Francis told the Lord in tears: I love the sun, I love the stars, I love Clare and her sisters, I love the hearts of men and women and everything beautiful. Forgive me, Lord, I know I should love only you.
Smilingly the Lord replied: I love the sun, I love the stars, I love Clare and her sisters, I love the hearts of men and women and everything beautiful. My dear Francis, please don't cry, as all of these I love too.
Umbrian Folk Song translated by Dinah Livingstone