behind Saint Francis such a multitude of men and women saints who had followed his life that it seemed innumerable. As Saint Francis reached him, he said to the porter: "Let him enter because he is one of my brothers."

And as soon as he entered there he felt so much consolation and so much sweetness that he forgot all the troubles he had, as if they had never existed. Then Saint Francis led him inside, pointing out many wonderful things to him, and then said to him: "My son, you must return to the world and remain there for seven days, in which you must carefully prepare yourself, because after seven days I will come for you, and then you will come with me to this place of the blessed." And Saint Francis was covered with a wonderful mantle, decorated with the most beautiful stars; and his five stigmata were like five beautiful stars of such brightness that they lit up the whole palace with their rays. And Brother Bernard had on his head a crown of the most beautiful stars, and Brother Giles was adorned by a marvelous light. And he met many other holy brothers among them, whom he had not seen in the world. Then, given permission by Saint Francis, he returned, although unwillingly, to the world.

As he awoke and returned to himself, the brothers were ringing for Prime, so he had not been in that state except from matins to Prime, although it seemed to him to have been there many years. As he recounted this vision in detail to his Guardian, within seven days he began to have a fever, and on the eighth day Saint Francis came for him, according to his promise, with a great multitude of glorious saints and brought his soul to the kingdom of the blessed, to eternal life.

To the praise of Jesus Christ
and of the little poor man Francis.
Amen.

Chapter 27
HOW AT BOLOGNA SAINT FRANCIS CONVERTED TWO STUDENTS AND THEY BECAME BROTHERS; AND THEN HE LIFTED A GREAT TEMPTATION FROM ONE OF THEM

Once as Saint Francis arrived at the city of Bologna all the people of the city ran to see him; and it was such a great crowd that the people could reach the piazza only with great difficulty. As the whole piazza was filled with men, women and students, Saint Francis got up in the middle of the place, up high, and began to preach what the

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