was like to stand in after his decease. Then all things were committed to the queen, whom he loved specially, and she full diligently ministered to him all things necessary. And when he was so feeble by sickness that his natural heat was almost gone, he lay nigh two days in a trance, as a man that had been ravished; and when he came to himself again they that were about him marvelled greatly, for they weened verily that he should no more have spoken. Notwithstanding after, he spake with a noble spirit these words: 'O thou merciful Lord God, that art infinite Almighty, in whose power all things be put, which changest realms and empires; if those things be true that thou hast showed to me, so grant me space and strength to declare them to my people, that if peradventure they give them to penance they may have grace and forgiveness.' Then Almighty God gave to him a new strength that passeth ail man's reason, and that might not be without miracle; for before that time he spake so soft that for feebleness he might not well be heard; and at that time he spake with a whole breast these words following: ’When I was young and dwelled in Normandy, I loved well the fellowship of good men, for he that spake most religiously and goodly, with him was I most conversant. And among all others there were twain to whom I drew much for their honest conversation, and for the holiness of their life, sweetness of their manners and their comfortable words, whom I saw translated into heaven; for many years gone they died, and now they have appeared to me by the sufferance of God
