FRIAR BEATUS ODORICUS ad. 



1330- 

 common report also of the countreyes where I was, 

 testifieth those things, which I saw, to be true. Many 

 other things I have omitted, because I beheld them 

 not with mine owne eyes. Howbeit from day to day 

 I purpose with my selfe to travell countreyes or lands, 

 in which action I dispose my selfe to die or to live, 

 as it shall please my God. 



Of the death of frier Odoricus. 



IN the yeere therefore of our Lord 133 1 the fore- 

 sayd frier Odoricus preparing himselfe for the 

 performance of his intended journey, that his travell 

 and labour might be to greater purpose, he determined 

 to present himselfe unto pope John the two and 

 twentieth, whose benediction and obedience being 

 received, he, with a certaine number of friers willing 

 to beare him company, might convey himselfe unto all 

 the countreyes of infidels. And as he was travelling 

 towards the pope, and not farre distant from the city 

 of Pisa, there meets him by the way a certaine olde 

 man, in the habit and attire of a pilgrime, saluting 

 him by name, and saying : All haile frier Odoricus. 

 And when the frier demaunded how he had know- 

 ledge of him : he answered : Whilest you were in 

 India I knew you full well, yea, and I knew your 

 holy purpose also : but see that you returne imme- 

 diatly unto the coven from whence you came, for tenne 

 dayes hence you shall depart out of this present world. 

 Wherefore being astonished and amazed at these wordes 

 (especially the olde man vanishing out of his sight, 

 presently after he had spoken them) he determined to 

 returne. And so he returned in perfect health, feeling 

 no crazednesse nor infirmity of body. And being in 

 his coven at Udene in the province of Padua, the 

 tenth day after the foresayd vision, having received the 

 Communion, and preparing himselfe unto God, yea, 

 being strong and sound of body, hee happily rested in 

 the Lord : whose sacred departure was signified unto the [ii. i. Sj.] 



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