.Saint ifrancis of Slssisi, 123 



of faints which had followed in their foot- 

 Heps upon earth that they leemed alnioft 

 numberlefs : and Saint Francis, drawing 

 near, faid to the door-keeper, " Let him 

 enter in, forafmiich as he is one of my 

 Brethren." And no fooner was he entered 

 in than he felt fuch Confolation and fuch 

 Sweetnefs that he forgot all the Tribula- 

 tions which he had undergone, as if they 

 had never been. And after Saint Francis, 

 leading him by the hand, fhowed him many 

 wondrous things, and after faid to him : 

 '* Son, you muft return to the world, where 

 you fliall tarry feven days' fpace, wherein 

 you fhall prepare yourfelf diligently with 

 great devotion ; forafmuch as after thofe 

 feven days I fhall come for you, and then 

 fliall you live with me in this abode of the 

 Bleffed." Saint Francis was clad in a mar- 

 vellous cloak, adorned with glittering Stars ; 

 and his five Wounds ^ were like unto five 

 moft beauteous Stars, of fuch fplendor that 

 the whole Palace fhone with their rays ; 

 and Brother Bernard had upon his head a 

 crown of moft fair ftars ; and Brother Guy 

 was decked in wondrous light ; and he 

 recognized many other holy Friars in their 



midft 



^ The Stioftiiata. 



