they reviled in their secret assemblies. In 1212 they feigned
submission, and had the daring to go to Rome, to solicit the approbation
of the Holy See for their sect, but they were rejected by the Pope,
and from that time were obstinate and incorrigible heretics.

Conrad, Abbot of Ursperg, who was at Rome when they came there in 1212
with Bernard their master, remarks that the Friars Minor were very
different from the false poor, practised poverty with sincerity, and
were free from all errors; that they went barefooted in winter, as
well as in summer; that they received no money, and lived wholly on
alms, and were in everything obedient to the Holy Apostolic See; an
obedience which will ever be a mark by which true virtue may be
distinguished from false.

Francis, finding himself protected by the Almighty, and authorized by
the Pope, acquired great confidence. He placed his most apostolical
Order under the immediate protection of the holy Apostle, whose tomb
he visited. He took leave of the Cardinals, John of St. Paul, and
Ugolini, whom he made acquainted with his intentions, and to whom he
expressed his great gratitude; then he took his departure from Rome
with his twelve companions, and bent his steps to the Valley of Spoleto,
there to practise and preach the Gospel.

On the way he conversed with them on the means of adhering faithfully
to the rule, and relative to the manner in which they should strive
to attain perfection, so that they might be examples to others. One
day the conference lasted so long, that the hour for their meal passed
by without their having stopped; finding himself tired, they went a
little out of the way to rest. They were very hungry, but they had no
means of satisfying their craving. There then came to them a man who