Most High, all-powerful, good Lord, to you be praise, glory, honour, and all blessing. To you alone, Most High, do they belong, and no human being is worthy to speak of you.
Praised be you, my Lord, with all your creatures, especially Mister Brother Sun, who is day and you give us light through him, and he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour; he is a sign of you, Most High.
Praised be you, my Lord, for Sister Moon and the stars. In the heavens you have made them precious and beautiful.
Praised be you, my Lord, for Brother Wind and for air and cloud, clear sky and all weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance.
Praised be you, my Lord, for Sister Water, who is very useful and humble, precious and clean.
Praised be you, my Lord, for Brother Fire, by whom you light up the night, and he is beautiful, cheerful, robust and strong.
Praised be you, my Lord, for our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and governs us and bears different fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.
Praised be you, my Lord, for those who forgive for love of you and suffer sickness and trials. Happy are those who endure in peace, for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.
Praised be you, my Lord, for our Sister Bodily Death from whom no one living can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy are those she finds doing your most holy will, as the second death will not harm them.
Praise and bless my Lord and give thanks and serve him with great humility.
Francis of Assisi. Translated from the original Umbrian dialect and compared with other translations by Dinah Livingstone. Composed in 1224, this is the first known poem in the Italian vernacular. Note: ‘Praised be you, my Lord, for…’ The word ‘for’ [‘per’] can also be translated as ‘through’.