Chapter CXVI That he would not quench nor allow to be quenched the fire that did burn his hosen Amongall the inferior and insensible creatures, he had a special affection
Complete three-work composite: CCEL Fioretti; Salter 1904 Life and Miracles; Evans 1899 / Goretti 2025 Mirror
Chapter CXVI That he would not quench nor allow to be quenched the fire that did burn his hosen Amongall the inferior and insensible creatures, he had a special affection
toward fire, by reason of the beauty and usefulness thereof; wherefore
he would never hinder it in doing the office thereof. For once on a time, when he was sitting nigh the fire, without his knowledge the fire did catch upon his linen cloths or hosen nigh the knee, and when he felt the heat thereof, he would not put it out. But his companion that did see his hosen afire ran unto him intending to quench the fire, but he forbade him, saying: “Nay, dearest brother, harm not the fire!” And thus would he not by no means that he should quench it.
Howbeit, he went hastily to the brother that was his warden and fetched him to the Blessed Francis, and he did forthwith against the will of the Blessed Francis put out the fire. Whence, however urgent were the necessity, he would never put out a fire nor a lamp nor a candle, with so great pity was he moved toward them.
Moreover he would not that a brother should fling away a fire nor move a smoking log from place to place as is wont, but should simply set the same on the ground out of reverence to Him whose creature it is.