, because that prince
had married the wife of a relation whom he had killed. Raynerius, though
a sovereign, used to say, that neither the emperor nor any mortal on
earth could strike him with so much awe as Romuald's presence did. So
powerful was the impression which the Holy Ghost, dwelling in his
breast, made on the most haughty sinners. Hearing that a certain
Venetian had by simony obtained the abbey of Classis, he hastened
thither. The unworthy abbot strove to kill him, to preserve his unjust
dignity. He often met with the like plots and assaults from several of
his own disciples, which procured him the repeated merit, though not the
crown, of martyrdom. The pope having called him to Rome, he wrought
there several miracles, built some monasteries in its neighborhood, and
converted innumerable souls to God. Returning from Rome, he made a long
stay at Mount Sitria. A young nobleman addicted to impurity, being
exasperated at this saint's severe remonstrances, had the impudence to
accuse him of a scandalous crime. The monks, by a surprising levity,
believed the calumny, enjoined him a most severe penance, forbid him to
say mass, and excommunicated him. He bore all with patience and in
silence, as if really he had been guilty, and refrained from going to
the altar for six months. In the seventh month he was admonished by God
to obey no longer so unjust and irregular a sentence pronounced without
any authority and without grounds. He accordingly said mass again, and
with such raptures of devotion, as obliged him to continue long absorbed
in ecstasy. He passed seven years in Sitria, in his cell, in strict
silence, but his example did the office of his tongue and moved many to
penance. In bis old age, instead of relaxing, he increased his
austerities and fasts. He had three hair-shirts which he now and then
changed. He never would admit of the least thing to give a savor to the
herbs or meal-gruel on which he supported himself. If any thing was
brought him better dressed, he, for the greater self-denial, applied it
to his nostrils, and said: "O gluttony, gluttony, thou shalt never taste
this; perpetual war is declared against thee." His disciples also were
remarkable for their austere lives, went always barefoot, and looked
excessive pale with continual fasting. No other drink was known among
them but water, except in sickness. St. Romuald wrought in this place
many miraculous cures of the sick. At last, having settled his di