The reputation of St. Francis of Assisi as a nature lover often eclipses his identity as a writer in modern culture, and yet he is among the principal figures in Italian literature.
In his youth, St. Francis greatly admired the courtly love poetry and lifestyle of the troubadours; in his maturity, Francis embraced the title “Jugglers of God” (“Jongleurs de Dieu”) for himself and his first followers.
In taking the humbler position of a juggler or jester in the heavenly court, Francis did not lose his sense of dignity, but rather found freedom and levity in contrast to the stateliness of a higher position. Because of this, his life and poetry are clearly infused with a profound joy; he shares the jocundity of his Brother Fire as well as the humility of his Sister Water….