and left some of his brethren to continue the work of God. We shall
relate, at the end of his life, the great honors which were publicly
shown him,--honors which he received with the greatest humility, and
yet with the most generous sentiments.

The brethren whom he had dispersed in the other provinces of Italy,
and who partook of his apostolic spirit, labored on their part with
great zeal and success. They founded many establishments, and formed
many disciples, whom they sent to the holy Founder in order to receive
the habit of the Order from him.

They mention particularly what happened at Bologna to Bernard de
Quintavalle. As soon as he made his appearance, his extraordinary and
very poor habit made him looked upon as a person not worthy of notice.
He went to the great square in order to preach the truth of salvation,
and he went there several times without having collected an audience.
Children and idle people surrounded him; some pulled him by the hood,
others threw mud and stones at him; and he was daily assailed with
fresh outrages, which he bore with exemplary patience.

A lawyer, having noticed this, made his reflections on it, and it
occurred to him that his conduct might be attributed to virtue rather
than insensibility. One day, then, he came up to Bernard and asked him
who he was, and what he had come to do at Bologna. "You will know who
I am," replied Bernard, "if you will take the trouble to read what I
now offer you." It was the Rule of Francis, of which he had a copy,
and which he placed in his hand. The lawyer having read it with
astonishment, said to those who accompanied him: "I own I have never
seen anything so perfect or so heroic as this mode of life. Those who
ill-use this man are very criminal; he ought, on the contrary, to be