Chapter XX. Of the longing whereby he was moved to receive martyrdom, journeying first to Spain and then to Syria: and how God through him delivered the sailors from peril by multiplying the provisions

55. Glowing with the love of God, the most blessed father Francis was ever zealous to set his hand to brave deeds; and, walking with heart enlarged in the way of God's commandments, he longed to reach the height of perfection. Accordingly in the sixth year of his conversion, burning with the utmost desire for holy martyrdom, he determined to pass over to the regions of Syria to preach the Christian faith, and repentance to the Saracens and the other unbelievers. After going on board a ship in order to journey thither, he and his fellow-travellers found themselves by reason of contrary winds in the regions of Sclavonia. But when he saw that he was baulked of his great desire, after a short interval he besought some sailors who were going to Ancona to take him with them, since hardly any ship could sail to Syria that year. They however obstinately refused, for lack of payment, but the Saint of God, with full trust in the Lord's kindness, went on board by stealth with his companion. Then by God's providence a man came on board without any one's knowledge bringing the necessary provisions, and he called to him one of the crew who feared God and said, "Take all these things with thee and faithfully give them to those poor men in hiding on the ship in time of need". And so it came to pass that when a great storm had arisen and the crew who had toiled in rowing many days had eaten all their provisions, those only of the poor man Francis were left: and these by God's grace and power were so multiplied that although the voyage lasted several days more, they were abundantly sufficient to supply the wants of all until they reached the port of Ancona. So when the sailors saw that they had escaped the perils of the sea through God's servant Francis, they gave thanks to Almighty God who ever shows Himself in His servants wonderful and worthy to be loved.

56. Francis the servant of the high God quitted the se¹ and walked on the land, and cleaving it with the ploughshare of the word, sowed the seed of life and brought forth blessed fruit. For straightway a number of good and fit men, clerical and lay, flying from the world and manfully crushing the Devil, devotedly followed Francis in life and purpose by the grace and will of the Most High. But though the Gospel vine-branch might produce from itself abundance of the choicest fruits, nevertheless the lofty purpose to attain martyrdom and the ardent longing for it in nowise grew cold in him; and before long he took his journey toward Morocco that he might preach Christ's Gospel to the Miramamolin 1 and his associates. He was urged by such longing that he sometimes left the companion of his pilgrimage behind and would hasten on, inebriated in spirit, to fulfil his purpose. But when he had already reached Spain, the good God (who was pleased of His mere goodness to be mindful of me and of many) withstood him to the face, and, that he might proceed no farther, recalled him by a threatened illness from the journey he had begun, (57) and on his return shortly afterwards to the Church of S. Maria de Portiuncula, some men of learning and some of noble birth joined him most acceptably. These, since he was a man of the noblest and discreetest temper, he treated with fitting distinction, most tenderly paying to each one his due. Verily, being endowed with eminent discretion, he had wise regard in all things to the claims of each man's dignity. But he could not yet rest without even more fervently following the blessed impulse of his spirit; and in the thirteenth year of his conversion, when severe and daily combats were raging between Christians and pagans, he took a companion with him and went to the regions of Syria; nor did he fear to present himself to the sight of the Soldan of the Saracens.2 But who can tell with what stedfastness of mind he stood before him, with what power of spirit he spoke to him, with what eloquence and confidence he answered those who were reviling the Christian law? For before he came to the Soldan he had been seized by the [Soldan's] associates, insulted and beaten, yet was² he not afraid, nor feared the threat of torments, nor blenched at the menace of death. But though he was shamefully treated by many who were moved with bitter hostility and dislike, he was most honourably received by the Soldan. For he paid him what honour he could and tried to sway his mind toward worldly riches by the offer of many gifts. But when the Soldan saw that he most stoutly held all such things in contempt like dung, he was filled with the utmost amazement and gazed on him as a man unlike almost all men. He was deeply stirred by his words and heard him very willingly. But in all this the Lord did not fulfil S. Francis' desire, reserving for him the privilege of an unparalleled favour.