<Saint jftantiu of Slssisi* 39 



and thus they parted. And Saint Francis 

 abode there alone ; and there being no 

 habitation wherein he might find flielter, 

 he entered into a thick wood wherein many 

 thorns and brambles and little bullies had 

 formed a den or burrow, and herein he fell 

 to praying and to mufing upon celeftial 

 things. And herein he ftayed during the 

 whole fpace of Lent, eating not, neither 

 drinking aught, fave the half of one of 

 thofe fmall loaves, according as his faith- 

 ful follower found him when he croffed 

 over to him on Maundy-Thurfday ; the 

 which found of two fmall loaves one en- 

 tire, and of the other half; it is believed 

 that Saint Francis did partake out of rever- 

 ence for the fafting of the bleffed Chrift, 

 Who fafted forty days and forty nights, par- 

 taking of no bodily food ; and thus with 

 that half loaf he drove far from him the 

 venom of Vainglory, and following after 

 Chrift fafted forty days and forty nights. 

 And then in that place where Francis did 

 fuch marvellous feats of abftinence God 

 the Lord wrought many miracles through 

 his merits : for the which thing men began 

 to build houfes there and to dwell there ; 

 and in a brief fpace a Caftle good and great 



ftood 



