Chapter XXI. Of the vision of the Rood which appeared over his house Who knoweth all hidden things thought good to show above that house which He had consecrated with unction from on high.
(4) There was a devout disciple of Florentius, a young branch of his planting, who was startled by a strange vision in the night, and at first was altogether afraid, but afterward was 127 made joyful by the wondrous and divine power of God. For as he lay upon his pallet, a mighty wind arose from the north, and there came a fierce tempest shaking all the earth as if the day of the Last Judgement were at hand, that day which all flesh must fear. Terrorstricken at this dreadful tempest the young man began to think how he should flee, and whither turn aside from the face of the wrath of God; but being caught in a strait place he looked upward to Heaven, and lo! there was seen clearly in the sky the sign of the Cross bearing the Figure of Christ, the Author of our Salvation. And as he gazed upon this holy
Figure of the Crucified, pendent in the air with hands outstretched and pierced with the nails, the glory of Whose Presence doth lighten all the world, the tempest ceased. And the Rood moved onward until It stood over the house of Florentius where dwelt those that truly despised the world, the servants of the Holy Cross, at Whose coming and before Whose
Presence the whole house was lifted from its foundations as if to meet the Saviour, and nowhere touched the ground; and after bending reverently towards the Cross it returned again to its former stable position; but the Image of the Cross went onward and stood above the wall over against the door of the house through which the Brothers went forth day by day. Seeing these things the young man spread forth his hands toward the Cross and began to pray and implore to be protected from the fear of the dread Judgement, and straightway he was caught up from where he lay and placed within the door of Florentius' house as if in a place of safety beneath the Wings of the Crucified. Then being overjoyed and, as it were, safe from every danger, he awoke in unspeakable gladness, and, wondering greatly, returned thanks to God who had thought good to give him such a revelation concerning the holy 128
Brotherhood to which he was zealously from thenceforth to cleave, and continually to reverence the life thereof which was hid with Christ.