These words burst upon him like a revelation, like the answer of Heaven to his sighs and anxieties. "This is what I want," he cried, "this is what I was seeking; from this day forth I shall set myself with all my strength to put it in practice." Immediately throwing aside his stick, his scrip, his purse, his shoes, he determined immediately to obey, observing to the letter the precepts of the apostolic life. It is quite possible that some allegorizing tendencies have had some influence upon this narrative.[31] The long struggle through which Francis passed before becoming the apostle of the new times assuredly came to a crisis in the scene at Portiuncula; but we have already seen how slow was the interior travail which prepared for it. The revelation of Francis was in his heart; the sacred fire which he was to communicate to the souls of others came from within his own, but the best causes need a standard. Before the shabby altar of the Portiuncula he had perceived the banner of poverty, sacrifice, and love, he would carry it to the assault of every fortress of sin; under its shadow, a true knight of Christ, he would marshal all the valiant warriors of a spiritual strife. FOOTNOTES: [1] 3 Soc., 26. [2] 3 Soc., 10. [3] This crucifix is preserved in the sacristy of Santa Chiara, whither the sisters carried it when they left St. Damian. [4] _Opuscula B. Francisci, Oratio I._ [5] 3 Soc., 13; 2 Cel., 1, 6; Bon., 12; 15; 16. [6] 3 Soc., 14. [7] This incident is found in the narrative of 1 Cel., 8: _Ibi ex more venditis_. [8] 1 Cel., 8; 3 Soc., 16; Bon. 16. Foligno is a three hours' walk from Assisi. [9] 1 Cel., 9; 3 Soc., 16; Bon., 6. Cf. A. SS., p. 567. [10] 1 Cel., 10; 3 Soc., 16; Bon., 17, A. SS.; p. 568. [11] 1 Cel., 11. [12] 1 Cel., 12; 3 Soc., 17; Bon., 18. [13] 1 Cel., 13; 3 Soc., 18. [14] 1 Cel., 13. It is possible that at this epoch he had received the lesser order, and that thus he might be subject to the jurisdiction of the Church. [15] 3 Soc., 18 and 19; 1 Cel., 14; Bon., 19. [16] From 1204 until after the death of St. Francis the episcopal throne of Assisi was occupied by Guido II. Vide Cristofano, 1, 169 ff. [17] _Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore o del vescovado._ Everything has remained pretty nearly in the same state as in the thirteenth century. [18] 1 Cel., 15; 3 Soc., 20; Bon., 20. [19] 3 Soc., 16; Bon., 21.