Page 410 sur 626

After some time he took it in his head that he would travel to

Rome. On the way he passed by a marsh, in which a number of frogs

were sitting croaking. He listened to them, and when he became

aware of what they were saying, he grew very thoughtful and sad.

At last he arrived in Rome, where the Pope had just died, and

there was great doubt among the cardinals as to whom they should

appoint as his successor. They at length agreed that the person

should be chosen as pope who should be distinguished by some

divine and miraculous token. And just as that was decided on, the

young count entered into the church, and suddenly two snow-white

doves flew on his shoulders and remained sitting there. The

ecclesiastics recognized therein the token from above, and asked

him on the spot if he would be pope. He was undecided, and knew

not if he were worthy of this, but the doves counselled him to do

it, and at length he said yes.