Page:Readings in European History Vol 1.djvu/427

Heresy and the Friars 391 the lepers, but the Lord himself did lead me among them and I had compassion upon them." Now upon a certain day, in the church of Santa Maria Portiuncula, the gospel was read how that the Lord sent forth his disciples to preach. It was while they did cele- brate the solemn mystery of the mass, and the blessed one of God stood by and would fain understand the sacred words. So he did humbly ask the priest that the gospel might be expounded unto him. Then the priest set it forth plainly to him, and the blessed Francis heard how the disciples were to have neither gold, nor silver, nor money, nor purse, nor script, nor bread, not to carry any staff upon the road, not to have shoes nor two coats, but to preach repentance and the spirit of God, rejoicing always in the spirit of God. Then said the blessed Francis, " This is what I long for, this is what I seek, this is what I desire to do from the bottom of my heart." And he was exceeding rich in joy, and did hasten to fulfill the blessed words that he had heard. He did not suffer any hindrance to delay him, but did earnestly begin to do that which he had heard. Forth- with he did loose the shoes from his feet, and did lay down the staff from out his hands, and was content with one tunic, and changed his girdle for a rope. Then with great fervor of spirit and joy of mind he began to preach repentance to all men. He used simple speech, yet by his noble heart did he strengthen those who heard him. His word was as a flaming fire, and found a way into the depths of all hearts. The most blessed Father Francis once made his way 155. St. through the valley of Spoleto, and he came to a place near Francis' ... .... 1.111 i i i sermon to Bevagna where birds of divers kinds had gathered together the birds in a great multitude, crows, doves, and others which are (From called, in the vulgar tongue, bullfinches. Now Francis, most J Q^^ blessed servant of God, was a man full of zeal and moved to tenderness and gentleness toward all creatures, even those that be lowly and without reason. So when he had seen the