66 Kf^t aittlr jFlotoers of 



Hence his Companions, feeing the defire of 

 Saint Clara, faicl to Saint Francis : " Father, 

 to us it feems that fuch feverity is not in 

 accordance with Divine Charity, that Sifter 

 Clara, a virgin fo faintly and fo beloved of 

 God, fhould not find favor in your fight to 

 gain fo fmall a thing as to eat with you ; 

 and efpecially confidering that fhe through 

 your preachings forfook riches and all the 

 pomps of this world ; and verily, were fhe 

 to afk you a much greater grace than this, 

 you fhould grant it to your fpiritual child." 

 Then Saint Francis replied, •* Does it feem 

 to you that I fhould hear her prayer ? " 

 His Companions anfwered, " Father, yes ; 

 it is a righteous thing that you fhould grant 

 her requeft, and a confolation." Then Saint 

 Francis faid : " Since it feems meet to you, 

 it feems fo alfo unto me. But that fhe may 

 be the more confoled, I defire that this 

 meal fhould be eaten in the Church of St. 

 Mary of the Angels, forafmuch as fhe has 

 long been cloiftered in St. Damian : there- 

 fore it will rejoice her much to fee the 

 Church of St. Mary, where her locks were 

 fhorn off and fhe was made the bride 

 of Jefus Chrifb ; and there we will eat to- 

 gether in the name of God." When the 



day 



