but look’d dead, blasted, and withered.  And in the Interim, while I was wholly taken up with the Prospect, Reuclin, as good Luck would have it, came by; and as he past by, gave me his Blessing in Hebrew.  He was gotten half Way over the Bridge before I perceived him, and as I was about to run to him, he look’d back, and bid me keep off.  You must not come yet, says he, but five Years hence, you shall follow me.  In the mean Time, do you stand by a Spectator, and a Witness of what is done.  Here I put in a Word, says I, was Reuclin naked, or had he Cloaths on; was he alone, or had he Company?  He had, says he, but one Garment, and that was a very white one; you would have said, it had been a Damask, of a wonderful shining White, and a very pretty Boy with Wings followed him, which I took to be his good Genius.

Po. But had he no evil Genius with him?

Br. Yes, the Franciscan told me he thought he had.  For there followed him a great Way off, some Birds, that were all over Black, except, that when they spread their Wings, they seem’d to have Feathers, of a Mixture of White and Carnation.  He said, that by their Colour and Cry, one might have taken them for Magpies, but that they were sixteen Times as big; about the size of Vultures, having Combs upon their Heads, with crooked Beaks and Gorbellies.  If there had been but three of them, one would have taken them for Harpyes.

Po. And what did these Devils attempt to do?

Br. They kept at a Distance, chattering and squalling at the Hero Reuclin, and were ready to set upon him, if they durst.

Po. What hindred them?

Br. Turning upon them, and making the Sign of the Cross with his Hand at them, he said, Be gone, ye cursed Fiends to a Place that’s fitter for you.  You have Work enough to do among Mortals, your Madness has no Power over me, that am now lifted in the Roll of Immortality. The Words were no sooner out of his Mouth, says the Franciscan, but these filthy Birds took their Flight, but left such a Stink behind them, that a House of Office would have seem’d Oyl of sweet Marjoram, or Ointment of Spikenard to it.  He swore, he had rather go to Hell, than snuff up such a Perfume again.

Po. A Curse upon these Pests.

Br. But, hear what the Franciscan told me besides:  While I was intent upon these Things, says he, St. Jerome was come close to the Bridge, and saluted Reuclin in these Words, God save thee, my most holy Companion, I am ordered to conduct thee to the Mansions of the blessed Souls above, which the divine Bounty has appointed thee as a Reward for thy most pious Labours. With that he took out a Garment, and put it upon Reuclin.  Then, said I, tell me in what Habit or Form St. Jerome appear’d, was he so old as they paint him?  Did he wear a Cowl or a Hat, or the Garb of a Cardinal?