152 ROGER OF W'EKDOVER. [Λ.Γ.. 119G. end of ray pious request ; and behold, one night near the commencement of the Lent which we have just passed over, as I was sleeping a little, there appeared to me a venerable and altogether comely personage, who in most pleasant words addressed nie as follows :—' Most beloved son, great is your devotion in prayer, and great perseverance have you in your purpose, nor will the continual aim of your prayer be fruitless through the clemenev of the Redeemer; henceforward be of calm mind, and continue devout in prayer, for without doubt you will soon attain the object of your petition. 1 laving thus spoken, the image of the speaker vanished and I awoke." Ilota the same monk, as he teas worshipping our Lord's cross, sate it become blooly. "But, although awake, I still kept this vision steadily in mind, and, after six weeks had passed, when on the night of our Lord's supper I had risen to matins, and received, as you remember, discipline at your hands, I felt in the midst of it such a sweetness of mind diffused over me, that on the dav following I felt it most pleasant to wee]) incessantly, as with your own eyes you saw. On the next night after this, which was the Preparation, as the hour approached for rising to matins, I sank into a calm sleep ; then again I heard the same voice, but by whose agency it was conveyed to my ears, I know not ; 'Arise,' it said, 'go into the oratory, ami approach the altar consecrated to the worship of St. Laurence, and behind that altar you will find the cross, which it is the custom of the convent to worship on tin- day of the Preparation ; for unless you do thus, nothing can be fulfilled by you on the morrow ; for a long journey remains to you : wherefore, adore our Lord's cross in memory of himself, and otler the sacrifice of a humble and contrite heart, knowing for certain, that the offering of your devotion will be acceptable to the Lord, and that you shall hereafter rejoice abundantly in its richness.' After this I awoke from sleep, and proceeded, as it seemed to me. with the brethren, to hear matins; which being commenced, I met in tin1 vestibule of the church, an old man clothed in white, garments, that one from whom, on the preceding night, I hail received discipline. I then beckoned him by the usual nod to give me discipline, on which we went into the chapter-house, and after having effected