e over the chasm, which you may see to this day, and entered
into St. Francis's cell. There he found him in ecstasy, saying, 'Who art
Thou, O most sweet, my God? What am I, most vile worm, and Thine
unprofitable servant?' Again and again brother Leo heard him repeat
these words, and wondering thereat, he lifted his eyes to the sky, and
saw there among the stars, for it was dark, a torch of flame very
beautiful and bright, which, coming down from the sky, rested on St.
Francis's head. So, thinking himself unworthy to behold so sweet a
vision, he softly turned away for to go to his cell again. And as he
was going softly, deeming himself unseen, St. Francis was aware of him
by the rustling of the leaves under his feet. Surely, even to the most
doubtful, that sound of the rustling leaves must bring conviction. Then
St. Francis explains to brother Leo all that this might mean.

"And as he thus continued a long time in prayer, he came to know that
God would hear him, and that so far as was possible for the mere
creature, so far would it be granted him to feel the things
aforesaid.... And as he was thus set on fire in his contemplation on
that same morn, he saw descend from heaven a Seraph with six wings
resplendent and aflame, and as with swift flight the Seraph drew nigh
unto St. Francis so that he could discern him, he clearly saw that he
bore in him the image of a man crucified; and his wings were in such
guise displayed that two wings were spread above his head, and two were
spread out to fly, and other two covered all his body. Seeing this, St.
Francis was sore adread, and was filled at once with joy and grief and
marvel. He felt glad at the gracious look of Christ, who appeared to him
so lovingly, and gazed on him so graciously; but, on the other hand,
seeing Him crucified upon the cross, he felt immeasurable grief for
pity's sake.... Then the whole mount of Alvernia appeared as though it
burned with bright shining flames that lit up all the mountains and
valleys round as though it had been the sun upon the earth; whereby the
shepherds that were keeping watch in these parts, seeing the mountains
aflame, and so great a light around, had exceeding great fear, according
as they afterwards told unto the brothers, declaring that this flame
rested upon the mount of Alvernia for the space of an hour and more. In
like manner at the bright shining of this light, which through the
windows lit up the hostels of the country round, c