Chapter XXIV

How S. Francis won over to the faith the Soldan of Babylon

Wrought on by zeal for the faith of Christ and the desire of martvrdom, S. Francis went on a time over sea with twelve of his most holy companions, to get them straight to the Soldan of Babylon, and they came to a land of the Saracens, where the passes were guarded by men so cruel that none of Christian folk that passed that way might avail to scape from death; but it pleased God that they were not slain, but taken ahve, and beaten and bound were brought before the Soldan. And being come before him, S. Francis, taught of the Holy Spirit, preached so divinely of the faith of Christ, that for the sake thereof was he willing to go even through the fire. Whereby the Soldan began to feel exceeding great devotion toward him, for the constancy of his faith, as for the contempt of the world that he saw in him (for that he would take of him no gift, albeit so very poor), and eke for the fervour of martyrdom that he saw in him. From that time forth the Soldan heard him gladly and prayed him that oft-times he would come before him, freely granting to him and his companions leave to preach wheresoever they would; and he gave them a sign whereby they might be safe from the hurt of any man. Having such free license, S. Francis sent his brothers and other companions two by two into divers parts of the Saracens to preach the faith of Christ. Seeing in the end that he could reap no more fruit in those parts, S. Francis by divine revelation set himself with all his companions to return to the land of the faithful; and when they were all gathered together, he came again to the Soldan and took leave of him to depart. And therewithal said the Soldan unto him: '* Brother Francis, I would gladly turn me to the faith of Christ, but I fear to do so now; for if these were ware of it, they would kill both thee and me with all thy company; and inasmuch as thou canst yet do much of good, and I have certain matters of great weight that I must needs array, I would not now work both my death and thine; but teach me now how I may be saved, sith ready am I to do all that thou mayest lay on me." Then spake S. Francis: " My lord, I must now go from you I). /ìcrt'iisoìi, l'.sq.

S. FRANCIS liKKORE THE SOI.DAN (Chalandon Collection, Paris) but after that I have returned to my country and have gone to heaven, by the grace of God, after my death, then, according as it shall please God, will I send thee two of my brothers, at whose hands thou shalt receive the holy Baptism of Christ, and shalt be saved, even as my Lord Jesu Christ hath revealed to me. In this mean time do thou keep thyself free from all let and hindrance, to the end that when the grace of God shall come to thee, it may find thee prepared for faith and the devout life; " and this he promised to perform, and eke performed it. This done, S. Francis returned with that venerable company of his holy companions, and when some years had gone by, S. Francis, by the death of the body, gave up his soul to God. And the Soldan falling sick, waited for the promise of S. Francis and set guards at certain passes; and gave orders that if two brothers should appear in the habit of S. Francis, they should straightway be brought to him. At that very time S. Francis appeared to two brothers and bade them go without delay to the Soldan and take care for his salvation, according as he had promised; the which brothers straightway set forth, and crossing the sea were brought to the Soldan by the guards aforesaid, and when the Soldan saw them he had exceeding great joy, and said: " Now I know of a truth that God hath sent His servants for my salvation, according to the promise that S. Francis made me through divine revelation." Thereon being taught of these brothers in the faith of Christ and receiving holy Baptism, thus re-born in Christ he died of that sickness, and his soul was saved through the merits and the prayers of S. Francis.