The Well of Saint Clare

wn at the House of the Poor Brethren. He was black and bea

and so soon as they shall know the reality of things, they will be unhappy. For joy there is none but in illusion, and peace is only to be found in ignorance. And because I am the Master of such as study the nature of plants and animals, the virtue of stones, the secrets of fire, the courses of the stars and the influence of the planets, for this reason men have named me

hills and the cottage chimneys were smoking for the evening meal, the holy man Giovanni issued from out

joy and delight, because i

ni wending his way ho

g his black cloak over his head, he advanced along the high r

a veil, and when he had joined Fra Giovanni, he put

im who is your friend, and whom I

Giovanni

of Santa Maria degli Angeli. You may take that, lady; and I will go to-morrow and ask the nobleman to let me have another of the same we

k the cup

n to kiss your hand. For verily the han

vanni r

and it is not becoming I should look on you longer, seeing how danger is forever dogging the lonely man's steps. Wherefore suffer me now to leave you, commending you to God's care. And forg

an said

least of a guest-house, where

vanni r

dies of Our Lord. She who will welcome you is Clare, and indeed sh

an said

lterous woman, and I ha

Giovan

less worth than you, and your crimes are little compared with mine. Yet have I received greater favours of Heaven than have been

tan re

, and who has promised me, on handling this money, to kill traitorously a certain knight I hate, because when I offered my body to him, he scorned me. Well! the total was yet incomplete; but now the weight of your silver cup has made it up. So the alms you have given me w

pt, and drawing aside, he fell on his knees i

t be put beneath Thy feet, which were pierced with the nails, and be washed in Thy most precious blood. Distil on me and

my fled awa

able to tempt by reason