Of St. Francis and the Ass

Our father, ere he went

Out with his brother, Death,

Smiling and well-content

As a bridegroom goeth,

Sweetly forgiveness prayed

From man or beast whom he

Had ever injured

Or burdened needlessly.

'Verily,' then said he,

'I crave before I pass

Forgiveness full and free

Of my little brother, the ass.

Many a time and oft,

When winds and ways were hot,

He hath borne me cool and soft

And service grudged me not.

'And once did it betide

There was, unseen of me,

A gall upon his side

That suffered grievously.

And once his manger was

Empty and bare, and brown.

(Praise God for sweet, dry grass

That Bethlehem folk shook down! )

'Consider, brethern,' said he,

'Our little brother; how mild,

How patient, he will be,

Though men are fierce and wild.

His coat is gray and fine,

His eyes are kind with love;

This little brother of mine

Is gentle as the dove.

'Consider how such an one

Beheld our Saviour born,

And carried him, full-grown,

Through Eastern streets one morn.

For this the Cross is laid

Upon him for a sign.

Greatly is honourèd

This little brother of mine.'

And even while he spake,

Down in his stable stall

His little ass 'gan shake

And turned its face to the wall.

Down fell the heavy tear;

Its gaze so mournful was,

Fra Leo, standing near,

Pitied the little ass.

That night our father died,

All night the kine did low:

The ass went heavy-eyed,

With patient tears and slow.

The very birds on wings

Made mournful cries in the air.

Amen! all living things

Our father's brethern were.