Saint iFrancis of ^nnini. n 



defiring to hide his great fanc^lity, imme- 

 diately that he entered the chamber, threw 

 himfelf upon his bed and feigned fleep ; 

 and even fo did Bernard, and after a cer- 

 tain fpace he turned himfelf over and began 

 to fnore loudly, as he were fleeping heavily. 

 For the which thing Saint Francis, truly 

 believing that Bernard flept in his firft 

 flumbers, arofe from the bed and fell him- 

 felf upon his knees, lifting both hands and 

 eyes to heaven, and with the utmoft fervor 

 and devotion he exclaimed, ** My God ! my 

 God ! " and thus crying and weeping much, 

 he remained until morning, repeating ever, 

 " My God ! my God ! " and nought elfe ; 

 and thus fpake Saint Francis, contemplat- 

 ing and admiring the excellency of the 

 Divine Majefty Which had deigned to de- 

 fcend to pardon a perifhing world ; where- 

 fore Saint Francis became a poor beggar 

 and devoted his life to feeking out fome 

 means of falvation for his foul and for the 

 fouls of others. And ftill illumined by the 

 Holy Ghoft, or elfe indeed by the fpirit 

 of prophecy, forefeeing the great things 

 which the Lord was to do for him and for 

 his Order, and confidering his own infuffi- 

 ciency and little virtue, he cried aloud and 



prayed 



