“In sooth,” said Oisille, “I have many a time wondered how they can think to appease God for things which He Himself rebuked when He was on earth, such as great buildings, gildings, pictures and paint.  If they really understood the passage in which God says to us that the only offering He requires from us is a contrite and humble heart, (4) and the other in which St. Paul says we are the temples of God wherein He desires to dwell, (5) they would be at pains to adorn their consciences while yet alive, and would not wait for the hour when man can do nothing more, whether good or evil, nor (what is worse) charge those who remain on earth to give their alms to folk upon whom, during their lifetime, they did not deign to look.  But He who knows the heart cannot be deceived, and will judge them not according to their works, but according to their faith and charity towards Himself.”

     4 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit:  a broken and
     a contrite heart, O God, thou will not despise.”—­Psalm
     li. 17.—­Ed.

     5 “For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath
     said, I will dwell in them and walk in them,” &c.—­2
     Corinthians vi. 16.—­Ed.

“Why is it, then,” said Geburon, “that these Grey Friars and Mendicants talk to us at our death of nothing but bestowing great benefits upon their monasteries, assuring us that they will put us into Paradise whether we will or not?”

“How now, Geburon?” said Hircan.  “Have you forgotten the wickedness you related to us of the Grey Friars, that you ask how such folk find it possible to lie?  I declare to you that I do not think that there can be greater lies than theirs.  Those, indeed, who speak on behalf of the whole community are not to be blamed, but there are some among them who forget their vows of poverty in order to satisfy their own greed.”

“Methinks, Hircan,” said Nomerfide, “you must know some such tale, and if it be worthy of this company, I pray you tell it us.”

“I will,” said Hircan, “although it irks me to speak of such folk.  Methinks they are of the number of those of whom Virgil says to Dante, ‘Pass on and heed them not.’ (6) Still, to show you that they have not laid aside their passions with their worldly garments, I will tell you of something that once came to pass.”

6 Non ragioniam di lor, ma guarda e passa (Dante’s Purgatorio, iii. 51).  The allusion is to the souls of those who led useless and idle lives on earth, supporting neither the Divinity by the observance of virtue, nor the spirit of evil by the practice of vice.  They are thus cast out both from heaven and hell.—­Ed.

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[Illustration:  051a.jpg The Grey Friar introducing his Comrade to the Lady and her Daughter]

[The Grey Friar introducing his Comrade to the Lady and her Daughter]

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