CHAP. XII. His Tender-heartedness and Compassion.
PIty grew up with him so naturally from his In∣fancy, that if he saw one in any misery or ad∣versity, it not only grieved him, but out of ten∣derness of Spirit he could hardly look him in the face: therefore though he loved not to carry mo∣ney about with him, yet did he not utterly prohi∣bit himself that conveniency, because he m•ght re∣lieve the daily necessities of the poor. He once heard of a woman, who for want of clothes could not Page 137 go to Church, and presently taking off his cloak, bad it should be carried her. If he at any time saw Boys or Girles in torne or ragged apparrel, he forthwith took order for decently clothing them.
Again if he knew of any one unjustly imprison∣ed, he never left mediating for him, till he were released. He so stoutly defended a Roman Noble∣man unto the Pope, being wrongfully accused of Murder, that he got him cleared of the Calumny. A Priest falsly impeached of heinous crimes, where∣of he knew him innocent; was through his means also delivered from the malice of his enemies. In like manner he in commiseration to certain Va∣grants or Gypsies, called by the Italians Cingari, freed them, when they were condemned to the Gallies. He also protected a Roman Lord from the wickedness of his Subjects that came to Rome to im∣plead him before Sixtus V. and accommodated the differences betwixt them.
He was exceeding charitable to poor Priests, and especially if they were forreigners. In the year 1551, there being a great dearth at Rome, Philip had six loaves brought him, which he immediately carried to a Priest that was a stranger, living himself on a few Olives: and being demanded why he kept ne∣ver a loaf for himself, replyed, Because I am better known here than he, and can shift better then a for∣reigner.
He found out divers wayes of helping Mechanicks and Artizans, such as earned their living by manu∣all trades, and could neither put of their work nor get employment. There were two Brothers, Frenchmen, very expert Watch-makers, but grown old and having a great charge of Daughters that were marriagable, for whom they could not pro∣vide Page 138 Husbands: the Good man perswades some friends of his who were well-money'd men to buy those Watches, by which means the Maids had fair Portions raised. This a certain man, one wise for himself, had observed, and seeing a wealthy person buy such store of Watches upon Philips perswasions, muttered privately, what means this waste? but finding afterward that by these sleights Philip as it were beguiled the Rich to maintaine the Poor, he was no more Offend∣ed, but thence-forward highly reverenced the B. man.
One time one of those that cry Succory about the City came to S. Hierom's to the Service of the Ora∣tory, and being very wet weather, so that it grow∣ing now toward night, the poor man could not go about the streets to sell his hearbs; the Father out of pity, that he might not go home sad, bought some of his Succory, wishing them that stood by to do the like, and so sent away the man joyfull and glad with his money in his purse.
This his tender-heartedness and compassion ap∣peared not only to reasonable creatures, but even brute beasts. One of his trod on a Lizard once, at which said he, O thou hard-hearted Wretch! what harm did that poor creature do thee? Seeing a Butcher wound a Dog with his axe, he turned a∣way his head moved with compassion, and cryed, O thou Barbarous creature! One of his Scholars brought him a Bird to delight him with the fight and singing of her: but he restored her to the hea∣ven where she was bred. When he took Coach he would charge the Coachman to hurt no living crea∣ture as he drave on the way: and if any were pre∣sented him, he would not let them be killed, but Page 139 either return them back, or keep them very care∣fully, if any came into the house of themselves, he let them forth at the Door, or the Windows without doing them any harm.
This his goodness and pity even the dumb crea∣tures through the disposall of Providence requited with manifold tokens as it were of gratitude again. Aloysius Ames a Frenchman presented Philip with two fine singing birds which he accepted, upon con∣dition that the donor would every day bring their food: the Good man desiring by this means to con∣tract further familiarity with him. So one day Ames coming suddenly into His Chamber espies one of the Birds▪ got out of the cage, fluttering about Philips face, and pleasing his eares with her delightfull tunes. The Father asks if she used to do so, No, replied he; at that Philip with a stern look beat her from him three or four times, but she would not leave, all the while chanting her pleasant notes till bidding the Cage should be brought to her, she presently flew in, as if understanding the meaning of his command. Divers instances of this nature are purposely omitted.
