Page:Readings in European History Vol 1.djvu/428

 3Q2 Readings in European History birds he did run to them quickly, leaving his companions upon the way. When he had come near to them he saw that they awaited him, and he made salutation, as he was wont to do. Won- dering not a little that they did not take flight, as is the habit of birds, he begged them humbly, yet with great joy, that they would hear the word of God. And among many things which he said unto them was this which follows : " My brother birds, greatly should ye praise your Creator and always serve him, because he gave you feathers to wear, wings to fly, and whatsoever ye needed. He exalted you among his creatures and made for you a mansion in the pure air. Although ye sow not, neither reap, none the less he protects you and guides you, and ye have not any care." At this the birdlings so one said who was with him began to stretch out their necks and raise their wings, to open their mouths, and to look upon him. He went and came, passing through the midst of them, and his tunic touched their heads and bodies. Then he blessed them, and made the sign of the cross, and gave them leave to fly to other places. 156. The Francis left no more important memorial of himself St. Francis. anc * ms ideals than his will, dictated by him shortly before his death. God gave it to me, Brother Francis, to begin to do penance in the following manner : when I was yet in my sins it did seem to me too bitter to look upon the lepers, but the Lord himself did lead me among them, and I had com- passion upon them. When I left them, that which had seemed to me bitter had become sweet and easy. A little while after I left the world, and God gave me such faith that I would kneel down with simplicity in any of his churches, and I would say, "We adore thee, Lord Jesus Christ, here and in all thy churches which are in the world, and we bless thee that by thy holy cross thou hast ransomed the world."