Chapter XXXIII. An ensample ol the Lord of Ostia. His praise

Of Poverty in Beds

63. Finally, in couches and beds plenteous poverty so abounded that he who had a few torn rags over some straw deemed it a marriage-bed. Accordingly when a chapter was being held at S. Maria de Portiuncula, and the Lord of Ostia with a throng of knights and clerks came there to visit the brethren, on seeing how the brethren lay on the ground and noticing their beds, which you might take for the lairs of wild beasts, "Look," said he, before all the company, bitterly weeping, "this is where the brethren sleep! "And he added, "But what will become of us wretches who use up so many superfluities? "All the bystanders were moved even to tears and went away greatly edified. This was that Cardinal of Ostia who when he was at last made the greatest door {ostium) in the Church ever resisted her foes {hostes) until he returned that blessed soul of his as a sacred victim (Jwstia) to heaven. O pious breast! O bowels of charity! When placed on high he grieved that he had no high merits, when in fact he was loftier in virtue than in station.