Chapter XLVIII. Of a piece of capon turned into a fish at Alexandria

78. In almsgiving he looked to the gain of souls rather than to the sustenance of the flesh, and in giving no less than in receiving he made himself an example to others. Thus when he once came to Alex-andria in Lombardy to preach God's word he was respectfully entertained by a God-fearing man of good report. His host asked him to observe the Holy Gospel by eating all that was set before him, and he graciously agreed to do so, being conquered by the devotion of his host, who ran in haste to prepare a capon seven years old {sic) on purpose for the man of God to eat. While the Patriarch of the Poor was sitting at table with the rejoicing household, straightway there appeared at the door a son of Belial, poor in all grace, and feigning poverty in necessary things. He craftily urged the love of God as he asked for alms, and with a lamentable voice craved assistance for God's sake. The Saint acknowledged that Name blessed above all things and sweeter to him than honey; and most thankfully took up a piece of the bird which had been served up, put it on some bread and sent it to the beggar. To be brief, that wretch kept the gift in order to bring reproach on the Saint.

79. Next morning the Saint, as he was wont, preached God's word to the assembled people. Forthwith that wicked man began to bluster and tried to show the piece of capon to every one. "See," he yelled, "what kind of man this Francis is who is preaching, whom you honour as a Saint! Look at all the meat he gave me while he was eating last night! "All the people cried out against the wretch and upbraided him as being filled with the Devil: but what he was trying to persuade them to be a piece of capon appeared in fact to all to be a fish, and the wretched man himself, abashed by the miracle, was forced to admit what every one else asserted. At length he blushed for shame, and atoned by penitence for the detected misdeed. He begged the Saint's pardon before them all, confessing the wicked intention he had had; and the meat returned to its own species, after the transgressor had returned to his right mind.