s were too much the
children of their century, too thoroughly imbued with its theological
and metaphysical methods, to quite understand a sentiment so simple and
profound.[31] But each in his degree felt its charm. Here Thomas of
Celano's language rises to an elevation which we find in no other part
of his works, closing with a picture of Francis which makes one think of
the Song of Songs.[32]

Of more than middle height, Francis had a delicate and kindly face,
black eyes, a soft and sonorous voice. There was in his whole person a
delicacy and grace which made him infinitely lovely. All these
characteristics are found in the most ancient portraits.[33]

FOOTNOTES:

[1] 3 Soc., 57; cf. _An. Perus._, A. SS., p. 599.

[2] Rev. xxi.; 1 Cel., 46; 3 Soc., 57-59; _An. Perus._, A. SS.,
p. 600.

[3] 1 Cel., 55 and 56; Bon., 129-132.

[4] _Fior._, 7; _Spec._, 96; _Conform._, 223a, 2. The fact of
Francis's sojourn on an island in this lake is made certain by 1
Cel., 60.

[5] Vide below, p. 400. Cf. A. SS., pp. 823 f.

[6] At present Sasso-Feltrio, between Conca and Marecchio, south
of and about two hours' walk from San Marino.

[7] The happiness that I expect is so great that all pain is
joyful to me. All the documents give Francis's text in Italian,
which is enough to prove that it was the language not only of
his poems but also of his sermons. _Spec._ 92a ff. _Conform._
113a, 2; 231a, 1; _Fior., Prima consid._

[8] See p. 400.

[9] 2 Cel., 3, 85; Bon., 82.

[10] 1 Cel., 56; Bon., 132.

[11] Vide Wadding, _ann. 1213-1215_. Cf. A. SS., pp. 602, 603,
825-831. Mark of Lisbon, _lib._ i., _cap._ 45, pp. 78-80;
Papini, _Storia di S. Francesco_, i., p. 79 ff. (Foligno, 1825,
2 vols., 4to). It is surprising to see Father Suysken giving so
much weight to the _argumentum a silentio_.

[12] From Pentecost, 1213, to that of 1214.--_Post non multum
vero temporis versus Marochium iter arripuit_, says Thomas of
Celano (1 Cel., 56), after having mentioned the return from
Slavonia. Taking into account the author's _usus loquendi_ the
phrase appears to establish a certain interval between the two
missions.

[13] _Conform._, 110b, 1; _Spec._, 62b; _Fior._, 16; Bon.,
170-174.

[14] Village about two leagues S. W. from Assisi. The time is
indirectly fixed by