OF ST. FRANCIS AND THE ASS
Our father, ere he went
Out with his brother, Death,
Smiling and well-content
As a bridegroom goeth,
Sweetly forgiveness prayed
From man or beast whom he
Had ever injured,
Or burdened needlessly.
Out with his brother, Death,
Smiling and well-content
As a bridegroom goeth,
Sweetly forgiveness prayed
From man or beast whom he
Had ever injured,
Or burdened needlessly.
"Verily," then said he,
"I crave before I pass,
Forgiveness full and free
Of my little brother, the ass.
Many a time and oft,
When winds and ways were hot,
He hath borne me cool and soft,
And service grudged me not.
"I crave before I pass,
Forgiveness full and free
Of my little brother, the ass.
Many a time and oft,
When winds and ways were hot,
He hath borne me cool and soft,
And service grudged me not.
"And once did it betide
There was, unseen of me,
A gall upon his side
That suffered grievously.
There was, unseen of me,
A gall upon his side
That suffered grievously.
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