Chapter LXIV. Of his mental extasy

98. Many a time he was caught up out of himself, and hung in such rapture of contemplation that he could disclose to none that which he experienced, transcending human sense: an instance, however, which once became known, makes clear to us how often he was absorbed in the celestial sweetness. He was riding on an ass at a time when he must needs pass through Borgo S. Sepolcro, and as he intended to rest at a certain lepers' house, it became known to many that the man of God was to pass by. Men and women flocked from all sides to see him, desiring with their wonted devotion to touch him. What then? They handled him, they pulled him along, and cut off little bits from his tunic to put away. He seemed insensible to it all, and heeded what was going on as little as a corpse. At length he and his company-reached their destination, and having long since left Borgo S. Sepolcro, the contemplator of heavenly things (as though coming back from elsewhere) anxiously inquired when they would be getting near Borgo?