Of
the
intention
of
our
Lord
in
the
vocation
of
S.
Clare
.
Of
her
Countrey
&
Family
:
&
of
a
Reuelation
to
her
mother
touching
her
birth
,
&
sanctity
.
CHAP.
I.
SIx
yeares
after
the
conuersion
of
the
holy
Father
S.
Francis
,
&
the
fourth
yeare
,
after
the
confirmation
of
his
Rule
by
Pope
Innocent
the
third
,
the
yeare
of
grace
1212.
the
omnipotent
Father
of
light
,
hauing
framed
,
and
sent
into
the
world
a
new
man
,
his
seruant
S.
Francis
,
by
him
to
repayre
,
and
reforme
his
faithful
people
in
that
age
;
would
also
,
that
a
valourous
woman
should
by
his
worke
appeare
in
the
world
,
to
accompany
that
his
great
,
&
faythfull
seruant
,
to
the
end
,
that
of
those
two
,
shold
be
new
borne
a
perfect
regeneration
of
the
children
of
God
.
And
as
the
first
naturall
generation
came
of
man
and
woman
,
as
of
an
vnited
beginning
:
so
this
spirituall
generation
of
the
imitatours
of
the
life
and
counsailes
of
Iesus
Christ
proceeded
in
al
the
Church
,
and
in
all
the
estates
,
and
qualityes
of
persons
,
of
the
one
&
same
spirit
of
zeale
,
of
perfection
,
of
humility
,
and
of
pouerty
,
from
one
man
,
and
one
woman
.
And
to
the
end
it
might
not
be
vnlike
the
creation
,
almighty
God
hauing
first
perfected
his
seruant
S.
Francis
,
would
frame
of
the
ribb
,
or
side
of
his
life
,
doctrine
and
Santy
,
the
glorious
Virgin
S.
Clare
,
his
true
,
and
legitimate
daughter
in
Iesus
Christ
for
his
companion
,
as
zealous
also
of
perfection
,
and
angelicall
reformation
.
With
great
reason
therfore
hath
she
her
place
in
the
Chronicles
of
the
Friars
Minors
;
for
she
being
a
ribbe
,
and
party
of
the
same
order
,
it
is
very
requisite
a
speciall
mention
should
be
made
of
her
sanctity
of
life
,
as
we
shall
heere
performe
:
and
if
it
be
not
according
to
her
merit
,
shall
at
least
be
done
,
with
the
least
defect
we
can
possible
;
being
resolued
to
imploy
therein
,
that
little
force
of
spirit
,
which
God
hath
giuen
vs
,
both
to
the
honour
of
his
diuine
maiesty
,
&
his
holy
seruant
,
and
to
the
edification
of
soules
.
The
glorious
S.
Clare
was
borne
in
the
Citty
of
Assisium
in
Italy
,
scituate
in
the
prouince
of
the
valley
of
Spoletum
,
which
is
a
territory
apperteyning
to
the
Pope
,
and
Roman
Church
.
Her
Father
and
Mother
were
noble
,
of
a
famous
and
very
welthy
family
:
her
Mother
was
called
Hortulana
,
which
in
our
tounge
may
be
tearmed
Gardener
,
and
not
without
mistery
,
considering
she
was
to
produce
so
noble
,
and
vertuous
a
plant
,
in
the
garden
of
the
holy
Church
.
This
woman
was
exceeding
deuout
,
and
compleate
in
the
fruites
of
good
workes
:
and
albeit
she
were
marryed
,
and
consequently
obliged
to
the
care
,
and
gouernement
of
her
house
,
and
family
,
yet
did
she
not
omit
with
all
her
power
to
be
exercised
in
the
seruice
of
God
,
and
imployed
in
the
works
of
mercy
.
She
was
so
feruent
in
the
loue
of
Iesus
Christ
,
that
with
great
deuotion
she
passed
the
sea
with
many
other
pilgrimes
,
&
visited
those
holy
places
,
which
our
Redeemer
Iesus
Christ
God
and
man
,
consecrated
with
his
holy
presence
,
and
retourned
exceedingly
comforted
,
and
inriched
with
many
meritts
.
She
also
visited
the
Church
of
the
Archangell
Saint
Michael
,
on
the
mount
Gargan
,
and
with
a
pious
,
and
feruent
desire
,
visited
the
Apostles
S.
Peter
&
S.
Paul
in
Rome
:
in
such
sort
did
that
vertue
and
feruour
shine
in
those
dayes
in
many
holy
persons
,
but
now
so
weakned
is
the
feruour
of
Christians
touching
the
visiting
of
holy
places
,
&
the
Reliques
of
our
Lord
,
and
his
Saintes
,
that
it
is
almost
lost
by
the
continuall
warrs
of
heretikes
,
and
punishment
for
our
sinnes
.
Now
our
Lord
began
to
power
out
the
aboundance
of
his
celestiall
graces
vpon
the
roote
,
that
afterwardes
the
sproutes
of
farre
greater
sanctity
might
follow
,
and
disperse
into
the
boughes
.
Neyther
would
he
,
that
this
deuout
woman
Hortulana
,
should
be
depriued
of
the
consolations
,
&
knowledge
of
this
grace
:
for
being
neere
her
child-birth
,
she
one
day
with
great
feruour
prayed
in
a
Church
,
before
a
Crucifix
,
where
she
besought
Almighty
God
to
deliuer
her
from
the
danger
of
death
in
her
child
birth
,
which
she
much
apprehended
;
&
she
heard
a
voice
that
sayd
:
Woman
,
feare
not
for
thou
shalt
safely
,
and
without
danger
,
bring
forth
a
light
,
that
shall
illuminate
,
and
lighten
all
the
world
.
Being
thus
comforted
,
and
admonished
by
this
diuine
answere
;
so
soone
as
she
was
deliuered
of
a
daughter
,
she
caused
her
to
be
called
in
Baptisme
Clare
,
firmely
belieuing
that
in
her
should
be
accomplished
the
splendour
of
the
light
promised
,
according
to
the
prouidence
,
and
the
ordinance
of
the
diuine
bounty
.
Of
the
Education
,
Charity
,
Prayer
,
Mortification
,
and
Virginity
of
S.
Clare
.
CHAP.
II.
SAINT
Clare
being
borne
into
the
world
,
she
began
incontinently
to
appeare
,
and
shine
as
a
morning
starre
in
the
obscure
night
of
that
age
,
for
in
the
most
tender
yeares
of
her
first
infancy
,
she
already
discouered
euident
signs
of
notable
and
pious
works
,
wherin
she
made
to
appeare
her
naturall
worth
,
and
the
graces
which
God
had
communicated
vnto
her
:
for
being
naturally
of
a
very
delicate
constitution
,
she
receiued
of
her
Mother
the
first
foundations
of
faith
:
afterwards
being
inspired
of
God
,
to
apply
herselfe
to
vertuous
,
and
pious
workes
,
she
shewed
herselfe
to
be
a
vessell
aptly
prepared
for
diuine
grace
;
and
as
she
abounded
in
interiour
piety
,
aswell
by
nature
as
by
grace
towardes
poore
beggars
;
so
according
to
the
small
meanes
which
then
she
had
,
she
supplyed
their
necessities
.
And
to
the
end
her
Sacrifice
might
be
more
pleasing
vnto
God
,
the
most
delicate
meates
that
were
giuen
her
,
for
the
nourishment
of
her
little
body
,
she
hid
,
and
gaue
it
secretly
to
the
poore
.
Thus
did
piety
augment
and
increase
in
her
,
&
nourished
charity
in
her
soule
,
preparing
her
to
receiue
the
grace
&
mercy
of
Almighty
God
.
Her
greatest
contentment
was
in
prayer
,
wherby
she
was
often
susteyned
,
made
ioyfull
,
and
comforted
as
by
an
Angelicall
milke
,
and
in
a
most
delicious
manner
eleuated
to
the
diuine
pleasures
of
the
conuersation
of
our
Lord
Iesus
Christ
.
In
these
beginninges
,
hauing
no
beades
,
she
vsed
insteed
thereof
certaine
little
stones
,
some
to
serue
for
the
Pater
nosters
,
and
others
for
the
Aues
,
and
so
offered
her
prayers
to
God
.
Wherupon
beginning
to
feele
the
first
feruours
of
diuine
loue
,
she
iudged
that
the
must
contemne
all
transitory
apparence
,
&
painted
flowers
of
this
world
:
and
being
by
prayer
well
instructed
of
the
holy
Ghost
,
she
resolued
,
as
a
wise
spirituall
Merchant
,
to
haue
no
more
regard
of
terrestriall
affayrs
acknowledging
them
vnworthy
to
be
esteemed
:
&
with
this
spirit
she
did
weare
,
as
another
S.
Cecily
,
vnder
her
gay
apparrell
,
a
haire-cloth
;
so
exteriourly
satisfying
the
world
,
and
interiourly
her
Lord
Iesus
Christ
.
But
hauing
attayned
the
age
of
marriage
,
she
was
importuned
by
her
Father
,
&
other
kindred
,
to
choose
a
husband
;
whereto
she
would
neuer
consent
,
but
vsed
lingrings
,
and
delayes
,
putting
off
,
and
differring
what
she
could
all
humane
marriage
,
&
euer
recommended
to
our
Lord
Iesus
Christ
her
Virginity
,
with
other
vertues
wherwith
she
was
indued
;
by
such
exercises
indeauouring
to
please
almighty
God
,
that
he
might
bestow
on
her
his
only
Sonne
for
her
spouse
.
Such
were
the
first
fruits
of
her
spirt
,
and
such
the
exercises
of
her
piety
:
so
that
being
anoynted
with
such
a
sweet
,
and
pretiousoyntment
,
she
yielded
a
most
pleasant
sauour
,
as
a
closet
replenished
with
most
delightfull
liquors
,
whose
perfumes
,
though
they
be
shut
vp
,
discouer
,
and
manifest
themselues
;
and
in
such
sort
this
holy
virgin
beganne
without
her
knowledge
to
be
commended
by
her
neighbours
;
the
true
fame
of
her
secret
pious
workes
so
publishing
themselues
,
that
in
an
instant
they
were
exceedingly
spread
abroad
,
&
euery
where
diuulged
.
How
the
virgin
S.
Clare
had
knowledge
of
the
Vertues
of
the
holy
Father
S.
Francis
.
CHAP.
III.
THIS
vertuous
Virgin
Clare
,
hearing
the
great
fame
of
the
admirable
life
of
Saint
Francis
,
who
then
renewed
vnto
the
world
the
way
of
perfection
in
the
same
Citty
,
with
a
maruelous
example
of
piety
and
vertue
;
&
considering
that
many
gentlemen
did
follow
him
,
and
that
his
life
was
already
approued
by
our
holy
mother
the
Church
,
she
exceedingly
desired
to
see
,
and
heare
this
seruant
of
God
,
most
worthy
,
and
eminent
in
all
vertues
;
thereunto
inspired
by
the
soueraigne
Father
of
spirits
,
to
whome
had
already
byn
presented
the
first
fruites
of
their
deuotions
,
though
differently
.
S.
Francis
hauing
byn
aduertised
of
this
her
desire
,
and
hauing
heard
the
bruit
of
her
vertues
,
and
holy
affections
,
desired
also
exceedingly
to
see
her
,
and
to
conferre
with
her
,
with
intention
to
frustrate
the
world
of
so
noble
,
and
pretious
a
prey
,
to
present
her
to
our
soueraigne
redeemer
,
to
serue
him
in
some
notable
enterprise
,
as
preordayned
of
God
to
despoyle
the
great
prince
of
the
world
.
Neither
did
his
diuine
maiesty
fayle
,
to
open
vnto
them
both
the
meanes
,
to
attaine
thereunto
:
he
inspired
this
vertuous
woman
to
rely
vpon
a
very
honorable
&
graue
matron
,
that
gouerned
her
in
her
house
,
as
her
Mother
.
And
to
the
end
that
this
holy
purpose
might
not
be
sinisterly
interpreted
of
men
,
and
to
hinder
publike
murmure
,
she
went
out
of
her
Fathers
house
with
this
good
woman
,
&
found
out
the
holy
Father
;
by
the
seruour
of
whose
pious
discourses
,
she
was
presently
inflamed
with
diuine
loue
,
and
moued
by
his
holy
actions
which
she
admired
,
as
seeming
vnto
her
to
be
more
then
humane
;
and
therfore
she
began
very
exquisitely
to
dispose
herselfe
to
the
effecting
of
the
wordes
of
the
holy
seruant
of
God
;
who
hauing
very
louingly
intertained
her
,
began
to
preach
vnto
her
the
contempt
of
the
world
,
and
by
euident
reason
to
demonstrate
vnto
her
,
that
all
the
beauty
of
thinges
present
is
but
a
vanity
,
filled
with
false
,
and
deceitfull
hopes
.
Then
he
persuaded
vnto
her
pure
eares
,
the
honourable
&
amiable
Espousall
of
Iesus
Christ
,
and
counsailed
her
to
conserue
those
most
pretious
pearles
of
virginall
purity
,
for
that
glorious
Spouse
,
who
out
of
the
loue
he
bare
to
the
world
,
being
God
became
man
,
&
would
be
borne
of
a
virgin
.
This
holy
Father
sollicited
this
affayre
,
and
played
the
part
of
a
true
Paranymph
,
&
Embassadour
of
the
heauenly
King
.
The
holy
virgin
on
her
side
beginning
already
to
tast
the
sweetnes
of
contemplation
,
and
the
proofe
of
the
eternallioyes
;
the
world
beginning
to
seeme
vnto
her
vile
,
and
contemptible
,
as
indeed
it
is
,
she
as
it
were
melted
for
the
loue
of
her
celestiall
spouse
,
whome
she
already
desired
with
all
her
hart
.
Thence
forth
therfore
she
despised
pretious
stons
Iewells
,
gold
,
sumptuous
apparrell
,
all
other
worldly
trash
as
filth
,
and
dunge
,
and
abhorring
the
detestable
delights
of
the
flesh
,
she
resolued
intierly
to
dedicate
herself
a
liuely
temple
to
Iesus
Christ
,
&
to
take
him
for
the
only
spouse
of
her
body
and
soule
,
and
so
submitting
herselfe
wholly
,
and
totally
to
the
counsayles
of
the
glorious
father
S.
Francis
,
him
,
next
after
our
Lord
,
she
tooke
for
guid
,
and
director
of
her
life
.
How
S.
Francis
drew
the
virgin
S.
Clare
out
of
the
world
,
and
made
her
Religious
.
CHAP.
IIII.
AND
to
the
end
the
most
cleare
mirrour
of
her
soule
might
not
be
stayned
,
and
blemished
with
the
dust
of
this
world
,
and
that
the
contagious
seculer
life
did
not
corrupt
her
innocency
,
the
holy
Father
prudently
indeauoured
to
sequester
this
virgin
from
worldly
people
.
And
the
solemnity
of
palme-sonday
approching
,
the
holy
Espouse
of
Iesus
Christ
,
with
a
great
feruour
of
spirit
,
repayred
to
this
man
of
God
,
and
most
instantly
demaunded
of
him
,
when
,
and
how
she
should
make
her
retyre
from
the
world
▪
wherupon
the
holy
Father
ordayned
,
that
on
the
day
of
the
sayd
feast
she
should
goe
to
the
procession
of
Palmes
with
the
people
,
decked
,
and
adorned
the
most
richly
,
and
gorgiously
that
she
could
procure
,
and
the
night
following
going
out
of
the
Citty
,
and
withall
,
out
of
al
conuersation
of
the
world
,
she
should
change
secular
pleasurs
into
lamentations
of
the
passion
of
our
Lord
.
Palme-sonday
being
come
,
the
glorious
S.
Clare
went
in
the
company
of
her
mother
,
and
other
Ladyes
to
the
great
Church
,
where
there
hapned
a
matter
worthy
to
be
recorded
,
as
not
done
without
the
prouidence
of
the
diuine
goodnes
,
which
was
,
that
all
the
other
Ladyes
going
,
as
is
the
custome
of
Italy
,
to
take
holy
Palme
,
and
S.
Clare
,
out
of
a
virginall
bashfulnes
,
remayning
alone
without
mouing
out
of
her
place
,
the
Bishop
descended
from
the
steps
of
his
seate
,
&
put
into
her
hand
a
branch
of
Palme
.
The
night
approaching
she
began
to
prepare
herselfe
for
effecting
the
commaundment
of
the
holy
Father
,
and
to
make
a
glorious
flight
,
and
honorable
retyre
from
the
world
,
in
honest
company
.
But
it
seeming
to
her
impossible
to
goe
forth
at
the
ordinary
,
and
chiefest
doore
of
the
house
,
she
bethought
herselfe
to
take
the
benefit
of
a
backe
doore
,
which
(
though
it
were
dammed
,
and
closed
vp
with
grosse
stones
,
and
mighty
blocks
)
she
with
an
admirable
courage
,
&
force
rather
of
a
strong
man
,
then
of
a
tender
yong
woman
,
herselfe
broke
open
.
Thus
then
leauing
her
Fathers
house
,
her
Citty
,
kindred
,
and
friendes
,
she
with
extraordinary
speed
arriued
at
the
Church
of
our
Lady
of
Angels
,
where
the
Religious
,
that
in
the
house
of
God
were
imployed
in
pious
watchings
,
receiued
,
with
burning
wax
lights
in
their
handes
,
this
holy
virgin
,
that
sought
her
spouse
,
and
redeemer
Iesus
Christ
with
a
lampe
not
extinct
,
and
empty
,
but
filled
with
diuine
loue
:
and
incontinently
in
the
selfe-same
houre
and
place
,
hauing
left
,
and
abandoned
the
impurityes
of
Babylon
,
she
gaue
the
world
the
ticket
of
defiance
,
and
vtter
adieu
before
the
Altar
of
the
soueraigne
Queene
of
Angells
;
where
the
glorious
Father
S.
Francis
,
inspired
of
God
,
&
neglecting
all
other
worldly
respects
,
cut
off
her
hayre
:
then
he
cloathed
her
with
a
poore
habit
of
the
order
,
commanding
the
Iewels
,
&
gorgeous
attire
which
she
brought
,
to
be
giuen
to
the
poore
of
Iesus
Christ
.
It
had
not
beene
indeed
conuenient
,
that
the
new
Order
of
florishing
virginity
towardes
the
end
of
the
world
,
should
otherwise
begin
,
then
in
the
Angelical
pallace
of
that
most
Immaculate
Queene
,
who
before
had
alone
byn
a
mother
,
and
a
virgin
,
and
consequently
more
worthy
then
all
others
whatsoeuer
.
In
the
very
same
place
had
the
noble
Chiualry
of
the
poore
of
Iesus
Christ
,
the
Friars
Minors
,
their
beginninge
,
vnder
the
valourous
Captaine
S.
Francis
,
to
the
end
it
might
euidently
appeare
,
that
the
Mother
of
God
in
this
her
habitation
ingendred
,
and
produced
the
one
and
the
other
Religion
.
And
so
soone
as
this
new
Espouse
had
receiued
the
habit
,
&
ensignes
of
holy
pennance
,
before
the
Aultar
of
the
most
sacred
virgin
Mary
,
the
humble
seruant
was
accepted
by
Iesus
Christ
for
his
Espouse
,
and
the
glorious
Father
S.
Francis
conducted
her
to
the
monastery
of
S.
Paul
in
Assisium
,
where
were
Religious
women
of
the
order
of
S.
Bennet
;
there
to
remaine
till
almighty
God
had
prouided
another
monastery
.
How
much
the
kindred
of
S.
Clare
laboured
to
rerire
her
from
Religion
:
and
how
she
was
conducted
to
S.
Damian
.
CHAP.
V.
THE
kindred
of
this
holy
virgin
vnderstanding
what
she
had
done
,
and
the
bruit
of
her
resolution
being
diuulged
ouer
all
the
Citty
,
many
of
the
friendes
of
her
Father
and
Mother
assembled
,
and
consulted
to
preuent
this
vertuous
virgin
of
her
holy
resolution
;
and
coming
to
the
monastery
of
the
Religious
of
Saint
Bennet
,
whither
she
was
retired
,
they
purposed
to
execute
by
violence
,
what
they
could
not
compasse
by
humane
policy
,
trying
their
forces
against
the
meeke
lambe
of
Iesus
Christ
,
and
by
their
malice
&
peruerse
counsell
seeking
to
delude
that
simple
doue
;
the
did
they
make
her
deceiptful
promises
,
exhorting
her
to
retire
herselfe
from
such
base
condition
,
and
abiection
,
demonstrating
vnto
her
,
that
it
was
a
matter
vnworthy
her
noble
descent
,
and
that
the
like
neuer
hapned
in
the
Citty
.
But
the
virgin
firme
and
stable
in
Iesus
Christ
,
approaching
to
the
Altar
,
discouered
her
hairelesse
head
,
alleadging
,
that
she
could
no
more
be
separated
from
the
seruice
of
Iesus
Christ
,
for
whose
loue
she
had
already
forsaken
all
the
world
,
&
themselues
also
;
and
the
more
they
tormented
her
,
the
more
was
her
hart
inflamed
in
the
loue
of
God
,
and
of
her
sweet
spouse
Iesus
Christ
,
who
supplyed
her
with
new
forces
to
resist
.
Thus
for
many
dayes
togeather
disturbed
with
many
iniuries
,
she
indured
great
contradictions
in
the
way
of
God
:
and
albeit
her
kindred
perseuered
in
their
attempts
to
withdraw
her
from
her
pious
designe
,
her
feruour
yet
did
neuer
wax
cold
,
nor
her
hart
feble
:
but
on
the
contrary
,
so
many
iniurious
wordes
,
and
violent
threats
did
so
much
confirme
her
confidence
in
God
,
that
her
kindred
were
constrayned
to
forbeare
any
more
to
vexe
,
and
disquiet
her
,
retyring
themselues
as
all
ashamed
,
&
confounded
.
Thus
did
almighty
God
make
appeare
,
how
much
the
power
of
those
that
are
his
,
though
of
themselues
feeble
,
did
exceed
the
strong
,
and
puissant
of
the
world
.
But
in
regard
that
her
soule
had
not
perfect
repose
in
that
place
,
she
was
by
the
holy
Father
S.
Francis
placed
in
the
church
of
S.
Damian
,
and
there
,
as
in
a
secret
harbour
and
secure
,
she
cast
the
anker
of
her
soule
neuer
changing
place
,
nether
in
respect
of
the
great
restraint
therof
,
nor
for
feare
of
solitude
,
this
Church
being
without
the
Citty
.
This
was
the
Church
in
reparation
wherof
the
Glorious
S.
Francis
laboured
in
the
beginning
of
his
conuersion
:
and
where
he
did
also
offer
money
to
the
Chaplaine
to
repayre
it
:
this
holy
Father
being
once
also
in
this
Church
,
and
praying
with
aboundance
of
tears
,
merited
to
heare
the
voyce
of
the
crucifix
,
before
which
he
was
,
that
thrice
reiterated
vnto
him
:
Goe
Francis
,
and
repayre
my
house
,
which
,
as
thou
seest
,
is
ready
to
fall
.
The
glorious
virgin
Clare
,
for
the
loue
of
her
heauenly
spouse
,
shut
herselfe
vp
in
that
little
place
,
and
there
imprisoned
herselfe
during
her
life
,
sequestring
her
body
〈◊〉
the
turbulent
tempest
of
the
world
.
This
siluered
Doue
there
building
her
nest
in
the
concauities
of
that
Church
,
ingendred
the
colledge
of
virgins
of
our
Lord
Iesus
Christ
,
&
there
instituting
a
holy
conuent
,
gaue
a
beginning
to
the
order
of
poore
Religious
women
.
And
thus
being
setled
in
the
way
of
pennance
,
she
bruized
the
hard
turfes
of
her
members
,
with
the
coulter
of
the
Crosse
,
and
perfectly
sowed
the
seede
of
sanctity
and
iustice
,
making
with
her
very
soule
stepps
and
traces
of
vertuous
progresse
,
for
them
that
were
to
follow
her
.
How
the
virgin
Agnes
,
sister
to
S.
Clare
,
was
by
her
feruent
prayers
conuerted
:
and
of
the
persecutions
she
indured
by
her
kindred
;
and
how
she
was
miraculously
freed
of
them
.
CHAP.
VI.
SAINT
Clare
had
a
younger
sister
,
who
both
in
regard
of
bloud
&
of
pouerty
,
was
really
her
sister
;
and
she
exceedingly
desiring
the
conuersion
of
this
young
virgin
,
neuer
failed
in
her
most
feruent
deuotions
,
which
in
her
first
dayes
she
offered
to
almighty
God
,
as
feruently
&
deuoutly
as
she
possibly
could
,
with
a
perfect
zeale
,
to
beseech
him
,
that
as
she
had
liued
with
her
sister
in
the
world
,
there
might
be
also
betweene
them
an
holy
vnion
of
body
,
&
will
,
in
his
feruice
;
most
instantly
importuning
him
to
make
it
appeare
to
her
sister
,
whome
she
had
left
in
her
mothers
house
,
what
a
notorious
delunder
the
world
is
,
&
how
ful
of
discontenment
▪
&
on
the
contrary
how
sweet
,
and
pleasant
is
Iesus
Christ
;
and
that
consequently
he
would
please
to
change
her
desired
resolution
of
carnall
marriage
,
and
cause
her
to
imbrace
the
vnion
of
diuine
loue
,
and
to
take
for
her
spouse
the
King
of
glory
.
Now
in
regard
that
our
Lord
had
already
setled
such
an
amity
betweene
these
two
sisters
,
that
their
separation
was
afflictiue
&
troublesome
vnto
them
,
(
though
then
their
desires
&
willes
were
farre
different
)
he
made
no
delay
to
fauour
this
his
poore
suppliant
,
and
deuout
seruant
,
euen
in
this
her
first
petition
,
which
she
so
instantly
required
of
him
,
and
which
his
diuine
maiesty
so
readily
graunted
.
Sixteene
dayes
then
after
her
conuersion
,
her
sister
Agnes
inspired
of
God
,
with
a
strong
and
prompt
resolution
gaue
a
slip
,
and
farewell
to
the
world
,
&
came
to
her
sister
Clare
,
to
whom
discouering
the
secrets
of
her
hart
,
she
said
she
was
resolued
to
serue
God
in
her
company
:
which
the
glorious
Clare
vnderstanding
,
she
most
amiably
imbraced
her
,
and
with
a
very
ioyfull
&
contented
countenance
said
:
my
most
deare
Sister
,
I
giue
infinit
thankes
to
our
Lord
Iesus
Christ
,
that
it
hath
pleased
him
to
heare
me
,
and
deliuer
me
from
the
afflion
I
endured
for
your
sake
.
This
noble
conuersion
of
Agnes
,
by
the
prayers
of
her
sister
Clare
,
was
seconded
by
as
many
contradictions
of
her
kindred
,
as
that
of
S.
Clare
:
but
these
blessed
sisters
seruing
our
Lord
Iesus
Christ
,
and
imitating
his
stepps
,
she
that
had
most
tast
of
God
,
and
was
in
higher
progresse
,
instructed
her
sister
Nouice
.
Their
kindred
knowing
that
Agnes
was
with
her
sister
Clare
,
twelue
men
of
their
neerest
bloud
,
as
Brothers
,
vncles
,
and
cosen
germanes
assembled
to
assault
them
,
and
to
combat
the
Espouses
of
Iesus
Christ
.
The
day
following
then
,
with
an
extreme
rage
and
fury
they
came
to
those
holy
virgins
,
yet
at
their
first
comming
dissembling
their
lewd
intention
,
they
shewed
them
some
fauorable
countenance
:
then
addressing
themselues
to
the
virgin
Agnes
,
despayring
of
all
hope
to
withdraw
S.
Clare
from
her
holy
purpose
,
they
demaunded
of
her
,
wherfore
she
was
retyred
into
that
place
?
then
willed
her
to
deliberate
,
and
resolue
to
retourne
with
them
to
her
Fathers
house
:
whereto
she
answered
,
that
she
was
resolued
,
(
the
grace
of
God
assisting
her
)
to
remayne
with
her
sister
:
which
answere
one
of
them
disdayning
,
full
of
passion
,
and
transported
with
choler
,
took
her
by
the
haire
,
and
gaue
her
many
blowes
with
his
feet
and
fistes
;
then
vsed
all
his
force
to
pull
her
out
of
the
place
,
which
at
length
by
the
help
of
others
he
performed
:
for
taking
her
in
their
armes
,
they
forcibly
trayled
her
out
.
But
this
little
daughter
of
Iesus
Christ
,
seing
herselfe
violently
wrested
by
those
furious
lyons
out
the
armes
of
her
God
,
she
began
to
cry
to
her
sister
,
Help
me
sister
,
&
permit
me
not
to
be
separated
from
our
Lord
Iesus
Christ
,
and
your
louing
company
.
Her
carnall
kindred
trayled
a
long
the
valley
this
virgin
of
Iesus
Christ
agaynst
her
will
,
and
in
despight
of
her
feeble
,
though
couragious
resistance
,
renting
her
cloathes
from
her
tender
body
.
In
the
meane
while
S.
Clare
,
vnable
by
other
meanes
to
relieue
her
sister
,
had
recourse
to
prayer
,
with
aboundance
of
teares
,
beseeching
God
to
vouchsafe
to
giue
a
couragious
confidence
,
to
her
sister
,
that
his
diuine
fauour
defending
his
faythfull
seruant
,
humane
forces
might
be
ouercome
:
and
our
Lord
heard
her
.
For
at
the
instant
of
her
prayer
,
the
body
of
the
virgin
Agnes
miraculously
became
so
weighty
,
that
her
kindred
were
at
length
inforced
to
leaue
her
on
the
ground
:
and
albeit
so
many
men
,
and
their
seruantes
,
put
all
their
forces
to
lift
her
vp
,
yet
could
they
neuer
doe
it
,
but
called
labourers
,
and
workemen
of
the
vineyards
that
wrought
therabouts
to
assist
them
,
yet
their
great
number
no
more
auayled
then
the
lesse
.
Finally
the
forces
fayling
of
her
kindred
,
and
those
that
attempted
to
assist
them
,
they
acknowledged
the
miracle
,
though
scornefully
,
saying
:
it
is
no
maruayle
though
she
be
so
weighty
,
hauing
layne
all
night
as
lead
.
Whereupon
Signor
Monaldo
her
vncle
in
extreme
passion
lifting
vp
his
armes
to
strike
her
,
he
presently
felt
an
extreme
payne
therein
,
which
did
not
only
torment
him
for
the
present
,
but
a
long
tyme
after
.
Then
S.
Clare
after
her
prayer
,
ariuing
,
besought
her
kindred
to
forbeare
in
vaine
to
contend
with
God
,
and
to
leaue
her
the
care
of
her
sister
,
who
lay
as
halfe
dead
.
They
perceiuing
their
labour
lost
to
hinder
their
pious
resolution
,
being
exceedingly
wearyed
,
left
the
two
sisters
togeather
.
The
troup
then
being
departed
,
the
tormented
Agnes
arose
from
the
ground
,
full
of
ioy
in
Iesus
Christ
,
for
whose
loue
she
had
fought
,
&
ouercome
in
this
her
first
conflict
against
the
world
,
and
his
prince
the
Diuell
,
by
fauour
and
assistance
of
diuine
grace
;
&
her
sister
asking
her
how
she
felt
herselfe
,
she
answered
,
that
notwithstanding
all
the
affliction
they
had
procured
her
by
buffets
,
beatings
,
spurnes
with
their
feet
&
fistes
,
tearing
her
by
the
hayre
,
trayling
her
through
stony
wayes
,
she
had
felt
in
a
manner
nothing
,
especially
by
the
vertue
,
and
force
of
diuine
grace
,
and
next
by
the
merits
of
her
good
prayers
.
Shortly
after
the
holy
Father
S.
Francis
cut
of
her
haire
,
she
retayning
still
her
proper
name
of
Agnes
,
in
memory
of
the
innocent
lambe
Iesus
Christ
,
who
offering
himselfe
in
sacrifice
to
his
Father
,
gaue
resistance
to
the
world
,
fought
valerously
,
and
ouercame
:
and
so
the
holy
Father
instructed
her
with
her
sister
,
and
taught
her
the
way
of
God
in
such
sort
,
that
she
so
increased
,
and
profited
in
Religion
,
&
all
vertue
,
and
sanctity
,
that
she
was
an
admiration
to
al
the
world
.
Of
the
humility
of
the
Virgin
Saint
Clare
.
CHAP.
VII
.
PROFOVND
humility
was
the
first
assured
stone
,
&
foundation
,
which
the
holy
virgin
layd
in
the
beginning
of
her
Relion
,
after
she
had
begun
to
labour
in
the
way
of
God
,
so
to
aduance
,
and
set
forward
the
building
of
all
other
vertues
.
She
vowed
Obedience
vnto
S.
Francis
,
which
vow
in
all
her
life
,
she
neuer
transgressed
,
and
for
three
yeares
after
her
conuersion
,
she
desired
rather
with
great
humility
to
be
subiect
,
then
a
Superior
,
shunning
the
title
,
&
office
of
Abbesse
,
taking
more
content
to
serue
among
the
seruants
of
Iesus
Christ
,
then
to
be
serued
.
But
being
at
length
by
the
holy
Father
S.
Francis
thereunto
constrained
,
she
vndertooke
the
gouernment
of
the
Religious
,
which
bred
in
her
hart
more
feare
,
then
presumption
:
so
what
she
rather
continued
,
and
became
a
seruant
,
then
free
from
subiection
.
For
the
more
she
seemed
to
be
raysed
to
the
office
,
and
title
of
dignity
,
the
more
did
she
repute
herselfe
vile
,
and
the
more
shewed
herselfe
ready
to
serue
,
and
made
herselfe
more
contemptible
then
all
her
religious
,
both
in
habit
and
base
seruice
.
She
disdayned
not
to
doe
the
office
of
seruants
,
giuing
water
to
the
Religious
to
wash
,
whom
she
made
often
to
sit
,
herself
standing
,
and
seruing
them
at
table
.
When
she
commaunded
any
thing
,
it
was
vnwillingly
,
rather
desiring
to
do
,
then
to
commaund
others
.
She
performed
to
the
sicke
all
kind
of
seruices
,
were
they
neuer
so
loathsome
,
as
to
make
cleane
any
thing
that
was
defiled
or
foule
,
shunning
with
so
worthy
a
spirit
al
pleasant
,
and
delightfull
actions
,
neuer
abhorring
,
or
desdayning
the
most
offensiue
smells
.
She
often
washed
the
feete
of
the
lay
sisters
,
when
they
came
from
abroad
,
made
them
cleane
,
and
with
great
humility
kissed
them
.
It
one
time
chaunced
,
that
washing
the
feete
of
a
seruant
,
and
offering
to
kisse
them
,
the
seruant
vnwilling
to
permit
such
humility
,
pulled
away
her
foote
to
auoid
it
,
but
she
did
it
so
rudely
,
that
she
gaue
the
holy
virgin
a
dash
on
the
face
:
yet
so
farre
was
this
Saint
from
being
offended
therewith
,
that
on
the
contrary
she
mildly
tooke
the
foote
of
the
seruant
againe
,
and
kissed
the
sole
therof
.
Thus
did
this
true
espouse
of
God
accomplish
the
doctrine
of
Iesus
Christ
,
&
the
example
which
he
left
,
when
he
washed
the
feete
of
his
Apostles
.
Of
the
voluntary
pouerty
of
the
Virgin
S.
Clare
,
and
of
her
zeale
to
that
holy
vertue
.
CHAP.
VIII
.
THIS
holy
virgin
made
an
vnion
&
correspondence
betweene
her
pouerty
in
all
externall
thinges
,
and
her
holy
pouerty
of
spirit
;
and
first
at
the
beginning
of
her
conuersion
she
made
sale
of
her
patrimony
,
and
birth-right
,
all
which
distributing
vnto
the
poore
of
Iesus
Christ
,
she
reserued
nothing
to
herselfe
.
Hauing
so
abandoned
all
the
world
exteriourly
,
and
inriched
her
soule
interiourly
,
freed
from
the
burthen
of
worldly
affayres
,
she
ran
farre
more
lightly
after
Iesus
Christ
,
and
thereby
contracted
such
an
inuiolable
amity
with
holy
pouerty
,
that
she
would
haue
possession
of
no
other
thing
then
her
glorious
spouse
Iesus
Christ
,
nor
would
she
permit
her
spirituall
daughters
to
possesse
any
thing
els
.
And
with
this
Euangelical
traffique
,
she
purchased
the
most
pretious
pearle
of
celestiall
desire
,
in
place
of
all
the
other
thinges
,
which
she
had
sold
,
acknowledging
,
that
the
same
could
in
no
sort
be
inioyed
togeather
with
the
distraction
,
and
occupation
of
temporall
things
.
Giuing
instructions
to
her
Religious
,
she
would
sometimes
say
vnto
them
,
that
this
their
company
should
be
then
grateful
to
God
,
and
become
very
rich
in
pouerty
,
and
should
by
such
meanes
conserue
it selfe
firme
and
stable
,
if
it
were
alwayes
fortifyed
,
and
enuironed
with
the
rampiers
&
strong
bulwarkes
of
pouerty
.
She
also
admonished
her
beloued
daughters
in
our
Lord
Iesus
Christ
,
to
conforme
themselues
to
him
,
lying
poore
in
the
bed
of
pouerty
,
who
was
no
sooner
borne
,
but
was
by
the
most
sacred
virgin
his
Mother
layd
in
a
straite
Cribbe
.
Now
desiring
to
call
her
Rule
by
the
tytle
of
Pouerty
,
she
demaunded
of
Pope
Innocent
the
fourth
the
priuiledge
of
Pouerty
,
who
as
a
magnanimous
Prelate
reioycing
at
the
great
feruour
of
this
holy
virgin
,
exceedingly
commended
this
her
deuotion
,
assuring
himselfe
that
the
like
priuiledge
had
neuer
byn
demaunded
of
the
Apostolike
sea
.
And
to
the
end
a
new
&
extraordinary
fauor
might
answere
this
new
and
vnacustomed
demaund
,
the
holy
Pope
with
an
exceeding
contentment
wrote
with
his
owne
hand
the
first
Pa●tent
of
the
priuiledge
;
which
Pope
Gregory
the
ninth
his
predecessor
of
holy
memory
had
also
done
,
who
with
a
Fatherly
affection
louing
this
Espouse
of
Iesus
Christ
,
once
gaue
her
counsayle
,
in
consideration
of
diuers
alterations
of
matters
,
and
the
strange
euents
of
rymes
,
yea
and
in
regard
of
the
perills
of
future
ages
,
to
be
content
that
her
Order
might
haue
some
possessions
,
himselfe
offering
to
bestow
it
vpon
them
:
but
she
couragiously
withstood
it
,
and
as
a
true
,
poore
,
and
legitimate
daughter
of
the
holy
Patriarch
poore
S.
Francis
,
would
neuer
accord
therevnto
.
The
Pope
alleadging
,
that
if
she
feared
the
breach
of
her
vow
,
he
would
absolue
her
theerof
:
but
this
virgin
answered
very
humbly
in
this
manner
.
Holy
Father
I
shall
be
very
ioyfull
,
if
it
please
your
Holynes
to
absolue
me
of
all
my
sinnes
,
but
to
free
me
from
performing
the
Counsayles
of
God
,
I
will
accept
no
absolution
.
This
holy
virgin
with
an
exceeding
ioy
receiued
the
morsels
of
bread
which
the
Religious
brought
from
begging
,
and
had
gotten
for
the
loue
of
God
:
but
she
was
much
troubled
,
when
she
saw
whole
loaues
;
labouring
much
to
conforme
herselfe
in
all
things
to
perfect
pouerty
with
him
,
who
was
poorly
and
nakedly
Crucified
:
&
in
such
sort
,
that
no
transitory
thing
might
at
any
tyme
separate
the
most
poore
virgin
from
her
beloued
,
nor
hinder
her
from
her
most
ardent
feruour
to
follow
our
Lord
Iesus
Christ
.
Of
the
miracles
of
the
pouerty
of
the
glorious
S.
Clare
.
CHAP.
IX
.
IT
hapned
one
day
that
the
glorious
virgin
S.
Clare
knew
,
that
there
was
but
one
loafe
of
bread
in
her
Couent
,
and
so
the
houre
of
dinner
being
come
,
she
called
the
sister
that
was
the
Despensier
,
and
willed
her
to
cut
the
loafe
she
had
in
her
custody
in
two
,
and
to
send
the
one
halfe
to
the
Religious
that
were
without
,
and
to
keep
the
other
for
themselues
,
whereof
she
should
make
fifty
portions
,
there
being
so
many
Religious
,
&
then
should
set
it
vpon
the
table
of
pouerty
:
whereunto
the
Despensier
answered
,
that
the
miracles
of
Iesus
Christ
were
needfull
to
make
so
many
portions
of
so
small
quantity
of
bread
:
but
S.
Clare
replyed
▪
saying
,
Daughter
doe
only
what
I
doe
comaund
thee
.
The
sister
went
presently
to
effect
the
commaundment
of
her
Abbesse
,
who
in
the
meane
while
togeather
with
all
the
other
Religious
applyed
themselues
to
prayer
,
presenting
their
deuotions
,
&
tears
to
their
spouse
Iesus
Christ
,
and
instantly
by
his
infinit
bounty
the
little
morsells
of
bread
so
augmented
in
the
handes
of
the
Despensier
that
they
sufficed
to
feed
al
the
Religious
.
It
hapned
another
tyme
that
the
seruantes
of
Iesus
Christ
wanted
oyle
,
so
that
they
had
not
sufficient
to
dresse
meate
for
the
sicke
.
S.
Clare
being
aduertised
of
this
necessity
tooke
a
pot
,
which
(
as
mistris
of
humility
)
she
washed
with
her
owne
handes
,
then
sent
it
to
the
turne
wheele
,
that
a
Religious
man
there
might
take
it
,
to
go
,
and
demaund
oyle
for
the
loue
of
God
.
Hauing
to
this
effect
caused
a
Religious
man
to
be
called
to
send
him
,
(
as
matters
doe
not
succeed
as
men
propose
,
but
according
to
the
pleasure
of
the
diuine
,
and
mercifull
prouidence
)
S.
Clare
hauing
recommended
this
necessity
to
Almighty
God
,
the
sayd
Religious
found
the
pot
full
of
pure
oyle
;
which
perceiuing
he
thought
the
Religious
within
had
required
it
without
need
;
&
with
a
kind
of
murmure
he
sayd
:
I
know
not
why
the
sisters
haue
called
me
,
their
pot
being
ful
of
oyle
▪
so
that
the
miracle
was
discouered
.
Almighty
God
did
often
also
by
extraordinary
means
supply
the
necessityes
of
his
poore
seruants
by
the
meritorious
prayers
of
S.
Clare
.
Of
the
austere
mortifications
,
abstinences
,
and
fasts
of
S.
Clare
.
CHAP.
X.
I
Doubt
whether
it
be
not
more
expedient
to
conceale
,
then
to
diuulge
the
admirable
affliction
,
and
rude
pennance
of
S.
Clare
,
because
this
holy
virgin
hath
performed
such
extreme
mortifications
,
that
many
,
who
shall
reade
them
,
acknowledging
themselues
cowardes
,
and
ouercome
in
this
conflict
,
(
as
we
are
all
)
and
put
into
admiration
of
these
marueylous
actes
,
will
perhapps
call
in
question
her
prowesse
,
which
is
to
oppugne
the
very
truth
.
Is
it
not
a
great
matter
,
that
vsing
one
only
habit
,
all
patched
,
and
a
poore
cloake
of
the
grossest
cloath
,
she
rather
couered
her
body
,
then
defended
it
from
the
importunityes
of
the
seasons
?
But
it
is
more
admirable
,
that
she
neuer
wore
stockings
,
shooes
,
nor
any
other
things
on
her
feete
after
she
became
Religious
.
It
was
also
a
strange
matter
that
she
fasted
daily
,
and
neuer
fayled
for
whatsoeuer
occasion
that
hapned
.
She
neuer
lay
vpon
mattresse
,
though
that
were
no
singuler
prayse
vnto
her
,
all
her
Religious
doing
the
like
.
This
espouse
of
Iesus
Christ
wore
more
then
the
rest
,
a
hayre-cloath
as
great
as
halfe
a
tunicke
,
made
of
hogges
haire
,
the
haire
being
halfe
shorne
,
next
her
flesh
.
She
also
wore
a
hayre-cloath
,
which
a
Religious
very
importunatly
once
borrowed
of
her
,
but
prouing
it
to
be
so
rude
,
and
sharpe
,
she
restored
it
three
dayes
after
to
S.
Clare
more
readily
,
then
she
had
ioyfully
borrowed
it
.
Her
ordinary
bed
was
the
bare
ground
,
except
somtymes
she
slept
vpon
dry
branches
or
twigges
,
vsing
for
a
pillow
a
blocke
of
wood
.
But
in
regard
that
the
rigorous
life
,
wherwith
she
afflicted
her
body
,
brought
her
to
sicknes
,
the
holy
Father
S.
Prancis
commanded
her
to
lye
vpon
chaffe
.
The
rigour
of
her
abstinence
in
her
fastes
was
such
,
that
she
could
not
maintaine
her
body
in
life
,
so
little
did
she
eate
;
wherby
it
is
easy
to
iudge
that
she
was
susteyned
by
diuine
vertue
.
When
she
had
her
health
,
she
fasted
all
the
Aduent
,
and
Lent
,
&
from
all
Saints
to
Christmas
with
bread
and
water
,
the
sondayes
excepted
:
and
which
is
more
admirable
,
three
dayes
of
the
weeke
,
monday
,
wednesday
,
and
friday
in
the
Lent
,
she
did
eate
nothing
at
all
:
so
that
the
commaundment
of
fast
,
and
the
rigour
of
her
voluntary
mortification
,
seemed
to
haue
a
contrariety
ech
with
other
,
because
vpon
the
eue
of
a
commaunded
feast
,
she
vsed
but
bread
&
water
:
neyther
must
it
be
admired
,
if
such
a
rigour
of
so
long
continuance
bred
many
infirmityes
in
this
holy
virgin
,
which
wasted
her
forces
,
and
ouerthrew
all
the
naturall
strength
and
health
of
her
body
.
The
deuout
Religious
daughters
of
this
holy
mother
had
exceeding
compassion
of
her
,
and
they
bitterly
lamented
the
voluntary
procuring
of
her
owne
death
:
for
remedy
wherof
,
S.
Francis
,
&
the
Bishop
of
Assisium
forbad
her
those
three
dayes
of
fast
,
which
euery
weeke
she
vsually
inflicted
vpon
herselfe
,
and
commaunded
her
not
to
passe
one
day
without
taking
at
least
an
once
and
a
halfe
of
bread
,
to
conserue
her
life
.
And
albeit
such
grieuous
afflictions
of
the
body
doe
accustome
to
breed
also
some
affliction
to
the
hart
,
yet
did
the
contrary
succeed
in
her
;
for
she
carryed
a
countenance
so
gratious
and
ioyfull
in
all
her
austerities
,
that
she
seemed
eyther
to
haue
no
feeling
of
them
,
or
not
to
feare
any
inconuenience
thereof
:
yea
she
in
a
sort
made
light
of
corporall
afflictions
:
which
sufficiently
demonstrated
,
that
the
spirituall
ioy
,
wherwith
she
was
interiouly
nourished
,
appeared
exteriourly
in
her
holy
face
,
because
the
true
loue
of
the
hart
maketh
always
corporall
afflictions
easy
and
light
.
Of
the
deuotion
,
and
spirituall
prosit
,
which
the
fame
of
the
Glorious
S.
Clare
procured
ouer
all
the
world
.
CHAP.
XI
.
THE
fame
of
S.
Clare
began
within
little
tyme
to
spread
ouer
all
Italy
,
which
caused
women
from
all
partes
to
begin
to
run
after
the
odour
of
the
pretious
liquour
of
her
Sanctity
.
The
Virgins
after
her
example
approached
vnto
Iesus
Christ
,
and
made
him
presents
of
their
virginity
:
marryed
women
endeauoured
to
liue
more
chast
and
vertuously
:
gentlewomen
and
Ladyes
,
contemning
their
fayre
houses
,
and
sumptuous
tables
,
shut
themselues
into
monasteries
,
esteeming
it
a
great
glory
to
liue
in
strict
pennance
for
the
loue
of
Iesus
Christ
.
This
Saint
was
also
a
spur
vnto
men
to
excite
in
them
a
violent
feruent
,
and
principally
to
youth
,
that
began
to
take
courage
in
the
contempt
of
the
world
,
&
by
example
of
the
frayler
sexe
,
to
fight
agaynst
the
temptations
,
and
deceiptfull
pleasures
of
the
flesh
.
Many
marryed
persons
with
mutuall
consent
obliged
theselues
to
continency
,
the
men
entering
into
couents
of
men
,
&
the
women
into
monasteries
of
Religious
women
.
The
mother
induced
the
daughter
to
serue
Iesus
Christ
,
the
daughter
the
mother
,
one
sister
another
,
&
briefly
ech
one
by
a
holy
enuy
desired
to
serue
Iesus
Christ
,
all
of
them
seeking
to
participate
of
the
euangelicall
life
,
which
by
this
Espouse
of
Iesus
Christ
was
demonstrated
vnto
them
.
An
infinite
number
of
virgins
,
that
by
her
fame
were
induced
to
piety
,
vnable
to
become
Religious
,
or
to
leaue
their
fathers
houses
,
indeauored
yet
to
liue
there
more
religiously
,
leading
a
regular
life
without
rule
.
S.
Clare
by
her
example
produced
such
&
so
many
branches
of
saluation
,
that
it
seemed
the
saying
of
the
Prophet
was
to
be
accomplished
in
her
:
The
fruits
of
the
desolate
,
and
barren
are
farre
greater
,
then
of
the
marryed
.
Whiles
these
matters
thus
proceeded
in
Italy
,
the
descent
of
this
benediction
,
which
distilled
downe
in
the
valley
of
Spoletum
,
grew
by
diuine
prouidence
to
so
spatious
and
large
a
flood
,
that
the
violent
current
therof
ouer
flowed
al
the
Cittyes
of
the
holy
Church
,
so
that
the
nouelty
of
such
admirable
things
,
was
speedily
diulged
ouer
all
the
world
,
&
with
such
prayse
,
and
admiration
gaue
such
splendour
,
that
the
nature
of
her
vertues
filled
the
chambers
of
great
Ladies
with
beames
of
vnspeakable
charity
,
and
penetrated
euen
into
the
chambers
of
great
Dutchesses
;
yea
those
most
pure
beames
of
her
brightnes
pierced
into
the
very
cabinetts
of
Queenes
,
and
Princesses
;
and
that
in
such
sort
,
that
eminency
of
bloud
,
and
height
of
nobility
submitted
,
and
debased
it selfe
to
follow
the
stepps
of
this
glorious
virgin
,
many
reiecting
the
greatnes
of
their
honour
,
and
the
sublimity
of
their
estates
;
so
that
some
Ladyes
,
who
could
haue
byn
marryed
to
Kings
and
Dukes
,
induced
by
the
fame
of
S.
Clare
,
tooke
vpon
them
the
practise
of
strict
pennance
,
and
many
already
marryed
to
men
of
great
nobility
,
desired
in
their
estate
to
imitate
this
seruant
of
Iesus
Christ
.
An
infinit
number
also
of
Citties
were
by
this
example
adorned
with
monasteries
of
young
women
:
the
fieldes
,
and
mountaynes
were
enriched
and
inobled
with
the
structures
of
these
celestiall
buildings
:
The
exercise
and
honour
of
chastity
did
multiply
in
the
world
,
S.
Clare
carrying
the
standard
of
the
order
of
virgins
,
which
being
then
almost
extinguished
,
she
restored
to
perfection
,
renewing
it
by
the
blessed
flowres
of
her
example
&
conuersation
.
But
returning
to
the
history
,
let
vs
speake
of
the
perfection
of
the
prayer
of
this
glorious
virgin
,
by
meanes
wherof
she
obteyned
of
God
so
great
graces
for
her selfe
,
and
her
daughters
.
Of
the
feruent
and
perfect
prayer
of
the
virgin
S.
Clare
.
CHAP.
XII
.
AS
Saint
Clare
was
mortifyed
in
her
flesh
,
and
farre
more
from
all
corporall
recreations
,
so
did
she
continually
busy
herselfe
in
deuotions
,
and
diuine
prayses
.
This
virgin
had
fixed
,
&
imprinted
the
subtility
of
her
feruent
desire
in
the
eternall
light
,
and
as
she
was
remote
from
earthly
occupations
,
and
rumors
,
so
did
she
the
more
largely
dilate
the
bosome
of
her
soule
to
the
influence
of
diuine
grace
.
She
continued
in
long
prayer
together
with
her
religious
after
Complin
,
the
riuers
of
teares
that
flowed
from
her
eyes
awaking
and
bathing
the
harts
of
her
companions
:
when
the
sleep
of
others
gaue
her
opportunity
to
be
solitary
,
being
often
in
prayer
,
she
wold
lay
her
face
agaynst
the
earth
bathed
with
teares
,
kissing
it
sweetly
,
and
with
such
contentment
,
that
she
seemed
alwayes
to
hold
in
her
armes
her
spouse
Iesus
Christ
,
at
whose
feete
her
teares
trickled
downe
,
and
her
kisses
left
their
impressions
.
It
hapned
one
time
,
that
as
this
holy
virgin
powred
out
her
teares
in
the
silence
of
the
night
,
the
Angel
of
darknes
appeared
vnto
her
in
figure
of
a
blacke
young
man
,
saying
,
If
thou
continuest
this
extreme
weeping
thou
wilt
become
blynd
,
wherto
she
answered
,
he
that
is
to
see
God
,
cannot
be
blynd
:
wherwith
the
diuell
being
confounded
vanished
&
fled
.
The
same
night
this
Saint
being
in
prayer
after
Mattines
,
all
bathed
in
teares
,
the
Tempter
appeared
againe
vnto
her
,
and
sayd
,
Weepe
not
so
much
,
vnles
thou
wilt
haue
thy
braynes
to
melt
,
and
distill
in
such
sort
,
that
thou
shalt
auoyd
them
at
thy
eyes
and
nostrels
,
&
therwith
shall
thy
nose
be
croked
.
S.
Clare
with
great
feruour
answered
him
,
saying
,
He
that
serueth
Iesus
Christ
can
haue
no
crookednes
,
and
presently
the
wicked
spirit
disappeared
.
Many
signes
did
discouer
,
and
make
knowne
the
great
alteration
she
receiued
in
herselfe
,
in
feruour
of
her
prayer
,
&
how
sweet
&
delectable
the
diuine
bounty
was
vnto
her
in
this
ioy
&
holy
conuersation
:
for
when
she
returned
from
prayer
,
she
with
admirable
contentment
brought
words
inflamed
with
she
fire
of
the
altar
of
God
,
which
kindled
the
harts
of
her
Religious
,
and
procured
in
them
a
great
admiration
at
this
extreme
sweetnes
that
appeared
from
of
her
face
.
It
is
without
doubt
,
that
Almighty
God
had
coupled
,
&
conioyned
his
sweetnes
with
her
pouerty
,
and
did
manifest
exteriorly
in
her
soule
what
was
interiourly
replenished
with
diuine
light
.
In
this
manner
did
she
ordinarily
liue
full
of
supreme
delights
,
passing
ouer
this
deceiptfull
world
with
her
noble
spouse
Iesus
Christ
,
and
being
placed
vpon
this
wheele
of
motion
,
she
was
theron
susteyned
with
an
assurance
,
and
firmity
of
vertue
,
very
stable
;
and
preserued
with
the
celestiall
eleuation
of
her
soule
in
the
height
of
heauen
,
keeping
the
treasure
of
glory
securely
shut
vp
within
a
vessel
of
flesh
heere
below
vpon
earth
.
This
holy
virgin
accustomed
to
call
vp
the
yonger
Religious
a
little
before
Mattines
,
&
to
awaken
them
with
the
ordinary
signe
,
to
excite
them
very
often
to
prayse
God
.
All
her
Religious
sleeping
,
she
did
watch
,
lighted
the
lampe
,
and
rung
at
mattins
,
so
that
negligence
found
no
entrance
into
her
monastery
:
nor
sloath
had
there
any
place
.
She
also
by
the
sting
of
sharpe
reprehension
,
and
of
her
liuely
and
effectuall
examples
,
expelled
tepidity
,
and
irkesomnes
in
prayer
,
and
the
seruice
of
God
.
How
the
Mores
were
expelled
the
Monastery
by
the
prayers
of
Saint
Clare
.
CHAP.
XIII
.
THIS
being
the
place
,
where
we
should
record
the
miracles
of
this
holy
virgin
,
it
is
not
conueuient
that
we
pretermit
them
in
silence
;
for
as
the
marueilous
effects
of
her
prayers
were
veritable
,
so
also
are
they
worthy
of
honour
and
reuerence
.
In
the
time
of
the
Emperour
Federike
the
second
,
the
holy
Church
in
diuers
places
indured
great
persecutions
,
but
particulerly
in
the
valley
of
Spoletum
,
which
being
subiect
to
the
Roman
Church
,
dranke
of
the
vessel
of
wrath
by
this
mischeuous
tyrant
,
his
Captaynes
and
souldiers
being
scattered
ouer
the
feildes
as
grasse
hoppers
with
sword
to
murther
people
,
and
with
fire
to
burne
their
houses
.
The
impiety
of
this
Emperour
did
so
augment
,
that
he
had
assembled
all
the
Mores
that
dwelt
vpon
the
mountaines
,
and
amongst
the
deserts
,
to
make
himselfe
the
more
fearefull
to
his
vassells
:
&
after
he
had
by
large
promises
gayned
these
Mores
,
and
disposed
of
them
in
diuers
places
,
he
gaue
them
at
length
for
retire
a
very
auncient
,
but
ruinated
Citty
,
which
yet
to
this
present
is
called
Mourades
Mores
,
which
they
fortified
,
and
then
thither
retyred
about
twenty
thousand
fighting
men
,
who
did
much
mischiefe
ouer
all
Apulia
,
and
in
other
Christian
places
.
These
enemyes
of
the
faith
of
Iesus
Christ
came
one
day
vnexpectedly
towards
the
Citty
of
Assisium
,
who
being
already
close
at
the
gates
▪
a
great
number
of
them
came
to
the
monastery
of
S.
Damian
,
as
a
lewd
and
disloy
all
nation
,
that
continually
thirsteth
after
the
bloud
of
Christians
,
and
dareth
to
commit
villanously
all
kind
of
execrable
actes
,
without
eyther
shame
of
men
,
or
feare
of
God
.
These
Mores
then
brake
euen
into
the
monastery
of
S
▪
Clare
,
where
she
was
with
her
Religious
daughters
,
who
had
their
harts
surprised
with
an
extreme
terror
;
but
much
more
,
when
they
heard
the
barking
and
cry
of
those
dogges
so
neere
them
,
so
that
they
were
euen
dying
with
the
apprehension
,
not
knowing
where
to
seeke
reliefe
,
nor
of
whome
to
hope
for
deliuerance
from
so
eminent
peril
,
but
only
by
the
merits
of
their
holy
Mother
,
whome
with
infinit
sighes
&
teares
they
aduertised
of
what
they
heard
and
saw
.
This
holy
virgin
(
though
sicke
)
incouraged
her
Religious
,
&
caused
herselfe
with
incredible
constancy
to
be
carryed
to
the
gate
of
her
monastery
,
at
the
entry
wherof
,
in
sight
of
all
her
enemies
,
she
with
great
reuerence
placed
the
most
blessed
Sacrament
of
the
Eucharist
in
the
Pix
,
before
which
falling
prostrate
vpon
the
earth
,
she
with
aboundance
of
teares
thus
spake
to
her
beloued
spouse
Iesus
Christ
▪
Is
it
possible
(
my
God
,
)
thy
will
should
be
,
that
these
thy
seruants
,
who
cannot
vse
materiall
weapons
to
defend
themselues
,
&
whome
I
haue
heere
brought
vp
,
and
noursed
in
thy
holy
loue
,
should
now
be
deliuered
into
the
power
of
the
infidell
Mores
?
O
my
God
preserue
them
if
thou
please
,
and
me
likewise
;
for
albeit
thy
diuine
maiesty
hath
committed
them
to
my
gouernement
,
yet
it
is
not
in
my
power
to
defend
them
from
so
great
a
perill
,
sith
this
protection
cannot
be
,
but
by
a
worke
of
thine
omnipotency
:
therfore
doe
I
recommend
them
to
thy
diuine
maiesty
with
al
the
affection
that
I
am
able
.
As
soone
as
this
holy
virgin
had
sent
these
prayers
vnto
heauen
,
she
heard
a
voice
so
delicate
,
as
if
it
had
bin
of
a
sucking
child
that
said
,
I
wil
protect
you
for
euer
.
The
holy
mother
did
not
yet
giue
ouer
to
preset
her
prayers
saying
:
my
God
I
humbly
beseech
thee
,
if
so
it
be
thy
holy
will
,
to
preserue
,
and
defend
this
thy
Citty
of
Assisium
which
doth
nourish
vs
for
the
loue
it
beareth
to
thy
diuine
maiesty
.
Wherto
God
answered
,
this
Citty
shall
suffer
much
,
but
in
the
end
I
will
by
my
fauour
defend
it
.
Saint
Clare
hauing
heard
so
gratious
newes
,
lifted
vp
her
face
bathed
with
teares
and
comforted
her
beloued
daughters
,
saying
:
Deare
sisters
,
I
assure
you
that
no
euill
shall
befall
you
,
only
be
carefull
to
haue
a
firme
faith
,
and
confidence
in
Iesus
Christ
.
The
diuine
assistance
making
no
long
delay
,
for
the
presumption
and
rage
of
the
Mores
was
in
continently
cooled
,
so
that
a
suddaine
vnknowne
terrour
hauing
surprised
them
,
they
speedily
retyred
ouer
the
walles
,
which
they
had
scaled
,
to
enter
.
They
being
thus
by
the
vertue
of
the
prayers
of
Saint
Clare
expelled
,
she
priuately
called
the
Religious
,
that
had
heard
the
said
voice
of
God
,
and
commaunded
them
,
that
howsoeuer
it
were
,
they
should
not
diuulge
what
they
had
heard
during
her
life
.
How
the
Citty
of
Assisium
was
at
another
tyme
deliuered
by
the
prayers
of
this
holy
virgin
.
CHAP.
XIIII
.
VPON
another
time
,
one
of
the
principall
Captaynes
of
the
Emperour
Frederike
called
Vitalis
Auersa
,
a
man
very
ambitious
of
glory
,
full
of
courage
,
and
a
notable
Captaine
,
conducted
his
troupes
to
besiege
Assisium
,
&
hauing
inuironed
it
,
he
proposed
to
wast
,
&
spoile
the
plaine
Countrey
thereabout
,
making
a
totall
ruine
to
the
very
trees
which
were
hewed
downe
;
and
then
laying
his
seige
,
he
vttered
menacing
and
vaunting
oathes
,
that
he
wold
not
stirre
thence
,
till
he
had
giuen
the
Citty
a
victorious
assault
:
and
this
siege
so
long
continued
,
that
the
beseiged
began
to
loose
courage
,
as
wanting
many
thinges
extremely
needfull
vnto
them
?
wheros
the
seruant
of
Iesus
Christ
being
aduertised
,
sighing
in
her
hart
,
she
called
all
her
Religious
,
to
whom
she
thus
discoursed
:
My
deare
sisters
,
know
that
all
our
necessities
haue
euer
bin
supplied
by
the
charity
of
this
Citty
,
so
that
we
should
be
very
vngratefull
,
if
we
should
not
according
to
our
ability
assist
them
in
this
extreme
necessity
:
then
she
commanded
to
be
brought
her
ashes
,
and
all
her
Religious
to
discoife
their
heades
▪
and
to
giue
them
example
,
she
began
to
couer
her
bare
head
with
ashes
,
wherin
all
the
other
Religious
following
her
,
she
said
:
goe
yee
to
our
Lord
Iesus
Christ
,
and
with
the
greatest
humility
,
and
most
feruent
prayers
that
you
can
possible
,
demaund
of
him
the
deliuerance
of
your
Citty
.
It
cannot
be
expressed
,
with
what
feruour
and
teares
these
deuout
Virgins
incessantly
offered
their
prayers
,
vnto
God
the
space
of
one
entiere
day
and
night
,
demaunding
mercy
in
behalfe
of
the
said
Citty
beseiged
by
their
enemies
.
These
prayers
and
teares
were
of
such
force
and
vertue
,
that
the
omnipotent
bounty
and
mercy
had
compassion
of
them
,
and
from
the
day
following
sent
them
his
puissant
hand
,
and
assistance
in
such
sort
,
that
the
enemies
campe
was
defeated
,
&
the
Captaine
constrained
shamfully
,
&
in
despight
of
his
forces
,
without
sound
trompet
to
raise
his
seige
:
for
he
fled
without
euer
troubling
the
Assisians
,
being
shortly
after
slaine
.
Of
the
Reuerence
&
deuotion
which
S.
Clare
had
to
the
most
blessed
Sacrament
:
and
of
the
vertue
of
her
prayers
agaynst
the
Diuells
.
CHAP.
XV.
THE
deuotion
of
Saint
Clare
towardes
the
most
Holy
Sacrament
of
the
Altar
was
such
,
that
she
made
it
apparent
in
many
of
her
actions
:
for
though
she
were
most
grieuously
sicke
in
her
bed
,
yet
would
she
so
dispose
herselfe
therin
,
&
be
so
propped
,
and
stayed
vp
,
that
she
might
conueniently
spinne
,
an
exercise
which
she
exceedingly
affected
,
&
wherin
she
wholy
imployed
herselfe
;
doing
it
so
delicately
,
that
with
the
threed
of
her
labour
she
caused
to
be
wouen
very
curious
,
and
fine
cloath
,
which
she
imployed
in
furniture
for
the
Altar
.
She
one
time
got
made
50.
Corporalls
,
which
she
sent
in
cases
of
silke
to
many
Churches
of
the
valley
of
Spoletum
.
When
she
was
to
receiue
the
most
Blessed
Sacrament
,
before
she
presented
herselfe
therunto
,
she
was
alwayes
bathed
in
teares
,
and
so
with
exceeding
feare
approaching
,
she
did
reuerence
him
that
was
present
in
the
Sacrament
,
as
acknowledging
him
to
be
the
same
that
gouerneth
heauen
&
earth
;
therfore
did
the
Diuells
so
much
feare
the
prayers
of
the
Espouse
of
Iesus
Christ
,
S.
Clare
,
as
they
haue
suudry
times
declared
.
A
very
deuout
woman
of
the
Bishopricke
of
Pisa
came
to
the
monastery
of
S.
Damian
,
to
thanke
God
and
his
seruant
S.
Clare
,
for
hauing
bin
by
her
merits
deliuered
of
fiue
diuells
that
possessed
her
,
which
in
going
out
of
her
body
,
confessed
that
the
prayers
of
S.
Clare
did
burne
them
,
and
to
their
great
confusion
expelled
them
out
of
the
humane
bodies
which
they
possessed
.
Of
a
meruaylous
consolation
which
S.
Clare
receiued
vpon
the
feast
of
the
most
holy
Natiuity
.
CHAP.
XVI
.
AS
the
glorious
S.
Clare
was
alwayes
in
her
sicknes
with
a
liuely
memory
myndfull
of
her
beloued
Iesus
;
so
was
she
correspondently
visited
by
him
in
all
her
necessities
.
Once
in
the
night
of
the
Natiuity
,
when
all
the
world
and
Angells
did
so
solemnely
feast
for
the
birth
of
our
Redeemer
,
all
the
Religious
went
to
the
quier
to
Mattines
,
and
left
their
mother
accompanyed
only
with
her
grieuous
infirmity
:
wherfore
hauing
begun
to
meditate
vpon
the
great
mistery
of
that
night
,
and
lamenting
exceedingly
,
that
she
could
not
assist
at
the
diuine
seruice
,
she
sighing
sayd
:
O
my
God
,
thou
seest
how
I
remaine
here
alone
;
and
ending
this
,
she
began
to
heare
the
Mattines
that
were
sung
in
the
Church
of
Saint
Francis
in
Assisium
,
very
distinctly
vnderstanding
the
voice
of
the
Religious
;
and
the
very
sound
of
the
Organs
:
yet
was
she
not
so
neare
the
said
Church
,
as
she
might
humanly
heare
what
was
sung
there
;
but
it
must
necessarily
be
concluded
,
that
this
was
miraculously
done
in
one
of
these
two
sortes
,
eyther
that
the
singing
of
the
said
Religious
was
by
the
will
of
God
carried
to
S.
Clare
,
or
her
hearing
was
extended
extraordinarily
,
&
by
the
speciall
grace
of
God
,
euen
to
our
Lady
of
Angells
neere
vnto
Assisium
.
But
this
Saint
was
further
fauored
by
a
diuine
reuelation
which
exceedingly
comforted
and
reioyced
her
,
for
she
was
by
almighty
God
esteemed
worthy
to
see
in
spirit
his
holy
Cribbe
.
The
morning
following
,
her
Religious
coming
to
see
her
,
she
sayd
;
Deare
sisters
,
blessed
for
euer
be
our
Lord
Iesus
Christ
,
that
it
hath
pleased
him
not
to
leaue
me
alone
,
as
you
haue
done
;
but
know
that
by
the
grace
of
his
diuine
maiesty
,
I
haue
heard
all
the
seruice
that
this
night
hath
byn
performed
in
the
Church
of
our
holy
Father
S.
Francis
.
Of
the
spirituall
doctrine
,
wherwith
S.
Clare
noursed
her
daughters
.
CHAP.
XVII
.
THE
virgin
S.
Clare
acknowledged
,
that
she
was
committed
to
the
pallace
of
the
great
King
,
for
gouernesse
and
mistres
of
his
deare
espouses
,
therfore
did
she
teach
them
a
sublime
doctrine
,
comforting
,
&
assisting
them
with
such
loue
and
pitty
,
as
with
words
cannot
be
expressed
.
First
she
taught
them
to
cleare
their
soules
of
all
rumors
of
the
world
,
that
they
might
the
more
freely
attaine
to
the
high
secrets
of
God
.
She
also
taught
them
to
haue
no
affection
to
their
carnall
kindred
,
and
intierely
to
forget
their
ownehouse
,
the
better
to
please
Iesus
Christ
.
She
admonished
them
also
to
surmount
and
misprise
the
necessities
of
their
bodies
,
&
to
get
a
habit
of
repressing
the
deceiptes
,
and
appetites
of
the
flesh
,
by
the
bridle
of
reason
.
She
likewise
taught
them
that
the
subtill
enemy
armed
with
malice
,
continually
addresseth
his
hidden
snares
to
surprise
the
pure
soules
,
and
that
he
tempteth
the
pious
in
another
sort
then
worldlings
.
Finally
she
would
haue
them
so
imployed
in
handy
labour
for
certaine
houres
,
that
they
might
afterwards
be
more
prompt
,
and
better
prepared
to
the
desire
of
their
Creatour
by
the
exercise
of
prayer
,
which
after
their
labour
they
shold
vndertake
,
not
leauing
for
such
payne
the
fire
of
holy
loue
,
but
rather
expelling
by
it
the
tepidity
of
deuotion
already
purchased
.
There
was
neuer
seene
a
stricter
obseruation
of
silence
then
amongst
them
,
nor
a
greater
forme
,
and
example
of
vertue
.
There
was
neuer
seene
done
in
this
holy
house
one
act
of
vanity
,
neyther
by
wordes
,
nor
signes
;
nor
was
there
discouered
by
any
vaine
discourse
any
desire
of
lightnes
,
so
much
were
they
mortifyed
,
their
holy
Mistres
giuing
good
example
by
wordes
,
and
pious
,
and
briefe
documents
;
likewise
teaching
her
disciples
feruent
desires
,
and
admonishing
them
to
possesse
,
and
conserue
them
vnder
the
key
&
custody
of
strict
silence
.
By
meanes
of
deuout
preachers
she
procured
to
her
daughters
the
holy
word
of
God
,
wherof
her
owne
was
not
the
least
part
,
she
being
filled
with
contentment
and
ioy
,
when
she
heard
the
word
of
God
preached
,
and
would
with
such
deuotion
,
and
consolation
,
reioice
in
the
memory
of
her
sweetest
spouse
Iesus
Christ
;
that
one
time
hearing
the
sermon
of
brother
Philip
de
Adria
,
a
most
famous
preacher
,
there
was
seene
before
this
holy
virgin
a
most
beautifull
child
,
which
there
remained
during
almost
all
the
sermon
,
comforting
her
with
his
ioifull
delectations
,
of
which
apparition
she
receiued
such
a
sweetnes
and
delight
,
as
she
could
no
way
explicate
.
Albeit
this
most
prudent
virgin
had
neuer
studyed
,
yet
did
she
much
delight
to
heare
a
learned
man
preach
,
vnderstanding
very
well
that
vnder
the
wordes
of
science
lay
hidden
the
sweetnes
of
spirit
,
which
herselfe
subtily
obteined
,
&
tasted
with
much
more
gust
.
She
accustomed
to
say
,
that
the
Sermon
of
whosoeuer
preaching
the
word
of
God
was
exceeding
profitable
to
soules
,
considering
that
it
is
no
lesse
prudence
to
know
how
sometimes
to
gather
beautifull
,
and
sweet
flowers
from
amongst
grosse
,
and
rude
thornes
,
then
to
eate
the
wholsome
fruits
of
a
good
plant
.
Pope
Gregory
the
ninth
one
time
at
the
instance
of
diuers
Prelates
commaunded
,
that
no
Religious
man
should
preach
at
the
monastery
of
poore
Religious
women
,
without
his
expresse
permission
:
wherat
the
pittifull
mother
complayning
,
in
regard
that
thence
forward
her
deuout
&
Religious
daughters
shold
seldome
be
spiritually
fed
with
holy
doctrine
,
with
teares
she
said
:
let
then
all
my
Religious
be
taken
hence
,
since
they
are
taken
away
,
who
gaue
vs
the
food
of
spirituall
life
;
withall
sending
away
the
Religious
,
that
appertained
to
her
monastery
to
serue
them
in
getting
almes
abroad
,
refusing
to
haue
Religious
,
that
should
prouide
them
bread
to
relieue
the
body
,
sith
they
were
depriued
by
this
meanes
of
all
spirituall
teachers
that
gaue
them
bread
to
nourish
their
soules
;
wherof
his
Holines
being
aduertised
,
he
presently
reuoked
his
former
prohibition
,
referring
all
to
the
disposition
of
the
generall
of
the
Friars
Minors
.
S.
Clare
had
not
only
a
prouident
care
of
her
Religious
daughters
soules
,
but
of
their
bodies
also
that
were
feeble
and
tender
,
for
whose
necessary
wantes
she
daly
prouided
with
exceeding
feruour
and
charity
;
she
oftentimes
in
the
night
,
when
it
was
cold
,
going
to
visit
and
couer
them
whiles
they
slept
;
and
if
she
found
any
one
ouer
much
benummed
with
cold
,
or
otherwise
in
il
disposition
through
strict
obseruation
of
the
common
rigour
,
she
instantly
commaunded
her
to
take
some
recreation
,
till
her
necessities
were
satisfied
.
If
any
of
her
Religious
daughters
were
any
time
afflicted
,
or
much
grieued
in
mind
through
temptations
,
or
were
sorrowfull
and
melancholy
,
she
would
call
her
apart
,
and
most
louingly
comfort
her
.
She
would
sometimes
fall
prostrate
herselfe
at
the
feete
of
those
that
were
heauy
and
afflicted
,
therby
to
put
away
the
force
of
their
griefe
by
her
motherly
cherishings
,
for
which
they
in
all
submission
yealding
themselues
to
this
their
holy
Mother
,
did
not
proue
vngratefull
.
They
likewise
reuerenced
the
office
of
Prelature
in
their
Mistres
,
following
all
their
life
time
the
conduct
of
so
diligent
and
secure
a
guide
,
directing
their
actions
by
the
espouse
of
Iesus
Christ
,
admiring
with
all
the
excellency
of
such
sanctity
&
charity
.
Of
the
deuotion
which
Pope
Gregory
the
ninth
had
to
the
holy
virgin
S.
Clare
:
and
of
a
letter
which
he
wrote
vnto
her
whiles
he
was
yet
Cardinall
.
CHAP.
XVIII
.
POPE
Gregory
the
ninth
had
a
meruailous
confidence
in
the
prayers
of
S.
Clare
,
hauing
experienced
their
great
vertue
&
efficacy
:
and
oftentimes
when
he
was
in
any
difficulty
,
both
whiles
he
was
Cardinall
&
Bishop
of
Hostia
,
and
afterwards
when
he
was
Pope
,
he
would
by
letters
recommend
himselfe
to
this
glorious
virgin
,
demaunding
help
of
her
,
knowing
assuredly
of
what
importance
her
assistance
was
;
this
being
in
him
not
only
a
great
humility
,
but
also
worthy
to
be
diligently
imitated
,
to
see
the
vicar
of
Iesus
Christ
vpon
earth
to
begge
help
of
a
seruant
of
God
,
in
recommending
himselfe
to
her
prayers
.
This
great
Pastour
knew
very
well
what
diuine
loue
could
doe
,
&
how
freely
pure
virgins
do
find
the
port
of
the
consistory
of
the
diuine
maiesty
open
.
There
is
exstant
a
very
deuout
letter
of
this
Pope
written
to
S.
Clare
,
whiles
he
was
Cardinal
,
which
is
heere
inserted
,
to
make
it
appeare
that
the
spirit
of
God
made
his
residence
in
this
Prelate
,
and
what
deuotion
he
carryed
to
the
sanctity
the
glorious
virgin
Saint
Clare
.
To
the
most
deare
sister
in
Iesus
Christ
,
and
mother
of
his
holines
,
Sister
Clare
,
the
seruant
of
Iesus
Christ
;
Vgolin
miserable
sinner
,
&
Bishop
of
Hostia
recommendeth
himselfe
,
whatsoeuer
he
is
,
and
what
he
may
be
.
Well
beloued
sister
in
Christ
Iesus
,
since
the
houre
,
that
the
necessity
of
my
returne
separated
me
from
your
holy
speaches
,
and
depriued
me
of
that
pleasure
to
conferre
with
you
of
celestiall
treasures
,
I
haue
had
much
sorrow
of
hart
,
aboundance
of
teares
in
mine
eyes
,
and
haue
felt
an
extreme
griefe
;
and
that
in
such
sort
,
that
if
I
had
not
found
at
the
feete
of
our
Lord
Iesus
Christ
the
consolation
of
his
ordinary
piety
,
I
feare
I
had
fallen
into
such
anguishes
,
as
my
spirit
would
haue
forsaken
me
,
and
my
soule
vtterly
melted
away
;
and
not
without
reason
,
because
that
ioy
failed
me
,
with
which
I
discoursed
with
your
good
company
of
the
sacred
body
of
our
sweet
Redeemer
Iesus
Christ
,
and
of
his
presence
vpon
earth
,
celebrating
the
feast
of
Easter
with
you
,
and
the
other
seruants
of
our
Lord
.
And
as
whiles
our
blessed
Sauiour
by
his
dolorous
passion
and
death
was
absent
from
the
presence
of
his
dilciples
,
they
were
possessed
with
an
extreme
griefe
&
affliction
;
so
doth
your
absence
procure
my
desolation
.
And
though
I
acknouvledge
my selfe
a
grieuous
sinner
,
considering
the
prerogatiue
of
your
meritts
,
and
the
rigour
of
your
most
holy
Religion
;
yet
without
doubt
,
the
multitude
of
my
sinnes
is
such
,
and
so
much
haue
I
offended
God
the
vniuersall
Lord
,
that
I
am
not
worthy
to
be
vnited
to
the
glory
of
the
elect
,
nor
to
be
sequestred
from
worldly
occupations
,
if
your
tears
&
prayers
doe
not
obtaine
me
pardon
of
my
sinnes
;
and
therfore
to
you
I
commit
my
soule
,
to
you
I
commend
my
spirit
,
as
Iesus
Christ
vpon
the
Crosse
recommended
his
spirit
to
his
heauenly
Father
,
to
the
end
that
in
the
terrible
day
of
the
vniuersall
iudgement
you
giue
an
account
for
me
,
if
you
be
not
diligent
&
carefull
of
my
saluation
:
for
I
confidently
belieue
,
that
you
may
obtaine
of
the
soueraigne
iudge
whatsoeuer
by
your
deuotion
and
teares
you
shall
at
any
time
aske
or
demaund
of
him
.
The
Pope
speaketh
not
of
coming
to
Assisium
,
as
I
desire
,
but
I
purpose
to
visit
you
and
your
sisters
at
my
first
commodity
.
Recommend
me
I
pray
you
to
Agnes
your
sister
&
mine
,
and
to
all
your
other
sisters
in
Iesus
Christ
.
Of
the
most
feruent
loue
of
Iesus
Christ
which
inflamed
the
hard
of
Saint
Clare
:
and
how
the
Diuell
tormented
her
:
of
an
extasy
wherin
she
continued
a
night
and
two
dayes
togeather
.
CHAP.
XIX
.
WHEN
S.
Clare
heard
any
speake
of
the
passion
of
our
Redeemer
Iesus
Christ
,
she
oftentimes
was
accustomed
to
weepe
in
compassion
,
in
such
sort
,
that
out
of
the
sacred
wounds
she
would
somtimes
draw
dolorous
feelings
and
affections
,
and
at
other
times
vnspeakable
ioyes
&
consolations
of
admirable
sweetnes
;
and
the
crosse
of
Iesus
Christ
,
which
with
her
dearest
spouse
she
carryed
in
her
soule
,
the
weight
thereof
gaue
her
so
much
more
tast
of
contentment
as
she
felt
more
griefe
.
The
great
aboundance
of
teares
,
which
she
powred
out
for
the
most
bitter
passion
of
Iesus
Christ
,
kept
her
somtimes
out
of
herselfe
;
and
the
internall
loue
,
which
she
had
imprinted
in
her
hart
,
in
manner
continually
represented
vnto
her
Iesus
Christ
crucified
.
She
ordinarily
gaue
example
by
workes
,
of
what
she
taught
her
Religious
by
wordes
:
for
admonishing
them
often
,
and
instructing
them
likewise
secretly
touching
some
exercise
,
before
she
had
ended
her
discourse
,
she
was
seene
to
power
out
of
her
eyes
aboundance
of
teares
.
Among
the
houres
of
the
diuine
office
that
are
sung
in
the
Church
,
she
was
present
with
greatest
deuotion
at
the
sixt
and
ninth
,
by
reason
that
at
such
houres
she
was
crucifyed
with
her
Redeemer
Iesus
Christ
.
The
holy
virgin
retyring
one
tyme
to
her
priuate
deuotion
after
the
ninth
houre
,
the
diuell
came
to
her
,
&
did
beate
her
outragiously
,
hurting
her
withall
so
much
in
the
face
,
that
her
eye
was
all
bloudshoot
,
the
signe
remayning
vpon
her
cheeke
:
but
S.
Clare
omitted
not
for
that
to
perseuer
in
her
prayer
.
And
to
the
end
she
might
with
the
more
deuotion
apply
herselfe
to
the
sweet
contentments
which
she
conceiued
in
the
often
meditating
of
Iesus
Christ
crucifyed
,
she
ordinarily
contemplated
the
sacred
mystery
of
the
fiue
woundes
:
and
therfore
she
learned
by
hart
the
office
of
the
holy
Crosse
,
as
the
true
louer
of
the
holy
Crosse
of
Saint
Francis
had
taught
her
.
She
accustomed
to
weare
next
her
naked
flesh
a
girdle
of
thirteene
knottes
,
whereunto
also
were
little
stones
fastned
in
forme
of
knottes
:
which
she
did
in
memory
of
the
sacred
woundes
and
dolours
of
our
Redeemer
Iesus
Christ
.
One
Lent
vpon
Maunday
Thursday
,
wherupon
our
Lord
Iesus
Christ
shewed
a
particuler
loue
to
his
disciples
,
at
the
houre
of
the
agony
,
that
our
Redeemer
did
sweet
bloud
and
water
in
the
garden
,
this
holy
Virgin
retyred
into
her
Oratory
full
of
deep
sorrow
,
ioyning
herselfe
with
Almighty
God
in
prayer
,
as
if
she
had
seene
him
praying
,
and
as
if
by
contemplation
of
the
soule
of
Iesus
Christ
sorrowfull
euen
to
death
,
she
herselfe
had
felt
and
suffered
his
prison
,
his
derisions
,
his
iniuries
,
reproaches
,
affrontes
,
beatings
,
sentence
,
Crosse
,
and
most
ignominious
death
,
carrying
in
her
memory
a
like
sorrow
:
wherfore
as
wholly
transported
she
sate
vpon
a
straw
bedd
,
and
all
that
night
,
and
the
day
following
,
she
was
so
absorpt
and
rapt
out
of
herselfe
,
that
her
eyes
being
open
and
without
motion
,
she
seemed
to
hold
them
fixed
in
one
place
,
and
remayned
so
insensible
,
being
conioyntly
crucifyed
with
Iesus
Christ
,
that
a
Religious
,
familiar
vnto
her
,
coming
often
to
see
if
the
wanted
any
thing
,
she
found
her
alwayes
in
one
manner
.
But
vpon
the
night
of
holy
Saturday
,
this
deuout
Religious
came
to
her
deare
mother
with
a
candle
,
partly
by
signes
,
and
partly
by
wordes
,
making
her
the
best
she
could
to
vnderstand
the
commaundment
that
the
holy
Father
S.
Francis
gaue
her
,
that
she
should
not
let
passe
one
day
without
taking
&
eating
somthing
,
so
that
in
the
presence
of
this
Religious
,
Saint
Clare
,
as
if
she
came
out
of
another
place
sayd
vnto
her
,
what
need
haue
you
to
light
this
candle
,
is
it
not
day
?
wherto
the
Religious
answered
:
Mother
the
night
of
holy
Thursday
is
past
,
as
also
good
Friday
,
and
we
are
now
in
the
night
of
Easter
eue
;
the
Saint
replyed
,
my
daughter
blessed
be
this
sleep
,
which
Almighty
God
at
length
after
my
long
desire
hath
graunted
me
,
but
I
admonish
and
commaund
you
,
not
to
speake
hereof
to
any
creature
liuing
,
whiles
I
shall
liue
in
this
world
.
Of
many
miracles
wrought
by
S.
Clare
,
by
the
signe
and
vertue
of
the
holy
Crosse
.
CHAP.
XX.
OVR
Redeemer
Iesus
Christ
recompenced
well
the
pious
desires
,
and
good
workes
of
his
beloued
virgin
S.
Clare
:
for
as
she
was
inflamed
with
an
infinite
loue
of
the
mistery
of
the
holy
Crosse
,
so
by
the
vertue
and
power
of
the
same
Crosse
,
she
became
noble
in
the
signes
and
miracles
of
Iesus
Christ
,
that
oftentimes
in
making
the
signe
of
the
holy
Crosse
vpon
the
sicke
,
they
were
miraculuosly
cured
,
and
instantly
healed
of
sortes
of
diseases
.
A
Religious
man
called
Stephen
,
hauing
a
hoat
feuer
that
exceedingly
vexed
him
,
the
holy
Father
S.
Francis
sent
him
to
S.
Clare
,
to
make
the
signe
of
the
Crosse
vpon
him
,
as
one
that
well
knew
her
perfection
and
verue
,
which
he
exceedingly
honored
.
Now
the
vertuous
Lady
Hortulana
Mother
to
Saint
Clare
,
was
then
in
the
couent
of
S.
Damian
,
for
a
little
before
,
considering
that
her
daughters
had
espoused
Iesus
Christ
,
she
came
to
them
to
Religion
,
where
this
happy
Lady
serued
as
a
true
gardiner
in
the
garden
inclosed
with
those
Virgins
,
our
Redeemer
Iesus
Christ
,
with
the
glorious
virgin
Agnes
sister
to
Saint
Clare
,
and
the
other
Religious
,
all
replenished
with
the
holy
Ghost
,
to
whome
the
holy
Father
Saint
Francis
sent
many
diseased
,
whome
they
cured
,
after
hauing
made
vpon
them
the
signe
of
the
holy
Crosse
,
which
they
most
hartily
honored
.
The
sayd
Religious
then
being
sent
to
S.
Clare
,
she
as
the
daughter
of
obedience
thereto
commaunded
by
the
holy
Father
S.
Francis
,
presently
made
vpon
him
the
signe
of
the
Crosse
;
then
left
him
a
little
to
sleep
in
the
Church
,
in
the
place
where
she
was
accustomed
to
pray
,
and
the
Religious
hauing
a
little
reposed
arose
sound
,
secure
,
and
freed
of
his
infirmity
:
then
he
returned
to
Saint
Francis
,
by
whome
he
had
byn
sent
to
S.
Damian
,
&
consequently
was
cured
.
A
child
of
three
years
old
of
the
Citty
of
Spoletum
called
Matthew
,
had
by
chaunce
a
stone
thurst
into
his
nose
,
whence
it
could
not
be
gotten
out
,
so
that
the
child
was
in
extreme
perill
,
wherupon
he
was
brought
to
Saint
Clare
who
hauing
made
the
signe
of
the
Crosse
vpon
him
,
the
stone
incontinently
fell
out
of
his
nose
,
and
he
was
perfectly
well
.
Another
child
likewise
of
Perusia
hauing
a
filme
vpon
his
eyes
was
brought
to
S.
Clare
,
who
touching
the
eye
of
the
child
,
and
making
the
signe
of
the
Crosse
thereupon
,
willed
them
that
had
presented
the
child
vnto
her
to
carry
it
vnto
her
Mother
Hortulana
,
that
she
might
also
make
the
signe
of
the
Crosse
vpon
it
,
which
hauing
done
the
eye
became
cleere
,
and
being
purged
of
the
filme
that
obscured
it
,
he
was
presently
cured
:
wherupon
S.
Clare
affirmed
,
that
this
miracle
was
wrought
by
the
merits
of
her
mother
,
who
finding
such
glory
to
be
attributed
vnto
her
,
reputed
herselfe
vnworthy
thereof
.
One
of
her
Religious
called
Beneuenta
,
hauing
had
for
12.
yeares
togeather
an
impostume
vnder
her
arme
,
which
did
purge
by
fiue
seuerall
issues
,
S.
Clare
had
compassion
therof
,
and
made
vpon
her
the
signe
of
the
holy
Crosse
,
then
with
her
owne
hands
taking
away
the
playster
,
she
was
cured
of
her
long
continued
soares
.
Another
of
her
Religious
called
Amia
,
being
for
more
then
a
yeares
space
afflicted
with
the
dropsy
,
togeather
with
an
extreme
paine
in
her
sides
,
and
a
burning
feuer
,
S.
Clare
conceiued
a
very
strong
compassion
of
her
,
and
therefore
hauing
recourse
to
her
noble
and
infallible
medicine
,
she
made
vpon
her
body
the
signe
of
the
holy
Crosse
in
the
name
of
her
beloued
Iesus
Christ
,
and
the
Religious
was
perfectly
cured
.
Another
seruant
of
God
borne
at
Perusia
had
for
two
years
togeather
so
lost
her
voice
,
that
one
could
scarsely
heare
her
speak
;
but
hauing
vnderstood
by
a
vision
which
she
had
the
night
of
the
assumption
of
our
blessed
Lady
,
that
S.
Clare
should
cure
her
,
the
poore
afflicted
creature
hauing
very
patiently
expected
the
breake
of
day
,
repayred
with
a
strong
confidence
vnto
that
holy
virgin
,
and
by
signes
craued
her
benediction
,
which
fauour
hauing
obtained
,
her
voice
,
which
so
long
time
she
had
wanted
,
became
as
cleere
and
shrill
as
euer
it
had
byn
.
Another
Religious
called
Christina
,
that
had
bin
long
time
deafe
in
one
of
her
eares
,
and
hauing
in
vaine
tryed
many
remedies
,
Saint
Clare
making
the
signe
of
the
crosse
vpon
her
head
,
and
with
her
hand
touching
her
care
,
she
recouered
her
hearing
as
perfectly
and
clearly
as
before
.
Another
Religious
call
Andrea
had
a
disease
in
her
throat
,
the
griefe
wherof
procured
her
much
impatience
:
it
being
admirable
,
that
among
so
many
prayers
inflamed
with
diuine
loue
,
their
should
be
a
soule
so
could
,
&
among
such
prudent
virgins
one
so
indiscret
and
moderate
.
This
Religious
feeling
herselfe
one
night
more
tormented
with
her
infirmity
then
ordinarily
,
afflicted
&
impatient
,
that
her
paine
did
rather
increase
then
diminish
,
she
so
crushed
and
pressed
her
throat
,
making
thereby
appeare
her
intention
to
choake
herselfe
,
thinking
by
violence
to
expell
that
swelling
,
so
to
auoid
longer
torment
,
&
through
ignorance
attempting
to
do
more
then
was
the
will
of
God
.
But
whiles
that
poore
Religious
busied
herselfe
in
this
folly
,
Saint
Clare
by
diuine
inspiration
had
knowledge
thereof
,
wherfore
calling
one
of
her
Religious
,
she
willed
her
to
hasten
downe
,
boyle
an
egge
in
the
shell
,
&
cause
sister
Andrea
to
swallow
it
,
which
done
to
bring
her
to
her
presence
.
The
Religious
instantly
dressed
the
egge
,
and
forth
with
brought
it
to
the
sicke
party
,
whome
she
found
little
better
then
dead
,
hauing
so
crushed
her
throat
,
that
her
speach
was
vtterly
gone
,
yet
she
made
her
swallow
the
egge
so
well
as
she
could
,
then
raysing
her
from
her
straw
bed
,
she
with
much
labour
led
her
to
Saint
Clare
,
who
thus
spake
vnto
her
;
Wretched
sister
confesse
thee
to
God
,
&
haue
contrition
,
for
what
thou
intendest
to
doe
,
&
acknowledge
that
Iesus
Christ
wil
giue
thee
health
far
better
,
then
thou
with
thine
owne
handes
hadst
purposed
to
doe
:
change
this
euill
life
into
a
better
,
for
thou
shalt
neuer
recouer
another
sicknes
that
shal
succeed
this
,
but
shalt
dye
therof
.
These
words
procured
in
this
Religious
a
spirit
of
compunction
and
contrition
,
so
that
she
being
intierly
cured
of
this
grieuous
infirmity
,
amended
her
life
,
falling
a
little
after
into
another
sicknes
,
which
Saint
Clare
had
foretold
,
wherof
she
ended
her
life
piously
.
It
doth
manifestly
appeare
by
these
examples
,
and
by
many
other
marueylous
thinges
,
that
the
tree
of
the
Crosse
of
our
blessed
Sauiour
Iesus
Christ
was
deeply
planted
in
her
hart
,
&
that
in
a
meruailous
manner
the
fruits
therof
did
interiourly
recreate
her
soule
,
sith
the
leaues
did
worke
exteriourly
such
remedies
by
the
hands
&
merits
of
his
glorious
Saint
.
How
Saint
Clare
blessed
bread
,
vpon
which
the
signe
of
the
Crosse
miraculously
remayned
.
CHAP.
XXI
.
SAINT
Clare
was
a
disciple
of
the
Crosse
,
and
of
so
notable
same
&
sanctity
,
that
not
only
great
Prelates
&
Cardinalls
much
desired
to
see
her
,
to
heare
and
discourse
with
her
,
for
which
cause
they
often
visited
her
;
but
the
Pope
himselfe
bare
her
also
this
affection
,
in
so
much
that
Pope
Innocent
the
fourth
repayred
to
her
monastery
,
to
heare
of
her
,
as
a
secretary
of
the
holy
Ghost
,
celestiall
and
diuine
discourses
.
And
hauing
a
long
time
conferred
with
her
of
matters
of
saluation
,
and
of
the
prayses
of
God
,
whiles
they
intertayned
themselues
in
so
pious
a
discourse
,
S.
Clare
caused
dinner
to
be
prepared
,
and
the
tables
for
the
Religious
to
be
couered
,
causing
bread
to
be
brought
thither
,
with
intention
to
procure
the
vicar
of
Iesus
Christ
to
blesse
it
,
to
be
afterwards
kept
of
deuotion
.
Their
discourse
then
being
ended
,
S.
Clare
fell
vpon
her
knees
before
the
Pope
,
beseeching
him
to
blesse
the
bread
.
whereto
his
holines
answered
:
daughter
Clare
,
I
will
that
you
blesse
it
your selfe
making
therupon
the
signe
of
the
Crosse
:
the
Saint
therto
answered
,
most
holy
Father
,
pardon
me
if
you
please
,
for
if
I
should
doe
it
,
I
should
deserue
sharpe
reprehension
,
in
presuming
to
giue
my
benediction
in
presence
of
your
holines
.
The
Pope
againe
replyed
:
well
,
that
no
presumption
be
imputed
vnto
you
,
and
that
you
may
merit
thereby
,
I
command
you
by
holy
Obedience
to
blesse
these
loues
,
making
vpon
them
the
signe
of
the
Crosse
.
This
daughter
of
obedience
lifted
vp
her
hand
,
making
the
signe
of
the
Crosse
vpon
the
bread
;
whence
insued
an
admirable
accident
,
for
the
Crosse
remayned
vpon
the
bread
,
whereof
part
was
eaten
of
deuotion
,
&
the
rest
reserued
as
a
holy
Relique
,
which
euent
filled
the
Pope
with
admiration
,
for
which
he
gaue
thankes
to
God
;
then
gaue
his
benediction
to
S.
Clare
,
who
receiued
it
with
great
humility
,
and
was
much
comforted
withall
.
Of
many
infirmityes
of
the
glorious
virgin
S.
Clare
:
of
her
weakenes
;
and
how
she
was
visited
by
the
Protectour
.
CHAP.
XXII
.
THE
Glorious
virgin
S.
Clare
had
now
forty
yeares
run
the
race
of
the
most
eminent
vertue
and
practise
of
pouerty
,
hauing
broken
the
alabaster
of
her
body
in
the
most
strict
prison
by
fasting
and
rigorous
disciplines
,
and
by
this
meanes
filled
the
house
of
the
holy
Church
with
the
most
pretious
oyntment
of
her
vertues
,
wherwith
she
drew
after
her
an
infinit
number
of
soules
to
the
seruice
of
Iesus
Christ
.
And
as
she
already
approached
to
the
recompence
of
eternall
glory
,
hauing
supported
diuers
infirmities
,
and
consumed
the
forces
of
her
body
in
her
first
yeares
by
the
rigour
of
pennance
,
she
was
also
in
her
latter
dayes
oppressed
,
and
afflicted
with
diuers
grieuous
sicknesses
.
And
because
in
the
time
of
her
health
she
was
also
enriched
in
such
sort
with
the
merit
of
good
workes
,
that
being
sicke
she
gayned
the
true
riches
of
the
merits
of
patience
,
she
yet
inioyed
the
fruits
of
her
vertues
,
that
were
ripened
in
afflictions
and
molestations
,
occasioned
by
diuersity
of
diseases
.
But
the
vertue
of
her
patience
doth
euidently
appeare
,
in
that
hauing
byn
twenty
eight
yeares
togeather
afflicted
with
diuers
diseases
,
she
was
neuer
heard
to
vtter
the
least
murmure
or
complaint
:
but
continually
were
heard
to
proceed
out
of
her
mouth
pious
wordes
,
and
thankes-giuing
to
Almighty
God
.
Now
being
exceedingly
weakened
with
infirmity
,
and
euery
moment
seeming
to
her
the
drawing
on
of
her
life
towardes
an
end
,
it
pleased
our
Lord
Iesus
Christ
to
prolonge
it
,
till
she
might
be
visited
by
the
eminent
Prelates
of
the
Roman
Church
,
wherof
she
was
a
seruant
,
and
a
speciall
child
;
for
the
Pope
being
yet
at
Lyons
,
and
this
Saint
beginning
to
be
more
tormented
with
her
infirmities
,
then
she
was
accustomed
to
be
,
a
sword
of
sorrow
pierced
through
the
soule
of
her
beloued
daughters
.
But
a
virgin
,
seruant
of
Iesus
Christ
,
a
very
deuout
Religious
of
the
monastery
of
S.
Paul
,
and
order
of
S.
Benedict
,
had
at
that
time
this
vision
following
.
It
seemed
to
her
that
she
did
visit
S.
Clare
with
all
her
sisters
at
Saint
Damian
,
whome
she
saw
in
a
sorrowfull
,
yet
pretious
bed
,
about
which
they
all
lamented
expecting
her
death
,
and
withall
she
saw
come
to
the
bolster
of
the
sayd
bed
a
very
beautifull
woman
,
who
sayd
to
them
that
wept
▪
my
daughters
weep
not
for
her
that
is
yet
to
liue
,
for
she
cannot
dye
,
till
our
Lord
and
all
his
disciples
doe
come
.
A
little
after
the
Roman
Court
came
to
Perusia
,
where
the
increase
of
S.
Clares
sicknes
being
diuulged
,
the
Cardinall
of
Hostia
hastened
with
great
diligence
to
visit
the
Espouse
of
Iesus
Christ
,
whose
Father
he
was
by
office
,
gouernour
by
speciall
sollicitude
,
fosterer
and
friend
in
most
pure
and
chast
amity
;
&
he
comforted
her
,
and
with
his
owne
handes
administring
vnto
her
the
most
blessed
Sacrament
of
the
Eucharist
;
and
then
made
a
very
deuout
sermon
to
the
Religious
,
S.
Clare
with
great
humility
,
&
in
the
name
of
our
Redeemer
Iesus
Christ
,
beseeching
him
to
accept
into
his
Protection
that
her
family
,
&
all
her
other
poore
sisters
of
other
monasteries
;
but
aboue
all
she
most
instantly
besought
him
,
obtaine
of
the
Pope
,
&
the
Colledge
of
Cardinalls
,
a
priuiledge
&
confirmation
of
holy
pouerty
,
Whereto
the
Cardinall
gaue
his
word
,
&
as
a
faithfull
Father
of
her
Religion
,
&
one
most
deuout
&
affectionate
to
S.
Clare
,
did
afterwardes
effect
it
:
for
Pope
Innocent
the
fourth
at
her
most
instant
request
,
confirmed
the
Rule
,
which
the
holy
Father
S.
Francis
had
instituted
for
her
,
as
is
formerly
recorded
,
wherof
S.
Clare
had
neuer
vntill
then
other
confirmation
written
but
that
of
the
said
Cardinall
,
because
the
Popes
supposing
to
induce
S.
Clare
,
not
to
bynd
her
Religious
to
such
an
extreme
pouerty
,
did
still
deferre
to
confirme
her
Rule
by
writing
.
But
Innocent
the
fourth
seing
the
perseuerance
,
&
last
will
of
Saint
Clare
,
graunted
the
same
vnto
her
by
a
Bull
,
the
eleuenth
,
and
last
yeare
of
his
reigne
,
as
we
haue
before
recorded
.
And
the
yeare
being
almost
expired
,
the
Pope
came
with
his
Cardinalls
from
Perusia
to
Assisium
;
whereby
the
first
vision
touching
the
death
of
the
holy
virgin
was
accomplished
.
For
the
Pope
being
in
his
office
more
then
a
man
,
by
the
authority
which
he
hath
of
Iesus
Christ
vpon
earth
,
whose
person
he
representeth
in
the
temple
of
the
Church
militant
,
the
Cardinalls
accompanying
his
Holines
,
represented
the
disciples
of
our
Lord
Iesus
Christ
.
How
Pope
Innocent
the
fourth
visited
Saint
Clare
in
her
last
sicknes
,
and
gaue
her
absolution
.
CHAP.
XXIII
.
THE
diuine
prouidence
wold
no
longer
deferre
the
accomplishment
of
the
will
of
Saint
Clare
,
but
her
Spouse
Iesus
Christ
came
to
eleuate
into
his
celestiall
pallace
his
poore
Espouse
&
Pilgrime
vpon
earth
,
who
desired
nothing
more
▪
that
being
deliuered
of
this
mortall
body
,
she
might
haue
the
sight
,
&
full
fruition
of
her
most
glorious
spouse
Iesus
Christ
in
his
celestiall
Kingdome
.
Now
then
the
members
of
this
sacred
virgin
being
by
continuance
of
her
sicknes
wholy
decayed
,
there
befell
her
a
new
weakenes
,
which
being
an
euident
token
that
she
should
in
short
time
be
called
of
God
,
which
she
vsed
as
a
ladder
to
mount
vp
to
eternall
saluation
:
wherupon
Pope
Innocent
the
forth
came
to
the
monastery
of
S.
Damian
,
accompanyed
with
many
Cardinalls
,
to
visit
the
seruant
of
God
,
not
doubting
but
she
,
whose
life
he
had
already
approued
,
was
the
most
perfect
in
sanctity
of
all
women
of
his
tyme
;
and
therefore
worthy
to
haue
her
death
honored
by
his
presence
.
His
holines
then
being
entred
,
he
went
directly
to
the
glorious
Virgin
,
&
comming
neere
to
her
bed
,
he
gaue
her
his
hand
to
kisse
,
which
fauour
Saint
Clare
with
exceeding
ioy
receiued
.
But
besides
that
,
she
with
great
humility
besought
him
to
affoard
her
his
feete
to
kisse
:
the
Pope
to
content
her
sat
downe
vpon
a
little
bench
,
and
deuoutly
presented
vnto
her
his
Apostolicall
feete
,
vpon
which
this
glorious
Saint
reuerently
layd
her
face
and
mouth
,
most
affectionatly
kissing
them
:
then
with
the
serenity
of
an
Angelicall
countenance
,
she
demaunded
of
him
remission
of
all
her
sinnes
;
wherto
the
Pope
answered
:
would
to
God
my
deare
sister
,
I
had
no
more
need
of
such
a
pardon
:
but
finally
he
gaue
her
the
benefit
of
absolution
,
&
the
gift
of
his
benediction
,
&
then
left
her
in
peace
.
She
hauing
that
morning
receiued
the
most
sacred
communion
at
the
hands
of
the
Prouinciall
of
the
Friars
Minors
of
that
Prouince
,
with
her
hands
ioyned
togeather
,
&
her
eyes
eleuated
towards
heauen
,
she
weeping
said
to
her
Religious
:
My
daughters
,
prayse
Almighty
God
for
the
benefit
it
hath
pleased
him
to
bestow
vpon
me
this
day
,
which
is
such
,
that
the
heauens
&
the
earth
are
not
sufficient
to
recompence
it
,
sith
this
day
I
haue
both
receiued
my
Lord
God
,
&
am
made
worthy
to
see
his
Vicar
vpon
earth
.
How
S.
Clare
comforted
her
sister
S.
Agnes
.
CHAP.
XXIIII
.
THE
daughters
were
all
about
their
mother
,
without
whom
they
were
in
a
short
tyme
to
remaine
as
orphans
;
the
consideration
whereof
deeply
pierced
their
soules
with
a
most
bitter
griefe
,
that
neyther
heauines
of
sleep
,
nor
hunger
could
withdraw
them
from
the
presence
of
their
mother
;
the
present
contentment
,
which
they
receiued
in
beholding
her
,
making
them
forget
to
eate
and
sleep
,
because
al
their
exercise
was
to
weep
,
and
particulerly
her
most
deuout
sister
Agnes
,
who
was
expresly
come
from
the
monasterv
,
which
she
had
newly
erected
at
Florence
to
be
present
at
her
death
.
Being
then
in
this
anguish
,
she
turned
to
wardes
her
sister
,
&
most
instantly
prayed
her
,
not
to
depriue
her
of
her
presence
:
wherto
Saint
Clare
answered
,
Deare
sister
,
whome
I
cordially
loue
,
sith
it
hath
pleased
God
that
I
depart
,
be
you
ioyfull
,
&
weep
no
more
,
for
I
answere
you
,
our
Lord
will
shortly
come
to
you
,
to
visit
you
with
an
exceeding
consolation
before
your
death
.
Of
the
death
of
the
blessed
Virgin
S.
Clare
:
and
of
a
vision
,
which
one
of
her
Religious
saw
.
CHAP.
XXV
.
THE
holy
virgin
,
and
seruant
of
Iesus
Christ
,
was
many
dayes
to
wards
the
end
of
her
life
afflicted
with
diuers
diseases
,
the
fayth
and
deuotion
,
which
at
that
time
ech
one
bare
her
,
exceedingly
increasing
,
yea
so
farre
forth
,
that
she
was
honored
as
a
Saint
,
being
ordinarily
visited
by
Cardinalls
,
and
other
Prelates
:
but
which
is
more
admirable
to
heare
,
hauing
byn
seauenteene
dayes
without
force
to
receiue
any
sustenance
that
was
presented
vnto
her
,
she
was
neuertheles
so
fortified
of
God
,
and
incouraged
of
his
diuine
maiesty
,
that
she
exhorted
all
those
that
would
comfort
her
,
to
be
prompt
in
the
seruice
of
God
.
A
Religious
man
intending
to
comfort
her
,
and
to
perswade
her
to
haue
patience
in
so
grieuous
a
sicknes
,
that
procured
her
so
much
torment
,
she
with
a
smiling
countenance
,
and
cleare
voice
answered
him
:
brother
,
since
the
time
that
I
knew
the
grace
of
my
God
,
by
the
meanes
of
his
most
humble
seruant
Saint
Francis
,
no
payne
hath
byn
troublesome
vnto
me
,
no
pennance
hath
seemed
difficult
,
nor
any
sicknes
irksome
.
And
as
almighty
God
approached
neere
vnto
her
,
and
her
soule
being
as
it
were
at
the
doore
to
goe
forth
,
the
blessed
virgin
wold
haue
the
most
pious
and
spirituall
Friars
Minors
to
be
present
,
to
discourse
vnto
her
of
the
dolorous
and
bitter
passion
of
our
Lord
Iesus
Christ
,
&
by
their
pious
words
to
inflame
her
hart
more
in
the
loue
of
God
:
wherfore
some
of
them
,
who
were
vnto
her
true
brethren
in
our
Redeemer
Iesus
Christ
were
present
,
and
among
other
brother
Iuniperus
,
the
familiar
of
our
Lord
Iesus
Christ
,
who
often
vttered
vnto
her
such
fiery
and
inflamed
words
of
the
omnipotent
God
,
that
she
by
his
presence
being
filled
with
an
extreme
ioy
,
one
day
demaunded
of
him
,
if
he
then
,
knew
nothing
new
from
almighty
God
:
wherupon
brother
Iuniperus
opening
his
mouth
to
answere
her
,
there
issued
out
of
the
fornace
of
his
inflamed
hart
,
infinite
sparkes
of
such
sublime
wordes
,
that
this
holy
virgin
receiued
therof
much
consolation
.
Finally
turning
her
Angelicall
face
towardes
her
deare
and
beloued
daughters
&
sisters
there
present
,
all
of
them
bitterly
weeping
,
she
recommended
vnto
them
the
pouerty
of
our
Redeemer
Iesus
Christ
in
this
her
last
passage
,
praysing
and
thanking
God
for
the
infinit
benefitts
,
which
they
had
receiued
of
his
diuine
maiesty
,
which
she
particulerly
recounted
vnto
them
;
then
she
gaue
them
all
her
benediction
,
and
also
to
all
the
Religious
of
her
monastery
present
and
absent
,
&
likewise
to
all
those
,
who
should
hereafter
enter
into
her
order
.
There
were
present
two
companions
of
S.
Francis
,
to
wit
brother
Angelus
,
who
though
much
afflicted
,
did
yet
comfort
the
others
,
&
the
right
simple
brother
Leo
,
who
ceased
not
to
kisse
the
bed
of
the
holy
virgin
who
was
leauing
the
world
,
&
was
much
lamented
of
her
daughters
,
because
they
were
left
orphanes
,
and
were
no
more
in
this
life
to
see
their
most
holy
mother
,
and
therfore
they
accompanyed
her
soule
to
heauen
with
aboundance
of
teares
,
without
power
to
admit
any
other
consolation
,
then
to
desire
to
goe
with
her
:
wher
with
being
so
afflicted
,
they
could
not
without
difficulty
forbeare
with
their
nailes
to
rent
their
faces
,
but
not
being
permitted
them
to
discharge
themselues
of
such
griefe
exteriourly
,
it
did
inflame
in
them
a
more
burning
fire
within
:
for
those
Espouses
of
Iesus
Christ
were
sufficiently
mortifyed
by
rigour
of
Religion
,
albeit
the
force
of
griefe
did
constreine
them
to
cast
forth
lowd
cryes
and
sighes
,
and
to
powre
out
riuers
of
teares
.
The
holy
virgin
at
length
being
turned
towardes
them
,
began
very
sweetly
to
say
vnto
her
soule
,
Go
my
soule
,
go
out
securely
,
thou
hast
an
assured
guide
to
performe
this
voiage
▪
for
he
who
is
thy
Creatour
hath
sanctifyed
thee
,
and
hath
alwayes
conserued
thee
,
affecting
thee
with
a
tender
loue
,
equall
with
that
of
a
mother
towardes
her
child
:
and
thou
my
God
be
praysed
for
hauing
created
me
.
A
Religious
sister
asking
her
what
she
ment
thereby
,
she
answered
;
I
speake
to
my
blessed
soule
;
her
most
glorious
spouse
Iesus
Christ
not
being
far
from
her
,
attending
for
her
:
then
turning
to
one
of
her
Religious
she
sayd
:
doe
you
not
see
my
daughter
the
King
of
glory
whome
I
see
?
Almighty
God
also
laid
his
hand
vpon
another
Religious
,
who
saw
with
her
corporall
eyes
through
the
teares
that
distilled
from
them
a
glorious
vision
;
she
being
pierced
through
with
the
dart
of
sorrow
,
cast
her
eyes
towards
the
gate
of
the
house
,
&
saw
to
enter
a
great
procession
of
sacred
virgins
richly
cloathed
in
white
,
hauing
ech
one
a
crowne
of
gold
vpon
their
head
:
but
one
of
them
appeared
more
beautifull
,
sumptuous
,
and
glittering
then
the
rest
,
hauing
vpon
her
head
an
imperiall
Crowne
garnished
with
pretious
stones
,
from
whose
countenance
proceeded
a
light
so
shining
,
that
it
conuerted
the
obscurity
of
the
night
into
cleare
and
bright
day
,
it
being
without
doubt
the
most
glorious
virgin
Mary
,
Queene
of
virgins
,
who
came
to
the
bed
of
the
Espouse
of
her
Sonne
,
to
whome
inclyning
she
most
gratiously
imbraced
her
,
and
incontinently
she
was
couered
&
the
bed
also
by
the
other
virgins
with
an
extreme
sumptuous
mantle
:
so
the
day
following
,
which
was
the
eleuenth
of
August
,
her
holy
soule
ascended
to
heauen
,
there
to
be
crowned
with
perpetuall
glory
.
Happy
was
her
departure
out
of
this
miserable
life
,
sith
it
was
the
entry
into
that
of
eternall
felicity
:
for
the
fastes
,
which
this
Saint
performed
in
this
exile
,
she
is
now
ioiful
,
hauing
her
fill
at
the
magnificall
table
of
the
Cittizens
of
heauen
;
&
for
the
humility
and
basenes
of
her
habit
,
she
is
now
gloriously
attired
with
the
glory
of
paradise
.
The
continuall
sighes
&
desires
,
which
she
had
for
the
presence
and
loue
of
her
deerly
beloued
spouse
,
are
accomplished
by
the
blessed
vision
of
God
face
to
face
,
and
by
the
assured
fruition
of
the
soueraigne
good
:
leauing
the
way
open
to
the
example
of
sanctity
,
that
we
blind
and
miserable
mortall
Creatures
,
reiecting
these
short
,
false
,
and
deceiptfull
pleasures
of
this
world
,
may
purchase
the
permanent
,
true
,
&
assured
delightes
that
indure
eternally
.
Of
the
honorable
obsequies
that
were
performed
for
Saint
Clare
.
CHAP.
XXVI
.
WHILES
the
soule
of
S.
Clare
departed
this
life
,
the
report
of
her
decease
was
incontinently
diuulged
through
Assisium
,
from
whence
both
men
and
women
in
such
aboundance
speedily
flocked
to
the
monastery
,
that
none
seemed
to
be
left
in
the
Citty
,
each
one
presently
esteeming
her
a
Saint
,
calling
her
the
Espouse
of
Iesus
Christ
,
and
accompanying
their
discourses
with
great
aboundance
of
teares
of
deuotion
.
The
officers
of
iustice
repayred
thither
accompanyed
with
many
warlike
Champions
,
and
a
great
number
of
armed
men
,
which
that
night
guarded
the
monastery
,
for
feare
that
pretious
treasure
might
be
bereaued
them
.
The
night
following
,
the
Pope
with
all
his
court
came
thither
,
accompanyed
withall
the
neighbour
people
.
The
Religious
men
of
S.
Damian
being
ready
to
begin
the
office
of
the
dead
,
the
Pope
would
haue
had
said
the
office
of
the
holy
virgins
,
wherin
he
would
haue
canonized
her
before
her
buriall
:
but
the
Cardinall
of
Hostia
hauing
demonstrated
vnto
him
,
that
it
was
fitting
in
this
affayre
to
proceed
with
more
humane
prudence
,
the
Pope
permitted
the
said
Religious
solemnely
to
proceed
in
the
office
of
the
dead
,
according
to
their
ordinary
&
accustomed
manner
.
The
said
Cardinall
hauing
taken
for
his
text
,
vanitas
vanitatum
,
&
omnia
vanitas
,
made
a
very
worthy
and
deuout
Sermon
,
to
manifest
the
vanity
of
thinges
appertayning
only
to
this
world
,
where
he
exceedingly
exalted
that
most
eminent
contemner
of
vanities
which
ended
,
all
the
Cardinalls
and
other
Prelates
accompanyed
her
holy
body
with
an
exemplar
deuotion
.
All
the
funeralls
being
very
solemnely
ended
,
then
Cittizens
of
Assisium
thinking
it
not
secure
,
that
this
pretious
treasure
should
remaine
so
far
out
of
their
Citty
,
they
caused
her
holy
body
with
exceeding
great
pompe
to
be
transported
,
singing
psalmes
and
Hymnes
with
the
sound
&
melody
of
diuers
musicall
instruments
,
in
a
very
solemne
procession
,
carrying
it
into
the
Chuch
of
Saint
George
within
their
Citty
,
where
the
body
of
S.
Francis
had
formerly
byn
reposed
.
And
it
was
very
reasonable
,
that
he
,
who
in
his
life
had
giuen
a
patterne
of
the
way
of
life
vnto
this
holy
virgin
,
should
as
it
were
prophetically
preparre
her
a
place
of
sepulture
.
There
was
then
a
great
repaire
and
confidence
of
people
from
diuers
Cittyes
,
townes
,
and
villages
vnto
Assisium
,
to
thanke
Iesus
Christ
,
and
to
pray
vnto
this
blessed
creature
,
proclayming
this
holy
virgin
to
be
really
a
Saint
&
glorious
,
who
now
liueth
in
paradise
with
the
Angells
,
hauing
bin
already
so
much
honored
of
men
vpon
earth
.
O
blessed
virgin
pray
now
to
God
for
vs
,
&
gayne
our
soules
to
Iesus
Christ
in
heauen
,
as
thou
hast
conuerted
and
gayned
so
ma-many
liuing
vpon
earth
.
The
holy
virgin
passed
this
transitory
life
to
the
other
of
rest
,
the
yeare
of
grace
1253.
the
tweluth
of
August
,
forty
yeares
after
her
perfect
vocation
to
God
,
and
the
60.
yeare
of
her
age
.
She
was
interred
the
12.
of
August
,
vpon
which
day
her
feast
is
solemnized
at
Assisium
,
and
ouer
all
the
holy
Roman
Church
.
Of
the
miracles
wrought
by
the
merits
of
S.
Clare
:
and
first
of
possessed
persons
that
haue
byn
deliuered
.
CHAP.
XXVII
.
THE
chiefest
marks
that
saints
can
haue
,
and
the
worthyest
testimonies
of
fayth
and
reuerence
,
are
sanctity
of
life
,
and
the
perfection
of
good
workes
:
for
S.
Iohn
Baptist
wrought
no
miracles
during
his
life
,
and
yet
they
who
haue
wrought
many
,
shall
not
be
esteemed
more
holy
then
he
:
and
therfore
the
notable
renowne
of
the
Religious
life
of
Saint
Clare
,
might
suffice
to
make
her
appeare
such
as
she
is
,
if
the
tepidity
,
coldnes
,
and
remissnes
of
the
world
,
&c
partly
also
deuotion
did
not
otherwise
require
.
But
since
this
holy
virgin
was
not
only
in
her
lifetime
by
her
merits
swallowed
vp
in
the
depth
of
diuine
illuminations
,
but
was
also
after
her
death
a
meruaylous
splendour
ouer
all
the
world
by
the
light
of
her
miracles
:
and
as
the
most
pure
Verity
hath
caused
the
recording
of
many
of
her
miracles
,
that
they
remayne
as
testimonies
,
memory
,
&
denuntiation
of
her
Sanctity
:
therfore
also
the
multitude
of
them
inforce
me
to
recount
some
,
that
they
may
be
generally
diuulged
&
knowne
.
A
Child
called
Iames
,
seeming
not
so
sicke
as
possessed
,
in
regard
that
somtimes
he
cast
himselfe
into
the
fire
,
or
into
the
riuer
,
fell
rudely
vpon
the
ground
,
and
with
such
fury
did
bite
the
stones
,
that
he
brake
his
teeth
withall
,
forced
bloud
out
of
his
head
,
and
wrested
his
mouth
most
strangely
,
yea
somtimes
would
seeme
a
monster
,
so
doubling
&
foulding
his
members
,
that
his
feete
would
be
vpon
his
necke
.
He
was
ordinarily
twice
in
the
day
afflicted
with
the
like
torments
in
such
sort
,
that
two
persons
sufficed
not
to
restraine
him
from
tearing
of
his
cloathes
,
yea
there
was
great
difficulty
to
keep
him
from
murdering
of
himselfe
▪
Phisitians
hauing
in
vaine
laboured
to
cure
him
,
at
length
his
Father
named
Guidalote
had
recourse
to
the
merits
of
S
▪
Clare
,
affectionatly
saying
:
O
holy
Virgin
honored
of
the
world
,
to
thee
I
addresse
my selfe
,
beseeching
thee
to
obtaine
of
God
my
Sonnes
health
:
then
full
of
confidence
he
conducted
him
to
the
sepulcher
of
this
Saint
,
&
laid
him
thereupon
,
and
he
presently
miraculously
obtained
the
fauour
he
desired
,
his
Sonne
being
perfectly
cured
of
all
his
infirmities
,
&
was
neuer
troubled
after
.
Alexandrina
a
woman
of
the
town
of
Frata
,
neere
to
Perusia
,
was
possessed
and
tormented
with
an
abhominable
diuell
,
to
whose
power
she
was
so
left
,
that
he
made
her
to
fly
as
a
bird
to
the
top
of
a
rocke
neere
to
the
riuer
of
Tibur
,
then
made
her
descend
to
a
branch
of
a
tree
that
did
hang
ouer
the
said
riuer
,
them
to
hang
vpon
that
branch
,
there
playing
her
idle
prankes
.
This
woman
had
halfe
her
body
vtterly
benummed
,
for
which
the
Phisitians
could
find
no
remedy
:
at
length
she
came
with
great
deuotion
to
the
shrine
of
Saint
Clare
,
and
inuocating
her
merits
she
was
cured
of
all
her
afflictions
;
hauing
also
the
gout
in
her
left
hand
,
her
body
halfe
paraliticall
was
cured
,
and
withall
she
was
intierly
freed
from
the
oppression
and
seruitude
of
the
diuell
.
Another
woman
of
the
same
place
was
cured
before
the
said
sepulcher
,
who
was
in
like
sort
possessed
with
the
diuell
,
&
had
withall
many
other
grieuous
infirmityes
.
Of
many
that
were
miraculously
cured
of
diuers
diseases
.
CHAP.
XXVIII
.
A
French
Youth
,
going
to
Rome
in
company
of
other
his
Countreymen
,
fell
sicke
&
lay
by
the
way
,
loosing
through
the
force
of
his
infirmity
his
sense
and
speach
,
and
his
body
became
deformed
as
it
were
a
monster
,
then
became
he
so
furious
,
that
he
could
not
be
held
,
so
that
he
seemed
ready
to
dye
▪
which
spectacle
did
not
only
moue
his
companions
to
compassion
,
but
did
also
exceedingly
terrify
them
:
and
therfore
they
bound
him
to
a
beere
,
&
carryed
him
to
the
Church
of
S.
Clare
;
where
hauing
placed
him
before
her
sepulcher
,
they
applyed
themselues
all
to
prayer
,
inuocating
the
help
of
God
and
of
the
Saint
,
who
made
such
intercession
for
the
yong
man
,
that
he
was
in
an
instant
intierly
cured
.
A
man
of
the
Citty
of
Spoletuns
called
Valentine
,
was
exceedingly
afflicted
with
the
falling
sicknes
,
in
which
he
fell
six
times
a
day
in
whatsoeuer
place
he
was
,
and
besides
he
had
one
foote
so
wrested
awry
,
that
he
was
vtterly
latned
:
he
was
brought
vpon
an
asse
to
the
sepulcher
of
S.
Clare
,
where
hauing
remained
two
dayes
&
three
nights
,
the
third
day
attempting
to
moue
his
lame
foote
,
and
none
being
neere
him
,
he
made
such
a
noyse
,
that
being
heard
by
some
a
farre
off
,
they
seemed
to
heare
the
breaking
of
a
piece
of
dry
wood
;
and
the
man
was
instantly
cured
of
both
the
one
and
the
other
his
said
diseases
.
The
Sonne
of
a
woman
of
Spoletum
called
Iames
of
twelue
yeares
old
being
blind
,
could
not
goe
without
a
guide
:
and
being
once
forsaken
of
him
who
conducted
him
,
he
fell
into
a
pit
,
brake
one
of
his
armes
,
and
hurt
his
head
.
The
night
following
sleeping
by
the
bridge
of
Varue
,
a
woman
appeared
vnto
him
,
and
sayd
:
Iames
,
if
thou
wilt
come
to
me
to
Assisium
I
will
cure
thee
.
Arising
early
in
the
morning
,
he
much
admired
at
the
vision
,
which
he
recounted
to
two
other
blind
men
,
who
answered
him
:
Brother
we
haue
heard
of
a
Lady
lately
dead
in
the
Citty
of
Assisium
,
at
whose
sepulcher
God
worketh
by
her
merits
many
miracles
:
which
the
blind
youth
hauing
heard
,
he
left
the
two
other
blind
men
,
and
with
a
strong
confidence
hastned
to
Assisium
,
and
in
the
way
he
lodged
at
Spoletum
,
where
in
the
night
he
had
the
same
vision
,
which
increased
the
hope
of
the
recouering
his
sight
,
and
made
him
hasten
in
time
to
arriue
at
the
Church
of
S.
Clare
,
where
finding
it
so
filled
with
people
that
he
could
not
enter
,
was
greatly
troubled
.
But
seing
no
remedy
,
he
rested
at
the
dore
,
and
there
remayned
till
the
euening
,
where
this
poore
blind
youth
being
weary
with
his
iorney
,
and
afflicted
that
he
could
not
enter
into
the
Church
,
setled
himselfe
the
best
he
could
to
rest
vpon
the
ground
,
laying
his
head
against
a
great
stone
,
and
so
slept
,
and
presently
the
third
time
he
heard
the
sayd
voice
,
speaking
:
Iames
,
God
wil
do
thee
good
,
if
thou
canst
enter
,
and
incontinently
a
waking
out
of
that
sleep
,
he
began
to
cry
,
and
begge
of
the
people
with
aboundance
of
teares
to
permit
him
to
enter
,
which
hauing
a
long
time
continued
,
they
gaue
him
place
,
&
hauing
discloathed
himselfe
,
putting
his
girdle
about
his
necke
,
he
went
to
the
sepulcher
of
the
Saint
,
before
which
with
great
reuerence
and
humility
her
fell
vpon
his
knees
,
and
hauing
persisted
somtime
in
prayer
,
beseeching
S.
Clare
to
intercede
for
him
,
he
fell
into
a
gentle
slumber
,
wherin
S.
Clare
appeared
vnto
him
,
and
sayd
,
Arise
Iames
,
for
thou
art
already
cured
,
and
being
awaked
,
and
raysed
vpon
his
feete
,
the
defect
of
his
sight
left
him
,
&
by
the
vertues
and
meritts
of
this
Saint
he
clearly
saw
;
for
which
he
glorifyed
God
,
and
gaue
him
thankes
for
so
admirable
a
work
,
exhorting
all
people
present
to
do
the
like
,
&
to
praise
our
Redemer
Iesus
Christ
in
this
his
holy
seruant
.
Of
the
lame
and
paralitiqes
cured
by
Saint
Clare
.
CHAP.
XXIX
.
A
Cittizen
of
Perusia
called
Iohn-Martin
de
Buoni
,
went
one
time
with
many
other
Cittizens
out
of
the
Citty
to
fight
against
their
enemies
of
Fullinium
:
the
skirmish
being
ended
,
Iohn
found
his
hand
exceedingly
hurt
with
the
blow
of
a
flint
stone
▪
and
the
bone
being
broken
he
was
therby
maymed
:
and
hauing
byn
at
extreme
cost
for
the
cure
therof
,
yet
without
any
remedy
,
but
still
inforced
to
carry
his
arme
in
a
skarfe
,
he
alwayes
complayned
therof
as
of
a
desperate
may
me
,
&
asked
Counsell
about
cutting
off
his
hand
;
but
hauing
one
day
heard
speach
of
marueylous
thinges
wrought
by
almighty
God
at
the
intercession
of
S.
Clare
,
he
with
a
strong
fayth
vowed
to
goe
to
her
sepulcher
,
whither
arriuing
he
very
deuoutly
presented
her
a
hand
of
wax
,
then
fell
vpon
his
knees
,
&
made
his
feruent
prayor
to
God
,
that
it
would
please
his
diuine
maiesty
,
by
the
merits
&
intercession
of
that
most
holy
virgin
to
cure
him
;
the
successe
was
admirable
,
for
before
this
gentleman
arose
,
he
felt
his
hand
intierly
cured
,
for
which
he
gaue
thankes
to
God
&
to
the
Saint
.
A
young
man
likewise
of
Castrouitoli
called
Petronius
,
was
so
consumed
with
a
disease
which
had
for
three
years
continually
afflicted
him
,
that
he
seemed
to
be
already
withered
,
&
corrupted
,
yea
he
was
therby
brought
to
such
weaknes
,
that
in
going
he
stouped
with
his
face
as
it
were
vpon
the
ground
,
&
found
great
difficulty
to
walke
,
though
with
a
staffe
in
his
hand
to
support
him
.
His
Father
hauing
alredy
bin
exceedingly
charged
about
his
cure
,
continued
yet
in
resolution
to
imploy
the
residue
of
his
substance
out
of
his
vehement
desire
to
see
his
son
cured
.
But
the
Phisitians
hauing
assured
him
that
there
was
no
hope
of
cure
by
humane
art
,
he
had
recourse
to
the
new
Saint
,
of
whose
vertue
hauing
heard
much
report
,
he
caused
his
sonne
to
be
carryed
thither
where
the
Reliques
of
Saint
Clare
reposed
.
And
hauing
made
his
prayers
by
her
sepulcher
,
he
recouered
his
former
health
,
and
miraculously
arose
sound
&
streight
,
as
if
he
had
neuer
indured
infirmity
,
yea
he
ran
,
leapt
,
and
praysed
God
,
&
S.
Clare
,
inducing
all
present
to
haue
greater
faith
and
deuotion
towards
her
.
In
the
towne
of
Saint
Quirice
,
within
the
Diocesse
of
Assisium
,
a
child
of
ten
yeares
old
,
hauing
byn
borne
lame
,
went
so
pittifully
and
painfully
,
that
if
he
chaunced
to
fall
to
the
ground
,
he
could
not
rise
againe
,
but
with
extreme
difficulty
.
His
mother
had
many
times
recommended
him
to
S.
Francis
,
yet
found
he
no
redresse
:
but
vnderstanding
afterwardes
,
that
the
virgin
Saint
Clare
was
very
famous
for
infinit
miracles
,
which
by
her
meritts
were
wrought
at
her
sepulcher
,
she
caused
her
Sonne
to
be
carryed
thither
;
&
incontinently
after
that
he
had
bin
there
,
his
bones
were
setled
in
their
places
,
&
his
members
were
cured
:
that
which
Saint
Francis
intreated
by
deuout
prayers
would
not
graunt
,
he
referred
to
be
obtayned
&
impetrated
by
the
meritts
of
his
disciple
S.
Clare
.
A
Cittizen
of
Eugubium
called
Iames
le
France
,
had
a
Sonne
of
fiue
yeares
old
so
lame
,
that
he
could
not
goe
,
which
he
very
impatiently
supported
,
seeming
to
him
that
the
torment
of
his
child
was
a
reproach
vnto
his
honour
and
family
.
When
this
child
was
vpon
the
ground
,
he
would
wallow
&
creep
in
the
dust
in
that
sort
to
goe
,
and
if
he
would
stay
himselfe
against
any
thing
to
arise
,
he
could
not
,
for
uature
had
giuen
him
only
a
desire
,
but
no
force
or
ability
therunto
.
But
his
Father
and
Mother
consulted
to
make
a
vow
for
him
,
and
to
offer
him
to
the
merits
of
Saint
Clare
,
to
whome
they
promised
,
that
being
cured
he
should
be
called
hers
.
The
vow
being
made
,
the
espouse
of
Iesus
Christ
cured
this
child
,
who
began
so
well
to
go
,
that
without
any
help
he
went
to
the
sepulcher
of
the
sayd
Saint
.
A
woman
of
Castell
-
Menarie
,
called
Plenaria
,
had
bin
long
time
benummed
,
in
such
sort
as
she
could
not
goe
without
a
staffe
,
but
causing
herselfe
to
be
carryed
to
the
sepulcher
of
Saint
Clare
,
and
hauing
there
deuoutly
offered
her
prayers
,
the
day
following
obtayned
,
what
she
with
fayth
demaunded
,
so
that
he
returned
home
vpon
her
owne
feete
,
who
came
thither
supported
by
the
feet
of
others
.
A
woman
of
Perusia
had
a
swelling
vpon
her
cheeke
,
which
tormented
her
a
long
tyme
,
and
besides
had
all
ouer
her
body
many
ring-wormes
and
tettars
;
she
had
also
her
necke
greater
〈◊〉
her
head
&
often
thinking
on
S.
Clare
,
she
one
day
went
to
her
Church
,
where
with
great
deuotion
and
a
true
fayth
she
made
her
prayers
:
&
continuing
by
her
sepulcher
till
euen
within
night
,
she
fell
into
a
great
sweet
,
wherby
the
swelling
began
to
wax
dry
and
to
shrinke
,
and
so
by
little
and
little
she
was
so
perfectly
cured
,
that
there
remayned
no
shew
of
any
skarre
.
How
two
children
were
by
Saint
Clare
rescued
,
and
preserued
from
the
rage
of
wolues
.
CHAP.
XXX
.
THE
valley
of
Spoletum
was
accustomed
to
be
much
afflicted
with
wolues
,
which
did
often
prey
there
vpon
mans
flesh
.
There
dwelt
a
woman
called
Bonna
,
vpon
the
mount
Galion
,
within
the
diocesse
of
Assisium
,
who
hauing
two
children
,
had
scarse
ended
her
lamentations
for
the
one
which
the
wolues
had
deuoured
,
but
whiles
she
was
busied
in
her
house
they
carried
away
the
other
.
The
wolfe
carryed
the
child
to
the
top
of
a
mountaine
&
grapled
it
by
the
throat
,
whilest
a
labourer
in
the
vineyardes
hearing
the
pittifull
cry
of
the
child
called
the
mother
,
and
admonished
her
to
haue
care
of
her
Sonne
,
in
regard
he
heard
a
crying
voyce
like
to
his
:
the
woman
not
finding
her
Sonne
,
presently
belieued
that
the
wolues
had
seysed
vpon
him
,
and
therfore
began
to
raise
her
lamentations
towardes
heauen
,
deuoutly
inuocating
the
help
of
Saint
Clare
in
these
tearmes
:
O
blessed
S.
Clare
haue
compassion
vpon
me
miserable
woman
,
and
restore
me
my
child
.
Heare
if
thou
please
the
prayers
of
an
infortunate
mother
,
and
permit
me
not
to
continue
in
this
rigorous
desolation
.
Whiles
this
poore
woman
so
recommended
her
distresse
to
S.
Clare
,
her
neighbors
furnished
with
weapons
,
hastened
after
the
rauening
wolfe
,
and
coming
to
the
top
of
the
said
mountaine
,
they
found
that
he
had
left
the
child
wounded
in
the
throate
,
whose
woundes
a
dogge
was
licking
,
&
so
the
child
was
safely
recouered
by
the
merits
of
S.
Clare
,
who
was
inuocated
by
his
mother
,
to
whom
he
was
brought
,
and
was
incontinently
restored
to
perfect
health
.
A
little
girle
of
the
towne
of
Canary
,
being
about
noone
abroad
in
the
field
,
where
she
did
some
seruice
to
another
woman
,
there
came
a
wolfe
,
which
being
taken
by
the
girle
but
for
a
dogge
,
he
leapt
vpon
her
necke
,
and
tooke
hold
off
her
head
.
The
other
woman
,
and
the
mother
of
the
girle
there
present
ran
after
,
and
cried
for
help
,
inuocating
Saint
Clare
:
&
it
was
admirable
to
heare
that
the
child
being
in
the
teeth
of
the
wolfe
reprehended
him
,
saying
,
Thou
theefe
,
how
canst
thou
carry
me
further
I
being
recommended
to
that
holy
virgin
?
The
wolfe
as
daunted
with
those
words
,
gently
set
the
girle
vpon
the
ground
,
&
as
a
theefe
found
&
taken
in
the
fact
,
he
fled
:
&
the
girle
returned
without
any
hurt
vnto
her
mother
.
How
diuers
were
deliuered
from
drowning
and
danger
of
sea
,
hauing
inuocated
S.
Clare
.
CHAP.
XXXI
.
A
Shippe
fraught
with
many
persons
departing
out
of
the
port
of
Pisa
,
for
the
ile
of
Sardinta
,
the
first
night
,
there
arose
such
a
terrible
tempest
,
that
the
force
therof
leaked
the
bottome
of
the
vessell
,
which
made
apparent
to
all
therein
,
that
they
were
in
most
euident
danger
of
shipwrake
:
wherfore
they
began
to
inuocate
the
Queene
of
heauen
,
and
many
other
Saintes
to
assist
them
.
At
length
perceiuing
no
appearance
of
their
liues
safety
,
they
addressed
themselues
to
S.
Clare
,
and
vowed
to
her
,
that
if
by
her
intercession
they
were
deliuered
,
they
would
goe
all
naked
to
their
very
shirtes
,
with
their
girdles
about
their
neck
,
to
visit
her
sacred
Reliques
at
Assisium
,
ech
of
them
carrying
a
wax
light
of
two
pound
in
their
hands
.
This
vow
being
made
,
they
saw
three
great
lights
descend
from
heauen
,
the
one
whereof
setled
vpon
the
forepart
of
the
ship
,
another
vpon
the
poupe
,
and
the
third
vpon
the
pumpe
,
by
the
vertue
whereof
the
leakes
where
the
water
did
enter
was
closed
vp
,
and
the
sea
became
so
quiet
and
calme
,
that
with
a
gratious
wind
the
vessell
was
accompanied
and
safely
conducted
by
the
said
lights
to
the
port
of
Arestan
,
where
being
arriued
and
landed
,
and
the
marchandize
all
safely
put
vpon
shore
,
the
said
lights
vanished
,
and
(
which
was
admirable
)
the
ship
presently
sunke
,
and
was
cast
away
:
they
which
went
out
of
her
,
acknowledging
the
miracle
,
and
at
their
returne
to
Pisa
deuoutly
accomshed
their
vow
,
yielding
infinit
shankes
to
almighty
God
,
and
to
the
virgin
S.
Clare
for
the
great
benefit
receiued
by
her
intercession
.
How
Saint
Clare
was
canonized
by
the
Pope
Alexander
the
fourth
.
CHAP.
XXXII
.
POPE
Innocent
the
fourth
liued
so
little
time
after
the
death
of
S.
Clare
,
that
he
could
not
Canonize
her
.
The
holy
Sea
hauing
bin
two
yeares
vacant
,
Alexander
the
fourth
was
chosen
Pope
,
who
being
exceedingly
deuoted
,
&
a
friend
to
piety
,
protectour
of
Religious
,
hauing
heard
true
relation
both
of
the
miracles
,
which
our
Lord
Iesus
Christ
wrought
for
the
glory
of
his
holy
seruant
,
&
of
the
renowne
of
her
vertues
,
which
daily
more
and
more
diuulged
themselues
in
the
Church
,
knowing
also
that
her
Canonization
was
generally
desired
,
his
Holines
being
also
induced
by
the
assurance
of
so
many
miracles
,
began
therfore
to
treat
in
the
Consistory
of
her
Canonization
.
Wherin
to
proceed
more
maturely
,
there
were
elected
prudent
and
vertuous
men
to
examine
the
said
miracles
,
&
the
irreprehensible
life
of
the
Saint
:
which
being
done
,
and
this
holy
virgin
being
found
,
&
proued
to
haue
bin
in
her
life
an
vnspotted
mirrour
of
all
vertues
,
and
to
haue
byn
ennobled
of
Almighty
God
after
her
death
by
true
and
approued
miracles
,
the
day
of
her
Canonization
was
appointed
,
when
were
present
with
his
Holines
many
Cardinalls
,
Archbishops
,
Bishops
,
other
Prelates
,
and
a
great
number
of
Priests
and
Religious
with
infinit
noble
men
,
Gentlemen
and
others
,
ech
in
their
degree
&
quality
,
before
whome
the
Pope
proposed
this
sacred
affayre
,
demaunding
the
opinion
of
the
Prelats
▪
who
with
one
accord
gaue
consent
,
and
affectionatly
besought
that
the
said
Saint
might
be
canonized
in
the
Church
,
as
Iesus
Christ
had
glorifyed
her
in
heauen
.
In
this
sort
then
,
three
yeares
after
her
happy
decease
,
Pope
Alexander
caused
her
solemnely
to
be
enrolled
in
the
Catalogue
of
Saintes
,
ordayning
her
feast
to
be
celebrated
with
solemnity
in
the
Church
the
12.
of
August
.
This
Canonization
was
performed
the
yeare
of
grace
1255.
and
the
first
of
the
raigne
of
the
Pope
,
to
the
prayse
and
glory
of
our
Redeemer
Iesus
Christ
.
Heere
endeth
the
life
,
and
miracles
of
the
glorious
virgin
S.
Clare
.