Chapter LXXIV. How by the power of his word he, through brother Sylvester, drove devils out of Arezzo

108. Not only were Francis' words effectual in his presence but sometimes when transmitted through others they did not return in vain. Accordingly he happened once to come to Arezzo at a time when that whole city was so shaken with intestinal war that its destruction seemed imminent. The man of God therefore lodged outside the city in a suburb, and beheld devils exulting over it and inflaming the citizens to their mutual destruction. So he called a brother, Sylvester by name, a godly man of worthy simplicity, and commanded him thus: "Go before the gate of the city, and on behalf of Almighty God command the devils to go out of it as speedily as possible". The simple and dutiful brother hastened to obey, and, bespeaking the favour of the Lord by praise, he cried aloud before the gate: "On behalf of God, and by order of our father Francis, depart far hence, all ye devils! "Soon afterwards peace was restored to the city, and the laws of good government were observed in great tranquillity. And so afterwards blessed Francis opened his preaching to the citizens with these words: "I speak to you as to men formerly in subjection to the Devil, and in the bonds of demons, whom however now I know to have been set free by the prayers of a certain poor man".