right so the
terrible wolf shut his jaws and stayed his running: and when he was
bid, came gently as a lamb and lay him down at the feet of St. Francis.
Thereat St. Francis thus bespake him: "Brother wolf, much harm hast thou
wrought in these parts and done grievous ill, spoiling and slaying the
creatures of God, without His leave: and not alone hast thou slain and
devoured the brute beasts, but hast dared to slay men, made in the image
of God; for the which cause thou art deserving of the gibbet as a thief
and a most base murderer; and all men cry out and murmur against thee
and all this land is thine enemy. But I would fain, brother wolf, make
peace between thee and these; so that thou mayest no more offend them,
and they may forgive thee all thy past offences, and nor men nor dogs
pursue thee any more." At these words the wolf with movements of body,
tail, and eyes, and by the bending of his head, gave sign of his assent
to what St. Francis said, and of his will to abide therby. Then spake
St. Francis again: "Brother wolf, sith it pleaseth thee to make and hold
this peace, I promise thee that I will see to it that the folk of this
place give thee food alway so long as thou shalt live, so that thou
suffer not hunger any more; for that I wot well that through hunger hast
thou wrought all this ill. But sith I win for thee this grace, I will,
brother wolf, that thou promise me to do none hurt to any more, be he
man or beast; dost promise me this?" And the wolf gave clear token by
the bowing of his head that he promised. Then quoth St. Francis:
"Brother wolf, I will that thou plight me troth for this promise, that
I may trust thee full well." And St. Francis stretching forth his hand
to take pledge of his troth, the wolf lifted up his right paw before him
and laid it gently on the hand of St. Francis, giving thereby such sign
of good faith as he was able. Then quoth St. Francis: "Brother wolf, I
bid thee in the name of Jesu Christ come now with me, nothing doubting,
and let us go stablish this peace in God's name." And the wolf obedient
set forth with him, in fashion as a gentle lamb; whereat the townsfolk
made mighty marvel, beholding. And straightway the bruit of it was
spread through all the city, so that all the people, men-folk and
women-folk, great and small, young and old, gat them to the market place
for to see the wolf with St. Francis.

And the people being gathered all together, St. Francis rose up to
preach,