The basaltic mass, perpendicular on all sides, is crowned with a plateau planted with pines and gigantic beeches, and accessible only by a footpath.[3] Such was the solitude which Orlando had given to Francis, and to which Francis had already many a time come for quiet and contemplation.
Seated upon the few stones of the Penna,[4] he heard only the whispering of the wind among the trees, but in the splendor of the sunrise or the sunset he could see nearly all the districts in which he had sown the seed of the gospel: the Romagna and the March of Ancona, losing themselves on the horizon in the waves of the Adriatic; Umbria, and farther away, Tuscany, vanishing in the waters of the Mediterranean.
The impression on this height is not crushing like that which one has in the Alps: a feeling infinitely calm and sweet flows over you; you are high enough to judge of men from above, not high enough to forget their existence.
Besides the wide horizons, Francis found there other objects of delight; in this forest, one of the noblest in Europe, live legions of birds, which never having been hunted are surprisingly tame.[5] Subtile perfumes arise from the ground, and in the midst of borage and lichens frail and exquisite cyclamens blossom in fantastic variety.
He desired to return thither after the chapter of 1224.

This meeting, held in the beginning of June, was the last at which he was present.

The new Rule was there put into the hands of the ministers, and the mission to England decided upon.
It was in the early days of August that Francis took his way toward Verna.

With him were only a few Brothers, Masseo, Angelo, and Leo.

The first had been charged to direct the little band, and spare him all duties except that of prayer.[6] They had been two days on the road when it became necessary to seek for an ass for Francis, who was too much enfeebled to go farther on foot.
The Brothers, in asking for this service, had not concealed the name of their master, and the peasant, to whom they had addressed themselves respectfully, asked leave to guide the beast himself.