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.
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