THE LIFE OF THE GLORIOUS VIRGIN S. CLARE. Together with the Conversion, and life of S. Agnes her sister. And of another S. Agnes, Daughter to the King of Bohemia. Also the Rule of S. Clare. And the life of S. Catharine of Bologna.  
Translated into English.  
Permissis Superiorum, M. DC. XXII.   

TO THE MOST GLORIOUS Virgin S. Clare.  
Most Glorious Saint,  
BEING to publish thy Blessed Life, translated into English for the public benefit of our Country; I found no creature here on Earth, seeming worthy enough, to be presented therewith, by way of Dedication: And therefore, were my Thoughts presently, transported hence to the glorious Citizens of Heaven; whither arriving, they forthwith made choice of thy Blessed Self, as best (& in particular) deserving so true an Honour.  
Accept then (B. Saint) this my small labour which in all Humility & Reverence I here offer unto thy Holy NAME, together with my unworthy Self; that by thy Intercession, & Piety, I may be made partaker of some little glimpse of that spiritual Influence, which out of the huge Mass of thy Glorious merits, thou vouchsafest to impart unto thy devout Suppliants; amongst whom I humbly beg (O Glorious Virgin) to be accepted for one.  
I. W.   

THE TABLE.  

OF S. Clare her Country, Family & Birth. Chap 1.  
Of her Education, Charity, Prayer, mortification and Virginity. Chap. 2.  
Of her knowledge, & acquaintance with S. Francis. Chap. 3.  
Of her forsaking the world, & entering into Religion. Chap. 4.  
How her friends laboured to reclaim her from Religion. Chap. 5.  
Of the conversion of her sister Agens by her prayers. Chap. 6.  
Of her humility. Chap. 7.  
Of her voluntary Poverty Chap. 8.  
Of the miracles wrought by her Poverty. Chap. 9  
Of her great mortifications & abstinence. Chap. 10.  
Of the spiritual profit procured over the whole world, by the fame of S. Clare. Chap. 11.  
Of her fervent Prayer. Chap. 12.  
How the Moors were expelled the Monastery, by S. Clare. Chap. 13.  
How the City of Assisium, was delivered by her prayers. Chap. 14.  
Of her Reverence & devotion to the most B. Sacrament. Chap. 15.  
Of a marvellous consolation she received upon a Christmas day. Ch. 16.  
Of the spiritual doctrine with which she nursed her daughters. Chap. 17.  
Of the devotion which Pope Gregory the IX. had to S. Clare. Chap. 18.  
Of her fervent love to jesus Christ: & of an ecstasy wherein she was. Ch. 19  
Of the many Miracles she wrought by the sign of the Cross. Chap. 20.  
Of the sign of the Cross remaining upon Bread blessed by her. Chap. 21.  
Of her Infirmity & sickness. Ch. 22.  
How she was visited by Pope Innocent the fourth. Chap. 23.  
How she comforted her sister Saint Agnes. Chap. 24.  
Of her Death, & Obsequies. Chap. 25. & 26.  
Of the miracles wrought by her Intercession. Chap. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31.  
Of her Canonization by Pope Alexander the fourth. Chap. 32.   

The life of S. Agnes.  
HOW S. Agnes was sent to Florence to build there a monastery. Chap. I.  
Of a Letter she wrote to her sister S. Clare, & the rest of the monastery of S. Damian. Chap. II.  
Of an ecstasy of S. Agnes, and of her thrice crowning by an Angel. Chap. III.  
How she sent S. Clares veil to the Monastery of Florence, and of her death. Chap. FOUR  
Of the many Miracles wrought by the merits of S. Agnes. Ch. V. & VI.  
Of the Life of another S. Agnes who was daughter to the King of Bohemia, & Religious of the same Order. Pag. 207.    


Of the intention of our Lord in the vocation of S. Clare. Of her Country & Family: & of a Revelation to her mother touching her birth, & sanctity.  
CHAP. I.  
Fix years after the conversion of the holy Father S. Francis, & the fourth year, after the confirmation of his Rule by Pope Innocent the third, the year of grace 1212. the omnipotent Father of light, having framed, and sent into the world a new man, his servant S. Francis, by him to repair, and reform his faithful people in that age; would also, that a valorous woman should by his work appear in the world, to accompany that his great, & faithful servant, to the end, that of those two, should be new borne a perfect regeneration of the children of God. And as the first natural generation came of man and woman, as of an united beginning: so this spiritual generation of the imitators of the life and counsels of jesus Christ proceeded in all the Church, and in all the estates, and qualities of persons, of the one & same spirit of zeal, of perfection, of humility, and of poverty, from one man, and one woman. And to the end it might not be unlike the creation, almighty God having first perfected his servant S. Francis, would frame of the rib, or side of his life, doctrine and Santy, the glorious Virgin S. Clare, his true, and legitimate daughter in jesus Christ for his companion, as zealous also of perfection, and angelical reformation. With great reason therefore hath she her place in the Chronicles of the Friars Minors; for she being a rib, and party of the same order, it is very requisite a special mention should be made of her sanctity of life, as we shall here perform: and if it be not according to her merit, shall at least be done, with the least defect we can possible; being resolved to employ therein, that little force of spirit, which God hath given us, both to the honour of his divine majesty, & his holy servant, and to the edification of souls.  
The glorious S. Clare was borne in the City of Assisium in Italy, situate in the province of the valley of Spoletum, which is a territory appertaining to the Pope, and Roman Church. Her Father and Mother were noble, of a famous and very wealthy family: her Mother was called Hortulana, which in our tongue may be termed Gardener, and not without mystery, considering she was to produce so noble, and virtuous a plant, in the garden of the holy Church. This woman was exceeding devout, and complete in the fruits of good works: and albeit she were married, and consequently obliged to the care, and government of her house, and family, yet did she not omit with all her power to be exercised in the service of God, and employed in the works of mercy.  
She was so fervent in the love of jesus Christ, that with great devotion she passed the sea with many other pilgrims, & visited those holy places, which our Redeemer jesus Christ God and man, consecrated with his holy presence, and returned exceedingly comforted, and enriched with many merits. She also visited the Church of the Archangel Saint Michael, on the mount Gargan, and with a pious, and fervent desire, visited the Apostles S. Peter & S. Paul in Rome: in such sort did that virtue and fervour shine in those days in many holy persons, but now so weakened is the fervour of Christians touching the visiting of holy places, & the Relics of our Lord, and his Saints, that it is almost lost by the continual wars of heretics, and punishment for our sins.  
Now our Lord began to power out the abundance of his celestial graces upon the root, that afterwards the sprouts of far greater sanctity might follow, and disperse into the boughs. Neither would he, that this devout woman Hortulana, should be deprived of the consolations, & knowledge of this grace: for being near her childbirth, she one day with great fervour prayed in a Church, before a Crucifix, where she besought Almighty God to deliver her from the danger of death in her child birth, which she much apprehended; & she heard a voice that said: Woman, fear 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 divine answer; so soon as she was delivered of a daughter, she caused her to be called in Baptism Clare, firmly believing that in her should be accomplished the splendour of the light promised, according to the providence, and the ordinance of the divine 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 appear, and shine as a morning star in the obscure night of that age, for in the most tender years of her first infancy, she already discovered evident signs of notable and pious works, wherein she made to appear her natural worth, and the graces which God had communicated unto her: for being naturally of a very delicate constitution, she received of her Mother the first foundations of faith: afterwards being inspired of God, to apply herself to virtuous, and pious works, she showed herself to be a vessel aptly prepared for divine grace; and as she abounded in interior piety, aswell by nature as by grace towards poor beggars; so according to the small means which then she had, she supplied their necessities. And to the end her Sacrifice might be more pleasing unto God, the most delicate meats that were given her, for the nourishment of her little body, she hid, and gave it secretly to the poor. Thus did piety augment and increase in her, & nourished charity in her soul, preparing her to receive the grace & mercy of Almighty God. Her greatest contentment was in prayer, whereby she was often sustained, made joyful, and comforted as by an Angelical milk, and in a most delicious manner elevated to the divine pleasures of the conversation of our Lord jesus Christ. In these beginnings, having no beads, she used instead thereof certain little stones, some to serve for the Pater nosters, and others for the Aves, and so offered her prayers to God. Whereupon beginning to feel the first fervours of divine love, she judged that the must contemn all transitory appearance, & painted flowers of this world: and being by prayer well instructed of the holy Ghost, she resolved, as a wise spiritual Merchant, to have no more regard of terrestrial affairs acknowledging them unworthy to be esteemed: & with this spirit she did wear, as another S. Cecily, under her gay apparel, a haircloth; so exteriorly satisfying the world, and interiorly her Lord jesus Christ.  
But having attained the age of marriage, she was importuned by her Father, & other kindred, to choose a husband; whereto she would never consent, but used linger, and delays, putting off, and differing what she could all humane marriage, & ever recommended to our Lord jesus Christ her Virginity, with other virtues wherewith she was endued; by such exercises endeavouring to please almighty God, that he might bestow on her his only Son for her spouse. Such were the first fruits of her spirit, and such the exercises of her piety: so that being anointed with such a sweet, and pretiousoyntment, she yielded a most pleasant savour, as a closet replenished with most delightful liquors, whose perfumes, though they be shut up, discover, and manifest themselves; and in such sort this holy virgin began without her knowledge to be commended by her neighbours; the true fame of her secret pious works so publishing themselves, that in an instant they were exceedingly spread abroad, & every where diuulged.   

How the virgin S. Clare had knowledge of the Virtues of the holy Father S. Francis.  
CHAP. III.  
THIS virtuous Virgin Clare, hearing the great fame of the admirable life of Saint Francis, who then renewed unto the world the way of perfection in the same City, with a marvellous example of piety and virtue; & considering that many gentlemen did follow him, and that his life was already approved by our holy mother the Church, she exceedingly desired to see, and hear this servant of God, most worthy, and eminent in all virtues; thereunto inspired by the sovereign Father of spirits, to whom had already been presented the first fruits of their devotions, though differently. S. Francis having been advertised of this her desire, and having heard the bruit of her virtues, and holy affections, desired also exceedingly to see her, and to confer with her, with intention to frustrate the world of so noble, and precious a prey, to present her to our sovereign redeemer, to serve him in some notable enterprise, as preordained of God to despoil the great prince of the world. Neither did his divine majesty fail, to open unto them both the means, to attain thereunto: he inspired this virtuous woman to rely upon a very honourable & grave matron, that governed 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 public murmur, she went out of her Father's house with this good woman, & found out the holy Father; by the fervor of whose pious discourses, she was presently inflamed with divine love, and moved by his holy actions which she admired, as seeming unto her to be more than humane; and therefore she began very exquisitely to dispose herself to the effecting of the words of the holy servant of God; who having very lovingly entertained her, began to preach unto her the contempt of the world, and by evident reason to demonstrate unto her, that all the beauty of things present is but a vanity, filled with false, and deceitful hopes. Then he persuaded unto her pure ears, the honourable & amiable Espousal of jesus Christ, and counselled her to conserve those most precious pearls of virginal purity, for that glorious Spouse, who out of the love he bore to the world, being God became man, & would be borne of a virgin.  
This holy Father solicited this affair, and played the part of a true Paranymph, & Ambassador of the heavenly King. The holy virgin on her side beginning already to taste the sweetness of contemplation, and the proof of the eternallioyes; the world beginning to seem unto her vile, and contemptible, as indeed it is, she as it were melted for the love of her celestial spouse, whom she already desired with all her heart. Thence forth therefore she despised precious stones jewels, gold, sumptuous apparel, all other worldly trash as filth, and dung, and abhorring the detestable delights of the flesh, she resolved entirely to dedicate herself a lively temple to jesus Christ, & to take him for the only spouse of her body and soul, and so submitting herself wholly, and totally to the counsels of the glorious father S. Francis, him, next after our Lord, she took for guide, and director of her life.   

How S. Francis drew the virgin S. Clare out of the world, and made her Religious.  
CHAP. FOUR  
AND to the end the most clear mirror of her soul might not be stained, and blemished with the dust of this world, and that the contagious secular life did not corrupt her innocency, the holy Father prudently endeavoured to sequester this virgin from worldly people. And the solemnity of palme-sonday approaching, the holy Espouse of jesus Christ, with a great fervour of spirit, repaired to this man of God, and most instantly demanded of him, when, and how she should make her retire from the world▪ whereupon the holy Father ordained, that on the day of the said feast she should go to the procession of Palms with the people, decked, and adorned the most richly, and gorgeously that she could procure, and the night following going out of the City, and withal, out of all conversation of the world, she should change secular pleasures 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 Ladies to the great Church, where there happened a matter worthy to be recorded, as not done without the providence of the divine goodness, which was, that all the other Ladies going, as is the custom of Italy, to take holy Palm, and S. Clare, out of a virginal bashfulness, remaining alone without moving out of her place, the Bishop descended from the steps of his seat, & put into her hand a branch of Palm.  
The night approaching she began to prepare herself for effecting the commandment of the holy Father, and to make a glorious flight, and honourable retire from the world, in honest company. But it seeming to her impossible to go forth at the ordinary, and chiefest door of the house, she bethought herself to take the benefit of a back door, which (though it were dammed, and closed up with gross stones, and mighty blocks) she with an admirable courage, & force rather of a strong man, then of a tender young woman, herself broke open. Thus then leaving her Father's house, her City, kindred, and friends, she with extraordinary speed arrived at the Church of our Lady of Angels, where the Religious, that in the house of God were employed in pious watchings, received, with burning wax lights in their hands, this holy virgin, that sought her spouse, and redeemer jesus Christ with a lamp not extinct, and empty, but filled with divine love: and incontinently in the selfsame hour and place, having left, and abandoned the impurities of Babylon, she gave the world the ticket of defiance, and utter adieu before the Altar of the sovereign Queen of Angels; where the glorious Father S. Francis, inspired of God, & neglecting all other worldly respects, cut off her hair: then he clothed her with a poor habit of the order, commanding the jewels, & gorgeous attire which she brought, to be given to the poor of jesus Christ. It had not been indeed convenient, that the new Order of flourishing virginity towards the end of the world, should otherwise begin, then in the Angelical palace of that most Immaculate Queen, who before had alone been a mother, and a virgin, and consequently more worthy than all others whatsoever.  
In the very same place had the noble Chivalry of the poor of jesus Christ, the Friar's Minors, their beginning, under the valorous Captain S. Francis, to the end it might evidently appear, that the Mother of God in this her habitation engendered, and produced the one and the other Religion. And so soon as this new Espouse had received the habit, & ensigns of holy penance, before the Altar of the most sacred virgin Mary, the humble servant was accepted by jesus 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 remain till almighty God had provided 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 understanding what she had done, and the bruit of her resolution being diuulged over all the City, many of the friends of her Father and Mother assembled, and consulted to prevent this virtuous 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 compass by humane policy, trying their forces against the meek lamb of jesus Christ, and by their malice & perverse counsel seeking to delude that simple dove; the did they make her deceitful promises, exhorting her to retire herself from such base condition, and abjection, demonstrating unto her, that it was a matter unworthy her noble descent, and that the like never happened in the City. But the virgin firm and stable in jesus Christ, approaching to the Altar, discovered her hairless head, alleging, that she could no more be separated from the service of jesus Christ, for whose love she had already forsaken all the world, & themselves also; and the more they tormented her, the more was her heart inflamed in the love of God, and of her sweet spouse jesus Christ, who supplied her with new forces to resist. Thus for many days together disturbed with many injuries, she endured great contradictions in the way of God: and albeit her kindred persevered in their attempts to withdraw her from her pious design, her fervour yet did never wax cold, nor her heart feeble: but on the contrary, so many injurious words, and violent threats did so much confirm her confidence in God, that her kindred were constrained to forbear any more to vex, and disquiet her, retiring themselves as all ashamed, & confounded. Thus did almighty God make appear, how much the power of those that are his, though of themselves feeble, did exceed the strong, and puissant of the world.  
But in regard that her soul 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 anchor of her soul never changing place, neither in respect of the great restraint thereof, nor for fear of solitude, this Church being without the City. This was the Church in reparation whereof the Glorious S. Francis laboured in the beginning of his conversion: and where he did also offer money to the Chaplain to repair it: this holy Father being once also in this Church, and praying with abundance of tears, merited to hear the voice of the crucifix, before which he was, that thrice reiterated unto him: Go Francis, and repair my house, which, as thou seest, is ready to fall. The glorious virgin Clare, for the love of her heavenly spouse, shut herself up in that little place, and there imprisoned herself during her life, sequestering her body 〈◊〉 the turbulent tempest of the world. This silvered Dove there building her nest in the concavities of that Church, engendered the college of virgins of our Lord jesus Christ, & there instituting a holy convent, gave a beginning to the order of poor Religious women. And thus being settled in the way of penance, she bruised the hard turfs of her members, with the coulter of the Cross, and perfectly sowed the seed of sanctity and justice, making with her very soul steps and traces of virtuous progress, for them that were to follow her.   

How the virgin Agnes, sister to S. Clare, was by her fervent prayers converted: and of the persecutions she endured by her kindred; and how she was miraculously freed of them.  
CHAP. VI  
SAINT Clare had a younger sister, who both in regard of blood & of poverty, was really her sister; and she exceedingly desiring the conversion of this young virgin, never failed in her most fervent devotions, which in her first days she offered to almighty God, as fervently & devoutly as she possibly could, with a perfect zeal, to beseech him, that as she had lived with her sister in the world, there might be also between them an holy union of body, & will, in his service; most instantly importuning him to make it appear to her sister, whom she had left in her mother's house, what a notorious delunder the world is, & how full of discontentment▪ & on the contrary how sweet, and pleasant is jesus Christ; and that consequently he would please to change her desired resolution of carnal marriage, and cause her to embrace the union of divine love, and to take for her spouse the King of glory. Now in regard that our Lord had already settled such an amity between these two sisters, that their separation was afflictive & troublesome unto them, (though then their desires & wills were far different) he made no delay to favour this his poor suppliant, and devout servant, even in this her first petition, which she so instantly required of him, and which his divine majesty so readily granted.  
Sixteen days then after her conversion, her sister Agnes inspired of God, with a strong and prompt resolution gave a slip, and farewell to the world, & came to her sister Clare, to whom discovering the secrets of her heart, she said she was resolved to serve God in her company: which the glorious Clare understanding, she most amiably embraced her, and with a very joyful & contented countenance said: my most dear Sister, I give infinite thanks to our Lord jesus Christ, that it hath pleased him to hear me, and deliver me from the afflion I endured for your sake. This noble conversion 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 serving our Lord jesus Christ, and imitating his steps, she that had most taste of God, and was in higher progress, instructed her sister Novice. Their kindred knowing that Agnes was with her sister Clare, twelve men of their nearest blood, as Brothers, uncles, and cozen germans assembled to assault them, and to combat the Espouses of jesus Christ. The day following then, with an extreme rage and fury they came to those holy virgins, yet at their first coming dissembling their lewd intention, they showed them some favourable countenance: then addressing themselves to the virgin Agnes, despairing of all hope to withdraw S. Clare from her holy purpose, they demanded of her, wherefore she was retired into that place? then willed her to deliberate, and resolve to return with them to her Father's house: whereto she answered, that she was resolved, (the grace of God assisting her) to remain with her sister: which answer one of them disdaining, full of passion, and transported with choler, took her by the hair, and gave her many blows with his feet and fists; then used 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 arms, they forcibly trailed her out.  
But this little daughter of jesus Christ, seeing herself violently wrested by those furious lions out the arms of her God, she began to cry to her sister, Help me sister, & permit me not to be separated from our Lord jesus Christ, and your loving company. Her carnal kindred trailed a long the valley this virgin of jesus Christ against her will, and in despite of her feeble, though courageous resistance, renting her clothes from her tender body. In the mean while S. Clare, unable by other means to relieve her sister, had recourse to prayer, with abundance of tears, beseeching God to vouchsafe to give a courageous confidence, to her sister, that his divine favour defending his faithful servant, humane forces might be overcome: 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 enforced to leave her on the ground: and albeit so many men, and their servants, put all their forces to lift her up, yet could they never do it, but called labourers, and workmen of the vineyards that wrought thereabouts to assist them, yet their great number no more availed than the less.  
Finally the forces failing of her kindred, and those that attempted to assist them, they acknowledged the miracle, though scornfully, saying: it is no marvel though she be so weighty, having laid all night as lead. Whereupon Signior Monaldo her uncle in extreme passion lifting up his arms to strike her, he presently felt an extreme pain therein, which did not only torment him for the present, but a long time after. Then S. Clare after her prayer, arriving, besought her kindred to forbear in vain to contend with God, and to leave her the care of her sister, who lay as half dead. They perceiving their labour lost to hinder their pious resolution, being exceedingly wearied, left the two sisters together. The troup then being departed, the tormented Agnes arose from the ground, full of joy in jesus Christ, for whose love she had fought, & overcome in this her first conflict against the world, and his prince the Devil, by favour and assistance of divine grace; & her sister ask her how she felt herself, she answered, that notwithstanding all the affliction they had procured her by buffets, beat, spurns with their feet & fists, tearing her by the hair, trailing her through stony ways, she had felt in a manner nothing, especially by the virtue, and force of divine grace, and next by the merits of her good prayers. Shortly after the holy Father S. Francis cut of her hair, she retaining still her proper name of Agnes, in memory of the innocent lamb jesus Christ, who offering himself in sacrifice to his Father, gave resistance to the world, fought valerously, and overcame: 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 virtue, and sanctity, that she was an admiration to all the world.   

Of the humility of the Virgin Saint Clare.  
CHAP. VII.  
PROFOUND humility was the first assured stone, & foundation, which the holy virgin laid in the beginning of her Relion, after she had begun to labour in the way of God, so to advance, and set forward the building of all other virtues. She vowed Obedience unto S. Francis, which vow in all her life, she never transgressed, and for three years after her conversion, she desired rather with great humility to be subject, than a Superior, shunning the title, & office of Abbess, taking more content to serve among the servants of jesus Christ, then to be served. But being at length by the holy Father S. Francis thereunto constrained, she undertook the government of the Religious, which bred in her heart more fear, than presumption: so what she rather continued, and became a servant, then free from subjection. For the more she seemed to be raised to the office, and title of dignity, the more did she repute herself vile, and the more showed herself ready to serve, and made herself more contemptible than all her religious, both in habit and base service. She disdained not to do the office of servants, giving water to the Religious to wash, whom she made often to sit, herself standing, and serving them at table.  
When she commanded any thing, it was unwillingly, rather desiring to do, then to command others. She performed to the sick all kind of services, were they never so loathsome, as to make clean any thing that was defiled or foul, shunning with so worthy a spirit all pleasant, and delightful actions, never abhorring, or desdayning the most offensive smells. She often washed the feet of the lay sisters, when they came from abroad, made them clean, and with great humility kissed them. It one time chanced, that washing the feet of a servant, and offering to kiss them, the servant unwilling to permit such humility, pulled away her foot to avoid it, but she did it so rudely, that she gave the holy virgin a dash on the face: yet so far was this Saint from being offended therewith, that on the contrary she mildly took the foot of the servant again, and kissed the sole thereof. Thus did this true espouse of God accomplish the doctrine of jesus Christ, & the example which he left, when he washed the feet of his Apostles.   

Of the voluntary poverty of the Virgin S. Clare, and of her zeal to that holy virtue.  
CHAP. VIII.  
THIS holy virgin made an union & correspondence between her poverty in all external things, and her holy poverty of spirit; and first at the beginning of her conversion she made sale of her patrimony, and birthright, all which distributing unto the poor of jesus Christ, she reserved nothing to herself. Having so abandoned all the world exteriorly, and enriched her soul interiorly, freed from the burden of worldly affairs, she ran far more lightly after jesus Christ, and thereby contracted such an inviolable amity with holy poverty, that she would have possession of no other thing than her glorious spouse jesus Christ, nor would she permit her spiritual daughters to possess any thing else. And with this Euamgelical traffic, she purchased the most precious pearl of celestial desire, in place of all the other things, which she had sold, acknowledging, that the same could in no sort be enjoyed together with the distraction, and occupation of temporal things.  
Giving instructions to her Religious, she would sometimes say unto them, that this their company should be then grateful to God, and become very rich in poverty, and should by such means conserve itself firm and stable, if it were always fortified, and environed with the rampiers & strong bulwarks of poverty. She also admonished her beloved daughters in our Lord jesus Christ, to conform themselves to him, lying poor in the bed of poverty, who was no sooner borne, but was by the most sacred virgin his Mother laid in a straight Crib.  
Now desiring to call her Rule by the title of Poverty, she demanded of Pope Innocent the fourth the privilege of Poverty, who as a magnanimous Prelate rejoicing at the great fervour of this holy virgin, exceedingly commended this her devotion, assuring himself that the like privilege had never been demanded of the Apostolic sea. And to the end a new & extraordinary favour might answer this new and unaccustomed demand, the holy Pope with an exceeding contentment written with his own hand the first Patent of the privilege; which Pope Gregory the ninth his predecessor of holy memory had also done, who with a Fatherly affection loving this Espouse of jesus Christ, once gave her counsel, in consideration of diverse alterations of matters, and the strange events of rhymes, yea and in regard of the perils of future ages, to be content that her Order might have some possessions, himself offering to bestow it upon them: but she courageously withstood it, and as a true, poor, and legitimate daughter of the holy Patriarch poor S. Francis, would never accord thereunto.  
The Pope alleging, that if she feared the breach of her vow, he would absolve her thereof: but this virgin answered very humbly in this manner. Holy Father I shall be very joyful, if it please your Holiness to absolve me of all my sins, but to free me from performing the Counsels of God, I will accept no absolution. This holy virgin with an exceeding joy received the morsels of bread which the Religious brought from begging, and had gotten for the love of God: but she was much troubled, when she saw whole loaves; labouring much to conform herself in all things to perfect poverty with him, who was poorly and nakedly Crucified: & in such sort, that no transitory thing might at any time separate the most poor virgin from her beloved, nor hinder her from her most ardent fervour to follow our Lord jesus Christ.   

Of the miracles of the poverty of the glorious S. Clare.  
CHAP. IX.  
IT happened one day that the glorious virgin S. Clare knew, that there was but one loaf of bread in her Covent, and so the hour of dinner being come, she called the sister that was the Despensier, and willed her to cut the loaf she had in her custody in two, and to send the one half to the Religious that were without, and to keep the other for themselves, whereof she should make fifty portions, there being so many Religious, & then should set it upon the table of poverty: whereunto the Despensier answered, that the miracles of jesus Christ were needful to make so many portions of so small quantity of bread: but S. Clare replied▪ saying, Daughter do only what I do command thee.  
The sister went presently to effect the commandment of her Abbess, who in the mean while together with all the other Religious applied themselves to prayer, presenting their devotions, & tears to their spouse jesus Christ, and instantly by his infinite bounty the little morsels of bread so augmented in the hands of the Despensier that they sufficed to feed all the Religious.  
It happened another time that the servants of jesus Christ wanted oil, so that they had not sufficient to dress meat for the sick. S. Clare being advertised of this necessity took a pot, which (as mistress of humility) she washed with her own hands, than sent it to the turn wheel, that a Religious man there might take it, to go, and demand oil for the love of God. Having to this effect caused a Religious man to be called to send him, (as matters do not succeed as men propose, but according to the pleasure of the divine, and merciful providence) S. Clare having recommended this necessity to Almighty God, the said Religious found the pot full of pure oil; which perceiving he thought the Religious within had required it without need; & with a kind of murmur he said: I know not why the sisters have called me, their pot being full of oil▪ so that the miracle was discovered. Almighty God did often also by extraordinary means supply the necessities of his poor servants 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 conceal, then to diuulge the admirable affliction, and rude penance of S. Clare, because this holy virgin hath performed such extreme mortifications, that many, who shall read them, acknowledging themselves cowards, and overcome in this conflict, (as we are all) and put into admiration of these marvellous acts, will perhaps call in question her prowess, which is to oppugn the very truth. Is it not a great matter, that using one only habit, all patched, and a poor cloak of the grossest cloth, she rather covered her body, than defended it from the importunities of the seasons? But it is more admirable, that she never wore stockings, shoes, nor any other things on her feet after she became Religious. It was also a strange matter that she fasted daily, and never failed for whatsoever occasion that happened. She never lay upon mattress, though that were no singular praise unto her, all her Religious doing the like.  
This espouse of jesus Christ wore more than the rest, a haircloth as great as half a tunic, made of hog's hair, the hair being half shorn, next her flesh. She also wore a haircloth, which a Religious very importunately once borrowed of her, but proving it to be so rude, and sharp, she restored it three days after to S. Clare more readily, than she had joyfully borrowed it. Her ordinary bed was the bare ground, except sometimes she slept upon dry branches or twigs, using for a pillow a block of wood. But in regard that the rigorous life, wherewith she afflicted her body, brought her to sickness, the holy Father S. Prancis commanded her to lie upon chaff. The rigour of her abstinence in her fasts was such, that she could not maintain her body in life, so little did she eat; whereby it is easy to judge that she was sustained by divine virtue.  
When she had her health, she fasted all the Aduent, and Lent, & from all Saints to Christmas with bread and water, the sundays excepted: and which is more admirable, three days of the week, monday, wednesday, and friday in the Lent, she did eat nothing at all: so that the commandment of fast, and the rigour of her voluntary mortification, seemed to have a contrariety each with other, because upon the eve of a commanded feast, she used but bread & water: neither must it be admired, if such a rigour of so long continuance bred many infirmities in this holy virgin, which wasted her forces, and overthrew all the natural strength and health of her body.  
The devout Religious daughters of this holy mother had exceeding compassion of her, and they bitterly lamented the voluntary procuring of her own death: for remedy whereof, S. Francis, & the Bishop of Assisium forbade her those three days of fast, which every week she usually inflicted upon herself, and commanded her not to pass one day without taking at least an once and a half of bread, to conserve her life. And albeit such grievous afflictions of the body do accustom to breed also some affliction to the heart, yet did the contrary succeed in her; for she carried a countenance so gracious and joyful in all her austerities, that she seemed either to have no feeling of them, or not to fear any inconvenience thereof: yea she in a sort made light of corporal afflictions: which sufficiently demonstrated, that the spiritual joy, wherewith she was interiorly nourished, appeared exteriorly in her holy face, because the true love of the heart maketh always corporal afflictions easy and light.   

Of the devotion, and spiritual prosit, which the fame of the Glorious S. Clare procured over all the world.  
CHAP. XI.  
THE fame of S. Clare began within little time to spread over all Italy, which caused women from all parts to begin to run after the odour of the precious liquor of her Sanctity. The Virgins after her example approached unto jesus Christ, and made him presents of their virginity: married women endeavoured to live more chaste and virtuously: gentlewomen and Ladies, contemning their fair houses, and sumptuous tables, shut themselves into monasteries, esteeming it a great glory to live in strict penance for the love of jesus Christ. This Saint was also a spur unto men to excite in them a violent fervent, and principally to youth, that began to take courage in the contempt of the world, & by example of the frailer sex, to fight against the temptations, and deceitful pleasures of the flesh. Many married persons with mutual consent obliged themselves to continency, the men entering into covents of men, & the women into monasteries of Religious women. The mother induced the daughter to serve jesus Christ, the daughter the mother, one sister another, & briefly each one by a holy envy desired to serve jesus Christ, all of them seeking to participate of the evangelical life, which by this Espouse of jesus Christ was demonstrated unto them.  
An infinite number of virgins, that by her fame were induced to piety, unable to become Religious, or to leave their father's houses, endeavoured yet to live there more religiously, leading a regular life without rule. S. Clare by her example produced such & so many branches of salvation, that it seemed the saying of the Prophet was to be accomplished in her: The fruits of the desolate, and barren are far greater, then of the married. Whiles these matters thus proceeded in Italy, the descent of this benediction, which distilled down in the valley of Spoletum, grew by divine providence to so spacious and large a flood, that the violent current thereof over flowed all the Cities of the holy Church, so that the novelty of such admirable things, was speedily divulged over all the world, & with such praise, and admiration gave such splendour, that the nature of her virtues filled the chambers of great Ladies with beams of unspeakable charity, and penetrated even into the chambers of great Duchess'; yea those most pure beams of her brightness pierced into the very cabinetts of Queens, and Princesses; and that in such sort, that eminency of blood, and height of nobility submitted, and debased itself to follow the steps of this glorious virgin, many rejecting the greatness of their honour, and the sublimity of their estates; so that some Ladies, who could have been married to Kings and Dukes, induced by the fame of S. Clare, took upon them the practice of strict penance, and many already married to men of great nobility, desired in their estate to imitate this servant of jesus Christ.  
An infinite number also of Cities were by this example adorned with monasteries of young women: the fields, and mountains were enriched and ennobled with the structures of these celestial 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 flowers of her example & conversation. But returning to the history, let us speak of the perfection of the prayer of this glorious virgin, by means whereof she obtained of God so great graces for herself, and her daughters.   

Of the fervent and perfect prayer of the virgin S. Clare.  
CHAP. XII.  
AS Saint Clare was mortified in her flesh, and far more from all corporal recreations, so did she continually busy herself in devotions, and divine praises. This virgin had fixed, & imprinted the subtlety of her fervent desire in the eternal light, and as she was remote from earthly occupations, and rumours, so did she the more largely dilate the bosom of her soul to the influence of divine grace. She continued in long prayer together with her religious after Complin, the rivers of tears that flowed from her eyes awaking and bathing the hearts of her companions: when the sleep of others gave her opportunity to be solitary, being often in prayer, she would lay her face against the earth bathed with tears, kissing it sweetly, and with such contentment, that she seemed always to hold in her arms her spouse jesus Christ, at whose feet her tears trickled down, and her kisses left their impressions.  
It happened one time, that as this holy virgin poured out her tears in the silence of the night, the Angel of darkness appeared unto her in figure of a black young man, saying, If thou continuest this extreme weeping thou wilt become blind, whereto she answered, he that is to see God, cannot be blind: wherewith the devil being confounded vanished & fled. The same night this Saint being in prayer after Matins, all bathed in tears, the Tempter appeared again unto her, and said, Weep not so much, unless thou wilt have thy brains to melt, and distil in such sort, that thou shalt avoid them at thy eyes and nostrils, & therewith shall thy nose be crooked. S. Clare with great fervour answered him, saying, He that serveth jesus Christ can have no crookedness, and presently the wicked spirit disappeared.  
Many signs did discover, and make known the great alteration she received in herself, in fervour of her prayer, & how sweet & delectable the divine bounty was unto her in this joy & holy conversation: for when she returned from prayer, she with admirable contentment brought words inflamed with she fire of the altar of God, which kindled the hearts of her Religious, and procured in them a great admiration at this extreme sweetness that appeared from of her face. It is without doubt, that Almighty God had coupled, & conjoined his sweetness with her poverty, and did manifest exteriorly in her soul what was interiorly replenished with divine light. In this manner did she ordinarily live full of supreme delights, passing over this deceitful world with her noble spouse jesus Christ, and being placed upon this wheel of motion, she was thereon sustained with an assurance, and firmity of virtue, very stable; and preserved with the celestial elevation of her soul in the height of heaven, keeping the treasure of glory securely shut up within a vessel of flesh here below upon earth.  
This holy virgin accustomed to call up the younger Religious a little before Matins, & to awaken them with the ordinary sign, to excite them very often to praise God. All her Religious sleeping, she did watch, lighted the lamp, and rung at matin's, so that negligence found no entrance into her monastery: nor sloth had there any place. She also by the sting of sharp reprehension, and of her lively and effectual examples, expelled tepidity, and irksomeness in prayer, and the service of God.   

How the Moors 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 convenient that we pretermit them in silence; for as the marvelous effects of her prayers were veritable, so also are they worthy of honour and reverence. In the time of the Emperor Federike the second, the holy Church in diverse places endured great persecutions, but particularly in the valley of Spoletum, which being subject to the Roman Church, drank of the vessel of wrath by this mischievous tyrant, his Captains and soldiers being scattered over the fields as grass hoppers with sword to murder people, and with fire to burn their houses. The impiety of this Emperor did so augment, that he had assembled all the Moors that dwelled upon the mountains, and amongst the deserts, to make himself the more fearful to his vassals: & after he had by large promises gained these Moors, and disposed of them in diverse places, he gave them at length for retire a very ancient, but ruinated City, which yet to this present is called Mourades Mores, which they fortified, and then thither retired about twenty thousand fight men, who did much mischief over all Apulia, and in other Christian places.  
These enemies of the faith of jesus Christ came one day unexpectedly towards the City 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 blood of Christians, and dareth to commit villainously all kind of execrable acts, without either shame of men, or fear of God. These Moors than broke even into the monastery of S▪ Clare, where she was with her Religious daughters, who had their hearts surprised with an extreme terror; but much more, when they heard the barking and cry of those dogs so near them, so that they were even dying with the apprehension, not knowing where to seek relief, nor of whom to hope for deliverance from so eminent peril, but only by the merits of their holy Mother, whom with infinite sighs & tears they advertised of what they heard and saw.  
This holy virgin (though sick) encouraged her Religious, & caused herself with incredible constancy to be carried to the gate of her monastery, at the entry whereof, in sight of all her enemies, she with great reverence placed the most blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist in the Pix, before which falling prostrate upon the earth, she with abundance of tears thus spoke to her beloved spouse jesus Christ▪ Is it possible (my God,) thy will should be, that these thy servants, who cannot use material weapons to defend themselves, & whom I have here brought up, and nursed in thy holy love, should now be delivered into the power of the infidel Mores? O my God preserve them if thou please, and me likewise; for albeit thy divine majesty hath committed them to my government, yet it is not in my power to defend them from so great a peril, sith this protection cannot be, but by a work of thine omnipotency: therefore do I recommend them to thy divine majesty with all the affection that I am able.  
As soon as this holy virgin had sent these prayers unto heaven, she heard a voice so delicate, as if it had been of a sucking child that said, I will protect you for ever. The holy mother did not yet give over to preset her prayers saying: my God I humbly beseech thee, if so it be thy holy will, to preserve, and defend this thy City of Assisium which doth nourish us for the love it beareth to thy divine majesty. Whereto God answered, this City shall suffer much, but in the end I will by my favour defend it. Saint Clare having heard so gracious news, lifted up her face bathed with tears and comforted her beloved daughters, saying: Dear sisters, I assure you that no evil shall befall you, only be careful to have a firm faith, and confidence in jesus Christ. The divine assistance making no long delay, for the presumption and rage of the Moors was in continently cooled, so that a sudden unknown terror having surprised them, they speedily retired over the walls, which they had scaled, to enter. They being thus by the virtue of the prayers of Saint Clare expelled, she privately called the Religious, that had heard the said voice of God, and commanded them, that howsoever it were, they should not diuulge what they had heard during her life.   

How the City of Assisium was at another time delivered by the prayers of this holy virgin.  
CHAP. XIIII.  
UPON another time, one of the principal Captains of the Emperor Fredrick called Vitalis Auersa, a man very ambitious of glory, full of courage, and a notable Captain, conducted his troops to besiege Assisium, & having environed it, he proposed to waste, & spoil the plain Country thereabout, making a total ruin to the very trees which were hewed down; and then laying his siege, he uttered menacing and vaunting oaths, that he would not stir thence, till he had given the City a victorious assault: and this siege so long continued, that the besieged began to loose courage, as wanting many things extremely needful unto them? whereof the servant of jesus Christ being advertised, sighing in her heart, she called all her Religious, to whom she thus discoursed: My dear sisters, know that all our necessities have ever been supplied by the charity of this City, so that we should be very ungrateful, 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 discoif their heads▪ and to give them example, she began to cover her bare head with ashes, wherein all the other Religious following her, she said: go ye to our Lord jesus Christ, and with the greatest humility, and most fervent prayers that you can possible, demand of him the deliverance of your City.  
It cannot be expressed, with what fervour and tears these devout Virgins incessantly offered their prayers, unto God the space of one entiere day and night, demanding mercy in behalf of the said City besieged by their enemies. These prayers and tears were of such force and virtue, 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 enemy's camp was defeated, & the Captain constrained shamefully, & in despite of his forces, without sound trumpet to raise his siege: for he fled without ever troubling the Assisians, being shortly after slain.   

Of the Reverence & devotion which S. Clare had to the most blessed Sacrament: and of the virtue of her prayers against the Devils.  
CHAP. XV.  
THE devotion of Saint Clare towards the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar was such, that she made it apparent in many of her actions: for though she were most grievously sick in her bed, yet would she so dispose herself therein, & be so propped, and stayed up, that she might conveniently spin, an exercise which she exceedingly affected, & wherein she wholly employed herself; doing it so delicately, that with the thread of her labour she caused to be woven very curious, and fine cloth, which she employed in furniture for the Altar. She one time got made 50. Corporals, which she sent in cases of silk to many Churches of the valley of Spoletum. When she was to receive the most Blessed Sacrament, before she presented herself thereunto, she was always bathed in tears, and so with exceeding fear approaching, she did reverence him that was present in the Sacrament, as acknowledging him to be the same that governeth heaven & earth; therefore did the Devils so much fear the prayers of the Espouse of jesus Christ, S. Clare, as they have suudry times declared.  
A very devout woman of the Bishopric of Pisa came to the monastery of S. Damian, to thank God and his servant S. Clare, for having been by her merits delivered of five devils that possessed her, which in going out of her body, confessed that the prayers of S. Clare did burn them, and to their great confusion expelled them out of the humane bodies which they possessed.   

Of a marvellous consolation which S. Clare received upon the feast of the most holy Nativity.  
CHAP. XVI.  
AS the glorious S. Clare was always in her sickness with a lively memory mindful of her beloved jesus; so was she correspondently visited by him in all her necessities. Once in the night of the Nativity, when all the world and Angels did so solemnly feast for the birth of our Redeemer, all the Religious went to the quire to Matins, and left their mother accompanied only with her grievous infirmity: wherefore having begun to meditate upon the great mystery of that night, and lamenting exceedingly, that she could not assist at the divine service, she sighing said: O my God, thou seest how I remain here alone; and ending this, she began to hear the Matins that were sung in the Church of Saint Francis in Assisium, very distinctly understanding the voice of the Religious; and the very sound of the Organs: yet was she not so near the said Church, as she might humanly hear what was sung there; but it must necessarily be concluded, that this was miraculously done in one of these two sorts, either 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 special grace of God, even to our Lady of Angels near unto Assisium.  
But this Saint was further favoured by a divine revelation which exceedingly comforted and rejoiced her, for she was by almighty God esteemed worthy to see in spirit his holy Crib. The morning following, her Religious coming to see her, she said; Dear sisters, blessed for ever be our Lord jesus Christ, that it hath pleased him not to leave me alone, as you have done; but know that by the grace of his divine majesty, I have heard all the service that this night hath been performed in the Church of our holy Father S. Francis.   

Of the spiritual doctrine, wherewith S. Clare nursed her daughters.  
CHAP. XVII.  
THE virgin S. Clare acknowledged, that she was committed to the palace of the great King, for governess and mistress of his dear espouses, therefore did she teach them a sublime doctrine, comforting, & assisting them with such love and pity, as with words cannot be expressed. First she taught them to clear their souls of all rumours of the world, that they might the more freely attain to the high secrets of God. She also taught them to have no affection to their carnal kindred, and intierely to forget their ownehouse, the better to please jesus Christ. She admonished them also to surmount and misprise the necessities of their bodies, & to get a habit of repressing the deceits, and appetites of the flesh, by the bridle of reason. She likewise taught them that the subtle enemy armed with malice, continually addresseth his hidden snares to surprise the pure souls, and that he tempteth the pious in another sort then worldlings.  
Finally she would have them so employed in handy labour for certain hours, that they might afterwards be more prompt, and better prepared to the desire of their Creator by the exercise of prayer, which after their labour they should undertake, not leaving for such pain the fire of holy love, but rather expelling by it the tepidity of devotion already purchased. There was never seen a stricter observation of silence then amongst them, nor a greater form, and example of virtue. There was never seen done in this holy house one act of vanity, neither by words, nor signs; nor was there discovered by any vain discourse any desire of lightness, so much were they mortified, their holy Mistress giving good example by words, and pious, and brief documents; likewise teaching her disciples fervent desires, and admonishing them to possess, and conserve them under the key & custody of strict silence. By means of devout preachers she procured to her daughters the holy word of God, whereof her own was not the least part, she being filled with contentment and joy, when she heard the word of God preached, and would with such devotion, and consolation, rejoice in the memory of her sweetest spouse jesus Christ; that one time hearing the sermon of brother Philip de Adria, a most famous preacher, there was seen before this holy virgin a most beautiful child, which there remained during almost all the sermon, comforting her with his joyful delectations, of which apparition she received such a sweetness and delight, as she could no way explicate.  
Albeit this most prudent virgin had never studied, yet did she much delight to hear a learned man preach, understanding very well that under the words of science lay hidden the sweetness of spirit, which herself subtly obtained, & tasted with much more gust. She accustomed to say, that the Sermon of whosoever preaching the word of God was exceeding profitable to souls, considering that it is no less prudence to know how sometimes to gather beautiful, and sweet flowers from amongst gross, and rude thorns, then to eat the wholesome fruits of a good plant.  
Pope Gregory the ninth one time at the instance of diverse Prelates commanded, that no Religious man should preach at the monastery of poor Religious women, without his express permission: whereat the pitiful mother complaining, in regard that thence forward her devout & Religious daughters should seldom be spiritually fed with holy doctrine, with tears she said: let then all my Religious be taken hence, since they are taken away, who gave us the food of spiritual life; withal sending away the Religious, that appertained to her monastery to serve them in getting alms abroad, refusing to have Religious, that should provide them bread to relieve the body, sith they were deprived by this means of all spiritual teachers that gave them bread to nourish their souls; whereof his Holiness being advertised, he presently revoked his former prohibition, referring all to the disposition of the general of the Friars Minors.  
S. Clare had not only a provident care of her Religious daughter's souls, but of their bodies also that were feeble and tender, for whose necessary wants she daily provided with exceeding fervour and charity; she oftentimes in the night, when it was cold, going to visit and cover them whiles they slept; and if she found any one over much benumbed with cold, or otherwise in i'll disposition through strict observation of the common rigour, she instantly commanded her to take some recreation, till her necessities were satisfied.  
If any of her Religious daughters were any time afflicted, or much grieved in mind through temptations, or were sorrowful and melancholy, she would call her apart, and most lovingly comfort her. She would sometimes fall prostrate herself at the feet of those that were heavy and afflicted, thereby to put away the force of their grief by her motherly cherishings, for which they in all submission yielding themselves to this their holy Mother, did not prove ungrateful. They likewise reverenced the office of Prelature in their Mistress, following all their life time the conduct of so diligent and secure a guide, directing their actions by the espouse of jesus Christ, admiring with all the excellency of such sanctity & charity.   

Of the devotion which Pope Gregory the ninth had to the holy virgin S. Clare: and of a letter which he wrote unto her whiles he was yet Cardinal.  
CHAP. XVIII.  
POPE Gregory the ninth had a marvellous confidence in the prayers of S. Clare, having experienced their great virtue & efficacy: and oftentimes when he was in any difficulty, both whiles he was Cardinal & Bishop of Hostia, and afterwards when he was Pope, he would by letters recommend himself to this glorious virgin, demanding 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 jesus Christ upon earth to beg help of a servant of God, in recommending himself to her prayers.  
This great Pastor knew very well what divine love could do, & how freely pure virgins do find the port of the consistory of the divine majesty open. There is exstant a very devout letter of this Pope written to S. Clare, whiles he was Cardinal, which is here inserted, to make it appear that the spirit of God made his residence in this Prelate, and what devotion he carried to the sanctity the glorious virgin Saint Clare.  
To the most dear sister in jesus Christ, and mother of his holiness, Sister Clare, the servant of jesus Christ; ugolin miserable sinner, & Bishop of Hostia recommendeth himself, whatsoever he is, and what he may be. Well beloved sister in Christ jesus, since the hour, that the necessity of my return separated me from your holy speeches, and deprived me of that pleasure to confer with you of celestial treasures, I have had much sorrow of heart, abundance of tears in mine eyes, and have felt an extreme grief; and that in such sort, that if I had not found at the feet of our Lord jesus Christ the consolation of his ordinary piety, I fear I had fallen into such anguishes, as my spirit would have forsaken me, and my soul utterly melted away; and not without reason, because that joy failed me, with which I discoursed with your good company of the sacred body of our sweet Redeemer jesus Christ, and of his presence upon earth, celebrating the feast of Easter with you, and the other servants of our Lord.  
And as whiles our blessed Saviour by his dolorous passion and death was absent from the presence of his disciples, they were possessed with an extreme grief & affliction; so doth your absence procure my desolation. And though I acknovuledge myself a grievous sinner, considering the prerogative of your merits, and the rigour of your most holy Religion; yet without doubt, the multitude of my sins is such, and so much have I offended God the universal Lord, that I am not worthy to be united to the glory of the elect, nor to be sequestered from worldly occupations, if your tears & prayers do not obtain me pardon of my sins; and therefore to you I commit my soul, to you I commend my spirit, as jesus Christ upon the Cross recommended his spirit to his heavenly Father, to the end that in the terrible day of the universal judgement you give an account for me, if you be not diligent & careful of my salvation: for I confidently believe, that you may obtain of the sovereign judge whatsoever by your devotion and tears you shall at any time ask or demand 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 jesus Christ.   

Of the most fervent love of jesus Christ which inflamed the hard of Saint Clare: and how the Devil tormented her: of an ecstasy wherein she continued a night and two days together.  
CHAP. XIX.  
WHEN S. Clare heard any speak of the passion of our Redeemer jesus Christ, she oftentimes was accustomed to weep in compassion, in such sort, that out of the sacred wounds she would sometimes draw dolorous feelings and affections, and at other times unspeakable joys & consolations of admirable sweetness; and the cross of jesus Christ, which with her dearest spouse she carried in her soul, the weight thereof gave her so much more taste of contentment as she felt more grief. The great abundance of tears, which she poured out for the most bitter passion of jesus Christ, kept her sometimes out of herself; and the internal love, which she had imprinted in her heart, in manner continually represented unto her jesus Christ crucified.  
She ordinarily gave example by works, of what she taught her Religious by words: for admonishing them often, and instructing them likewise secretly touching some exercise, before she had ended her discourse, she was seen to power out of her eyes abundance of tears. Among the hours of the divine office that are sung in the Church, she was present with greatest devotion at the sixth and ninth, by reason that at such hours she was crucified with her Redeemer jesus Christ.  
The holy virgin retiring one time to her private devotion after the ninth hour, the devil came to her, & did beat her outrageously, hurting her withal so much in the face, that her eye was all bloodshot, the sign remaining upon her cheek: but S. Clare omitted not for that to persever in her prayer. And to the end she might with the more devotion apply herself to the sweet contentments which she conceived in the often meditating of jesus Christ crucified, she ordinarily contemplated the sacred mystery of the five wounds: and therefore she learned by heart the office of the holy Cross, as the true lover of the holy Cross of Saint Francis had taught her. She accustomed to wear next her naked flesh a girdle of thirteen knots, whereunto also were little stones fastened in form of knots: which she did in memory of the sacred wounds and dolours of our Redeemer jesus Christ.  
One Lent upon Maunday Thursday, whereupon our Lord jesus Christ showed a particular love to his disciples, at the hour of the agony, that our Redeemer did sweet blood and water in the garden, this holy Virgin retired into her Oratory full of deep sorrow, joining herself with Almighty God in prayer, as if she had seen him praying, and as if by contemplation of the soul of jesus Christ sorrowful even to death, she herself had felt and suffered his prison, his derisions, his injuries, reproaches, affronts, beat, sentence, Cross, and most ignominious death, carrying in her memory a like sorrow: wherefore as wholly transported she sat upon a straw bed, and all that night, and the day following, she was so absorbed and rapt out of herself, that her eyes being open and without motion, she seemed to hold them fixed in one place, and remained so insensible, being conjointly crucified with jesus Christ, that a Religious, familiar unto her, coming often to see if the wanted any thing, she found her always in one manner.  
But upon the night of holy Saturday, this devout Religious came to her dear mother with a candle, partly by signs, and partly by words, making her the best she could to understand the commandment that the holy Father S. Francis gave her, that she should not let pass one day without taking & eating something, so that in the presence of this Religious, Saint Clare, as if she came out of another place said unto her, what need have you to light this candle, is it not day? whereto the Religious answered: Mother the night of holy Thursday is passed, as also good Friday, and we are now in the night of Easter eve; the Saint replied, my daughter blessed be this sleep, which Almighty God at length after my long desire hath granted me, but I admonish and command you, not to speak hereof to any creature living, whiles I shall live in this world.   

Of many miracles wrought by S. Clare, by the sign and virtue of the holy Cross.  
CHAP. XX.  
OUR Redeemer jesus Christ recompensed well the pious desires, and good works of his beloved virgin S. Clare: for as she was inflamed with an infinite love of the mystery of the holy Cross, so by the virtue and power of the same Cross, she became noble in the signs and miracles of jesus Christ, that oftentimes in making the sign of the holy Cross upon the sick, they were miraculuosly cured, and instantly healed of sorts of diseases.  
A Religious man called Stephen, having a hot fever that exceedingly vexed him, the holy Father S. Francis sent him to S. Clare, to make the sign of the Cross upon him, as one that well knew her perfection and verve, which he exceedingly honoured. Now the virtuous Lady Hortulana Mother to Saint Clare, was then in the covent of S. Damian, for a little before, considering that her daughters had espoused jesus Christ, she came to them to Religion, where this happy Lady served as a true gardener in the garden enclosed with those Virgins, our Redeemer jesus Christ, with the glorious virgin Agnes sister to Saint Clare, and the other Religious, all replenished with the holy Ghost, to whom the holy Father Saint Francis sent many diseased, whom they cured, after having made upon them the sign of the holy Cross, which they most heartily honoured. The said Religious then being sent to S. Clare, she as the daughter of obedience thereto commanded by the holy Father S. Francis, presently made upon him the sign of the Cross; then left him a little to sleep in the Church, in the place where she was accustomed to pray, and the Religious having a little reposed arose sound, secure, and freed of his infirmity: then he returned to Saint Francis, by whom he had been sent to S. Damian, & consequently was cured.  
A child of three years old of the City of Spoletum called Matthew, had by chance a stone thirst into his nose, whence it could not be gotten out, so that the child was in extreme peril, whereupon he was brought to Saint Clare who having made the sign of the Cross upon him, the stone incontinently fell out of his nose, and he was perfectly well.  
Another child likewise of Perusia having a film upon his eyes was brought to S. Clare, who touching the eye of the child, and making the sign of the Cross thereupon, willed them that had presented the child unto her to carry it unto her Mother Hortulana, that she might also make the sign of the Cross upon it, which having done the eye became clear, and being purged of the film that obscured it, he was presently cured: whereupon S. Clare affirmed, that this miracle was wrought by the merits of her mother, who finding such glory to be attributed unto her, reputed herself unworthy thereof.  
One of her Religious called Beneuenta, having had for 12. years together an imposthume under her arm, which did purge by five several issues, S. Clare had compassion thereof, and made upon her the sign of the holy Cross, then with her own hands taking away the plaster, she was cured of her long continued sores. Another of her Religious called Amia, being for more than a years space afflicted with the dropsy, together with an extreme pain in her sides, and a burning fever, S. Clare conceived a very strong compassion of her, and therefore having recourse to her noble and infallible medicine, she made upon her body the sign of the holy Cross in the name of her beloved jesus Christ, and the Religious was perfectly cured. Another servant of God borne at Perusia had for two years together so lost her voice, that one could scarcely hear her speak; but having understood by a vision which she had the night of the assumption of our blessed Lady, that S. Clare should cure her, the poor afflicted creature having very patiently expected the break of day, repaired with a strong confidence unto that holy virgin, and by signs craved her benediction, which favour having obtained, her voice, which so long time she had wanted, became as clear and shrill as ever it had been.  
Another Religious called Christina, that had been long time deaf in one of her ears, and having in vain tried many remedies, Saint Clare making the sign of the cross upon her head, and with her hand touching her care, she recovered her hearing as perfectly and clearly as before. Another Religious call Andrea had a disease in her throat, the grief whereof procured her much impatience: it being admirable, that among so many prayers inflamed with divine love, their should be a soul so could, & among such prudent virgins one so indiscreet and moderate.  
This Religious feeling herself one night more tormented with her infirmity then ordinarily, afflicted & impatient, that her pain did rather increase then diminish, she so crushed and pressed her throat, making thereby appear her intention to choke herself, thinking by violence to expel that swelling, so to avoid longer torment, & through ignorance attempting to do more than was the will of God. But whiles that poor Religious busied herself in this folly, Saint Clare by divine inspiration had knowledge thereof, wherefore calling one of her Religious, she willed her to hasten down, boil an egg in the shell, & cause sister Andrea to swallow it, which done to bring her to her presence. The Religious instantly dressed the egg, and forth with brought it to the sick party, whom she found little better than dead, having so crushed her throat, that her speech was utterly gone, yet she made her swallow the egg so well as she could, then raising her from her straw bed, she with much labour led her to Saint Clare, who thus spoke unto her; Wretched sister confess thee to God, & have contrition, for what thou intendest to do, & acknowledge that jesus Christ will give thee health far better, than thou with thine own hands hadst purposed to do: change this evil life into a better, for thou shalt never recover another sickness that shall succeed this, but shalt dye thereof. These words procured in this Religious a spirit of compunction and contrition, so that she being entirely cured of this grievous infirmity, amended her life, falling a little after into another sickness, which Saint Clare had foretold, whereof she ended her life piously.  
It doth manifestly appear by these examples, and by many other marvellous things, that the tree of the Cross of our blessed Saviour jesus Christ was deeply planted in her heart, & that in a marvellous manner the fruits thereof did interiorly recreate her soul, sith the leaves did work exteriorly such remedies by the hands & merits of his glorious Saint.   

How Saint Clare blessed bread, upon which the sign of the Cross miraculously remained.  
CHAP. XXI.  
SAINT Clare was a disciple of the Cross, and of so notable same & sanctity, that not only great Prelates & Cardinals much desired to see her, to hear and discourse with her, for which cause they often visited her; but the Pope himself bore her also this affection, in so much that Pope Innocent the fourth repaired to her monastery, to hear of her, as a secretary of the holy Ghost, celestial and divine discourses. And having a long time conferred with her of matters of salvation, and of the praises of God, whiles they entertained themselves in so pious a discourse, S. Clare caused dinner to be prepared, and the tables for the Religious to be covered, causing bread to be brought thither, with intention to procure the vicar of jesus Christ to bless it, to be afterwards kept of devotion. Their discourse then being ended, S. Clare fell upon her knees before the Pope, beseeching him to bless the bread. whereto his holiness answered: daughter Clare, I will that you bless it yourself making thereupon the sign of the Cross: the Saint thereto answered, most holy Father, pardon me if you please, for if I should do it, I should deserve sharp reprehension, in presuming to give my benediction in presence of your holiness. The Pope again replied: well, that no presumption be imputed unto you, and that you may merit thereby, I command you by holy Obedience to bless these loves, making upon them the sign of the Cross. This daughter of obedience lifted up her hand, making the sign of the Cross upon the bread; whence ensued an admirable accident, for the Cross remained upon the bread, whereof part was eaten of devotion, & the rest reserved as a holy Relic, which event filled the Pope with admiration, for which he gave thanks to God; then gave his benediction to S. Clare, who received it with great humility, and was much comforted withal.   

Of many infirmities of the glorious virgin S. Clare: of her weakness; and how she was visited by the Protector.  
CHAP. XXII.  
THE Glorious virgin S. Clare had now forty years run the race of the most eminent virtue and practice of poverty, having broken the alabaster of her body in the most strict prison by fasting and rigorous disciplines, and by this means filled the house of the holy Church with the most precious ointment of her virtues, wherewith she drew after her an infinite number of souls to the service of jesus Christ. And as she already approached to the recompense of eternal glory, having supported diverse infirmities, and consumed the forces of her body in her first years by the rigour of penance, she was also in her latter days oppressed, and afflicted with diverse grievous sicknesses. And because in the time of her health she was also enriched in such sort with the merit of good works, that being sick she gained the true riches of the merits of patience, she yet enjoyed the fruits of her virtues, that were ripened in afflictions and molestations, occasioned by diversity of diseases. But the virtue of her patience doth evidently appear, in that having been twenty eight years together afflicted with diverse diseases, she was never heard to utter the least murmur or complaint: but continually were heard to proceed out of her mouth pious words, and thanksgiving to Almighty God.  
Now being exceedingly weakened with infirmity, and every moment seeming to her the drawing on of her life towards an end, it pleased our Lord jesus Christ to prolong it, till she might be visited by the eminent Prelates of the Roman Church, whereof she was a servant, and a special child; for the Pope being yet at Lions, and this Saint beginning to be more tormented with her infirmities, than she was accustomed to be, a sword of sorrow pierced through the soul of her beloved daughters. But a virgin, servant of jesus Christ, a very devout 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, whom she saw in a sorrowful, yet precious bed, about which they all lamented expecting her death, and withal she saw come to the bolster of the said bed a very beautiful woman, who said to them that wept▪ my daughters weep not for her that is yet to live, for she cannot dye, till our Lord and all his disciples do come. A little after the Roman Court came to Perusia, where the increase of S. Clares sickness being diuulged, the Cardinal of Hostia hastened with great diligence to visit the Espouse of jesus Christ, whose Father he was by office, governor by special solicitude, fosterer and friend in most pure and chaste amity; & he comforted her, and with his own hands administering unto her the most blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist; and then made a very devout sermon to the Religious, S. Clare with great humility, & in the name of our Redeemer jesus Christ, beseeching him to accept into his Protection that her family, & all her other poor sisters of other monasteries; but above all she most instantly besought him, obtain of the Pope, & the College of Cardinals, a privilege & confirmation of holy poverty, Whereto the Cardinal gave his word, & as a faithful Father of her Religion, & one most devout & affectionate to S. Clare, did afterwards 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, whereof S. Clare had never until then other confirmation written but that of the said Cardinal, because the Pope's supposing to induce S. Clare, not to bind her Religious to such an extreme poverty, did still defer to confirm her Rule by writing. But Innocent the fourth seeing the perseverance, & last will of Saint Clare, granted the same unto her by a Bull, the eleventh, and last year of his reign, as we have before recorded. And the year being almost expired, the Pope came with his Cardinals 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 than a man, by the authority which he hath of jesus Christ upon earth, whose person he representeth in the temple of the Church militant, the Cardinals accompanying his Holiness, represented the disciples of our Lord jesus Christ.   

How Pope Innocent the fourth visited Saint Clare in her last sickness, and gave her absolution.  
CHAP. XXIII.  
THE divine providence would no longer defer the accomplishment of the will of Saint Clare, but her Spouse jesus Christ came to elevate into his celestial palace his poor Espouse & Pilgrim upon earth, who desired nothing more▪ that being delivered of this mortal body, she might have the sight, & full fruition of her most glorious spouse jesus Christ in his celestial Kingdom. Now than the members of this sacred virgin being by continuance of her sickness wholly decayed, there befell her a new weakness, which being an evident token that she should in short time be called of God, which she used as a ladder to mount up to eternal salvation: whereupon Pope Innocent the forth came to the monastery of S. Damian, accompanied with many Cardinals, to visit the servant of God, not doubting but she, whose life he had already approved, was the most perfect in sanctity of all women of his time; and therefore worthy to have her death honoured by his presence. His holiness then being entered, he went directly to the glorious Virgin, & coming near to her bed, he gave her his hand to kiss, which favour Saint Clare with exceeding joy received.  
But besides that, she with great humility besought him to afford her his feet to kiss: the Pope to content her sat down upon a little bench, and devoutly presented unto her his Apostolical feet, upon which this glorious Saint reverently laid her face and mouth, most affectionately kissing them: then with the serenity of an Angelical countenance, she demanded of him remission of all her sins; whereto the Pope answered: would to God my dear sister, I had no more need of such a pardon: but finally he gave her the benefit of absolution, & the gift of his benediction, & then left her in peace.  
She having that morning received the most sacred communion at the hands of the Provincial of the Friars Minors of that Province, with her hands joined together, & her eyes elevated towards heaven, she weeping said to her Religious: My daughters, praise Almighty God for the benefit it hath pleased him to bestow upon me this day, which is such, that the heavens & the earth are not sufficient to recompense it, sith this day I have both received my Lord God, & am made worthy to see his Vicar upon 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 time to remain as orphans; the consideration whereof deeply pierced their souls with a most bitter grief, that neither heaviness of sleep, nor hunger could withdraw them from the presence of their mother; the present contentment, which they received in beholding her, making them forget to eat and sleep, because all their exercise was to weep, and particularly her most devout sister Agnes, who was expressly 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 wards her sister, & most instantly prayed her, not to deprive her of her presence: whereto Saint Clare answered, Dear sister, whom I cordially love, sith it hath pleased God that I depart, be you joyful, & weep no more, for I answer 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 servant of jesus Christ, was many days to wards the end of her life afflicted with diverse diseases, the faith and devotion, which at that time each one bore her, exceedingly increasing, yea so far forth, that she was honoured as a Saint, being ordinarily visited by Cardinals, and other Prelates: but which is more admirable to hear, having been seventeen days without force to receive any sustenance that was presented unto her, she was nevertheless so fortified of God, and encouraged of his divine majesty, that she exhorted all those that would comfort her, to be prompt in the service of God.  
A Religious man intending to comfort her, and to persuade her to have patience in so grievous a sickness, that procured her so much torment, she with a smiling countenance, and clear voice answered him: brother, since the time that I knew the grace of my God, by the means of his most humble servant Saint Francis, no pain hath been troublesome unto me, no penance hath seemed difficult, nor any sickness irksome.  
And as almighty God approached near unto her, and her soul being as it were at the door to go forth, the blessed virgin would have the most pious and spiritual Friars Minors to be present, to discourse unto her of the dolorous and bitter passion of our Lord jesus Christ, & by their pious words to inflame her heart more in the love of God: wherefore some of them, who were unto her true brethren in our Redeemer jesus Christ were present, and among other brother juniperus, the familiar of our Lord jesus Christ, who often uttered unto her such fiery and inflamed words of the omnipotent God, that she by his presence being filled with an extreme joy, one day demanded of him, if he then, knew nothing new from almighty God: whereupon brother juniperus opening his mouth to answer her, there issued out of the furnace of his inflamed heart, infinite sparks of such sublime words, that this holy virgin received thereof much consolation. Finally turning her Angelical face towards her dear and beloved daughters & sisters there present, all of them bitterly weeping, she recommended unto them the poverty of our Redeemer jesus Christ in this her last passage, praising and thanking God for the infinite benefits, which they had received of his divine majesty, which she particularly recounted unto them; then she gave 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 kiss the bed of the holy virgin who was leaving the world, & was much lamented of her daughters, because they were left orphans, and were no more in this life to see their most holy mother, and therefore they accompanied her soul to heaven with abundance of tears, without power to admit any other consolation, then to desire to go with her: where with being so afflicted, they could not without difficulty forbear with their nails to rend their faces, but not being permitted them to discharge themselves of such grief exteriorly, it did inflame in them a more burning fire within: for those Espouses of jesus Christ were sufficiently mortified by rigour of Religion, albeit the force of grief did constrain them to cast forth loud cries and sighs, and to pour out rivers of tears. The holy virgin at length being turned towards them, began very sweetly to say unto her soul, Go my soul, go out securely, thou hast an assured guide to perform this voyage▪ for he who is thy Creator hath sanctified thee, and hath always conserved thee, affecting thee with a tender love, equal with that of a mother towards her child: and thou my God be praised for having created me.  
A Religious sister ask her what she meant thereby, she answered; I speak to my blessed soul; her most glorious spouse jesus Christ not being far from her, attending for her: then turning to one of her Religious she said: do you not see my daughter the King of glory whom I see? Almighty God also laid his hand upon another Religious, who saw with her corporal eyes through the tears 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 clothed in white, having each one a crown of gold upon their head: but one of them appeared more beautiful, sumptuous, and glittering then the rest, having upon her head an imperial Crown garnished with precious stones, from whose countenance proceeded a light so shining, that it converted the obscurity of the night into clear and bright day, it being without doubt the most glorious virgin Mary, Queen of virgins, who came to the bed of the Espouse of her Son, to whom inclining she most graciously embraced her, and incontinently she was covered & the bed also by the other virgins with an extreme sumptuous mantle: so the day following, which was the eleventh of August, her holy soul ascended to heaven, there to be crowned with perpetual glory.  
Happy was her departure out of this miserable life, sith it was the entry into that of eternal felicity: for the fasts, which this Saint performed in this exile, she is now joyful, having her fill at the magnifical table of the Citizens of heaven; & for the humility and baseness of her habit, she is now gloriously attired with the glory of paradise. The continual sighs & desires, which she had for the presence and love of her dear beloved spouse, are accomplished by the blessed vision of God face to face, and by the assured fruition of the sovereign good: leaving the way open to the example of sanctity, that we blind and miserable mortal Creatures, rejecting these short, false, and deceitful pleasures of this world, may purchase the permanent, true, & assured delights that endure eternally.   

Of the honourable obsequies that were performed for Saint Clare.  
CHAP. XXVI.  
WHILE the soul of S. Clare departed this life, the report of her decease was incontinently diuulged through Assisium, from whence both men and women in such abundance speedily flocked to the monastery, that none seemed to be left in the City, each one presently esteeming her a Saint, call her the Espouse of jesus Christ, and accompanying their discourses with great abundance of tears of devotion. The officers of justice repaired thither accompanied with many warlike Champions, and a great number of armed men, which that night guarded the monastery, for fear that precious treasure might be bereaved them. The night following, the Pope with all his court came thither, accompanied withal the neighbour people.  
The Religious men of S. Damian being ready to begin the office of the dead, the Pope would have had said the office of the holy virgins, wherein he would have canonised her before her burial: but the Cardinal of Hostia having demonstrated unto him, that it was fitting in this affair to proceed with more humane prudence, the Pope permitted the said Religious solemnly to proceed in the office of the dead, according to their ordinary & accustomed manner.  
The said Cardinal having taken for his text, vanitas vanitatum, & omnia vanitas, made a very worthy and devout Sermon, to manifest the vanity of things appertaining only to this world, where he exceedingly exalted that most eminent contemner of vanities which ended, all the Cardinals and other Prelates accompanied her holy body with an exemplar devotion. All the funerals being very solemnly ended, than Citizens of Assisium thinking it not secure, that this precious treasure should remain so far out of their City, they caused her holy body with exceeding great pomp to be transported, singing psalms and Hymns with the sound & melody of diverse musical instruments, in a very solemn procession, carrying it into the Church of Saint George within their City, where the body of S. Francis had formerly been reposed. And it was very reasonable, that he, who in his life had given a pattern of the way of life unto this holy virgin, should as it were prophetically prepare her a place of sepulture.  
There was then a great repair and confidence of people from diverse Cities, towns, and villages unto Assisium, to thank jesus Christ, and to pray unto this blessed creature, proclaiming this holy virgin to be really a Saint & glorious, who now liveth in paradise with the Angels, having been already so much honoured of men upon earth. O blessed virgin pray now to God for us, & gain our souls to jesus Christ in heaven, as thou hast converted and gained so many living upon earth. The holy virgin passed this transitory life to the other of rest, the year of grace 1253. the tweluth of August, forty years after her perfect vocation to God, and the 60. year of her age. She was interred the 12. of August, upon which day her feast is solemnised at Assisium, and over all the holy Roman Church.   

Of the miracles wrought by the merits of S. Clare: and first of possessed persons that have been delivered.  
CHAP. XXVII.  
THE chiefest marks that saints can have, and the worthiest testimonies of faith and reverence, are sanctity of life, and the perfection of good works: for S. john Baptist wrought no miracles during his life, and yet they who have wrought many, shall not be esteemed more holy than he: and therefore the notable renown of the Religious life of Saint Clare, might suffice to make her appear such as she is, if the tepidity, coldness, and remissness of the world, &c partly also devotion did not otherwise require. But since this holy virgin was not only in her life-time by her merits swallowed up in the depth of divine illuminations, but was also after her death a marvellous splendour over 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 remain as testimonies, memory, & denunciation of her Sanctity: therefore also the multitude of them enforce me to recount some, that they may be generally diuulged & known.  
A Child called james, seeming not so sick as possessed, in regard that sometimes he cast himself into the fire, or into the river, fell rudely upon the ground, and with such fury did bite the stones, that he broke his teeth withal, forced blood out of his head, and wrested his mouth most strangely, yea sometimes would seem a monster, so doubling & folding his members, that his feet would be upon his neck. He was ordinarily twice in the day afflicted with the like torments in such sort, that two persons sufficed not to restrain him from tearing of his clothes, yea there was great difficulty to keep him from murdering of himself▪ Physician's having in vain laboured to cure him, at length his Father named Guidalote had recourse to the merits of S▪ Clare, affectionately saying: O holy Virgin honoured of the world, to thee I address myself, beseeching thee to obtain of God my Son's health: then full of confidence he conducted him to the sepulchre of this Saint, & laid him thereupon, and he presently miraculously obtained the favour he desired, his Son being perfectly cured of all his infirmities, & was never troubled after.  
Alexandrina a woman of the town of Frata, near to Perusia, was possessed and tormented with an abominable devil, to whose power she was so left, that he made her to fly as a bird to the top of a rock near to the river of Tibur, then made her descend to a branch of a tree that did hang over the said river, them to hang upon that branch, there playing her idle pranks. This woman had half her body utterly benumbed, for which the Physicians could find no remedy: at length she came with great devotion to the shrine of Saint Clare, and invocating her merits she was cured of all her afflictions; having also the gout in her left hand, her body half paralytical was cured, and withal she was entirely freed from the oppression and servitude of the devil.  
Another woman of the same place was cured before the said sepulchre, who was in like sort possessed with the devil, & had withal many other grievous infirmities.   

Of many that were miraculously cured of diverse diseases.  
CHAP. XXVIII.  
A French Youth, going to Rome in company of other his Countrymen, fell sick & lay by the way, losing through the force of his infirmity his sense and speech, and his body became deformed as it were a monster, than became he so furious, that he could not be held, so that he seemed ready to dye▪ which spectacle did not only move his companions to compassion, but did also exceedingly terrify them: and therefore they bond him to a beer, & carried him to the Church of S. Clare; where having placed him before her sepulchre, they applied themselves all to prayer, invocating the help of God and of the Saint, who made such intercession for the young man, that he was in an instant entirely cured.  
A man of the City of Spoletuns called Valentine, was exceedingly afflicted with the falling sickness, in which he fell six times a day in whatsoever place he was, and beside he had one foot so wrested awry, that he was utterly latned: he was brought upon an ass to the sepulchre of S. Clare, where having remained two days & three nights, the third day attempting to move his lame foot, and none being near him, he made such a noise, that being heard by some a far off, they seemed to hear 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 Son of a woman of Spoletum called Iames of twelve years old being blind, could not go without a guide: and being once forsaken of him who conducted him, he fell into a pit, broke one of his arms, and hurt his head. The night following sleeping by the bridge of Varue, a woman appeared unto him, and said: james, 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 have heard of a Lady lately dead in the City of Assisium, at whose sepulchre God worketh by her merits many miracles: which the blind youth having heard, he left the two other blind men, and with a strong confidence hastened 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 recovering his sight, and made him hasten in time to arrive at the Church of S. Clare, where finding it so filled with people that he could not enter, was greatly troubled.  
But seeing no remedy, he rested at the door, and there remained till the evening, where this poor blind youth being weary with his journey, and afflicted that he could not enter into the Church, settled himself the best he could to rest upon the ground, laying his head against a great stone, and so slept, and presently the third time he heard the said voice, speaking: Iames, God will do thee good, if thou canst enter, and incontinently a waking out of that sleep, he began to cry, and beg of the people with abundance of tears to permit him to enter, which having a long time continued, they gave him place, & having disclothed himself, putting his girdle about his neck, he went to the sepulchre of the Saint, before which with great reverence and humility her fell upon his knees, and having persisted sometime in prayer, beseeching S. Clare to intercede for him, he fell into a gentle slumber, wherein S. Clare appeared unto him, and said, Arise Iames, for thou art already cured, and being awaked, and raised upon his feet, the defect of his sight left him, & by the virtues and merits of this Saint he clearly saw; for which he glorified God, and gave him thanks for so admirable a work, exhorting all people present to do the like, & to praise our Redeemer jesus Christ in this his holy servant.   

Of the lame and paralytics cured by Saint Clare.  
CHAP. XXIX.  
A Citizen of Perusia called john-martin de Buoni, went one time with many other Citizens out of the City to fight against their enemies of Fullinium: the skirmish being ended, john found his hand exceedingly hurt with the blow of a flint stone▪ and the bone being broken he was thereby maimed: and having been at extreme cost for the cure thereof, yet without any remedy, but still enforced to carry his arm in a scarf, he always complained thereof as of a desperate may me, & asked Counsel about cutting off his hand; but having one day heard speech of marvellous things wrought by almighty God at the intercession of S. Clare, he with a strong faith vowed to go to her sepulchre, whither arriving he very devoutly presented her a hand of wax, than fell upon his knees, & made his fervent prayer to God, that it would please his divine majesty, by the merits & intercession of that most holy virgin to cure him; the success was admirable, for before this gentleman arose, he felt his hand entirely cured, for which he gave thanks to God & to the Saint.  
A young man likewise of Castrovitoli 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 thereby brought to such weakness, that in going he stooped with his face as it were upon the ground, & found great difficulty to walk, though with a staff in his hand to support him.  
His Father having already been exceedingly charged about his cure, continued yet in resolution to employ the residue of his substance out of his vehement desire to see his son cured. But the Physicians having assured him that there was no hope of cure by humane art, he had recourse to the new Saint, of whose virtue having heard much report, he caused his son to be carried thither where the Relics of Saint Clare reposed. And having made his prayers by her sepulchre, he recovered his former health, and miraculously arose sound & straight, as if he had never endured infirmity, yea he ran, leapt, and praised God, & S. Clare, inducing all present to have greater faith and devotion towards her.  
In the town of Saint Quirice, within the Diocese of Assisium, a child of ten years old, having been borne lame, went so pitifully and painfully, that if he chanced to fall to the ground, he could not rise again, but with extreme difficulty.  
His mother had many times recommended him to S. Francis, yet found he no redress: but understanding afterwards, that the virgin Saint Clare was very famous for infinite miracles, which by her merits were wrought at her sepulchre, she caused her Son to be carried thither; & incontinently after that he had been there, his bones were settled in their places, & his members were cured: that which Saint Francis entreated by devout prayers would not grant, he referred to be obtained & impetrated by the merits of his disciple S. Clare.  
A Citizen of Eugubium called james le France, had a Son of five years old so lame, that he could not go, which he very impatiently supported, seeming to him that the torment of his child was a reproach unto his honour and family.  
When this child was upon the ground, he would wallow & creep in the dust in that sort to go, and if he would stay himself against any thing to arise, he could not, for vature had given him only a desire, but no force or ability thereunto. But his Father and Mother consulted to make a vow for him, and to offer him to the merits of Saint Clare, to whom they promised, that being cured he should be called hers. The vow being made, the espouse of jesus Christ cured this child, who began so well to go, that without any help he went to the sepulchre of the said Saint.  
A woman of Castle- Menarie, called Plenaria, had been long time benumbed, in such sort as she could not go without a staff, but causing herself to be carried to the sepulchre of Saint Clare, and having there devoutly offered her prayers, the day following obtained, what she with faith demanded, so that he returned home upon her own feet, who came thither supported by the feet of others.  
A woman of Perusia had a swelling upon her cheek, which tormented her a long time, and beside had all over her body many ringworms and tetters; she had also her neck greater 〈◊〉 her head & often thinking on S. Clare, she one day went to her Church, where with great devotion and a true faith she made her prayers: & continuing by her sepulchre till even within night, she fell into a great sweet, whereby the swelling began to wax dry and to shrink, and so by little and little she was so perfectly cured, that there remained no show of any scar.   

How two children were by Saint Clare rescued, and preserved from the rage of wolves.  
CHAP. XXX.  
THE valley of Spoletum was accustomed to be much afflicted with wolves, which did often prey there upon man's flesh. There dwelled a woman called Bonna, upon the mount Galion, within the diocese of Assisium, who having two children, had scarce ended her lamentations for the one which the wolves had devoured, but whiles she was busied in her house they carried away the other.  
The wolf carried the child to the top of a mountain & grappled it by the throat, whilst a labourer in the vineyards hearing the pitiful cry of the child called the mother, and admonished her to have care of her Son, in regard he heard a crying voice like to his: the woman not finding her Son, presently believed that the wolves had seized upon him, and therefore began to raise her lamentations towards heaven, devoutly invocating the help of Saint Clare in these terms: O blessed S. Clare have compassion upon me miserable woman, and restore me my child. Hear if thou please the prayers of an infortunate mother, and permit me not to continue in this rigorous desolation. Whiles this poor woman so recommended her distress to S. Clare, her neighbours furnished with weapons, hastened after the ravening wolf, and coming to the top of the said mountain, they found that he had left the child wounded in the throat, whose wounds a dog was licking, & so the child was safely recovered by the merits of S. Clare, who was invocated by his mother, to whom he was brought, and was incontinently restored to perfect health.  
A little girl of the town of Canary, being about noon abroad in the field, where she did some service to another woman, there came a wolf, which being taken by the girl but for a dog, he leapt upon her neck, and took hold off her head. The other woman, and the mother of the girl there present ran after, and cried for help, invocating Saint Clare: & it was admirable to hear that the child being in the teeth of the wolf reprehended him, saying, Thou thief, how canst thou carry me further I being recommended to that holy virgin? The wolf as daunted with those words, gently set the girl upon the ground, & as a thief found & taken in the fact, he fled: & the girl returned without any hurt unto her mother.   

How diverse were delivered from drowning and danger of sea, having invocated S. Clare.  
CHAP. XXXI.  
A Ship 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 thereof leaked the bottom of the vessel, which made apparent to all therein, that they were in most evident danger of shipwreck: wherefore they began to invocate the Queen of heaven, and many other Saints to assist them. At length perceiving no appearance of their life's safety, they addressed themselves to S. Clare, and vowed to her, that if by her intercession they were delivered, they would go all naked to their very shirts, with their girdles about their neck, to visit her sacred Relics at Assisium, each of them carrying a wax light of two pound in their hands. This vow being made, they saw three great lights descend from heaven, the one whereof settled upon the forepart of the ship, another upon the poop, and the third upon the pump, by the virtue whereof the leaks where the water did enter was closed up, and the sea became so quiet and calm, that with a gracious wind the vessel was accompanied and safely conducted by the said lights to the port of Arestan, where being arrived and landed, and the merchandise all safely put upon shore, the said lights vanished, and (which was admirable) the ship presently sunk, and was cast away: they which went out of her, acknowledging the miracle, and at their return to Pisa devoutly accomplished their vow, yielding infinite shanks to almighty God, and to the virgin S. Clare for the great benefit received by her intercession.   

How Saint Clare was canonised by the Pope Alexander the fourth.  
CHAP. XXXII.  
POPE Innocent the fourth lived so little time after the death of S. Clare, that he could not Canonize her. The holy Sea having been two years vacant, Alexander the fourth was chosen Pope, who being exceedingly devoted, & a friend to piety, protector of Religious, having heard true relation both of the miracles, which our Lord jesus Christ wrought for the glory of his holy servant, & of the renown of her virtues, which daily more and more diuulged themselves in the Church, knowing also that her Canonization was generally desired, his Holiness being also induced by the assurance of so many miracles, began therefore to treat in the Consistory of her Canonization.  
Wherein to proceed more maturely, there were elected prudent and virtuous men to examine the said miracles, & the irreprehensible life of the Saint: which being done, and this holy virgin being found, & proved to have been in her life an unspotted mirror of all virtues, and to have been ennobled of Almighty God after her death by true and approved miracles, the day of her Canonization was appointed, when were present with his Holiness many Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, other Prelates, and a great number of Priests and Religious with infinite noble men, Gentlemen and others, each in their degree & quality, before whom the Pope proposed this sacred affair, demanding the opinion of the Prelates▪ who with one accord gave consent, and affectionately besought that the said Saint might be canonised in the Church, as jesus Christ had glorified her in heaven. In this sort then, three years after her happy decease, Pope Alexander caused her solemnly to be enroled in the Catalogue of Saintes, ordaining her feast to be celebrated with solemnity in the Church the 12. of August. This Canonization was performed the year of grace 1255. and the first of the reign of the Pope, to the praise and glory of our Redeemer jesus Christ.  
here endeth the life, and miracles of the glorious virgin S. Clare.    

THE LIFE OF S. AGNES SISTER TO S. CLARE  

How S. Agnes was by the holy F. S. Francis sent to Florence, there to build a monastery.  
CHAP. I.  
THE virgin & espouse of our Redeemer jesus Christ, Agnes, & true companion of Saint Clare, aswell in blood, as in virtue & Religion, persevered & persisted in notable sanctity of life in the monastery of S. Damian: & from the time of her entrance into Religion, even to her death, she always wore a very rough haircloth next her tender skin. Her ordinary refection was almost always bread and water, being naturally very pitiful to every one. S. Francis finding this virgin to have obtained of God, by means & assistance of her sister, a worthy perfection, he sent her to Florence, there to found a new Monastery of poor Sisters called mount Caeli, whereof Saint Francis made her Abbess.  
This holy virgin induced many souls to abandon the world, and to serve jesus Christ, which she did by means of her pious conversation, & sanctity of life, by holy discourses, and words of God, that sweeetly flowed out of her mouth: and as a perfect contemner of transitory things, & follower of jesus Christ, she planted in this monastery (conformably to the desire of the holy Father Saint Francis, & of S▪ Clare) the observance, & profession of evangelical poverty: but being exceedingly grieved with the absence of her sister, she wrote this letter following unto her, and to all the Religious of the monastery of S. Damian, wherein she had received her education, and spiritual nurture.   

A copy of the Letter, which S. Agnes wrote to her sister S. Clare, and to all the other sisters of the monastery of S. Damian.  
CHAP. II.  
TO the venerable & beloved Mother in our Lord Christ jesus, Clare, and to all her Covent, humble sister Agnes, the least of the disciples of jesus Christ & of yours, commendeth herself unto you all, and prostrate at your feet, doth yield you all submission and devotion, wishing unto you what is most precious from the most high King of Kings. To the end that all nature, which hath been created of God, do acknowledge itself to be such, as it cannot persist of itself in it own essence, the divine providence most prudently permitteth, that when any one esteemeth himself to be in prosperity, then is he drowned & plunged in adversities. This I tell you my most dear mother, that you may know, what affliction and extreme heaviness possesseth my spirit, being so tormented, that hardly can I speak: and this because I am corporally separated from you and my holy sisters, with whom I hoped to have happily lived, and died in this world. So far is this my grief from slacking, that it continually increaseth, which as it had a beginning, so do I believe it will find no end in this world, for it is so continual, and familiar unto me, that I greatly fear it will never forsake me.  
I was persuaded that life and death should be a like, without power of any separation upon earth, amongst them, who have one same conversation and life in heaven, & must have one same sepulture: them I say, whom one same, equal natural profession, and one same love hath made sisters. But so far as I can see, being abandoned and afflicted on each side, I am much mistaken. O my holy sisters, I beseech you to be reciprocally grieved with me, & let us weep together, being assured, that you shall never experience any dolour comparable to that which I now feel, in being separated from them, with whom jesus Christ had conjoined me. This grief tormenteth me incessantly, this fire burneth my heart continually, so that being on each side afflicted, I know not what to think, neither doth any hope remain, but to be assisted by your prayers, that Almighty God easing this affliction, may make it tolerable unto me.  
O my most gracious Mother, what shall I do, and what shall I say, sith I know not that ever I shall see you more, or likewise my sisters? O that it were lawful for me to utter unto you the conceits of my soul, as I would desire, or that I could open my heart unto you upon this paper: then should you see the lively and continual dolours that torment me: my soul burneth interiorly, being afflicted with an incessant fire of love; and my heart groaneth, sigheth, and lamenteth with desire of your presence: mine eyes cannot have their fill of weeping; and albeit I seek for some consolation against this bitterness, yet can I find none▪ but every thing turneth into grief, & much more, when I consider the means to see you. I am entirely steeped in these anguishs, having none that can comfort me in this life, but that I receive a little consolation from the liberal hand of our Saviour jesus Christ, which causeth me to beseech you all to give thanks unto his divine majesty, for this favour and mercy extended, towards me, & for that through his grace, I find such concord peace, and charity in this Covent, as by words cannot be expressed; these sisters having received me with exceeding love & devotion, yielding me Obedience, with extraordinary promptitude & reverence.  
They all with one accord recommend themselves to our Lord jesus Christ, & to you my Sister, & to all the sisters of the monastery: & I recommend myself & them to your holy prayers, beseeching you as a mother to be mindful of them, & of me, as of your daughters: & know you that they & I, will all the days of our life, observe & keep your holy precepts and advertisements. Besides I desire you should know, that the Pope hath accorded to whatsoever I demanded of him, conformably to your intention & mine, & particularly in the matter you know; to wit, that we may not possess any thing proper. I beseech you my most dear mother, to procure of the Reverend Father General, that he often visit us, to comfort us in God, whose grace be with your spirit. Amen.   

Of an ecstasy of S. Agnes; and how S. Clare saw her thrice crowned by an Angel.  
CHAP. III.  
SAINT Clare in her last sickness obtained, that her sister Saint Agnes might come to see her in the monastery of S. Damian, to keep her company during the few days she had to live: & so S. Agnes hauing left her Covent, well grounded in Religion & sanctity, she came to Assisium, where Saint Clare being one night in prayer apart from her sister, she nevertheless saw her, being also in prayer, lifted from the earth, & an Angel to crown her thrice with so many several crowns. The day following she demanded of her sister, what prayer or contemplation she had made the night past: but she of humility unwilling to manifest her prayer, being at length enforced by Obedience, made her this relation: I considered the great goodness, and patience of Almighty God, whereby he supporteth such enormous offences of sinners; which I considered with a deep sorrow and compassion: then I thought, and yet do think of the love, which almighty God beareth to sinners, & how he endured death to save them thirdly I considered, & do consider, & am with compassion exceedingly afflicted for the souls in purgatory, & their great torments, & because they cannot help themselves, I asked mercy for them of the most sacred wounds of our Redeemer jesus Christ.   

How S. Agnes sent S. Clares veil to the monastery of Florence, and of her death and translation to Saint George in Assisium, with all her Religious into a new Covent.  
CHAP. FOUR  
AFTER the death of S Clare, Saint Agnes sent her black veil, which she did ordinarily wear, to the poor Religious of Mount Cae●i, which she had founded at Florence, which she did, in regard of her great amity towards them, and that they might inherit some Relics of S. Clare for their comfort and devotion, That veil is yet in the said monastery, where it is so carefully preserved, that in substance and colour it seemeth still new. There is likewise to be seen in the same monastery a cloak of S. Francis, by which Relics our Lord worketh many miracles. A little after the death of S. Clare, S. Agnes also desired to be present at the marriage of the lamb, whither she was invited: but she first received the consolation, which S. Clare had promised her, that before she departed out of this life, she should see her Spouse jesus Christ, as a taste of the eternal felicities, whereto she was to be elevated, & conducted by her sweet spouse Christ jesus. She died the 56, year of her age, replenished with perfect sanctity; and being delivered out of this prison, she went to possess the Kingdom with Angels, and the holy virgins, that had been consecrated to jesus Christ, in which glory these two sisters, & daughters of Zion, companions in heaven by nature & grace, do praise God without end.  
There assembled a great multitude of people upon the death of S. Agnes, and they with great devotion ascended with a ladder the monastery of Saint Damian, hoping thereby to receive some spiritual consolation of sanctity, but it happened that the chain which held the ladder did slip, so that all those, who were upon it, fell down one upon another, which made a great noise and clamour by those who were hurt; & having with a strong faith invocated S. Agnes, were all cured. The said holy virgin was interred at S. Damian, but afterwards was transported into the Church of S George, where she still remaineth together with her sister in Assisium, by the which Church the Citizens have builta fair monastery entitled Saint Clare, whither were afterward removed the Religious sisters of S. Damian: which was done to prevent many inconveniences, that might arrive unto the being without the City. The said Religious brought from S Damian many Relics, and particularly the Crucifix, which spoke to S. Francis, at the beginning of his conversion, which is extant in the said monastery of S. Clare: and the Friars Minors are at S. Damian.   

Of many miracles wrought by Almighty God, through the merits of S. Agnes.  
CHAP. V.  
A Girl of Perusia had a cankered fistula in her throat, who having devotion to S. Agnes, visited her sepulchre. The Religious there having vnbound her sore, at the entry of the Covent & then having with a strong faith ' offered her prayers, she arose sound, and returned to her house exceedingly comforted, yielding thanks to God, and to his servant.  
There was a Religious sister at our Lady of Angels of Perusia, who had a mortal sore in her breast, which the Physicians had judged to be incurable; in it there were three holes, so that the Religious women exhorted her to bear this affliction with patience, as proceeding from the hand of God, and to conform herself to his divine will. This diseased sister being always of mind to recommend herself to S. Agnes, kneeling one day before the Altar, she with much devotion commended herself to the holy servant of God, demanding of her redress of her infirmity, wherewithal falling falling into a gentle and sweet slumber, Saint Agnes appeared unto her, and with her hand touched her mortal wound, with which visitation she was sweetly comforted, and cured; and at her awaking finding herself sound, she gave infinite thanks to God, & to her advocate S. Agnes.  
Another Religious woman of the monastery of Venice, had an imposthume in her breast, which was opened by the Physicians, & found so dangerous, that they allotted her a very little time to live. This poor sister therefore in this diftresse, recommended herself to the two sisters, S. Clare and Saint Agnes, and about midnight these two Saints, as most skilful physicians, brought boxes of most precious ointments, and accompanied with many virgins entered into the Infirmary, where this sick sister was, who were seen by many Religious, & drawing near to her bed, Saint Clare said unto her: Sister, Be you assured that you shallbe cured by the power & goodness of God, and by the merits of Saint Agnes. The sick Religious not knowing who spoke unto her, doubted of this revelation: & the Saints replied, that they were Physicians of Assisium: then Saint Agnes anointed the sores with the ointment she had brought, & so the vision disappeared, & the diseased sister was in such sort cured of her mortal wound, that no appearance remained thereof.  
Another Religious of the monastery of Saint Clavae in Assisium, had been for sixteen year together afflicted with such an infirmity, that the other Religious held her for a leper. This diseased creature besought S. Agnes to pray to the Virgin of heaven for her recovery. and this prayer being performed with a vow, the Religious was incontinently cured, & freed from all remainder of her infirmity.  
A Burgess of Assisium had been long time lame by the blow of a stone received upon his foot, and being hopeless of humane remedy, upon the feast of S. Agnes, he went so well as he could to her Church, and with strong faith and devotion fell upon his knees before her Altar. His prayer being ended, he arose sound, and lusty, which he recounted to many, and thanked almighty God for it.  
A Painter called Palmero being in a dangerous sickness, & by the physicians given over as dead, one night after his speech was lost, his brother expecting in his opinion his last breathing, was exceedingly disquieted, and coming to his bed side, and lamenting him as already dead, he fell upon his knees, addressed his prayers to S. Agnes, & with abundance of tears and great confidence made a vow, that if his Brother by her merits and intercession might be cured, so often as he painted her image, he would set a Crown of gold upon her head. This prayer and vow being ended, the sick party incontinently began to speak, as if he had awakened out of a profound sleep, and called for meat, and did hungerly eat, than arose from his bed, saying, that two Religious women came to visit him being in his agony, & reputed for dead, & that the same visitation had such force, as it left him perfectly cured, as he appeared.  
A woman of Assisium had a son of 12. years old that had an imposthume in his breast, where the canker was so increased, that it made it in such sort venomous, as it exceeded the Physician's skill to cure it: this woman having understood, that by the merits of Saint Agnes, Almighty God had cured such diseases, she commanded her son often to visit her sepulchre, and devoutly to recommend himself unto her: which he did in such sort, that approaching one evening so near her selpulcher, that his mortal sore touched the same, and there falling a sleep, he so remained till the next morning, when awaking he found himself entirely cured: for which having thanked God & his Saint, he returned to advertise his mother, affirming that S. Clare, and Saint Agnes appeared unto him in the night, and that S. Clare brought an ointment, where with Saint Agnes having anointed him, he was presently cured.   

Of possessed persons delivered by the merits of S. Agnes: and of certain other miracles.  
CHAP. VI  
THERE was a child of 12. years old in Assisium, who playing among other children, an unknown man gave him a green bean cod, which the boy opening, three of the beans fell to the ground, and the fourth only he did eat, yet so soon as he came home, he vomited extremely, than began to tumble, and furiously so behave himself, turning and rolling his eyes in his head in such sort, as it well appeared, that he endured extreme torment: and his gesture so terrified them who beheld him, that they judged him possessed: and therefore his Father, and many other of his kindred brought him the next morning to the Church of Saint Clare, where having offered their prayers for him, and invocated the intercession of S. Agnes, the child a little after began to cry, and bark as a dog, than cried out, Take heed, there are two Devils already gone out, say one Aue Maria, and the third willbe gone, which being presently done, the Devil withal left the child.  
A woman of Fullinium, being tormented with many wicked spirits, her Father and grandmother vowed to go with her to Assisium, to visit the sepulchre of S. Agnes, with faith and hope, that by her merits she should be delivered, & so this possessed woman remaining before the sepulchre of the Saint, from the ninth hour till evensong, she felt herself freed from the Devils that possessed her. This was done upon the feast of S. Francis▪ the kindred of this delivered woman offered an image of wax weighing two pounds, to the sepulchre of the Saint, in acknowledgement of the grace and favour received.  
A man of Perusia with a continual fever had in his body an imposthume, whereof the physicians gave their judgement, he would in short time end his days; wherefore a woman called Celiola, admonished him to recommend himself to Saint Agnes, and to vow the visiting of her sepulchre; which having done, and his prayers ended, his infirmity ended withal, being cured both of the one, & the other disease; for which not being ungrateful, he visited the said sepulchre, & every where preached the praises of the holy virgin, giving thanks to Almighty God for such a favour.  
A Religious woman of the monastery of S. Clare in Assisium, had lost the sight of one eye, & was in danger to lose the other, but finding that no humane application did avail her, she recommended herself to Saint Agnes, and the other Religious of her monastery also prayed for her, who as she one time prayed in the Church, saw a woman, that came to her and said: sister open your eye, for your sight is recovered: and so opening her eye she clearly saw, but she could no more see the woman that spoke unto her▪ only she was assured that it was S. Agnes, to whom she had heartily recommended herself.  
Vitula the wife of Matthew de Loupe at S. Francis gate in Assisium, had a son called Martin, that had a deep sore in his throat, and another in his shoulder, both mortal, whence issued such an offensive savour, that it was not possible to come near him. At length after many remedies had in vain been tried, his mother recommended him to S. Agnes, to whom having with a devout heart offered her prayers, the Saint one night appeared unto her richly attired with a diadem of gold upon her head, and a branch of Lily in her right hand, and said unto her: My daughter disquiet not thyself for thy son, for he shallbe cured, and delivered from peril; which this woman having heard, she arose full of comfort, and went to the monastery of S. Clare, & recounted this apparition to the Abbess and the Religious: then she heard Mass, which being ended, the Religious showed to the Mother and the Son the sacred Relics of the Saint, and at the instant her Son was cured of the imposthume in his throat only. After that, Saint Agnes appeared to him in vision, together with another woman, who brought a viol full of ointment Saint Agnes then said to the child, my Son how do you? whereto he answered: I am by the merits of Saint Agnes cured of the imposthume in my throat, but that which is upon my shoulder procureth me extreme affliction. The Saint replied, I will cure this, as I did the other in thy throat: then she unbound the said impostume, took of the plaster, and cast it upon the ground; then applied thereto the ointment, which her companion had brought, and instantly the child was perfectly cured. When his mother came to see him, she found the plasters, upon the ground, and her Son sound and lusty, who particularly recounted unto her the said vision, which afterward was generally diuulged. This happened in the year 1350.  
The end of the life of Saint Agnes.    

THE LIFE OF ANOTHER S. AGNES, WHO WASDaughter to the King of Bohemia, and Religious of the Order of S. Clare.  

CHAP. I.  
IN the beginning of this Religious Order, there was another Virgin besides the precedent called Agnes, as illustrious in sanctity, as in blood, for she was daughter to the King of Bohemia, who promised her in marriage to the Emperor Fredrick: and this holy virgin having heard the worthy reputation of S. Clara who then lived, by such as came from Rome & Assisium, being inspired of God, she besought the King her Father, to give her leave, to serve rather a celestial than a terrestrial spouse. But the King knowing that he could not recall his word, & that whatsoever excuse he should allege to break this marriage, the Emperor would sinisterly interpret, he utterly denied her. Now the virgin having found the drift & cause of this denial, assured her Father, that if he would accord to whatsoever she demanded, she would undertake, the that Emperor should condescend thereunto, presuming confidently upon the favour of jesus Christ.  
She knew well to deliver herself from many other allegations with so good a grace, & with such persuasive terms that she purchased her Father's consent to what she desired, without further seeking, the approbation of the Emperor; whereupon this Princess presently sent for certain Friars Minors of Magnes, where they had a Covent, who coming to her, did shortly after consecrate unto God this Royal plant, with many other gentlewomen of great families in Bohemia, to whom they gave the habit of Religion, instructing them in the life and Rule of S. Clare. The King desiring to assign a good pension, & to bestow upon the Monastery where his daughter was, a good rerevenew, to supply the necessities thereof, she formally withstood him, purposing to live & dye poor, & to be maintained by alms, conformably to her rule, rigorously observing the intention of the holy Father Saint Francis, & Saint Clare, in the vow of poverty, which is yet to this day in the same manner observed in the said Monastery, which is in Prague, the chiefest City in the Kingdom of Bohemia: and this foundation laid by this holy Princess, hath always been furnished with gentlewomen.  
Now the Emperor understanding that his promised Love had abandoned the world, he was at the first apprehension exceedingly troubled; but considering with more maturity, that she had not forsaken him to take another man, but for jesus Christ himself, he was at length satisfied, contented, and comforted.  
S. Clare being advertised of all that this Princess had done, and of her life and perfection, who also had written, and expressly sent a messenger, to acknowledge obedience unto her, as to her mother & mistress, avouching herself her humble disciple; S. Clare answered her by a letter filled with much fervour and consolation, & sent her in token of amity, & good will, a girdle, a veil, a cup of wood, and a dish wherein the Saint herself accustomed to eat, & many like small things, which the holy Princess with great devotion accepted. Our Lord wrought many miracles by the said Relics, which ever afterward were kept in the said Monastery, with very great devotion and Reverence.  
The renown of this Princess being diuulged over all Germany, there were founded many monasteries of poor Religious in her imitation, which were filled with many daughters of Princes, Duke's, Earls, and other great Lords, and gentlemen of that Country, who in imitation of Saint Clare, & the said Princess Agnes abandoned the world, & the vanities thereof, and espoused, for eternity, jesus Christ, serving him alone in poverty, & in humility. This Saint Agnes of Bohemia being illustrated by many virtues & miracles, having assembled an infinite number of Religious in diverse Covents, & having persevered with them in all perfection of virtue, she left this transitory world, to take eternal possession of her glorious celestial Spouse Christ jesus, who honoured her, and made her blessed, as he hath manifested by many miracles, which he hath wrought by her great merits and intercessions. The Emperor Charles the fourth, who was also King of Bohemia, was two several times delivered from death by the intercession of this celestial Princess, & therefore at his death he enjoined his Son Wenceslaus, and successor to the Empire, to procure her Canonization, but he was hindered by important, and continual troubles and affairs, that disabled him to execute the pious and just desires of his Father.   

Of many other Religious, that flourished primitively in the Order of Saint Clare.  
CHAP. II.  
THERE was another holy Religious of the royal blood of Polonia called Salome, whose sanctity was manifested by by diverse miracles, which God wrought after her death. She by her merits delivered women from peril of death in travel of child, many lame were restored to the use of their limbs, blind recovered sight, and wounded persons were cured.  
A holy Religious of Milan, called Helena, flourished in great perfection of life in the monastery which was builded by the Seraphical Father S. Francis, and in which the blessed Father S. Antony of Milan yielded his spirit unto Almighty God. This holy Religious living in that place, after she had there obtained of God many virtues, she was tried by jesus Christ, and refined as gold in the furnace of afflictions; for she kept her bed deprived of all corporal force, yea and of her speech for fifteen years, during all which time, she ordinarily demonstrated by signs & gestures an exceeding great alacrity & joy in her heart.  
Our Lord revealed many things to this Saint, which she manifested to the Religious, who seriously recorded the same to be known to posterity. The said Religious being demanded how the sick Religious sister could make them understand those words, sith she could not speak, they answered that themselves then observed so strict a silence, that they opened their necessities by signs, which were well understood among them, for expressing whatsoever they desired to have known. And in this had they understood the said Saint, whose body for many years after, the said Religious sisters did show to such, as in devotion repaired to see it, remaining entiere, and incorruptible, yea her nails and hair did grow, as if she had been living.  
By her merits God wrought many miracles, and particularly upon the Lord marquis of Parma, who was of the family of Lupi called Boniface, who being in the anguish of death, his Lady making a vow to this Saint Helen for his health, it was perfectly restored unto him.  
In the beginning of the Order of Saint Clare, there was also a daughter of the King of Hungary called Cuiga, sister unto blessed S. Elizabeth the widow, who having taken the habit, & made profession of the rule of S. Clare, became so famous after the death of S. Elizabeth in sanctity and miracles, both during her life, and at her death, that her Canonization is treated of at Rome.   
FINIS.