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ST. FRANCIS AND THE WOLF
"All true dogs thee pursue;
Thou shouldst hang high in air,
Like a thief and murderer,
Hadst thou thy lawful due.

"Yet, seeing his hands have made
Even thee, thou wicked one,
I bring no malison,
But blessing bring instead.

"And I will purchase peace
Between this folk and thee,
So love for hate shall be,
And all thy sinning cease.

"Say, wilt thou have it so?"
Thereat, far off, we saw
The beast lift up his paw
His tail a-wagging go.

Our father took the paw
Into his blessed hand,
Knelt down upon the sand
Facing the creature's jaw.

That was a sight to see:
Agobio's folk trooped out;
They heard not all that rout,
Neither the beast nor he.

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