After this quest, Francis went to report to the Bishop of Assisi the
proceedings of his new soldiers. This worthy prelate, who greatly
valued him, and gave him his support on all occasions, could not help
telling him then, that he thought the sort of life he had chosen, in
which they gave up all possessions whatsoever, hard and grievous. "As
to me," replied the holy man, "I find it still harder and more grievous
to possess anything; for one cannot take care of what one possesses
without much solicitude and embarrassment. It gives rise to lawsuits,
which must be undertaken; sometimes people are obliged to take up arms
to protect it; and all this extinguishes the love of God and of our
neighbor." The bishop approved of his remarks, and once more promised
him his protection. It is true that the state of voluntary poverty in
which a person possesses nothing whatever, has its inconveniences; and
where does human corruption fail to find such? But it cannot be denied
that the state in question is very favorable to salvation, since it
is based upon the counsel of Jesus Christ; and that, on the contrary,
the possession of property is dangerous for salvation, since He Himself
has said emphatically: "How hardly shall they that have riches enter
into the kingdom of God."

While the Evangelical poor continued at Rivo Torto, the Emperor Otho
IV, who was on his way to Rome with a great train, in order to be
consecrated and crowned by Innocent III, passed by their hut. They
were too mortified to pay any attention to the pomp of his retinue;
but Francis ordered one of them to go to the emperor and tell him that
all the glory which surrounded him would be but of short duration. The
religious obeyed, and boldly told the emperor what had been commanded.
The prediction displeased the prince, who, nevertheless, admitted from
the event that it was well founded. For, having violated his coronation