lasted twenty days, I was for the most part present with her, being tied there for divers reasons. She put me in remembrance again of that I have declared before, and from so many excellent deliverances drew an assured argument of her salvation. The day of her decease approaching, she began to smile, and being demanded the cause thereof by me; she answered softly in mine ear,
I see my man. O how beautiful he is! then crying out she said; Stay for me, stay for me. All the while she was sick, she made no account neither of children, kinsfolks, friends, nor of any other thing in the world. And when her husband many times brought their children unto her, she said nothing, but, God bless you, God be your Father and Mother and to the youngest of them; Hah, little soldier! She never commended them but once to her husband. And after that, she beheld them with a regardless eye. A quarter of an hour before her departure, she called for her Petticoat to rise, and as she was about to go out of her bed, she desired to be made unready, and being laid down again, she sent for her husband and used these words unto him.
Behold the end of my desire, and the beginning of my felicity. Jesus Christ is my hope: Good husband, I desire but one thing of you. Pray unto God for me. Her husband and children being prostrated on their knees, after an earnest prayer unto God, she closed her eyes as if she had been going to sleep, and died with a sweeter countenance then ever she had had in all her life before. Extracted out of my Memorials.

I couldn't post this without commenting on the last account in this text:

It's important to note that historical accounts of miracles or supernatural events often lack concrete evidence and rely on personal testimonies or interpretations. Evaluating such accounts requires careful consideration and an understanding of the cultural, religious, and historical context in which they arise.

The account portrays a woman who appears to be experiencing significant emotional distress and mental anguish. She expresses thoughts of harming both herself and her husband, indicating a deep internal struggle. Her desire to end her life and longing for departure could be indicative of severe depression or another mental health condition. According to the account, she had encounters with a personage dressed in white, whom she interpreted as a spiritual figure comforting and helping her in moments of crisis. Towards the end of her life, she experienced a sudden loss of a tooth, which she saw as a sign that her time had come. She expressed joy and anticipation of being reunited with God before her passing.

The mention of her suppression of periods and the subsequent emotional turmoil suggests that her psychological state may have been influenced by hormonal imbalances or other physiological factors. However, it's important to note that the account does not provide a comprehensive understanding of her mental health or the potential underlying causes.

The woman's preoccupation with death and her detachment from her children, friends, and worldly concerns further reinforce a sense of sadness and disconnection. Her apparent indifference towards her loved ones during her illness may also reflect a deep despair or emotional numbness. It's worth considering that the cultural and historical context of the account may influence the portrayal and interpretation of her emotions.

From my perspective, this 16th-century account holds a deeply melancholic tone. The narrative unveils the woman's profound sadness and the palpable longing she expresses for an end to her suffering and the alleviation of her pain. As I read her story from a vantage point 500 years later, I can't help but be moved by the weight of her hardships and the profound difficulties she faced in her time. The account serves as a poignant reminder of the universal human experience, transcending time and reminding us of the enduring nature of sorrow and the universal quest for relief from distressing circumstances.