Saint iFtancis of '^unini. 209 



groans and tears and fighs to the beloved 

 Spoufe of his foul, which had hidden Him- 

 felf and departed from him, and without 

 whofe prefence his foul could find no reft 

 neither any repofe : but in no place, neither 

 in any manner, could he meet his fweet 

 Jefus, or again recover thofe moft dear 

 and divine delights of the love of Chrift, 

 which had been his wont And this tribula- 

 tion endured for many days ; during which 

 he perfevered in continual weeping and 

 fighing, and in praying God that of His 

 pity He would reflore to him the beloved 

 Spoufe of his foul. At the laft, when it 

 pleafed God to have fufficiently proved his 

 patience and inflamed his defire, one day, 

 as Brother John walked in the faid wood 

 thus troubled and affli6led, he fat down 

 to reft in flieer languor, leaning againft a 

 beech-tree, with his face all bathed in 

 tears, gazing Heavenward, and lo ! fuddenly 

 there appeared Jefus Chrift clofe befide 

 him in the very path by which Brother 

 John came thither, but faying naught. 

 Brother John feeing Him and knowing 

 Him well, that He was Chrift, fuddenly 

 threw himfelf at His feet and with inor- 

 dinate tears moft humbly befought Him, 



faying : 

 14 



