And
here having built, according to my capacity and resources,
not only houses and permanent dwellings, but also a basilica
fitted for the performance of divine service and of no mean
style of construction, I began to think to what saint or
martyr I could best dedicate it. A good deal of time had
passed while my thoughts fluctuated about this matter, when
it happened that a certain deacon of the Roman Church, named
Deusdona, arrived at the Court for the purpose of seeking
the favour of the King in some affairs in which he was
interested. He remained some time; and then, having
transacted his business, he was about to return to Rome,
when one day, moved by courtesy to a stranger, we invited
him to a modest refection; and while talking of many things
at table, mention was made of the translation of the body of
the blessed Sebastian,[35] and of the neglected tombs of
the martyrs, of which there is such a prodigious number at
Rome; and the conversation having turned towards the
dedication of our new basilica, I began to inquire how it
might be possible for me to obtain some of the true relics
of the saints which rest at Rome. He at first hesitated, and
declared that he did not know how that could be done. But
observing that I was both anxious and curious about the
subject, he promised to give me an answer some other day.
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