"

The knights took courage, and became for the time beggars, and, asking
food "for the love of God," received all they wanted!

After this halt they reached Assisi in another stage. The old Bishop
Guido came to see his "son" as soon as he arrived. The moment he
looked at him he knew that his days were numbered, and he entreated
him to let himself be moved to his house, where he could have more
comfort. This was done, but nothing could really ease Francis'
sufferings. The swelling that had begun at Cortona disappeared, and he
rapidly became terribly thin. He could not make the slightest effort
without terrible suffering, and his eyes were so bad that he could
barely distinguish light from darkness--feeling alone remained, and we
are told that every part of his body was the seat of sharp pains! The
doctors declared they could not tell what kept him alive!

[Sidenote: _Farewell to Assisi._]

"My father," said one who was tending him once, "Do you not think you
would suffer less under the hands of an executioner?"

"My brother," answered Francis, "my dearest and sweetest wish has
always been, and still is, to do what God demands of me; with all my
soul I desire to conform myself in all things to His pleasure and
will, but martyrdom would be less difficult to bear than three days of
this illness. I mean speaking of the suffering it brings, not of the
recompense it merits."

As the suffering days lengthened into months, Francis seemed to rise
above himself. He lay there smiling and calm, and every hour his soul
became more strong and vigorous. Not that he was by any means free
from temptation. We read that "his soul bore the most violent assaults
without flinching."

In October he was taken back to Portiuncula. His one desire now was to
die near the spot where God had first revealed Himself to him. He was
placed on a litter, and slowly the bearers descended the mountain.

"Turn me towards the town," he said when they reached the valley, and
sitting up with a painful effort, he gazed for the last time in the
direction of Assisi.

"Be blessed of the Lord," he said solemnly, "O town faithful to God.
Many souls shall be saved in you and by you."

His first duty when he arrived at home was to make what he called his
will! This is a recapitulation of the fundamental principles of his
life, and a short account of the first early days of the brotherhood.
He charges all to be true to the one rule of the Order.

"I absol