The Little Flowers and the Life of St. Francis, with the...

the Minister-General a licence to have one; yet for that he heard how the Blessed Francis was minded that his brethren should not be desirous of knowledge and books, he was not content to have it without the leave of the Blessed Francis. What time, therefore, the Blessed Francis was come to the place where that novice was, the novice said: “Father, a great solace would it be to me to have a psalter, but albeit the General hath allowed it unto me, I would fain have it with thy knowledge and approval.” Unto whom the Blessed Francis made answer: “Charles the Emperor, Roland and Oliver, and all the paladins and puissant men that were mighty in war, pursuing the paynims with sore sweat and travail even to the death, did achieve a victory over them worthy of all remembrance, and at the last did themselves die in battle, holy martyrs for the faith of Christ; yet now be there many that would fain receive honor and the praise of men for only telling the tale of the deeds they did. In like manner, even amongst ourselves many there be that are fain to receive praise and honor only by rehearsing and preaching the works that the saints did themselves achieve”; as who should say: “Pay not heed unto books and knowledge, but unto godly works, for knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” But after some days, when the Blessed Francis was sitting at the fire, the same novice did again speak to him about the psalter. And the Blessed Francis saith unto him: “After that thou shalt have had the psalter, thou wilt be covetous and desire to have a breviary also.

And while he spoke thus, the Blessed Francis with great fervency of spirit did take of the ashes and set upon his own head, and drawing his hand in a compass over his head as he that should wash his head, said: “I a breviary! I a breviary!” And thus many times did he repeat the same, drawing his hand over his head. And that brother was amazed and ashamed. Afterwards the Blessed Francis said unto him: “Brother, I in likewise have been tempted to have books, but whilst I still knew not the will of God therein, I took a book wherein were written the Lord’s Gospels, and I prayed unto the Lord that in the first opening of the book, He would show me of this matter. And when I had made an end of praying, on the first opening of the book I lighted on that Word of the Holy Gospel: ‘Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, but unto others in parables.’” And he saith: “So many be there that do willingly raise them up unto knowledge, that blessed shall he be that shall make him barren for the love of our Lord God.”

But after many months had gone by, when the Blessed Francis was at the place of S. Mary of the Little Portion, nigh the cell beyond the house in the street, the aforesaid brother did again speak to him about the psalter. To whom the Blessed Francis said: “Go and do herein as thy minister shall tell thee.” And when he heard this, the brother began to return by the way that he had come. But the Blessed Francis bided in the way, and began to think upon that which he had said to the brother, and straightway called out after him saying: “Wait for me, brother, wait!” And he went up to him, and saith unto him: “Turn back with me, brother, and show me the place where I said unto thee that thou shouldst do as thy minister should tell thee in the matter of the psalter.” When therefore they had come as far as the place, the Blessed Francis bent his knee before that brother and said: “Mine is the fault, brother, mine is the fault! for whosoever will be brother Minor ought to have nothing save his habit as the Rule alloweth him and a cord and hosen, and shoes for them that are compelled of manifest necessity.” Hence it came to pass that when sundry of the brethren came to him to take counsel on matters of this kind, it was on this wise that he made answer unto them. And therefore did he say ofttimes: “As much knowledge hath a man as he doth work, and a Religious only preacheth well insomuch as he worketh well, for the doer is known by his fruits.”