CHAPTER XVII.
_Of the death of Henry of Gouda, a devout Priest, at Zwolle_.
In the year of the Lord 1410, on the day of St.Gregory the Pope, Henry of Gouda died at Zwolle.

He was a devout Priest and Confessor to the Sisters in that place, having been of old one of the disciples of Florentius, and he was born in Holland near Schoonhoven.

Being learned in the Scriptures he was a mighty preacher, and one that did truly despise the world and its riches; he feared not to reprove the vices of sinners, and in his frequent preaching he strove for the salvation of his neighbours; moreover, he kept a strict watch over his own conscience, and guarded his good reputation and humility of life.

On a time, as he was passing through the street in a city that is far away, some boys whom he knew not seized him from behind by his cloak, and mocked him with jests because it was his wont to go clad in very simple attire, and a long sad- coloured cloak, for he seemed to take no thought of any outward thing, nor to desire honour.

So being thus entreated and disturbed he looked back and said to himself: "Here ought we to dwell, for at Zwolle they say unto us, 'Sir, sir,' yet what merit do we gain thereby ?" Likewise he came sometimes to Mount St.Agnes, and sought to speak with the Brothers in their cells, and as he was holding converse with a certain one of them, he said, amongst many other good things, "Very good is the life that ye pass here, and the more safe is the road that ye traverse in that ye abide in the cloister afar from the multitude of men.
I, who almost every day do traffick with worldlings, what can I learn thereby save the acts of worldly men?
I am a man untaught, neither have I knowledge of the life of contemplation, nor do I seek to take hold on lofty matters--but sometimes I can preach in simple words to untaught and common folk--yet henceforth I purpose to amend myself with more diligence, and by God's favour to apply myself to things of greater moment." When he said this, that Brother was greatly edified at the humble words that proceeded from his mouth.