The life of the glorious virgin S. Clare Togeather with the conuersion, and life of S. Agnes her sister. And of another S. Agnes, daughter to the King of Bohemia. Also the rule of S. Clare. And the life of S. Catharine of Bologna. Translated into English.

A copy of the Letter, which S. Ag∣nes wrote to her sister S. Clare, and to all the other sisters of the monastery of S. Damian.

CHAP. II.

TO the venerable & beloued Mother in our Lord Christ Iesus, Clare, and to all her Couent, humble sister Agnes, the least of the disciples of Iesus Christ & of yours, commendeth herselfe vnto you all, and prostrate at your feete, doth yield you al submission and deuotion, wishing vnto you what is most pretious from the most high King of Kinges. To the end that all nature, which hath bin

created of God, doe acknowledge it selfe to be such, as it cannot per∣sist of it selfe in it owne essence, the diuine prouidence most pru∣dently permitteth, that when any one esteemeth himselfe to be in prosperity, then is he drowned & plunged in aduersities. This I tell you my most deare mother, that you may know, what affliction and extreame heauines possesseth my spirit, being so tormented, that hardly can I speake: and this be∣cause I am corporally separated from you and my holy sisters, with whome I hoped to haue happily liued, and dyed in this world. So far is this my griefe from slacking, that it cōtinually increaseth, which as it had a beginning, so do I be∣lieue it will find no end in this

world, for it is so continuall, and familiar vnto me, that I greatly feare it will neuer forsake me.

I was perswaded that life and death should be a like, without po∣wer of any separation vpon earth, amongst them, who haue one same conuersation and life in heauen, & must haue one same sepulture: them I say, whom one same, equall naturall profession, and one same loue hath made sisters. But so far as I can see, being abandoned and afflicted on ech side, I am much mistaken. O my holy sisters, I be∣seech you to be reciprocally grie∣ued with me, & let vs weep togea∣ther, being assured, that you shall neuer experience any dolour com∣parable to that which I now feele, in being separated from them, with

whome Iesus Christ had conioined me. This griefe tormenteth me in∣cessantly, this fire burneth my hart continually, so that being on ech side afflicted, I know not what to thinke, neither doth any hope re∣maine, but to be assisted by your prayers, that Almighty God easing this affliction, may make it tolle∣rable vnto me.

O my most gratious Mother, vvhat shall I doe, and vvhat shall I say, sith I know not that e∣uer I shall see you more, or likewise my sisters? O that it were lawfull for me to vtter vnto you the con∣ceipts of my soule, as I would de∣sire, or that I could open my hart vnto you vpon this paper: then should you see the liuely and con∣tinuall dolours that torment me:

my soule burneth interiourly, be∣ing afflicted with an incessant fire of loue; and my hart groaneth, sigheth, and lamenteth with desire of your presence: myne eies can∣not haue their fill of weeping; and albeit I seeke for some consolation against this bitternes, yet can I find none▪ but euery thing turneth into griefe, & much more, when I con∣sider the meanes to see you. I am intierly steeped in these anguishes, hauing none that can comfort me in this life, but that I receiue a little consolation from the liberall hand of our Sauiour Iesus Christ, which causeth me to beseech you all to giue thankes vnto his diuine ma∣iesty, for this fauour and mercy ex∣tended, towardes me, & for that through his grace, I find such con∣cord

peace, and charity in this Co∣uent, as by wordes cannot be ex∣pressed; these sisters hauing recei∣ued me with exceeding loue & de∣uotion, yielding me Obedience, vvith extraordinary promptitude & reuerence.

They all with one accord re∣commend themselues to our Lord Iesus Christ, & to you my Sister, & to all the sisters of the monaste∣ry: & I recommend my selfe & them to your holy prayers, besee∣ching you as a mother to be mind∣full of them, & of me, as of your daughters: & know you that they & I, will all the daies of our life, obserue & keepe your holy pre∣cepts and aduertisements. Besides I desire you should know, that the Pope hath accorded to whatsoeuer

I demaunded of him, conforma∣bly to your intention & myne, & particulerly in the matter you know; to wit, that we may not possesse any thing proper. I be∣seech you my most deare mother, to procure of the Reuerent Father Generall, that he often visit vs, to comfort vs in God, whose grace be with your spirit. Amen.