Chapter C. Of the Temptation which he had Through Mice, Concerning which the Lord Consoled him, Certifying him of his Kingdom

Two years before his death, while he was at St. Damian in a certain cell made of reeds, and was very greatly afflicted 'by the infirmity of his eyes, so that for more than sixty days he was not able to see the light of day, or even the light of the fire, it happened, by the Divine permission., that so many mice came into his cell for the increase of his affliction and of his merit, that they, running about over him in that cell by day and by night, allowed him neither to pray nor to remain quiet, nay, when he was eating they climbed up on his table, and worried him very much. Whence it appeared manifest both to himself and to his fellows, that it was a diabolical temptation. The blessed man therefore, seeing himself to be punished with so many afflictions, on a certain night, moved with compassion, said within himself, "Lord, look down on my infirmities in my help, that I may be able to bear them patiently." And immediately it was said to him in the spirit, "Tell me, my brother, if any one should give to thee for these thy infirmities and tribulations so great and precious a treasure, that if the whole earth should be compared to it, it would be nothing in respect of that great treasure; would you not rejoice greatly? "And blessed Francis answered, "O Lord, great would be that treasure and very precious, and much admirable and desirable." And he heard again One saying unto him, "Therefore, brother, rejoice and be glad in thy infirmities and tribulations; and for the rest hold thyself as secure as if thou wert now in My king dom." And rising early, he said to his companion, "If the Emperor should give to any slave a whole kingdom; ought not that slave to rejoice greatly? If he should give his whole empire to him, ought he not much more to rejoice? "And he said to them, "Therefore I should rejoice greatly in my in firmities and tribulations, and be strong in the Lord, and always give thanks to God the Father and to His only Son our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the Holy Spirit, for such grace given me by the Lord, namely, that He has deigned to certify me His unworthy servant, yet living in the flesh, of His kingdom. Whence I wish to make to His praise and to our consolation and to the edification of our neighbour a new Praise of the Creatures of the Lord, which we daily use and without which we cannot live, and in whom the human race much offends their Creator; and we are continually ungrateful for so much grace and benefit, not praising God, the Creator and Giver of all things, as we ought. And sitting down, he began to meditate a little, and afterwards he said, "Most high, omnipotent good Lord," etc. And he sang a song over this, and taught his fellows to say and sing it. For his spirit was then in so great consolation and sweetness; that he wished to send for Brother Pacifico, who in the world used to be called the King of Verses, and was a truly courteous teacher of singers, and he wished some friars to be given to him that they should go together with him through the world preaching and singing praises of the Lord. For he said that he wished that he who knew how to preach best among them should first preach to the people, and after the preaching they should all sing together the praises of the Lord like minstrels of the Lord. But when the praises were finished, he wished that the preacher should say to the people, "We are the minstrels of the Lord, and for these things we wish to be paid by you, that is, that you should remain in true penitence." And he said, "For what are the servants of the Lord but His minstrels, who should raise the hearts of men and move them to spiritual joy." And this he used to say specially of the Friars Minor, who were given to the people of God for their welfare.