Chapter V. The Pope should refuse bribes. Martin and Gunfrid. The arrogance of the Pope's attendants

I think it worth while to here plunge into the story of our dear brother Martin, whose memory is sweet to me. You have heard the story, but may not perhaps remember it. He was a Cardinal Presbyter, and for some time was Legate in Dacia, but returned so poor that with his money almost gone, and the horses nearly worn out, he could scarcely reach Florence. There the bishop of the place gave him a horse, on which he rode as far as Pisa, where we happened to be at the time. The next day, I think it was, the bishop, who had a lawsuit pending, with the day of hearing rapidly approaching, followed Martin, and began to solicit the votes of his friends. One by one their support had been solicited, and then came Martin's turn. The bishop relied more upon him, because he could not be unmindful of the recent act of kindness. Martin thus replied : ' You have deceived me. I did not know that this business was so close. Take your horse : there it is in the stable.' And that very hour he gave it up to him. What say you to that, my dear Eugenius ? To think of a legate returning from a land of gold without gold ! Does it not sound like news from another world ? To think of his passing through a land of silver, and not know silver ! Above all, to have at once rejected a gift which might not have been free from suspicion !

the Church of God supported by such pillars ! Oh ! if I might see my Lord's spouse in the keeping of such fidelity, entrusted to such purity ! How blessed would be my lot ! how safe ! if I might behold about me men of that class both guarding and bearing witness to my life, to whom I might safely impart my secrets, and communicate my plans ; to whom I might pour out my heart as to a second self; who, if I wished to turn aside, would not allow me, would check me in my headlong course : would wake me out of my slumber ; whose respectful freedom would check my pride and correct my error ; whose constancy and courage would steady me when wavering, cheer me when desponding ; whose faith and holiness would urge me on to whatsoever things are holy, what soever things are honourable, whatsoever things are modest, whatsoever things are lovely and of good report.' Now, my dear Eugenius, look once more at the present condition of the Court or Church, and the pursuits of the prelates, particularly of those who are about your person.