Chapter XXXI. Ensample concerning the table prepared at Greccio on Easter day, and how after Christ's example he showed himself in a pilgrim's guise

61. One Easter day the brethren at the hermitage of Greccio laid the table more carefully than usual, with white table-linen and glass vessels.¹ The father came down from the cell, went to the table, and noticed that it was placed on high, and decked in vain fashion. But on the smiling table he by no means smiled. Stealthily and gradually he withdrew, put on his head the hat of a poor man who was there, and went out of doors, carrying a staff in his hand. He waited outside at the door for the brethren to begin; for they used not to wait for him when he did not come at the signal. When they began to eat, that true poor man cried at the door: "For the love of the Lord God give alms to this poor sick pilgrim". The brethren answered: "Come in, good man, for the love of Him whom thou hast invoked". He came in at once, and appeared before them as they were eating. What, think you, was the amazement the pilgrim caused to the inhabitants? They gave him a dish, at his request, and, sitting alone on the ground [by the fire], he made the ashes his table, saying, "Now I am sitting like a Lesser Brother"; then to the brethren: "The example of the poverty of the Son of God should constrain us more than any other Religious. I saw a table spread and adorned, and knew that it was not the table of poor men who go from door to door." The method of his action proves that he was like that Stranger who was "alone "² in Jerusalem on that day: but yet he made the disciples' hearts burn, while he was speaking.