Yet in his vision of the world to be, he was like Balaam prophesying blindly of a star.
Sixtus IV.

had died and been succeeded by Innocent VIII.

Innocent had given place to Alexander.

The very nadir of the abyss had been reached.
Then Savonarola saw a vision and heard a voice: _Ecce gladius Domini super terram cito et velociter._ The sword turned earthward; the air was darkened with fiery sleet and arrows; thunders rolled; the world was filled with pestilences, wars, famines.

At another time he dreamed and looked toward Rome.