Page:The Mediaeval Mind Vol 1.djvu/456

434 that great dissension arose between the bishop and the podestà of the City of Assisi, so that the bishop excommunicated the podestà, and the podestà made proclamation that no person should sell anything to the bishop or buy from him or make any contract with him.

"When the blessed Francis (who was now so very sick) heard this, he was greatly moved with pity, since no one interposed between them to make peace. And he said to his companions: 'It is a great shame for us servants of God that the bishop and the podestà hate each other so, and none interposes to make peace.'

"And so for this occasion he at once made a verse in the Lauds above mentioned and said:

"Then he called one of his companions and said to him: 'Go to the podestà, and on my behalf tell him to come to the bishop's palace with the magnates of the city and others that he may bring with him.'

"And as that brother went, he said to two other of his companions: 'Go before the bishop and podestà and the others who may be with them, and sing the Canticle of Brother Sun, and I trust in the Lord that He will straightway humble their hearts, and they will return to their former affection and friendship.'

"When all were assembled in the piazza, of the episcopate, the two brothers arose, and one of them said: 'The blessed Francis in his sickness made a Lauds of the Lord from His creatures in praise of the Lord and for the edification of our neighbour. Wherefore he begs that you would listen to it with great devoutness.' And then they began to say and sing them.

"At once the podestà rose, and with folded hands listened intently, as if it were the Lord's gospel; this he did with the greatest devoutness and with many tears, for he had great trust and devotion toward the blessed Francis.

"When the Lauds of the Lord were finished, the podestà said before them all: 'Truly I say to you that not only my lord-bishop, whom I wish and ought to hold as my lord, but if any one had slain my brother or son I would forgive him.' And so saying, he threw himself at the bishop's feet, and said to him: 'Look, I am ready in all things to make satisfaction to you as shall please you, for the love of our Lord Jesus Christ and His servant the blessed Francis.'

"The bishop accepting him, raised him with his hands and said: 'Because of my office it became me to be humble, and since I am