Hardships Endured by the First Brethren

Small and great put [the first brethren] to reproach, and did them wrong, taking from them sometimes even the wretched garments they had. And, though the servants of God remained naked (since, according to the pattern of the Gospel, they wore but one tunic), they did not ask for what they had been deprived of, to be restored to them. But if any, moved by pity, wished to restore what had been taken, they received it back willingly. Some threw mud over them; others put dice into their hands, and invited them to play; others seized their hoods, and carried them on their backs, as if hanging. These and suchlike things they did to them, deeming them so cowardly that they boldly ill-treated them as they liked. Furthermore, they endured boundless tribulations and distresses by hunger, thirst, cold, and nakedness; but, as they had been admonished by Francis, they bore these things steadfastly and patiently, nor were they sad, nor did they speak evil of those who ill-treated them.

- text taken from Franciscan Days: being selections for every day in the year from ancient Franciscan writings, translated and arranged by Alan George Ferrers Howell