relief.

So many fatigues at the length overwhelmed nature, and he fell sick
himself of a fever, so violent, and so malignant, that he was blooded
seven times in a little space, and was three days in a delirium. At the
beginning of his sickness, many were desirous to have withdrawn him from
the hospital, where the contagion was frightful, and offered him their
own lodgings. He constantly refused their offers, and told them, "That,
having made a vow of poverty, he would live and die amongst the poor."

But when the violence of his distemper was somewhat abated, the saint
forgot himself to think on others. Sometimes, not being able to sustain
his body, and burning with his fever, he visited his dear patients, and
attended them as much as his weakness would permit him. The physician
having one day met him, going hither and thither as his charity called
him, in the middle of his fit, after having felt his pulse, plainly told
him, that in all the hospital, there was not one man in more danger than
himself, and prayed him that he would take some small repose, and but
give himself a breathing time until his fever were on the declension.

"I will punctually obey you," replied the father, "when I have satisfied
one part of my duty which calls upon me; it concerns the salvation or a
soul, and there is no time to be lost on such an occasion." Immediately
he ordered to be carried to his own bed a poor ship-boy, who lay
stretched out on a little straw, with a burning fever upon him, without
speech or knowledge. The youth was no sooner placed upon the saint's bed,
but he came to himself: Xavier made use of the opportunity, and laying
himself by the sick person, who had led a most dissolute life, exhorted
him so strongly all that night to abominate his sins, and to rely on the
mercy of Almighty God, that he saw him die in great contrition, mixed