^aint jfrancis of ^ssisf. 121 



how great was his Tribulation, and that 

 he had no other refuge fave only God, he 

 bowed his head and clafped the Bridge in 

 his arms, and with his whole heart and 

 with tears did commit himfelf to the care 

 of God, that of His moft Holy Mercy He 

 might deign to help him. And having 

 prayed, it feemed as if he began to put 

 forth wings : at which he with great rejoic- 

 ing awaited their further growing, that he 

 might fly thence from the Bridge whither 

 the Angel had flown before. But after a 

 certain fpace, for the great defire which he 

 had to crofs that Bridge, he began to fly ; 

 and becaufe, forfooth, his wings were not 

 grown fo much, he dropped back upon that 

 Bridge and his feathers fell from him : upon 

 which, yet again he hugged the bridge, and 

 as before committed himfelf to the care of 

 God ; and having prayed, again he felt his 

 wings fprout forth ; but as before he did 

 not wait until they had gained their perfe6l 

 growth : wherefore, ftriving to fly before 

 the time was ripe, he fell once more upon 

 the Bridge and his feathers dropped yet 

 again. For the which thing, feeing that 

 he fell becaufe of his undue hafte to fly, he 

 began to reafon with himfelf: '* Affuredly, if 



my 



