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Katharine Tynan - Of St. Francis and the Ass
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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, brethren,` 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.
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