return, reproved him for his secret sin against the rule of holy
poverty. A novice, standing before him, was tempted with thoughts of
pride on account of his birth: the saint discovered what passed in his
soul, and bid him make the sign of the cross on his breast.

When Belisarius, the emperor's general, was recalled to Constantinople,
Totila, the Arian king of the Goths, invaded and plundered Italy. Having
heard wonders of the sanctity of St. Bennet, and of his predictions and
miracles, he resolved to try whether he was really that wonderful man
which he was reported to be. Therefore, as he marched through Campania,
in 542, he sent the man of God word that he would pay him a visit. But
instead of going in person, he dressed one of his courtiers, named
Riggo, in his royal purple robes, and sent him to the monastery,
attended by the three principal lords of his court, and a numerous train
of pages. St. Bennet, who was then sitting, saw him coming to his cell,
and cried out to him at some distance: "Put off, my son, those robes
which you wear, and which belong not to you." The mock king, being
struck with a panic for having attempted to impose upon the man of God,
fell prostrate at his feet, together with all his attendants. The saint,
coming up, raised him with his hand; and the officer returning to his
master, related trembling what had befallen him. The king then went
himself, but was no sooner come into the presence of the holy abbot, but
he threw himself on the ground and continued prostrate till the saint,
going to him, obliged him to rise. The holy man severely reproved him
for the outrages he had committed, and said: "You do a great deal of
mischief, and I foresee you will do more. You will take Rome: you will
cross the sea, and will reign nine years longer: but death will overtake
you in the tenth, when you shall be arraigned before a just God to give
an account of your conduct." All which came to pass as St. Benedict had
foretold him. Totila was seized with fear, and recommended himself to
his prayers. From that day the tyrant became more humane; and when he
took Naples, shortly after, treated the captives with greater lenity
than could be expected from an enemy and a barbarian.[11] When the
bishop of Canusa afterwards said to that saint, that Totila would leave
Rome a heap of stones, and that it would be no longer inhabited, he
answered "No: but it shall be beaten with storms and earthquakes, and
shall be like a