Chapter XI. Of his austerity in food and clothing honesty and good report, and lest aught that might cause suspicion should be observed, he would not speak to any one of the nuns, save behind a closed and curtained window. Things that were given him, or brought for his use, were pushed in by means of a wheeled vehicle—wherefore one of his pupils, seeing him so closely guarded, inquired privately of him concerning the matter, and said:
"Why, good master, dost thou so carefully veil thy window?" and Gerard answered, "If I could, I would protect mine ears also that I might not hear the voices of women, for indeed excess of caution can do us no hurt; every cause of stumbling and danger to the weak cometh by lack of guard over the bodily sense, and from too much freedom of intercourse. He, therefore, that would preserve his integrity, let him keep his eyes and his ears in subjection, for only upon urgent necessity should one be so indiscreet as to speak with a woman."
(4) He observed with the greatest strictness the fasts of Holy Church. On Fridays he 28 abstained altogether from foods made with milk, and often on that day used salt as a condiment instead of oil. He seldom washed his plate, but wiped it with bread, or left it for a dog or for mice to lick, and he did not despise mouldy bread. On the fifth day of the week by reason of the coming Friday he washed all his vessels in water, to remove from them every trace of fat by way of penance. Therefore he was pleasing in the sight of God, by being content with the simple and bare necessaries of life, by cutting off what is superfluous and not requiring luxuries. Towards himself he was austere and churlish, towards others kindly and pitiful.
(5) His garb was gray in colour and made in humble fashion, being neither soft nor gay, nor arranged in elaborate folds, and he seldom had new garments, for when his clothes were worn by age he had them patched and mended, nor was he ashamed, although a man of good birth, to be seen amongst his friends and fellowcitizens in vile raiment. He wore a tattered cloak mended with many patches, like to those worn by the poor and by beggars: a garment like to be despised by the rich, but a pattern to the devout, and worthy to be held in pious memory by them that come after. None of his raiment indeed was of great price, yet his merit in wearing the same was by no means small. All his adorning was the inner adorning of the heart, wherefore he looked not to the aspect of his outer man: and now he rejoiced to be clad in garments which once he would have thought scarce worth a glance.
Oh! noble man, who wast not clad in soft raiment, but like John wast girt with a rough shirt 29 of hair, and, like Christ, robed in the cloak of holy poverty.
(6) He was asked once by a familiar friend why he wore so old and patched a garment, which any labouring man might blush to wear, and he replied in his own gracious and pleasant manner: "In this I look to mine own convenience; the patches are there to prevent me from suffering cold, and that the wind may not blow through the rents, as it would if they were not closed up." The brother hearing this was greatly edified, perceiving that Gerard sought not to please the world, but rather God only. He was also asked about his cloak and