The Versified Life of Saint Francis  - 444 

And inquire: "Who is this!" This shadow of his former selfa
They can hardly make out. They're in a sort of pitiful amazement

210At something that's worthy to relate, but harder to credit:
Francis, changed utterly, who once shone so brightly.
It is clowns and fools who now laugh at a man
Who is doing things wisely; and they call him a fool.
And bereft of all gentleness, they fling the mud off the street

215In that gentlest of faces.

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Legenda Sancti Francisci Versificata, Fontes Franciscani, p.


Decernunt quod sit alius, quaeruntque: " Quis hic est? ".
Vixque recognoscunt veteris vestigia formae,

230Mirantesque, quasi miserantes, digna relatu,
Et maiora fide: Franciscum scilicet omnem
Immutasse statum, quo praefulgere solebat.
Ridiculi fatuique virum sapienter agentem
Irrident, fatuumque vocant, coenumque plateae

235Mitibus immites immittere vultibus audent.

Francis of Assisi: Early Documents, vol. 1, p. 444