n did foretell the Prior's death; for he saw the
spirits gathered together in Heaven and hastening as if to the death-bed
of some one, and straightway he heard a bell toll as if for the passing
of a dying man, and the sound hereof aroused him, and he awoke. So
rising from his bed and desiring to go to see what had happened, he
perceived no man, for it was before the fifth hour in the morning, and
the Brothers were yet asleep. So, returning to himself, he kept silence,
and the thought came to him that our Father the Prior should soon depart
hence. Yet he told naught of this vision to any that were in the House,
but to a certain Clerk that was coming from Brabant and journeying in his
company he said privately: "Tell Hermann Scutken, who sojourneth at
Thenen, to come quickly if he would speak with our Father at Windesem,
for if the vision that one hath seen this night is true, I wot that he
shall not long abide here." So when fifteen days were passed this
Reverend Father died on the day aforesaid after High Mass, and before the
midday meal the Mass of the dead was sung for him, and his body was
buried in the choir before the step of the sanctuary.

On the Vigil of the Epiphany after the death of this venerable Father,
Brother Gerard Naeldwijc, the Procurator of the House, was chosen to be
Prior; but he was greatly grieved thereat, and after a long while he
consented, though against his will. Being lowly and gentle he might not
bear the honour and burden of this place, and he sought earnestly with
many prayers to be relieved from the care of so great a charge, and when
the next General Chapter was held he sought to be absolved from his
office of Prior, which petition was granted to him. So after he had been
absolved, and when the Fathers were still gathered together, Brother
William Vorniken, the Prior of Mount St. Agnes, was chosen by the same
General Chapter to be Prior of the Superior House. And when he knew of
his election he too was stricken with dismay, for he was afraid of the
burden, which is indeed a thing to fear. So he wept abundantly, saying
again and again that he was unworthy, and striving mightily against this
thing in every manner, yet was he obliged to obey and to take upon
himself for Christ's sake the yoke of so great a burden, being compelled
thereto by his obedience and the determination of the more part.
Therefore, at length, he consented, and after weeping bitterly he was
confirmed and inducte