Chapter XIV. Of his return from Rome to the valley of Spoleto, and of his sojourn on the way

34. So Francis with his brethren greatly exulting in the gift and favour of so great a father and lord gave thanks to Almighty God who setteth the humble on high and cheereth the sorrowful with deliverance. And he went straightway to visit the threshold of S. Peter; and, having finished his prayer, left the city and set out with his companions on the journey toward the valley of Spoleto. And as they thus went along they talked together of what great gifts the most merciful God had given them; of their gracious reception by the Vicar of Christ, the Lord and father of all Christendom; of their power to fulfil his admonitions and commands; of how they might sincerely observe and unfailingly guard the Rule they had received; of how they should walk in all holiness and religion before the Most High; and finally of how their life and behaviour might by increase of the holy virtues be an example to their neighbours. And when Christ's new disciples had held sufficient disputation on such matters in the school of Humility, the day was far spent and the hour was past. Then, hungry and tired out with their journey, they came to a lonely spot, where they could find no refreshment because it was very far from the dwellings of men. And straightway, God's grace providing for them, a man met them bringing bread in his hand, which he gave them, and went away. But they wondered in their hearts, for they knew him not, and devoutly admonished one another to have greater trust in God's mercy. They took food, and, not a little refreshed thereby, came to a place near the city of Orte where they stayed about fifteen days. Some of them would go into the city to get necessary victuals, and carry back to the other brethren what little they had been able to gather from door to door, and they all ate it together, with thanksgiving and with joyful hearts. If anything were left over (since they could not give it to any one) they hid it in a tomb where bodies of the dead had been laid in days gone by, so that they might eat of it again.

35. That place was deserted and forsaken and few people or none frequented it. Great was their exultation at seeing and having nothing which might give them vain or carnal delight. Wherefore in that place they began to have intercourse with holy Poverty, and, comforted above measure by the lack of all things that are of the world, they determined to cleave to her for ever everywhere, even as they were doing there. And because, having laid aside all care for earthly things, God's comfort alone was their delight, they decreed and established that whatsoever tribulations might shake them, and whatsoever temptations might urge them they would never shrink from her embraces. But though the pleasantness of the place (which has no small power to weaken true strength of mind) did not hold back their affections, yet, lest a longer stay might entangle them even in the semblance of ownership, they withdrew thence, and, following their happy father, came at that time into the valley of Spoleto. They discussed together, those true followers of righteousness, whether they ought to live among men, or betake them to solitary places. But S. Francis, who trusted not in his own skill, but prefaced every business with holy prayer, chose not to live for himself alone, but for Him who died for all, knowing himself to have been sent for this, that he might gain for God souls that the devil was trying to take away.