Letter (number unidentified). FRAGMENT OF A LETTER TO FATHER GRACIAN, Probably July, 1578

FRAGMENT OF A LETTER TO FATHER GRACIAN

Distress on account of Father Gracians sufferings.

. . . The Discalced friars having . . . they owe to them. All in this house commend themselves earnestly to you. I am not astonished at the sand:ity people say you possess: I should be astonished if you did not, considering the prayers that are offered for you by such good people as I believe your daughters are. But what troubles our Lord has sent us with these changes of superiors and the fears I feel ! I assure you that . . . all is wearisome and the other would have been rest. Blessed be God, Who is pleased that our life should be so spent. The life your Paternity leads me is very painful:

God forgive you for such days of suffering as you have cost me with your fevers and the hemorrhage, which they say has been very severe. I do not know why you did not tell me of it. I own, my Father, that it tries me so that I do not know how I manage to speak a pleasant word to you, for though. . .