WHILE Reuben waxeth, Simeon is born; for after dread it needeth greatly that
sorrow come soon. For ever the more that a man dreadeth the pain that he hath
deserved, the bitterlier he sorroweth the sins that he hath done. Leah in the
birth of Simeon cried and said: "Our Lord hath heard me be had in despite."[36] And therefore is Simeon cleped "hearing";[37] for when a man bitterly sorroweth and
despiseth his old sins, then beginneth he to be heard of God, and also for to
hear the blessed sentence of God's own mouth: "Blessed be they that sorrow, for
they shall be comforted."[38] For in what hour
the sinner sorroweth and turneth from his sin, he shall be safe.[39] Thus witnesseth holy Scripture. And
[36] Gen. xxix. 33.
[37] Exauditio.
[38] Matt. v. 4.
[39] Ezek. xxxiii. 14.
[40] Made humble.
[41] Ps. li. 17 (Vulgate l.).