Chapter LX. How three women appeared to him in the way and vanished after giving him a new greeting

93. I will briefly relate a wondrous thing, of doubtful interpretation, but most certain truth. When Francis, Christ's poor man, was hastening from Rieti to Siena for the cure of his eyes, he passed over a plain near Rocca di Campiglio, accompanied by a certain physician who was attached to the Order. And lo! three poor women appeared by the wayside as S. Francis was passing. They were so much alike in stature, age and countenance that you might suppose that threefold matter had been perfected by one form. And as S. Francis came up they reverently bowed their heads and extolled him by a new greeting, saying: "Welcome, Lady Poverty! "Forthwith the Saint was filled with joy unspeakable, for there was nothing in him that he would so gladly have men salute as that which those women had fixed on. And at first, thinking that they really were poor women, he turned to the doctor who accompanied him, and said: "I pray thee, for God's sake, give, so that I may give something to these poor women". The doctor quickly took out money, and leaping from his horse, gave some coins to each one. So they went on a little further on their way, and then the brethren and the doctor looked round, and saw that all that plaint was void of women. Greatly amazed, they reckoned the occurrence among the wonders of God, knowing that those were not women who had flown away more swiftly than birds.