'An inward fire,' he cried, 'consumes my bones and forces me to speak out' And again: 'I have, O Lord, burnt my wings of contemplation, and I have launched into a tempestuous sea, where I have found contrary winds in every quarter.

I wished to reach a harbor, but could not find the way thither; I wished to lay me down, but could meet with no resting-place.

I longed to be silent and to utter not a word.

But the word of the Lord is in my heart; and if it does not come forth, it must consume the marrow of my bones.
Thus, O Lord, if it be Thy will that I should navigate in deep waters, Thy will, be done.' At another time he says: 'I remember well that upon one occasion, in the year 1491, when I was preaching in the Duomo, having composed my sermon entirely upon these visions, I determined to abstain from all allusion to them, and in future to adhere to this resolution.

God is my witness that the whole of Saturday and the whole of the succeeding night I lay awake, and could see no other course, no other doctrine.