Chapter XXXII. How a Certain Poor Man, by Virtue of the Alms of Blessed Francis, Forgave his Injuries and Hate to his Lord

AT the hill of the lordship of Perugia, blessed Francis met a certain poor man whom he had known before in the world, and said to him, "Brother, how is it with thee?" But he with angry mind began to utter curses on his lord, saying, "By the

Charity and Compassion 2 1 1 grace of my lord, whom may the Lord curse, I can be nothing but ill, since he has taken away from me all my goods." But blessed Francis, seeing that he persisted in mortal hatred, having pity on his soul, said to him, "Brother, forgive thy lord for the love of God, and free your own soul; it may be that he will restore what he has taken away; otherwise thou hast lost thy goods and wilt lose thy soul." And he said, "I cannot forgive him at all, unless he first return what he has taken away from me." Then the holy Father answered, "Behold, I give thee this mantle; I beg thee to forgive thy lord for the love of the Lord God." And immediately his heart was sweetened, and moved by this good deed he forgave his lord his injuries.