COLLOQUY XXXIV.
Murmuring and Discontent are to be Conquered by Meekness.
When the seraphic Father was returning to Assisi, from preaching the Word of God in Egypt and trying to convert the Soldan, he had for his companion Brother Leonard of Assisi, who was born of noble parents. Now St. Francis was compelled by weakness and fatigue to ride upon an ass, and his companion, who followed him on foot, feeling quite worn out, gave way to a little human infirmity, and began to say within himself: ‘His parents were not equal in rank to mine, and yet he rides on an ass, and I must follow him on foot.’ While he was thus thinking, the holy man suddenly dismounted, saying : ‘It is not right. Brother, that I should ride, and thou shouldst go on foot, for thou wert nobler and more powerful in the world than I was/ The Brother, surprised and covered with shame at finding his thoughts discovered, threw himself in tears at his holy Father’s feet, confessing his fault, and asking pardon.