Even thus it happened on this day in the Chapter; and when
Prior Hilarius was gathered to his rest the Brethren remembered how
they had marked and marvelled at the strange beauty of his face,
the beauty as of one who sees the face of the Lord.
"My children," he cried--"for my children ye are, though I see
among you many it were more fitting I should hail as father, but
that the ruling of the Lord cannot be gainsaid--my children, I am
minded to think that I have this day a message on my lips that is
not mine own.
"Last night a vision came to me as I slept. Blessed Benedict, our
Father, stood at my side, and his face was troubled.
"'Arise, my son,' he cried, 'arise, for the Lord is at hand and
hath need of thee.'
"And I, deeming it was of judgment that he spake, sprang up in
shame and fear that the Master should find me sleeping.
"Then cried Blessed Benedict again:-
"'If thou wilt serve the Lord, make haste, for He hath called thee
these many times,' and so saying passed from my sight.
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