Chapter LXXII. Of the swords which brother Pacifico saw glittering in the Saint's mouth

106. There was in the March of Ancona a certain layman forgetful of himself and ignorant of God, who had altogether sold himself to vanity. He was known as "the King of Verses," because he was the chief of those who sang of wantonness, and a composer of worldly songs. To be brief, worldly glory had raised him up so high, that he had been crowned with great pomp by the Emperor. So while thus walking in darkness he was "drawing iniquity with cords of vanity," the Divine Compassion pitied the wretched man and determined to call him back, that the outcast might not perish. By God's providence blessed Francis and he met at a certain monastery of poor nuns. The blessed father, with his companions, had come thither with his brethren to see his spiritual daughters, the layman, with many boon-companions, to see a kinswoman of his. And the hand of the Lord was upon him, and he beheld with his bodily eyes S. Francis signed as with a cross with two glittering swords, one of which went from his head to his feet, the other across his breast from one hand to the other. (He did not know blessed Francis before, but when he was indicated by so great a miracle, recognised him immediately.) Abashed at the sight, he began to purpose better things — at least, in the distant future. But the blessed father, after first preaching to all generally, turned the sword of God's word against this man, for he took him aside and admonished him gently concerning the vanity of the age and contempt of the world, and then pierced his heart by the threat of God's judgments. He answered forthwith: "What need is there for more words? Let us come to deeds. Take me away from men, and restore me to the great Emperor." Next day the Saint vested him, and named him brother "Pacifico," for that he had been brought back to the peace of God. And by how much the greater had been the crowd of his vain companions, by so much the more numerous were they who were edified by his conversion. Brother Pacifico, rejoicing in the company of the blessed father, began to perceive unctions he had never perceived before: for he was allowed a second time to see what was veiled from others, inasmuch as not long afterwards he beheld on blessed Francis' forehead a great sign Tau * which with variegated circles displayed the beauty of the peacock.

^he last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the old form of which was a cross. See Ezek. ix. 4 (Vulgate).