Once upon a time, more than one hundred years ago, there lived two
companions, who spent their days together very evilly. The one of these
comrades was so brimmed with envy, that you might find no heart so rank
with the gall of bitterness. The other was so filled with covetousness,
that nothing sufficed of all that could be given to him. Now
covetousness is so foul a vice, that often she bringeth many men to
shame. Covetousness lendeth out her money upon usury, and deceiveth
with her balances, so that he who lendeth may have the greater gain.
But envy is the worser sin, since she grudges joy to others, and is
desirous of all the wealth of all the world.
On a day the envious man and the covetous man were about their business
together, and they came upon St. Martin walking in the fields. But the
saint had been but a little space in their company when he perceived
very clearly the evil desires that were rooted in the hidden places of
their hearts. Thus they fared till they lighted on two beaten paths,
one going this way, and the other that, and a chapel stood between the
ways. There St. Martin stayed his steps, and beckoned to these
evil-minded men.
"Lords," said he, "I take this path to the right that I may enter
within the church. I am St. Martin, who bestowed his cloak on the
beggar, and that you may always keep in mind this meeting I will give,
in turn, to each of you a gift. He who makes known to me his prayer
shall have his desire granted forthwith. But to him who refrains from
words, straightway shall be given twice as much as is bestowed upon his
fellow."
So when St. Martin was gone, the covetous man considered within himself
that if he left his companion to require a gift, he would receive twice
as much as him, and sweetly enjoy a double gain.
"Make your prayer, fair fellow, to the holy saint," said he, "for very
surely you will receive of him all that you may ask. Ask largely of
him, for he will largely give. If you go prudently about the matter you
will be wealthy all your life."
But he whose heart was brimmed with venom and envy dared not to ask
according to his desire, for reason that he feared to die of grief and
malice that his comrade's portion should be larger than his. Thus for a
great while they kept their tongues from speech, turning the business
over, this way and that.
"Wait no longer, lest a mischief befall you," cried at last the
covetous man. "Yea you or nay you, I must have the double of your
share, for all your cunning and caution. Ask, or I will beat you more
grievously than ever yet was beaten donkey at Pont."
"Sire," answered the envious man, "pray I will, since it is better to
receive a gift than stripes. If I require of the saint, money or houses
or lands, very surely will you receive of his bounty twice that he
giveth to me. But, so I am able, of all these shall you get nothing.
Holy St. Martin, I pray and require of your clemency that I may lose
one of my eyes, so that my fellow may lose both of his; thus shall he
be pained and grieved in double measure."
Very careful was the saint to observe his covenant, and of four eyes
these comrades lost three, since the envious man became one-eyed, and
the covetous man a poor blind beggar. Thus these fair friends were
ruined by their gain. But sorrow may he have who lets his heart be
troubled by their wretched plight, for these men were not of sterling
gold, but of false alloy.