JACOPONE DA TODI. 41 This group had not been by any means alone in opposing the laxity of the Conventuals, although it was the only one which suc- ceeded in throwing off the yoke of its opponents. The Spirituals were numerous in the Order, but the policy of Boniface VIII. led him to support the efforts of the Conventuals to keep them in sub- jection. Jacopone da Todi, the author of the Stabat Mater, was perhaps the most prominent of these, and his savage verses directed against the pope did not tend to harmonize the troubles. After the capture of Palestrina, in 1298, Boniface threw him into a foul dungeon, where he solaced his captivity with canticles full of the mystic ardor of divine love. It is related that Boniface once, pass- ing the grating of his cell, jeeringly called to him, " Jacopo, when will you get out V and was promptly answered, " When you come in." In a sense the prophecy proved true, for one of the first acts of Benedict XI., in December, 1303, was to release Jacopone from both prison and excommunication.* Fra Corrado da Offida was another prominent member of the Spiritual group. He had been a friend of John of Parma ; for fifty- five years he wore but a single gown, patched and repatched as necessity required, and this with his rope girdle constituted his sole worldly possessions. In the mystic exaltation which charac- terized the sect he had frequent visions and ecstasies, in which he was lifted from the ground after the fashion of the saints. When Liberato and his companions were in their Achaian refuge he designed joining them with Jacopo de' Monti and others, but the execution of the project was in some way prevented. f
- Cantu, Eretici d' Italia, 1. 129.— Comba, La Riforma in Italia, I. 314.
A specimen of Jacopone's attacks on Boniface will show the temper of the times — "Ponesti la tua lingua O pessiina avarizia Contra religione Sete induplicata, A dir blasfemia Bever tanta pecunia Senza niun cagione. E non esser saziata !" (Comba, op. cit. 312.) There is doubtless foundation for the story related by Savonarola in a sermon, that Jacopone was once brought into the consistory of cardinals and requested to preach, when he solemnly repeated thrice, "I wonder that in consequence of your sins the earth does not open and swallow you."— Villari, Fra Savonarola, II. Ed. T. II. p. 3. t Hist. Tribulat. (loc. cit. pp. 311-13).
