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and Sub…Prior： and no man envied him； for he reckoned himself ever as
least of all and servant of all。
Prior Stephen attained his fourscore years； ruling the Convent wisely
and well to the very end： ay； and never ailed aught； his call coming as it
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might be straight from the mouth of the Lord。
On the Feast of Blessed Stephen he went into the chapter and said as
always： 〃The souls of the deceased brethren and believers rest in peace！〃
to which the Convent replied； 〃Amen。〃 Then with his hands raised to
bless he cried； 〃Benedicite；〃 and again with loud and joyful voice
〃Domine；〃 and again； 〃Domine！〃 as of one who answers to his name … and
so passed to his place in the Kingdom of Christ。
The Convent elected Hilarius to be Prior in his stead； which election
the Abbat of Cluny confirmed with good grace。
Time passed； and the fame of the Monastery grew because of the
exceeding beauty of the Church； for Hilarius； with those whom he taught；
set fair pictures on the walls； and blazoned the roof with the blue of
heaven and gold of the wakeful stars。 In the span over the High Altar he
set Blessed Benedict himself with the face of Prior Stephen； and round
him the angel virtues； even as one Giotto； a shepherd lad； had limned them
in the Church of the Little Brothers。
Now Prior Hilarius desired greatly to set a picture of Our Lady above
the Altar in her Chapel。 Long did he pray with ever… increasing fervour
and much fasting that this boon might be vouchsafed him for her glory and
the Convent's greater good。 And one day … 'twas her Nativity … he set his
hand to the work； for it seemed to him that she would have it so； and he
was greatly humbled that such heavenly kindness should attend so vile a
sinner。 Day by day he set apart some hours for this service； and he
limned a face so fair and radiant； with woman's love and light of heaven；
that it was whispered in the cloister walks that the Prior had surely been
blessed by a vision； else had he never pictured the Maid…Mother in so
wondrous a fashion： and of a truth a man might well give credence to
such a story； for the joy that shone in the Prior's eyes and might not be hid。
Many other tales did the Brethren tell of Hilarius； but softly； for he
would hear no word of his own deeds or the favours vouchsafed him。
When he walked in the garth the pigeons circled round him crooning
their peace…note； and it was told that the kine in the meadows ceased
browsing when he passed； and needs must company with him a little way。
Once it befell that a lay…brother was afflicted with heavy sickness by
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THE GATHERING OF BROTHER HILARIUS
reason of the sun's great heat； and Satan strove with him for his undoing；
so that the poor soul foamed at the mouth and roared out blasphemy； yea；
verily； and must be held with cords also； lest he do himself or his fellows
some grievous hurt。 But when the Prior laid his hand between the man's
troubled eyes sweet sleep came upon him； and his madness forsook him。
The poor also crowded to the Monastery gate and were fed； ay； even if
the Brethren went hungry； and if any man in all the villages round had
aught against his neighbour he would come to the Prior for a just hearing。
Nevertheless； despite these things the Convent's peace began to be
troubled。 Men sought the Monastery for its famous name； caring but
little for religion； there were many young novices within its walls； and the
strong hand of Prior Stephen was lacking。 Hilarius was of gentler build；
he would speak ever in love； thinking no evil； whereas it is not given to all
men to understand that tongue。 So it came to pass that the younger
Brethren waxed fat and kicked； and the elder Brethren murmured。
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THE GATHERING OF BROTHER HILARIUS
CHAPTER V … 〃GABRIEL； MAKE THIS MAN
TO UNDERSTAND THE VISION。〃 … DAN。 viii。 16。
ONE day the Novice…master； Brother Adam； a most worthy man； came
in sore trouble to the Prior and would resign his office。
〃Surely never before did such an ill…conditioned brood find shelter in a
monastery！〃 he cried。 〃They grow fat； idle； insolent； quarrelsome…never
at peace among themselves； never a Pater or an Ave too many； or a task
fulfilled； save for fear of stripes。 I would that the time of blood…letting
were here that their high stomachs might be brought low。 I am no longer
young； my Father； and this burden tries me sorely。 Prithee； let it be
shifted to another and a stronger back。〃
The Prior listened with many an inward mea culpa。 〃'Tis a sad
hearing； Brother Adam； but young blood is hard of mastering； maybe this
ill mood will pass。 The lad Robert is surely ever gentle and decorous？
He hath a most beauteous voice。〃
The Novice…master threw up his hands。
〃Nay； Father； nay； he hath indeed the voice of an angel； but methinks
his body is surely the habitation of Satan。 He will sing an it please him …
or when thou art by； my Father； … but； an it please him not； he is silent； ay；
even under grievous stripes。 The Precentor giveth him as negligent and
ill…conditioned； and in choir； when he looketh most like to one of God's
Saints； he is but plotting mischief for the day。〃
The Prior heard him sadly。
〃And Hubert？〃 he said。 〃Hubert methinks hath a great love of colour
and a fine hand with the brush。〃
Brother Adam was almost speechless。
〃Hubert！ Nay Father； forgive me； Father； but even this very Hubert
but yesterday slipped a handful of pebbles into Brother Edmund's mess；
whereby he was like to break his teeth or take some more grievous hurt。
And indeed the peace of the Brethren is much troubled； wherefore they
complain bitterly。〃
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〃Young blood； young blood； but not of necessity evil；〃 said the Prior。
Then； seeing the Novice…master's aggrieved face； he bade him have
patience yet a little； for he himself would speak to the novices； and with
this Brother A