gate of the town, and standing before it, order the devils, in the
name of the Almighty God, and in virtue of obedience, instantly to
retire." Sylvester, who was a man of extraordinary simplicity, praising
God beforehand for what was about to happen, went as fast as possible,
and cried out with all his might: "All you devils who are here, begone,
go far from hence. It is in the name of God and of His servant, Francis,
that I call upon you to go." At this very moment the citizens, who
were on the point of flying to arms, came to an understanding on the
points which were in dispute, and peace was restored to the town. On
which St. Bonaventure remarks, that the obedience and humility of
Francis had obtained for him that absolute power over the proud spirits
who fear and fly from the sublime virtue of the humble.

It became known in Arezzo who the author was of so sudden a
reconciliation, because the words which had been spoken by Sylvester
had been heard. Francis was sought for and brought into the town in
a sort of triumph, notwithstanding the efforts he made to escape from
this honor. He preached in the great square on the love of peace, and
on the means of preserving it; pointing out to them that dissensions
and quarrels came from, and are promoted by, the evil spirit. The
magistrates entertained him at the town-house, and had a convent built
for his Order according to his wishes, that is to say, according to
holy poverty; in which he placed some worthy subjects who had presented
themselves to him. A child was brought to him who was quite distorted;
he took it into his arms, and it forthwith became straight. This
miracle, and several others which he performed during his stay, proved
that God had given him as much power over bodily complaints as over
the evil spirits.

From Arrezo he bent his steps to Florence, preaching with great success