86 STJe iLittU JFlotPeo of 



ceived the Cardinal's letter, fet forth 

 firft to Saint Damian's, where dwelt Saint 

 Clara, that moft faithful fpoufe of Chrifl, 

 to give her fome little confolation, and 

 thence to journey to the Cardinal. Be- 

 ing there, the next night Saint Francis 

 found his eyes fo much worfe that he 

 could fee no ray of light ; hence being 

 unable to depart, Saint Clara made him a 

 little cell of reeds wherein he might bet- 

 ter reft. But Saint Francis, what with the 

 anguifli of his eyes, and what with the multi- 

 tude of rats and mice which did difturb him 

 mightily, could find no Peace, neither by 

 day nor by night. And enduring long thefe 

 pangs and tribulations, he began to think 

 and to fee that this was a fcourge fent by 

 God to punifh him for his fms ; and he 

 began to thank the Lord with his whole 

 heart and with his lips, and then he cried 

 out in a loud voice and faid : *' My Lord, 

 worthy am I of this and of far worfe. My 

 Lord Jefus Chrift, the Good Shepherd, who 

 haft fhown Thy mercy to fmners by various 

 bodily pains and agonies, grant me. Thy 

 rebellious flieep, grace and power to hold 

 to Thee through all illnefs, anguifh, and 

 pain." And in the midft of this prayer he 



heard 



